Mission & Vision

The mission and history of the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) has been one of welcoming and embracing each wave of immigrants and newcomers from around the world. Covering metropolitan New York, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and the Capital Region, the Atlantic District is set in one of the most diversely populated areas on Earth.

With over 100 congregations and missions, the work of the LCMS Atlantic District is boundless, bringing God's Word and Love to people from all walks of life. Whether it's setting up new churches or ministering to existing congregations, the LCMS Atlantic District also reaches out to the many ethnic and religious groups in New York so they may know Jesus Christ! Among the many LCMS Atlantic District missions are ministries to Hispanic, African immigrant, Asian, and Deaf communities.

“Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope”

The Great Commission tells us to, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching.” The Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) seeks to fulfill this command by reaching out into the neighborhoods around us, because all nations reside there. The mission and history of the Atlantic District has been one of welcoming and embracing each wave of immigrants and newcomers from around the world by boat, plane, or foot.

The LCMS Atlantic District seeks to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the midst of one of the most densely populated, ethnically diverse areas of the country. The LCMS Atlantic District is the eastern half of New York State, including the Adirondacks, Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Westchester County, the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau, and Suffolk counties of Long Island.

There are over 90 churches, 34 schools, including 4 high schools, and a number of other social service ministries. The Gospel is proclaimed in at least 12 languages, including: American Sign Language, Bangla, Cantonese, English, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Spanish, Tamil, and Urdu. There are also more than 50 different cultures represented in our congregations from 5 continents around the world, like: African American, Caribbean, Central American, Dominican, Ghanaian, Guyana, Jamaica, Liberian, Malagasy, Tobago, Trinidad ...

There are 11 missionaries to various cultural groups directly supported by funds from the LCMS Atlantic District Mission Society. These missionaries and our parishes baptize adults, youth, and babies from no faith and other faiths like Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and others. Together we seek to serve those around us with the gospel in word and deed. Christ sends us out from His altar, pulpit, and font to serve the community and neighborhoods around us with the love and forgiveness that Christ has given us.

Thousands of people come to know the love of Jesus through the service of our Lutheran Schools and Social Ministries like: Martin Luther High School; Long Island Lutheran High School; Lutheran Counseling Center; Lutheran Friends for the Deaf; Lutheran Services NY Alliance; Lutheran Social Services NY; Our Savior High School, Centereach; Our Savior High School, The Bronx; The Lutheran Care Network; The Wartburg, and many, many others.

The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. As we look toward the future, the Atlantic District recognizes that times are changing, and yet the message remains the same. The same Jesus that died for the sins of the world died for the sins of the people today. As we strive to serve the needs today, we look at redeveloping properties to provide: affordable housing; partnerships with schools; senior housing; and community meeting areas. These are opportunities to share the hope of Jesus Christ into the lives of people.

The Atlantic District seeks to encourage, equip, and empower all of our servants: ordained, commissioned, and laity by raising up leaders from all the communities in our midst that they might share the Hope of Jesus Christ.

The Atlantic District's congregations, workers and agencies share God's grace in Christ Jesus to nurture Christians and reach out to others.

Vision Statement

The Atlantic District is "Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope" through:

• vitalized congregations that grow in the grace and work of the Body of the Christ through Word and Sacraments while reaching their neighborhoods and the world with the life and love of Christ;
• sanctified workers who are supported so that they love, teach and lead the baptized while seeking the lost and sharing the Gospel with all people; and
• dynamic agencies that are committed to partnerships in the Gospel that edify the faithful while transforming our society.

Passed at the September 29, 2011 Board of Directors Meeting of The Atlantic District, LCMS.

Objectives

To accomplish its mission, the LCMS Atlantic District:

• Identifies, trains and supports key leaders including clergy, commissioned minsters (Lutheran Teachers, Director of Christian Education (DCE), Deaconesses, etc)
• Offers faith-based programs and resources
• Provides "best practice" models: evangelism, governance, stewardship, financial