Welcome!
For over a century at Lutheran Social Services of Indiana (LSSI), we've been reaching out to the community, meeting needs with Christ's love.
Our roots in this community run deep, dating back to 1901, when nearly every week Pastor Philip Wambsganss provided homes for infants left on the steps of Emmaus Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
I'm sure that when he held those abandoned infants in front of his congregation and asked, "Who will take this child home?" he had no intention of founding a social service agency. He was just fulfilling the commandments to "love the Lord your God with all your heart ... and love your neighbor as yourself."
And yet, with this simple start, Lutheran Social Services was born. A lot has changed over the years. We still provide adoption services, but we also reach out to families through pregnancy services, teen education and advocacy, counseling, child care, and more.
Our reach has grown as well. We now provide services to 200 member congregations, as well as the wider community, in 22 counties in northern Indiana.
And while our programs and services—and our reach—have expanded in response to our neighbors' needs, our expression of Christ's love to a hurting community remains steadfast, just as Pastor Wambsganss' did over a century ago.
As our programs and services evolve to meet the needs of our neighbors, LSSI consistently promises:
- To bring the love of Christ to those we serve in His name. It's our "bottom line."
- To serve all people. At LSSI, we value each person we serve because we believe that we are all God's children. LSSI serves all people regardless of socioeconomic position, age, race, or religion. (You don't have to be Lutheran to come to us!)
- To minister to the whole person. "Christ gave us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:19). Reconciliation seeks to bring people to wholeness with themselves, others and God. Through our diverse staff, we continue to provide spiritual care along with all our services.
I hope as you explore our site, you'll find the assistance you seek. We're here to love and serve our neighbors, and we'll continue to align our services with the emerging needs of our communities for years to come.
In Christ's love,
Donna Elbrecht
President and CEO
