Lutheran Men In Mission

What Lutheran Men In Mission does

Lutheran Men In Mission (LMM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1988 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, focused on men's discipleship and evangelism within the Lutheran church and broader Christian community. The organization operates with three paid staff (Executive Director John Sundquist, Discipleship Consultant Kevin Burke, and Emerging Ministries Consultant Kyle Pedersen) on a fully remote basis, supported by a nine-member Board of Directors and a volunteer network of 70+ Ambassadors and NetCasters across 20+ U.S. states plus the US Virgin Islands. Its core mission is producing bold, daring followers of Jesus Christ, addressing a target market of approximately 90 million U.S. men not engaged in any form of Christian discipleship and the 65% of men who self-identify as lonely.

LMM's product portfolio centers on a graduated engagement stack: the Bold Gathering (TED-Talk style events, launched 2017), the 44-hour One Year to Live retreat (developed with Lyman Coleman, held in 20+ states), the Project Twelve resource curation platform (launched 2015), the 12-session Lead > Model > Multiply Discipleship Certification (delivered via Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead, launched 2025), the 2x4 Retreat Series (launched 2026), and weekly Zoom book and Bible studies. Supporting resources include the Master Builders Bible (68,000+ distributed), Man Talk Cards, the Men's Ministry Leaders Guide (available in English and Spanish, revised 2026), and the LMM Mobile App (iOS and Android, launched 2025). The technology stack is conventional: a WordPress-based website, a mobile application, the separate Project Twelve portal, Zoom for virtual programming, and Network for Good for donation processing and event registration, with Printful handling print-on-demand merchandise.

LMM's revenue model is donation-based and multifaceted: recurring monthly gifts through the Bedrock Society (32 members contributing approximately $3,000/month), one-time donations and Qualified Charitable Distributions, the LMM iS Annual Campaign (2025-2027), the Presidents Legacy Circle estate-giving program with a $1 million goal, branded merchandise sales through Printful, and modest product revenue from resources like the Master Builders Bible ($20) and Man Talk Cards ($7.50). Marketing and distribution are community-led and event-driven, leveraging quarterly Ambassador-Gram newsletters, a quarterly Foundations newsletter, active social media across Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, the Ambassador volunteer network, in-person Bold Gatherings and One Year to Live retreats, and the mobile app. Cross-promotional partnerships exist with United Methodist Men, Women of the ELCA, Vibrant Faith Ministries, and Luther Seminary.

Name

Lutheran Men In Mission

Legal name

Lutheran Men In Mission

Website

https://lutheranmeninmission.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lutheran Men In Mission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1988 that delivers men's discipleship programs, retreats, and resources to Lutheran and broader Protestant men in the U.S. through events, the Project Twelve content platform, a mobile app, and a volunteer Ambassador network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Men's Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sermon, Homiletics & Ministry Resource Publishing (Preaching Aids, Pastoral Resources) (MPAJAHAD)

Keywords

• Men's ministry programs
• Christian discipleship resources
• Men's spiritual formation
• Faith-based leadership retreats
• Church men's ministry tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: LMM relies primarily on donations including one-time gifts, recurring monthly contributions through the Bedrock Society (32 members contributing nearly $3,000/month), Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) from IRAs for those 70½+, estate/planned gifts through the Presidents Legacy Circle ($1 million goal), and the LMM iS Annual Campaign (2025-2027 strategic plan).
2. Product Sales: Sale of branded merchandise (apparel, banners) through Printful partnership and Cross Country Marketing. Master Builders Bible sold for $20/unit, Man Talk Cards sold for $7.50/deck.
3. Publications and Resources: Sale of curated books and resources including Coming of Age ($15.99) and other endorsed/produced materials through Augsburg Fortress and other retailers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Lutheran Men In Mission operates a non-profit men's ministry ecosystem centered on Christian discipleship and evangelism for men. Its core offerings include signature in-person experiences (Bold Gatherings and the 44-hour One Year to Live retreat), a 12-session Discipleship Certification built on Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead platform, weekly virtual Zoom book and Bible studies, the Project Twelve resource curation platform, and printed resources such as the Master Builders Bible and Man Talk Cards. Distribution is amplified by a 70+ volunteer Ambassador network reaching across 20+ U.S. states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Product overview

Lutheran Men In Mission (LMM) offers a suite of men's ministry programs and resources centered on making bold, daring followers of Jesus Christ. The core programs include Bold Gatherings (TED-Talk style events), One Year to Live 44-hour retreats, and Project Twelve resource platform. Supporting products include the Discipleship Certification curriculum with Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead platform, weekly Zoom book and Bible studies, and various printed/digital resources including the Master Builders Bible, Man Talk Cards, Men's Ministry Leaders Guide, and 2x4 Retreat Series. LMM also publishes the quarterly Foundations Newsletter and Ambassador-Grams, and offers a mobile app for iOS and Android. The ministry operates through a network of volunteer Ambassadors and staff across multiple U.S. states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bold Gathering: TED-Talk style events bringing 6 powerful faithful leaders to a stage for brief yet impactful messages to reach men and churches.
• Project Twelve
• One Year to Live
• Master Builders Bible
• ManTalk Cards
• 2x4 Retreat Series

Products and services

• Bold Gatherings In-person and virtual gatherings featuring 6 speakers delivering TED-Talk style 15-minute messages, enabling men to worship, learn, network, and grow in faith across locations.
• One Year to Live Retreat 44-hour lay-led men's retreat developed in partnership with Lyman Coleman; a life-changing experience held in over 20 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, transforming lives through intensive spiritual formation.
• Project Twelve (PXII) Digital resource platform curating hundreds of men's ministry resources including LIFELINES, 'Fathering In 15', Bible studies, and visual materials, with submission capability for new tools, podcasts, books, and studies.
• Lead > Model > Multiply Discipleship Certification 12-session online certification curriculum developed with Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead platform, using Bible-driven activities, workshops, and studies for head knowledge, heart application, and practical disciple-making skills.
• Weekly Zoom Book Study Weekly online book study held every Tuesday 7-8:30 p.m. Central, led by Discipleship Consultant Kevin Burke, covering faith and men's ministry topics ranging from how-to guides to memoirs.
• Weekly Zoom Bible Study Weekly online Bible study held every Thursday 7-8:30 p.m. Central, examining the Revised Common Lectionary text for upcoming Sunday services.
• Master Builders Bible NIV Bible with 20,000 integrated study questions, 6 courses with beginner and advanced sessions, 200 Bible stories with questionnaires, and the Men's Ministry Leaders Guide supplement.
• Man Talk Cards Card game deck ($7.50) featuring five categories: Manships (Relationships), Man-O-Man (Sports/Leisure), Man-mories (Lessons/Reflections), Wild Man (Spiritual/Cosmic/Ethics), and Wild Card (Bad Men), facilitating meaningful conversations among men.
• Men's Ministry Leaders Guide 26-page supplement covering 12 distinctives for healthy men's ministry: Prayer, Biblical, Leadership, Planning, Managing, Context, Relationships, Discipleship, Outreach, Inclusion, Variety, and Training, available in English and Spanish.
• 2x4 Retreat Series Half-day retreat model for small groups and churches requiring minimal training or resources, with the first release titled 'Jesus Call for All of Us'.
• LMM Mobile App Smartphone application available for iOS and Android providing mobile access to LMM resources, content, and ministry materials.
• Coming of Age Book exploring spirituality and identity of younger men (ages 18-40), based on the national research project conducted in 2003, authored by David W. Anderson, Paul G. Hill, and Dr. Roland D. Martinson, available through Augsburg Fortress.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89,000+ men have been reached by LMM
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vibrant Faith MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a ministry partner with whom LMM shares a working relationship. No specific co-development activities detailed.
• Denominational Men's Ministry LeaderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of denominational men's ministry leaders collaborating with LMM. LMM information is posted and maintained on synod webpages.
• United Methodist MencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a ministry partner sharing a working relationship with LMM.
• Women of the ELCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a ministry partner organization sharing a working relationship with LMM.
• Faith+Lead Academy (Luther Seminary)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLMM partnered with Luther Seminary's Faith+Lead innovative digital platform to deliver the Lead > Model > Multiply Discipleship Certification, a 12-session online curriculum. Certification awarded upon completion.
• Lyman ColemancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPioneer of small group ministry and CEO/founder of Serendipity Publishing House. Co-developed the One Year to Live retreat program with LMM in the late 2000s.
• La Mancha El Soul FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Lyman Coleman and LMM to launch the 44-hour One Year to Live retreat.
• Project Twelve Emerging LeaderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup of younger leaders who felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to ideate and create new resources and visual materials for men's discipleship. Resulted from two weekend leadership and prayer retreats in Chicago suburbs and Omaha.
• PrintfulminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerE-commerce partner for LMM apparel and merchandise through their print-on-demand platform at lmm.printful.me.
• Cross Country MarketingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier partner for LMM banners and conference materials. Contact: Bill Anderson at (262) 367-7186 or [email protected].

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Christianity Today: Christianity Today is a broad evangelical media and publishing organization serving Christian leaders and laity — comparable in faith-based publishing and resource distribution to LMM's resource arm.
• Focus on the Family: Focus on the Family is a broad evangelical organization offering family and men's resources, broadcast media, and discipleship content — an incumbent with overlapping reach but a wider family-focused portfolio.

Emerging players

• Wild at Heart (John Eldredge / Ransomed Heart): Ransomed Heart / Wild at Heart runs men's ministry events, retreats, and resources targeting Christian men seeking deeper spiritual identity — an emerging peer with significant audience overlap but distinct brand and delivery model.

Direct peers

• Promise Keepers: Promise Keepers is a directly comparable men's ministry running large-scale conferences and evangelism/discipleship events for Christian men, with a similar target demographic of men seeking spiritual growth and leadership formation.
• Iron Sharpens Iron: Iron Sharpens Iron runs a national network of men's ministry conferences, equipping local churches and leaders — directly comparable to LMM's event-based GTM and Ambassador-driven distribution model.
• Catholic Men's Fellowship: Catholic Men's Fellowship provides resources, events, and small group programs for men's spiritual formation — comparable in mission, audience, and faith-based programmatic delivery to LMM.
• Vibrant Faith Ministries: Vibrant Faith Ministries is a listed LMM partner that serves faith-based congregations with discipleship and Christian formation resources — directly comparable in mission and audience to LMM.
• United Methodist Men: United Methodist Men is a denominational men's ministry organization offering resources, retreats, and leadership development — a structural and functional peer to LMM within a different mainline denomination.
• Man in the Mirror: Man in the Mirror focuses on men's discipleship resources and church-based men's ministry training, closely aligned with LMM's resource curation and Men's Ministry Leaders Guide offerings.
• Women of the ELCA: Women of the ELCA is a sister ELCA ministry organization offering similar programming — retreats, Bible studies, and leadership development — but for women; directly comparable structure and denominational alignment to LMM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lutheranmen
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@LutheranMenInMission
• Facebookfacebook.com/LutheranMen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/meninmission
• Instagraminstagram.com/lutheranmeninmission

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lutheran Men In Mission