Be prepared: Download, print, and save the Disaster Ministry Response Plan for conference leaders and churches.
When disaster strikes, electricity often goes away. That is why you need to download the Michigan Conference Disaster Ministry Plan, read it, share it, and prepare your local church to respond.
Additional resources are available in our Disaster Preparedness Toolbox.
Learn about the historic 2021 Detroit flood
The 100 Year Flood documentary follows a West Ohio ERT team into Detroit to see the flood damage and its impact on aging infrastructure. A 4-session Bible study accompanies the documentary and asks, Will people change the ways they live to reduce the likelihood of events like this for their neighbors in Detroit and around the world?
Questions?
Rev. Kayla Roosa
Disaster Response Coordinator
[email protected]
Rev. Bob Miller
Disaster Response Coordinator
[email protected]
MICHIGAN UNITED METHODISTS ARE READY TO RESPOND
Tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, famine, or anything that disrupts people’s lives and places life at risk, calls us to be the compassionate hands and feet of Jesus Christ. The Michigan Disaster Response Team works year-round to prepare, plan, and equip teams so we can respond when disaster strikes. Click here to view a video from the Louisiana Conference about why United Methodists respond.
1. Pray
We are called to pray, organize prayer groups and chains and bathe those in need in prayers of peace, God’s abundant Grace, wholeness and safety for those affected and those there to help.
2. Give
While our immediate compassionate instinct is to send food, clothing and household items in times of crisis, we recognize that it may causes more harm than good. In the initial crisis phase, there is no more flexible, reliable, and effective response, than a financial gift to either our Michigan Conference Response and Recovery Fund or the United Methodist Committee on Relief, where 100% goes directly to aid those in need. See: UMCOR Sunday, GIVE: Michigan/Local, or GIVE: UMCOR Global where most needed.
3. Donate
Preparedness. We assemble thousands of flood clean-up buckets and personal hygiene kits during the year, so when disaster strikes, we are able to load them on trucks and get them to the right place in days. Working with other annual conferences, we keep centralized response kits ready to go. Learn how to gather needed supplies.
4. Volunteer
Michigan coordinates with national, state and local agencies to bring wholeness to disaster zones. Disaster zones are dangerous so our volunteers arrive only after first responders have completed their rescue missions. At the invitation of the affected community our teams move in and often for years following the crisis. To accomplish this we must be trained and prepared. Connect with Bob & Kayla, our Disaster Response Co-Coordinators, or follow the links on this page to learn about responding to disasters through Early Response Teams (ERTs) and Volunteers in Mission (VIM).
EARLY RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
What does it take to become an UMCOR-certified ERT volunteer?
Just $35 and one day! That is all. One eight-hour training day gives you the basics for entering a disaster zone. You will receive a badge certifying you for three years of service, a T-shirt with the Michigan ERT Logo, a manual explaining what you can and can’t do, and lunch. This all comes with needed information by a certified ERT Trainer.
With a badge, T-shirt, and manual, you and a team of at least seven ERT volunteers will be ready when a request comes for assistance from the Michigan Conference Disaster Response Coordinator or one of the other annual conferences in The United Methodist Church. You will be invited in to get dirty, sweaty, and tired by mucking out basements, removing drywall, tarping roofs, and removing damaged furniture and belongings, all for the joy of serving God as the hands and feet of Christ.
Do you have questions? Contact the Michigan Conference Early Response Team Trainer, Jody Pratt, [email protected].
LONG-TERM RECOVERY DISASTER RESPONSE AND VOLUNTEER IN MISSION TRAINING
Long-Term Disaster Recovery Response follows Early Response and lasts much longer. Being part of a Disaster Recovery Team does not require certification, but training is available periodically. Check below for an upcoming training event, contact Jody Pratt, the Michigan Conference Coordinator of Volunteers in Mission (VIM), at [email protected], or visit the Michigan Conference VIM webpage. Jody will gladly work with you to schedule recovery response training or guidance with organizing a team experience.
AFTER THE STORM – LONG-TERM RECOVERY DISASTER RESPONSE IN MICHIGAN
After the Storm (ATS) is a nonprofit organization launched by the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church in 2022. It provides Disaster Case Management, which is a client-centered approach to assisting survivors of natural disasters achieve their long-term recovery goals. Disaster Case Managers meet with clients for assessment and setting goals, help clients in accessing federal, state, and local assistance, coordinate home repair and rebuild projects, and refer to other social services as needed. ATS welcomes volunteers and regularly organizes volunteer recovery opportunities. Give to ATS through EngageMI.
NOMADS – LONG-TERM RECOVERY DISASTER RESPONSE
The NOMADS also do Long-Term Recovery work nationally. These retirees travel around the country in their RVs to provide volunteer labor for Methodist organizations (camps, children’s homes, schools, etc.) needing construction, remodeling, and repairs. Give to NOMADS through EngageMI.
UPCOMING TRAINING EVENTS
Early Response Team (ERT) Certification
Friday, June 12, 2026
8:30 AM Check-in (for pre-registered participants)
9 am-4 pm includes lunch, breaks, participant manual, and t-shirt
Location: Michigan Conference Center, 1011 Northcrest Rd., Lansing. MI 48906
Cost: $35 covers materials, lunch, and shirt.
Payment is due at the door. Make checks payable to MI Conference Disaster Response.
Instructor: Jody Pratt, VIM Coordinator
Pre-registration required. Contact Jody Pratt at [email protected] or 616.292.4908 to register. A background check link will be provided prior to training.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 8, 2026
*Maximum 20 people. This training is for those who wish to be certified through UMCOR for the early response deployment.
Saturday, January 23, 2027
8:30 AM Check-in (for pre-registered participants)
9 am-5 pm includes lunch, breaks, participant manual, and t-shirt
Location: St. Paul’s UMC, 620 Romeo, Rochester Hills, MI, 48307
Cost: $35 covers materials, lunch, shirt.
Payment due at the door. Make checks payable to MI Conference Disaster Response.
Instructor: Jody Pratt, VIM Coordinator
*This training is for those who wish to be certified through UMCOR for the early response deployment.
Pre-registration required. Contact Jody Pratt at [email protected] or 616.292.4908 to register.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 16, 2027
*Maximum 20 people
*Interested in hosting a training? Training for ERT/VIM Long Term Response can be scheduled at a church willing to host. Contact Jody Pratt at [email protected] or 616.292.4908.
Long-Term Recovery Disaster Response and Volunteer in Mission Training
Saturday, October 17, 2026
8:30 AM Check-in (for pre-registered participants)
9 am – 4 pm includes lunch, breaks, participant manual, and t-shirt
Location: Middleville UMC, 111 Church Street, Middleville, MI 49333
Cost: $30 covers materials, lunch, shirt.
Payment due at the door. Make checks payable to MI Conference Disaster Response.
Instructor: Jody Pratt, VIM Coordinator
Pre-registration required. Contact Jody Pratt at [email protected] or 616.292.4908 to register.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 7, 2026
*This training is for those who want to work long-term on disaster recovery teams (usually 1-2 weeks), domestic or international mission journeys, or partner with a certified Early Response team. Trainer Jody Pratt is incorporating the two training sessions for those who do not want to be certified but still wish to serve under the UMCOR umbrella. We will offer the certification training in Winter/Spring 2025 as churches volunteer to host. Also open to interested Michigan Conference volunteers.