Due to the number of grants this biennium, this month there are two grants featured!
Regional Disaster Response LERT Shower Trailers
2025–2027 Mission Grant 1 — $81,500
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.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.
Resources for Grant #1
- Mission Grant Story PDF
- Prayer Guide PDF
Large Print Resources for Grant #1
Learn more about this mission grant and view more photos here.
Donate to the LWML Mission Goal
Portable Laundry Trailer
2025–2027 Mission Grant 3 — $100,700
Interior photo of the laundry trailerWhen disasters strike, Forged by Fire Services, a disaster response organization of the LCMS Southern District, is deployed to the Gulf Coast Region and beyond. Sharing the hope in Christ, they provide human care to the victims, volunteers, and first responders affected by natural and man-made disasters. After a disaster, one of the needs of the people and volunteers are clean clothes, but there may be no facility for laundry service available.
Forged by Fire Services would like to provide laundry service by obtaining a professionally built eight-station laundry trailer with all the supporting equipment. The laundry trailer would be set up in the parking lot of an LCMS church. When offering the service, the LERT trained volunteers have an opportunity to talk to the people about the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus Christ. This grant will provide funds for the purchase of the portable laundry trailer.
Resources for Grant #3
- Mission Grant Story PDF
- Prayer Guide PDF
Large Print Resources for Grant #3
Learn more about this mission grant and view more photos here.
Boxes of materials sent by Orphan Grain Train ready to be opened and distributed. All are categorized and labeled so people know what is in them.
So many relationships are formed through the work of Camp Restore Detroit. Two little boys, one from the community and the other, a Lutheran from a different city, worshipping together. One is teaching the other about the use of the LCMS hymnal and enthusiastically sharing the love of Jesus with one another.
The emergency doors in the gym are not locking properly after being opened and therefore cannot be used.
