Nebraska Synod Of Elca

Name

Nebraska Synod Of Elca

Legal name

Nebraska Synod ELCA

Website

https://nebraskasynod.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Denomination Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Educational Services (611), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI), Leadership, Debate & Model UN Camps (EDAMALAK)

Keywords

• Religious denomination services
• Congregational ministry support
• Lay leadership training
• Theological education programs
• Faith-based community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Omaha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Mission Share: Congregational contributions that fund synod-wide ministry, ELCA churchwide mission, and local/global mission work. Includes Mission Field Nebraska, Seeking the Spirit, Prison Ministry, and Tanzania Ministries.
2. Program Fees: Registration and participation fees for programs including Vitality Initiative ($950/congregation), Inclusion Training ($25), Emmaus lifelong learning classes, PMA certification program, and youth events.
3. Event Fundraising: Special events like Spirit of Ministry Open House ($30/ticket) raise funds for Mission Field Nebraska ministries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Nebraska Synod ELCA is a regional ecclesiastical body that supports 226 ELCA congregations across Nebraska through shared ministry programs, leadership formation, lay and clergy training, statewide outreach initiatives, global mission partnerships, and disaster response coordination. Its core offerings include the Vitality Initiative for congregational renewal, the CaSTLE Project for rural ministry transformation, Emmaus Lifelong Learning classes, the Parish Ministry Associate (PMA) training program, Youth Ministry programs, Candidacy processing for rostered ministry, Seeking the Spirit Within spiritual direction certification, and Mission Field Nebraska outreach addressing immigrant, refugee, Native American, prison, and food-security needs.

Product overview

Nebraska Synod ELCA is a regional ecclesiastical body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serving 226 congregations across Nebraska. The synod operates as a church management organization offering ministry programs rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings include: Emmaus Lifelong Learning for theological education; the CaSTLE Project for rural ministry transformation; the Vitality Initiative for congregational renewal; Mission Field Nebraska for statewide outreach; Parish Ministry Associate training for lay ministers; youth ministry programs including The Journey and Zoom Confirmation; candidacy processing for rostered ministry; and Seeking the Spirit Within for spiritual direction. Additional programs include grants for hunger ministries, inclusion training, disaster response coordination, and global mission partnerships with churches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Tanzania.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The CaSTLE Project: Country and Small Town Lived Ecclesiology - a churchwide effort to nurture a new way of being church in rural and small-town communities
• Vitality Initiative for Congregations
• Mission Field Nebraska
• Emmaus: Lifelong Learning
• Seeking the Spirit Within

Products and services

• Emmaus Lifelong Learning Lifelong learning classes and workshops for individuals of all ages including rostered ministers, parish ministry associates, youth, and active congregation members. Programs include Genesis to Revelation, Milestones in Church History, and Spirituality courses delivered in-person or online via Zoom.
• CaSTLE Project Country and Small Town Lived Ecclesiology project supporting rural and small-town ministry transformation. Provides congregational transformation cohorts, lay leader formation, and resources for baptismal ecclesiology through a five-year grant program funded by Wartburg Theological Seminary.
• Vitality Initiative for Congregations A twelve-month guided journey helping congregations discern identity, community context, and faithful next steps through monthly cohort sessions, trained ELCA coaches, and practices for congregations to engage their larger community. Priced at $950 per congregation/ministry.
• Mission Field Nebraska Statewide ministry partnerships addressing critical needs including spiritual direction, immigrant outreach, prison ministry, Sudanese outreach, and Native American ministry across Nebraska communities. Operates through 16 geographic mission clusters.
• Parish Ministry Associate (PMA) Program Training program for lay ministers providing pulpit supply and specialized ministry. PMAs study Bible, theology, preaching, and pastoral care over two to five years through Faith Lead certificates, online classes, and mentor relationships. Priced at $795 or $1,196 depending on option selected.
• Youth Ministry Programs Synod-wide youth programs including The Journey service learning trips, Zoom Confirmation, ELCA Youth Gathering preparation, and cross-generational ministry opportunities for 6th-12th graders.
• Candidacy Process Collaborative preparation and formation process for those seeking to be rostered in the ELCA as ministers in Word and Sacrament or Word and Service, involving seminaries, congregations, and candidacy committees.
• Seeking the Spirit Within Spiritual direction certification program and retreat ministry preparing spiritual directors and introducing spiritual practices to individuals across Nebraska.
• One Another Hunger Grants Grant program supporting congregations engaged in food or hunger ministries, particularly projects improving nutritional value of foods offered through pantries or feeding programs.
• Inclusion Training Required training for rostered leaders and PMAs focusing on gender and disability awareness, inclusion education, and action steps for congregations. Priced at $25 per session for 2026 Inclusion Training Year Three: Striving for Gender and Disability Awareness.

Quantifiable outcome

• 226 congregations supported across 16 mission clusters statewide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT-ND)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Companion synod relationship since 1993. ELCT-ND is among the fastest growing Christian churches in the world. Partnership includes mission trips and accompaniment.
• United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Argentina and Uruguay (IELU/Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Unida)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990Companion synod relationship since 1990. Nebraska Synod walks in accompaniment with IELU through shared ministry, mutual learning, and global church connections.
• ELCA ChurchwidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNebraska Synod is one of 65 synods in the ELCA. The ELCA churchwide organization provides theological grounding, shared resources, global companion church relationships (80+ churches), and coordination for ELCA Youth Gatherings every three years.
• ELCA Mission Investment FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA Partners in Ministry - Mission Investment Fund provides financial services and support for congregations and synods.
• Lutheran GivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA Partners in Ministry - Lutheran Giving provides charitable giving programs and services.
• Portico Health BenefitsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA Partners in Ministry - Portico provides health benefits for rostered ministers and church employees. Employee Assistance Program administered through Value Options/Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Lutheranch (Tallapoosa, Georgia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGretchen Ahrens previously served as Program Director. Partnership provides diverse summer camp experiences for children and youth, therapeutic riding, and service/justice based youth trips.
• Inspirtus (Lutheran Services of Georgia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Inspirtus (Lutheran Services of Georgia) and congregations in the Southeastern Synod for youth programming at Lutheranch.
• Calvin Center (Presbyterian Camp, Hampton, Georgia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGretchen Ahrens previously served as Summer Camp and Equine Director. Partnership provided therapeutic riding program serving diverse population of youth and adults with developmental and physical disabilities.
• Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (Carol Joy Holling & Sullivan Hills)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGretchen Ahrens worked in program staff positions for Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, both at Carol Joy Holling and Sullivan Hills camps.
• Foodbank for the HeartlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Foodbank for the Heartland enables Iglesia Luterana San Andres to operate one of the largest food pantries in Nebraska, serving the immigrant Latino/Latinx population in south Omaha.
• Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational and international disaster response through ELCA. Nebraska Synod walks alongside LDR and serving arms of the church responding to needs before, during, and after disasters.
• Glacial Till Cider House & Tasting Room (Ashland, NE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Spirit of Ministry Event 2026 - special open house fundraiser for Mission Field Nebraska ministries.
• ELCA Youth GatheringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurchwide youth gathering held every three years; next event June 28-July 2, 2027 in Minneapolis, MN. Nebraska Synod supports youth participation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA Churchwide): The parent denomination of which Nebraska Synod is one of 65 regional synods. Directly comparable as the governing body above the synod, providing shared resources, global companion church relationships, and churchwide programming (including the Youth Gathering).
• Presbytery of the Midwest (Presbyterian Church USA): Comparable mainline regional governing body for Presbyterian congregations in the Midwest. Similar membership decline dynamics, similar congregational support model, and overlapping programming for youth, leadership development, and justice ministries.
• Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) Nebraska District: The other major Lutheran body operating in Nebraska with its own district structure. Comparable in operating Lutheran congregations in the same geography but with distinct theological identity and independent governance.

Direct peers

• Saint Paul Area Synod (ELCA): A peer ELCA regional synod serving Minnesota congregations with comparable structure (Bishop, Synod Council, mission clusters, youth and candidacy programs). Most direct functional peer to Nebraska Synod given similar governance model and member demographics.
• South-Central Synod of Wisconsin (ELCA): Peer ELCA synod with comparable rural-urban congregation mix, campus ministries, and Candidacy/PMA processes. Comparable scale and program structure.
• Iowa Synod (ELCA): Adjacent ELCA synod serving Iowa congregations with parallel governance, rural/small-town profile, and university campus ministry footprint (Wartburg, Luther, etc.). Operates as a near-clone of Nebraska Synod in structure and mission.

Regional players

• United Methodist Church Nebraska Annual Conference: Regional governing body for United Methodist congregations in Nebraska with similar mission share/Apportionment funding, Bishop governance, lay/clergy pipelines, and rural congregation support challenges. Direct peer in governance structure.
• Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska: Another mainline Christian governing body serving Nebraska congregations with comparable governance (Bishop, diocesan convention), stewardship model, and youth/young adult ministry. Operates in the same geography with overlapping ecumenical partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nebraska-synod-of-elca

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Nebraska Synod Of Elca