Emmanuel Lutheran Church

What Emmanuel Lutheran Church does

Emmanuel Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), operating under the Metro D.C. Synod and headquartered at 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, Virginia. Founded in 1956, the church celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2026 and currently operates under Lead Pastor Rev. Dr. Tony Prinsen (called January 2018) and Pastor for Evangelism and Mission Rev. Lydia Posselt (joined December 2020), supported by a staff of approximately 15 including a Minister of Faith Formation, Office Manager, Facilities Manager, Bookkeeper, Director of Preschool, Preschool Registrar, Music Director, organist, and Choir Director. Emmanuel became a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation in June 2020, publicly affirming full welcome of LGBTQIA+ individuals and families, placing it among 1,015 RIC congregations nationwide and 30 in the Metro D.C. Synod.

The church's core offerings center on weekly worship services delivered both in-person and via live-streamed video (YouTube, Facebook), a state-licensed preschool operating for over 65 years that serves children ages 2-6 with Christian-values-based developmental curricula, and a portfolio of age-segregated ministries spanning children's faith formation, youth (6th-12th grade) and young adult programs, adult Bible studies, and senior programs. Operational technology is limited to commercial off-the-shelf SaaS: Tithe.ly for online giving and recurring donations, YouTube and Facebook for worship streaming, Microsoft Teams for virtual small groups, and the Elvanto member hub. The church operates an on-site columbarium with 112 granite niches serving as an end-of-life memorial service for members and families.

Emmanuel's revenue model is hybrid and consistent with mid-size mainline Protestant congregations: recurring tithes and offerings from individual members (the dominant stream), preschool tuition for the half-day program (9am-noon) with optional extended-day lunch coverage, planned-giving and endowment contributions (the ELC Endowment Fund, established 2020, has raised over $580,000 from 62 donors cumulatively since 2021), and modest special-event revenue such as the Women's Retreat ($140/person) and Vacation Bible School registration ($50). The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on word-of-mouth, interfaith partnerships (FACETS, The Lamb Center, CHO, Tyson's Interfaith, Mar-Lu-Ridge), and digital channels including the website, weekly email newsletter, and social media to attract and retain members. Since 2022, the Endowment's grant program has distributed over $84,000 to both internal ministries and external nonprofit partners, with approximately $28,000 awarded in the spring 2026 cycle, positioning Emmanuel increasingly as a regional grantmaker in Fairfax County.

Name

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Legal name

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Website

https://elcvienna.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Emmanuel Lutheran Church is a 70-year-old ELCA congregation in Vienna, Virginia offering weekly worship, a 65-year-old licensed preschool, and community outreach, funded by member tithes, preschool tuition, and a growing endowment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services and Community Outreach

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Religious Music & Worship Broadcasting (MPABALAN)

Keywords

• Religious congregation services
• Early childhood education
• Community outreach programs
• Worship and faith formation
• Nonprofit preschool ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Church members contribute financial gifts through weekly offerings and online giving via Tithe.ly platform. Donations support church ministries, community outreach, and mission work.
2. Preschool Tuition: Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool charges tuition for its developmental early childhood education program serving children ages 2-6. Half-day program from 9am-Noon with extended day options.
3. Planned Giving and Endowments: Church accepts legacy gifts, estate plan contributions, and planned giving arrangements. Endowment Fund established in 2020 to provide long-term financial stability.
4. Special Event Revenue: Revenue from events including Women's Retreat ($140 per person), Vacation Bible School registration ($50), and other church programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Emmanuel Lutheran Church is a Lutheran congregation in Vienna, Virginia offering weekly worship services (in-person and online streaming), faith formation programs for all ages, community outreach missions, and operating Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool, a 65-year-old state-licensed developmental preschool for children ages 2-6. The church also runs Vacation Bible School, youth and young adult ministries, senior programs, adult Bible studies, a columbarium memorial garden, and planned giving/endowment programs.

Product overview

Emmanuel Lutheran Church offers a comprehensive portfolio of faith-based programs and services centered around worship, education, and community service. The core offerings include weekly worship services (in-person and online), Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool (a 65+ year old developmental learning preschool), youth ministry, children's faith formation, young adult ministry, senior programs, and community outreach. The church also provides Vacation Bible School, a columbarium for memorial services, and planned giving/endowment programs. The preschool and church operate as an integrated ministry focused on sharing God's love while serving the Vienna, VA community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool: State-licensed developmental learning preschool program serving children aged 2 to 6 years old, operating for more than 65 years with a focus on Christian values and kindergarten readiness.

Products and services

• Worship Services Sunday worship services offered both in-person and online, including traditional, contemporary, and blended formats with Holy Communion. Free and open to the public; no cost to attend.
• Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool State-licensed developmental learning preschool serving children aged 2-6 years for 65+ years, offering a play-based curriculum focused on Christian values and kindergarten readiness. Half-day program from 9am-Noon with extended day lunch options on Tuesdays/Thursdays and Wednesday extended day for PreK students.
• Youth Ministry Programs Programs for middle and high school youth including Confirmation classes (6th-9th grade), high school youth group, and annual mission trips.
• Children's Faith Formation Age-appropriate Christian education for children from age 3 through 5th grade during Faith Formation hour, including milestone celebrations and service opportunities.
• Young Adult Ministry Ministry focused on relationship-building and faith community for young adults, including weekly dinner potlucks, board games, and annual service trips to Niagara Falls.
• Senior Ministry Programs Programs for seniors including Young at Heart gatherings, Tai Chi classes, needlework gatherings, bridge group, and Body & Soul fitness classes.
• Missions and Outreach Programs Community service programs partnering with local organizations including The Lamb Center, FACETS, Committee for Helping Others, and Shepherd's Center, plus global missions supporting Village of Hope in Haiti, Lutheran Disaster Response, and ELCA World Hunger.
• Adult Bible Studies and Small Groups Various Bible study and small group opportunities including Women's Study, Men's Study, Parenting Group, Nurture & Nourish, Bible & Bacon, and Sunday morning classes.
• Vacation Bible School Annual week-long Vacation Bible Camp for children aged 4 through 5th grade, typically held in July with games, crafts, Bible stories, and mission activities.
• Columbarium Memorial Garden Memorial garden with 112 granite niches for cremated remains, available to members and their families for end-of-life planning.
• Planned Giving and Endowment Program Legacy gift and endowment programs for long-term financial support of church ministries, including grant programs for community impact and facility care.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Lamb CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Lamb Center is a daytime drop-in shelter for the poor and individuals experiencing homelessness in Fairfax County. Emmanuel volunteers help at the Lamb Center with services such as laundry, meals, Bible studies, and job counseling at no cost to the guests. Emmanuel volunteers do laundry for homeless singles every Saturday afternoon.
• FACETScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFACETS supports parents, their children, and individuals who suffer the effects of poverty in Fairfax County. Emmanuel volunteers prepare and deliver approximately 130 meals twice a month to homeless singles and struggling families, manage food drives throughout the year, collect school supplies in summer and Christmas gifts in late fall, and support the Hypothermia Prevention Program.
• Committee for Helping Others (CHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHO is an all-volunteer organization serving the Vienna, Oakton, Dunn Loring, and Merrifield areas. They provide emergency financial assistance and food aid, clothing, furniture, and Meals on Wheels. Emmanuel volunteers help with furniture pickups and deliveries throughout the year.
• Shepherd's Center of Northern VirginiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia is dedicated to improving quality of life as people age through supportive programs and services, personal enrichment, and volunteer engagement enabling seniors to age in place. Emmanuel partners with them for senior ministry and hosts Tai Chi classes as a Shepherd's Center program.
• Tyson's InterfaithminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmmanuel participates in Tyson's Interfaith along with other local congregations and faith communities for interfaith learning opportunities and community service.
• Village of Hope HaitiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmmanuel supports the school and medical center at the Village of Hope in Haiti as part of its global mission outreach.
• Lutheran Disaster ResponseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmmanuel supports Lutheran Disaster Response for global disaster relief efforts.
• ELCA World HungerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmmanuel supports ELCA World Hunger as part of its global mission giving.
• Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp and Retreat CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMar-Lu-Ridge is a Lutheran camp and retreat center. Emmanuel holds its Women's Retreat there and supports camperships for youth to attend. The church's Endowment Fund has awarded grants to Mar-Lu-Ridge.
• Caroline Furnace Camp and Retreat CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmmanuel supports youth attendance at Caroline Furnace Camp and Retreat Center. Pastor Tony chaperones youth camp weeks.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Falls Church (Episcopal): Large, well-resourced mainline congregation in nearby Falls Church, VA, with comparable worship, formation, and community-outreach programs; serves an overlapping affluent Fairfax/Northern Virginia demographic and is a broader incumbent in the local mainline space.

Others

• Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia: Nonprofit in the same Fairfax County service ecosystem that organizes volunteer-driven community impact (130+ meals/month equivalent mission work, donation drives). Comparable as a community-engagement and volunteer-mobilization operation, but not a direct religious-program competitor.
• Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia: Named partner organization focused on senior programming; operates Tai Chi and similar aging-in-place services in the same area. Comparable as a senior-services provider but not a congregation peer.

Direct peers

• Christ Lutheran Church (Fairfax, VA): ELCA congregation in the same Metro D.C. Synod, drawing from an overlapping Fairfax County demographic and offering comparable Sunday worship, faith formation, and outreach ministries to a similar suburban membership base.
• St. Andrew Lutheran Church: Sister ELCA congregation in Centreville, VA, explicitly named in Emmanuel's data as the prior employer of Minister of Faith Formation Kathy Uffelman. Closest functional peer given shared denomination, similar Northern Virginia suburban catchment, and overlapping program mix.

Regional players

• Catholic Diocese of Arlington: Regional Catholic ecclesiastical body covering most of Northern Virginia including Vienna; comparable faith-driven organization operating worship, faith formation, schools, and social-outreach programs across the same Fairfax County geography but under a different tradition and at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/elcvienna
• Facebookfacebook.com/live
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emmanuel-lutheran-church

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Emmanuel Lutheran Church