Our Mission:  We are here to serve and assist pastors, congregations, the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), and their communities throughout the Florida-Georgia area and beyond by preparing for, responding to, and managing disaster responses.  We serve the Lutheran Church and its communities as part of the Church’s outreach ministry.

This nonprofit organization has been formed to assist churches with disaster relief. Our mission is to provide expertise, equipment and leadership so that individuals in your church can assist with Disaster Relief. 

Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, Inc., or FGLER ("Flagler" as we call it) grew from conversations between some LERT volunteers and the Florida-Georgia District (FLGA) Disaster Response Coordinator in 2020 and 2021. They are LCMS Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) trainers and would periodically talk about what could be done to get our church members involved in LERT, and how the FLGA District could better support the disaster response ministry. Having been involved in disaster response for many years, they expressed the need to have equipment for our volunteers to use when helping on a response – particularly “heavy equipment”.

In 2020, they were approached by a church interested in building a shower trailer for use in disaster response. The project was approved, and the shower trailer was built in 2021. However, as time for the trailer dedication approached, the ownership of the trailer became an issue, and the need for a non-church or non-District owner became apparent. This led to a discussion regarding the formation of a non-profit organization that would be able to own equipment in support of the Church's disaster response mission in Florida and Georgia.

During late 2021 and into 2022, additional people joined the conversation, and work began on formulating draft articles of incorporation and bylaws. Articles of Incorporation were filed as a nonprofit organization with the State of Florida. On September 9, 2022, the Articles of Incorporation were approved by the Florida Department of State, and Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, Inc. became a legal organization.

In November 2022, the Florida-Georgia District and LCMS Disaster Response assisted FGLER in purchasing its first piece of “heavy equipment”, a used Bobcat MT85 mini-track loader, for use in disaster response. This equipment proved to be a very valuable purchase, as it was heavily used by volunteers in the District’s Hurricane Ian response work. 

After more discussion among the future directors, on December 5, 2022, an official initial meeting was held, directors and officers elected, and bylaws, policies and resolutions adopted. 

On July 14, 2023, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service approved the 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, Inc.

With assistance from LCMS Disaster Response, the Florida-Georgia District, the SELC District, and some congregations and church members, a second Bobcat mini-track loader was purchased in August 2023. 

FGLER’s equipment, directors, and volunteers have since assisted LCMS congregations with storm cleanup in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky.

In 2024, FGLER was awarded Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status with The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. We are officially a service partner the the LCMS and its Districts and agencies.

2024 saw FGLER awarded three grants from LCMS Disaster Response: two for equipment, and one for Hurricane Milton response. The equipment grants, along with donations from the Florida-Georgia District, SELC District, churches, and individuals, have enabled us to purchase another Bobcat MT100, a cargo trailer, a dump trailer, and a Chevrolet 3500 flatbed truck.

As 2025 progresses, FGLER has been involved in local LERT and LERT Chainsaw trainings, and in assisting our churches and partners in other Districts with recovery projects. Our 2nd Annual Pork Butts Fundraiser was a success, more than doubling last year's event.

Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, Inc. has received Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). The LCMS knows that, in addition to its churches and schools, private nonprofit organizations are often engaged in serving Christ in their communities, are equipped to better carry out the Church's mercy mission, and partner with these organizations in ministry.

By being an RSO of the LCMS, we receive official recognition of the LCMS as a partner in ministry. This opens doors for us with our churches, LCMS members, organizations, and businesses. It also presents opportunities to seek grants that will help FGLER carry out its mission.

We look forward to this strategic partnership in carrying out our mission and the mission of the Church - serving Christ through serving others. 

Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response (FGLER) follows the example Jesus established when He fed the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17) and the 4,000, (Mark 8:1-13) where He had compassion for those in need, and in His teachings in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-40). Because He first loved us, we love others (I John 4:19). 

As an organization, we encourage our volunteers to readily witness and share their faith in Christ Jesus with those we serve, and to show their love for Him by helping others. Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, Inc. is Christian love in action. It is meeting the urgent needs of hurting humanity in crisis situations with loving care and a timely response, as James 2:14-17 instructs us to do. As Christians, we are called to not only have a relationship with Jesus Christ (spiritual), but to also put our faith into action by serving others as Christ served us (physical) (Matthew 25:40, John 13:14, James 2: 14-26).

While we are not a church, this ministry, Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, Inc., is voluntarily aligned with, and partners with, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) in ministry. The LCMS is a mission-oriented and Bible-based church denomination that confesses the historic, orthodox Christian faith in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a faith built on “the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). FGLER is a mission-oriented and Bible-based organization that seeks to proclaim Jesus Christ, and supports the LCMS mission of Gospel proclamation and acts of service and mercy.

For further information about The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, go to www.lcms.org.

The disaster response arena is huge and can be daunting! We fully understand that we cannot do it all, nor can we do much - but we can do something! Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, Inc. focuses on 1) training volunteers to serve in the LCMS LERT disaster response ministry, 2) assististing our Districts, churches, schools, their members, and their communities manage and recover from disasters, and 3) providing equipment that increases the capacity of our volunteers as they work to assist in cleanup efforts.

FGLER regularly and willingly aligns and identifies itself with LCMS Disaster Response through their Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) ministry. We readily wear LCMS LERT-logoed apparel, and require our volunteers to go through LERT training. When we work disasters, we specifically point people to the local LMCS congregation and the District.

FGLER is a working partnership with the LCMS Florida-Georgia and SELC Districts. 

To accomplish our mission, we need to partner with others. Some of our partners in disaster response ministry are:

• LCMS Disaster Response

• The Florida-Georgia District of the LCMS

• The SELC District of the LCMS

• The English District of the LCMS

• The Southeastern District of the LCMS

• The Southern District of the LCMS

• The Mid-South District of the LCMS

• Lutheran Servants For Christ

• Lutheran Church Charities

• Forged By Fire Ministries

Of course, we always seek financial partners who support our ministry through one-time or on-going donations. Donations may be made on our "Donate" page.

No person(s) or organization "owns" FGLER. Although we are a private organization, FGLER is not a membership organization. There are no "dues" or membership fees. Anyone can be a FGLER "member" simply by joining us in living out our mission by being the face of Jesus Christ through serving those affected by disasters. 

Ways in which you can be a FGLER Member:

• Be disaster response trained, through the LCMS LERT program

• Participate in disaster responses with us through LCMS-LERT

• Join our meetings as non-voting member to share ideas and have input into what we do - we listen!

• Serve as Director on our Board of Directors

• Serve on a Committee 

• Receive FGLER emails

• Financially support FGLER with a regular or special contribution, or include us in your estate plans.

We do not have a paid staff to do our planning or work; it is 100% done by volunteers. We are looking for willing volunteers to help expand FGLER's disaster response capacity, and to enable our organization to meet 2025-26 goals.

Ways You Can Help Us

• Help us manage disaster responses as a Site Manager, Office Manager, Cook, or in another capacity

• Be an Instructor/Trainer for training LERT volunteers

• Coordinate a fundraiser

• Assist with publicity (graphic arts, website management, writing, photography, etc.)

• Equipment manager or Maintenance Team to help keep our equipment in good running condition

• Bobcat operator

• Chainsaw operator

• Be a Level 1 or Level 2 Assessor (looks at disaster area or job requests and determines what we need to do)

• Drive FGLER, personal or rental vehicles to transport relief supplies to disaster-impacted areas

• Use FGLER or personal trucks to move FGLER equipment trailers to disaster sites

• Encourage your pastor and congregational leaders to consider having your church host training sessions (LERT, Chainsaw Safety, Trauma Medical, Assessment, Bobcat Operator, Muck-Out, others) for volunteers in your area

FGLER leadership strives to be intentional in the ministry set before us. To be effective in this we have set Goals and Objectives for 2025 - 2026 and beyond.

Goal 1.1.: During 2023-2028, FGLER will develop and maintain a volunteer training program that will enable volunteers to serve in various capacities.

Goal 1.2.: During 2023-2028, FGLER will select, train, and maintain a corps of at least 10 training instructors who can train volunteers to serve in a variety of capacities.

Goal 2.1.: By June 30, 2026, FGLER will develop a plan to promote FGLER to our congregations within Florida and Georgia.

Goal 3.1.: By June 2026, FGLER will develop a plan to reach out to congregations and individuals with a regular giving plan.

Goal 3.2.: By June 2029, FGLER will submit at least one grant request.

Goal 4.1.: By 2029, FGLER will have secured equipment necessary to equip volunteers responding to disasters.

Goal 4.2.: FGLER will determine the best storage option for each equipment purchase.

Goal 5.1.: By 2029, FGLER will have at least 200 volunteers trained and ready to assist on responses.

Goal 5.2.: By 2027, have at least 10 volunteers active in FGLER leadership positions.

Since its inception in September 2022, FGLER has been involved in showing mercy and Christ's love through service to others. 

• Hurricane Ian Response, Ft. Myers, FL 2022

• Little Rock, AR, Tornado Response, 2023

• Hurricane Idalia Response, Valdost, GA, and Jennings, FL area 2023

• Tallahassee, FL Tornado Response, FL 2024

• Rogers, AR, Tornado Response, 2024

• Stepping Stone MInistry Rebuild Project, Conyers, GA, 2024

• Hurricane Helene Response in Valdosta, GA and Tampa/St. Petersburg area, FL, and North Carolina 2024

• Hurricane Milton Response in Tampa and Sarasota, FL areas, 2024

• Hurricane Helene Response in Hendersonville and Linn Haven, North Carolina, 2025

Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, Inc. is a volunteer organization. Volunteers are at the heart of our operations. That means our Directors are all volunteers. Our "members" are volunteers. The FGLER leadership is always looking for qualified and hardworking individuals to serve as Directors and in other leadership positions. If you are interested in serving in a leadership position or know someone who may be interested, please let us know. 

Nominations or inquiries can be sent to us at info@fgler.org

Our Bylaw lists the qualifications to be a Director:

• Is at least 18 years of age.

• Is an active member of a Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregation.

• Is an active participant on LCMS Disaster Response’s Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT).

• Is an active participant with Florida-Georgia Lutheran Disaster Response.

• Is not related to, by blood or marriage, to another director; is not an employee, agent, or representative receiving compensation of FGLER.

• Exhibits personal, spiritual, and ethical maturity.

• Exhibits a strong work ethic, is dependable and reliable, willing to do the work.

• Exhibits a desire, passion, and commitment to carry out the mission, ministry, purpose, and vision of Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response, and wants to see it succeed (believes in our mission, is a strong advocate).

• Is willing to be an ambassador for the organization.

• Has a positive attitude, is team oriented.

• Does not have a conflict of interest (subject to review within the bylaws and policy).

• Does not have a conviction for a felony, any offense involving theft, fraud, embezzlement, or involving children.

• Understands that this is an unpaid position (except for approved direct expenses) that will require a commitment to active involvement.

• Should have a personal or professional background and contacts that are of benefit to Florida-Georgia Lutheran Early Response.

• Willing to submit to a background check.

• Is able to make critical strategic, financial, policy, and operational decisions.

• Should bring personal or professional skills needed to run a business.

• Is willing to take on roles, responsibilities, and duties as a Director.

• Consideration for a Director who may serve as Treasurer should include experience in bookkeeping and accounting.

• Diversity of experience, background, and training across the board (we do not want a board of clones) to create a well-rounded board. 

• Note: FGLER does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, age, national origin (ancestry), social or economic factors, marital status, or military status, and the BOD should model that.

The FGLER Board of Directors generally meets online monthly. The last meeting of the year is our Annual Meeting. Meetings are open to non-Board Directors, and we welcome the participation of others - this work is a much bigger task than we Directors can do on our own! Your expertise and assistance are much needed and welcomed! Contact us for meeting information.