Growing Faithfully is the 3-year capital campaign that Lord of Life Lutheran Church undertook starting in February 2024.
Why Growing Faithfully?
The name “Growing Faithfully” was chosen for this campaign because it goes to the heart of what it means for Lord of Life to be a community of faith together.
- When we’re growing faithfully, we trust God to impact our community through us.
- When we’re growing faithfully, we give our resources to join in God’s work.
- When we’re growing faithfully, we experience God’s grace in new ways and telling our story.
That’s why this campaign matters. It’s not about expanding our building or padding our cash reserves. It’s about putting Christ first in our community. It’s about turning ourselves towards the world. It’s about sharing our zeal, which comes from knowing the love of Christ. Fifty years ago, Lord of Life Lutheran Church started when people followed God’s call. Today, The Woodlands, Spring, and Greater Houston need our unique voice and witness as much as ever.
How Are We Planning to Grow Faithfully?
Over fifty years ago, a small group of people came together around the idea that the area between Houston and Conroe needed a Lutheran church. The Woodlands didn’t exist yet. Many people would have said it was crazy to plant a church in the woods just off the freeway. That didn’t stop this group of people who were tuned in to the Spirit and what God was calling them to. Their idea became a reality, and Lord of Life Lutheran Church was chartered in 1970.
Honoring Our Past, Looking to the Future
Chartering was just the beginning for a storied community, marked by a desire to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow God’s call. The Spirit led this congregation to purchase land at the corner of Glen Loch and Panther Creek. The Spirit led us to expand our footprint and build our current education wing and Sanctuary. The Spirit led us to explore connections with community partners such as Interfaith of The Woodlands and other groups that serve foster children, people suffering from food insecurity, senior citizens needing assistance, and more. The Spirit has guided our partnerships with other churches in Houston, New Orleans, and Peru. The Spirit guided our staff and leaders through a global pandemic to find new ways to build connections with God and one another. And the Spirit revealed our mission “to seek and welcome all to connect, celebrate, and serve in God’s love.”
What Are We Funding?
The Strategic Leadership Team, which leads the Growing Faithfully campaign, identified four areas of focus for Lord of Life as we aim to grow faithfully, serve the community, use our resources well, and share the experience of God’s grace.
Tithe
Since early in Lord of Life’s history, our congregation has taken seriously God’s call to share our first fruits. We continue this spiritual practice by tithing the first 10% of every dollar raised into a separate fund dedicated to support ministries beyond Lord of Life’s walls.
Budget: $136,000
Facilities Improvements
Projects in the education wing, fellowship hall, and sanctuary will seek to align our building with Lord of Life’s mission, vision, and values. This includes Kids of the Kingdom Preschool office and classroom reconfiguration and updates; ADA accessibility for the altar; and enhanced lighting, flooring, and technology to better welcome guests into our building.
Budget: $806,000
Facilities Maintenance
Addressing large maintenance items not covered in a yearly operating budget—such as replacing 4 HVAC units and one section of the roof—will improve the capabilities of our building to be a place of welcome and connection, where people can experience grace.
Budget: $299,120
Brand Identity Refresh
Developing and growing our identity and communications locally and regionally will invite people to celebrate and serve with us. This work may include communication plans, templates, logo and website work, and tools for internal and external communications.
Budget: $119,200
How Can I Help Growing Faithfully?
How ever you are have come to be connected with Lord of Life, there are several things you can do to support the Growing Faithfully campaign:
- Pray for our church; for the leaders of this campaign, including the Strategic Leadership Team and teams for Facilities, Tithing, Branding, and Fundraising; and for our community.
- Ask yourself, “How is God calling me to grow faithfully?” Listen to God’s Spirit and plan how you can respond.
- Prayerfully consider making a financial contribution to the Growing Faithfully campaign.
Thank you for your generous support of this campaign and for Growing Faithfully with us at Lord of Life.