Our Partners in Faith

We are church

We are what God has made us – people whom God has created by grace to live in union with Jesus Christ and has prepared to live faithful, fruitful lives by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:8-10). In Jesus Christ, God has reconciled us to God and to each other. As we gather around word and sacraments, this life in Christ is what defines, shapes and guides us as a community of faith, the church.


The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with about 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Together, we are:

Gathered – We are gathered by God’s Spirit around Word and Sacrament, the means of grace. This gathering in worship is central to everything we do, informing and shaping all of ministry. Claimed – We are claimed in baptism, connected to Christ Jesus and through baptism into Christ, we are connected to one another. We need each other, and in Christ, we have each other. Sent – We are sent into our local communities and beyond…sent to serve the neighbor, to share the Good News, and to invite others into a relationship with Jesus, who is hope for the whole world.

Camp EWALU

Camp Ewalu is a year-round ministry that primarily serves over 200 Lutheran congregations in Eastern Iowa with 1,000 youth participating in our summer programs and nearly 1,000 more through our Day Camp evangelism program. We also see 2,500 environmental education students and nearly 6,500 additional youth and adults who come to renew and grow in their faith.

Our Mission:

Lutheran Services in Iowa responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionateservice. LSI is an affiliated social ministry partner of the Iowa congregations of the ELCA (EvangelicalLutheran Church in America) and a member of LSA (Lutheran Services in America). We proudly servepeople of all ages, abilities, religions, sexes, gender identities, national origins, ethnicities, races, andsexual orientations. Learn more at www.LSIowa.org and www.facebook.com/LSI.iowa.

About us

Living Lutheran is your source for news, reflections and stories from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its local and global companions. We cover religious news and social issues, congregational life, global and domestic mission, family matters, spiritual practices and resources, and more.