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Small groups bring big blessings in Peace Lutheran's new building
“Lord of all promise from Heaven above, bless now our endeavor established in love.”

So begins the Hymn of Peace, the parish hymn of Peace Lutheran, Fort Myers, Fla. The congregation’s members wrote the hymn, which prays for God’s blessings on the parish’s ministries... Read More>

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Serving the community through social ministry
“Our desire to be ‘hands on’ in the community has led to growth over time,” said the Rev. Andy Smith, pastor at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd, Minn. First Lutheran is located in Minnesota’s Lakes Region, a popular vacation destination... Read More>

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Expanding to the glory of God
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia, Wash., achieved “substantial completion” one year ago of its first new construction project in approximately 30 years. Wayne McGuire, the congregation’s finance officer, added that detail work is being completed on a 12,850 square-foot expansion that was envisioned during a three-year planning process. The project was funded by a $2.3 million Mission Investment Fund (MIF) loan and a congregational fund-raising campaign... Read More>

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Building up faith and funds
“There is not a single wealthy person in my congregation,” said the Rev. Nicholas Zook, pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church, on Chicago’s North Side. “I promise.” Concordia’s approximately 200 members trust God as they finish raising $12.5 million for a major building project.

The money – from city, state, federal and private sources – is paying to transform a former Roman Catholic school and rectory... Read More>

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Calgary Lutheran gets a facelift
Calvary Lutheran Church in Two Rivers, Wis., surveyed its neighbors and learned that the church was virtually invisible. For a church setting its sights on revitalization, this was not good. After years of declining attendance, Calvary invested in some soul-searching and developed a mission to be open and welcoming to everyone in their community... Read More>

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Congregation commemorates MIF help with a gift
Messiah Lutheran Church in Moundsville, W.V., uses at least 10 percent of its budget to support ELCA churchwide benevolence and causes such as social service ministries, scholarships for kids going to summer church camp, and emergency
funds for local people in need. Generally, there’s no shortage of worthy causes... Read More>

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Open arms and a clear vision
Hope Lutheran Church was running out of room and something had to be done. “We’re completely maxed out here. Our attendance is capped out until we can get a bigger space,” said the Rev. Larry Koger, Hope’s senior pastor... Read More>

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Creative solutions for funding ministry in California
Of the ELCA’s eight seminaries, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, Calif., is one of two west of the Mississippi River. And according to former Wartburg Seminary President Robert Fjeld, if PLTS disappeared, it would have to be reinvented... Read More>

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King of Kings uses new addition for outreach
King of Kings Lutheran Church in Lake Orion, Mich., was interested in community outreach, but was so cramped for space that the congregation could barely meet its own needs. Established in 1964 in the lake region northeast of Detroit, the congregation built a new sanctuary in the 1980s to seat 275... Read More>