Disaster Response

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) — Helping the hurting amid disaster

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Disaster Response ministry responds to immediate and long-term needs following natural and man-made disasters.

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Working through LCMS districts and congregations as well as with international Lutheran churches and other partners, LCMS Disaster Response builds capacity of the church’s partners to respond to needs with Christian care.

The ministry reaches out to LCMS congregations and their communities with services that include on-site assessment, emergency relief and development grants, pastoral care for LCMS church workers and members, and other resources.

Hurricane response

Support relief and mercy efforts for those affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton in the southeastern United States.

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Training events available

LCMS congregations may host Disaster Response training for individuals in their area to join a Lutheran Early Response Team. LERT is a network of volunteers trained to respond in times of disaster.

LERT volunteer site

Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) has a website to connect LCMS Disaster Response volunteers at the local and national level.

Recent Resources

Stay Connected

Visit the LCMS Disaster Response Facebook page for the latest news and event information.

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Rev. Michael Meyer
Director of Disaster Training
Managing Director of Congregations and Districts

Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson
Director of Disaster Response

Disaster Response overview

Contact the LCMS

Ask a question 1-888-843-5267

Give Online

Help people affected by disasters

888-930-4438

To make a credit card gift by phone, call the LCMS toll-free donor care line between 8 a.m. and 4:10 p.m. Central time.

Mail

On the memo line or enclosed note, please indicate how you would like your gift to be used. (Disaster Response – where needed most, wildfire relief, hurricane relief, etc.)
Make check payable and mail to:

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-6861

Donor Accountability

How do donations get to those who need help?

View financial reports, breakdown of gifts for relief work >>

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Mission and Vision

The Lutheran Witness Magazine

MDFL Resource Center

Million Dollar Life Match

Church Work Recruitment Initiative

Caring for Ukraine

Contact Us

Email us

Church Info Center: 888-843-5267
Staff Switchboard: 800-248-1930
Donor Care Line: 888-930-4438

1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7226

Auxiliaries and Seminaries

Partners

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Inc., including Mission Central (in Mapleton, Iowa), is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity.

A contribution designated (restricted) for a specific purpose, when accepted, will be used only to fund expenses related to that purpose. Occasionally, we may receive more in contributions for a particular purpose than can be wisely applied to it in the foreseeable future or the purpose may cease to be feasible. In these situations, the LCMS will make reasonable attempts to contact contributors to apply their contribution toward another aspect of ministry that aligns closely the contributor’s goals and values. If a contributor cannot be contacted, the LCMS will use the gift to meet a similar pressing need that most closely matches the contributor's original intent.

Consistent with Synod Board policy and in recognition of a more challenging economic and philanthropic/fundraising environment due to inflationary pressure, not more than 13.5 percent of any charitable contribution will be allocated to administering gifts and communicating with contributors. Contributions received and accepted by the LCMS are deemed to be in agreement with this statement.

Donor Transparency Resources