Lutheran Regional Disaster Response LERT Shower Trailers
LWML Mite Challenge - November 2025
2025-2027 Mission Grant No. 1
Regional Disaster Response LERT Shower Trailers
LCMS Office of National Mission, Disaster Response
Ministry | $81,500
About This Mission Grant
Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) serve thousands of individuals and families who are suffering from loss in the wake of disasters like hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires, and tornadoes. When deployed, LERT teams traditionally use congregations in the disaster areas as their base camps. The host congregations provide a place for the LERT teams to sleep, eat, rest, recover, and receive spiritual care during their time of service. Host congregations are incredible to work with as the teams help them rebuild their communities and share the life-changing message of the Gospel.
One challenge for team members has been the lack of showers and laundry facilities at a host church. LERT members have showered at national gym chains, in members’ homes, in personal campers, or even under cold garden hoses. This grant will fund half the cost of two combination bathroom/shower/laundry trailers to be used during disaster response work.
Disaster preparedness is a priority of LCMS Disaster Response. Mercy in Action, which includes Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) training, is a program designed to help train congregations to respond when tragedy strikes and includes bible studies on mercy, charity and human care. To
date, LERT has trained more than 18,000 Lutheran volunteers in disaster relief and response with more than 50 LERT Disaster Response equipment trailers utilized by all 35 LCMS districts.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
– Galatians 6:10
