St. Mark's Lutheran Church

What St. Mark's Lutheran Church does

St. Mark's Lutheran Church, operating under the brand FaithLife Church, is a Lutheran congregation headquartered at 8300 C Avenue, Marion, Iowa, serving the Cedar Rapids/Marion metro area. The church runs two Sunday worship services (Traditional at 8:30 am and Modern at 10:00 am), supported by small groups (FaithLife Groups), educational classes, NextGen youth and family programs, volunteer service opportunities, and pastoral care including weddings, funerals, baptism, and GriefShare. Its digital infrastructure consists of a Squarespace website, the Church Center platform for event registrations/calendar/giving, live streaming, and an extensive on-demand sermon archive distributed via YouTube (@faithlife.church). It also offers members free access to RightNow Media's Bible study video library.

The church's business model is a non-profit religious funding model centered on recurring voluntary tithes and offerings from congregation members, supplemented by fee-based lifecycle services (weddings at $950–$1,500; funeral enhancements at $600–$1,300) and facility rental income. Signature community programs include Night to Shine (annual special-needs prom hosted for eight consecutive years with the Tim Tebow Foundation, serving ~175 honored guests and 300+ volunteers), Trunk or Treat, and The Living Story drive-thru nativity. The church operates two affiliated entities: St. Mark's Lutheran Church Foundation (charitable giving/endowment) and FaithLife Homes, LLC (housing ministry).

Distribution and outreach combine in-person worship, online streaming, social/community events, and an extensive referral network connecting members to local social services (AA, ASAC, HACAP, United Way, Salvation Army, Waypoint, etc.). The church is currently engaged with FiveTwo Strategic Growth on a 9-month initiative beginning summer 2026 to clarify vision and develop leadership. No revenue, attendance, or headcount trend figures are publicly disclosed in the source data.

Name

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Legal name

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Website

https://stmarkscr.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

St. Mark's Lutheran Church (operating as FaithLife Church) is a Lutheran congregation in Marion, Iowa, offering dual-format Sunday worship, faith formation, lifecycle services, and community outreach programs supported by recurring tithes, fees, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (813110), Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based Media, Publishing & Broadcasting (Radio, TV, Digital, Press) (BPAGAJAI), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Faith community programs
• Youth and family ministry
• Lifecycle ceremonies
• Community outreach events

Headquarters

HQ city

Marion

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Voluntary contributions from congregation members during worship services and through online giving platforms
2. Facility Rentals: Rental fees for community organizations using church facilities, as noted in facility use policy
3. Wedding Fees: Base fee ranging from $950-$1500 includes pastor, organist, wedding coordinator, tech person, and custodian
4. Funeral Donations: Pastoral services provided as gift; donations to funeral fund accepted to cover expenses ($600-$1300 range for additional services like livestream or luncheons)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

St. Mark's Lutheran Church (FaithLife Church) is a Lutheran congregation in Marion, Iowa that delivers weekly Sunday worship services in both Traditional and Modern formats, supplemented by faith formation classes, small groups (FaithLife Groups), youth and family programming (NextGen), and lifecycle services such as weddings, funerals, and baptisms. The church also produces signature community events (Night to Shine, Trunk or Treat, The Living Story) and operates pastoral care, grief support (GriefShare), and a community resource referral network. Operations are supported by digital tools including Church Center for registrations, YouTube live streaming, and RightNow Media for Bible study content.

Product overview

FaithLife Church offers a comprehensive suite of faith-based programs and services centered around connecting faith and daily life. The core offerings include Sunday worship services (Traditional and Modern formats at 8:30 and 10:00 am), small groupFaithLife Groups, educational Classes, NextGen youth and family programs, and volunteer Serve opportunities. The church also provides lifecycle services including Weddings, Funerals, and Baptism. Special community programs include Night to Shine (annual special needs prom), Trunk or Treat (Halloween event), and The Living Story (Christmas drive-thru nativity). Digital resources include RightNow Media for Bible study, an online sermon archive with past messages organized by series, and online giving. The church partners with FiveTwo for strategic growth initiatives and maintains an active community resources directory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Worship Services Weekly worship services offered at 8:30 am (Traditional) and 10:00 am (Modern) at the Marion, Iowa campus, open to congregants and visitors.
• FaithLife Groups Small group community programs for fellowship, spiritual growth, and personal connection among congregants.
• Classes and Faith Formation Educational programs including the First Steps Class for new members and various other learning opportunities covering faith formation and Christian living.
• NextGen Students and Families Youth and family ministry programs investing in students and children from birth through high school as the future of the church.
• Serve Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer opportunities enabling congregants to serve the church and broader community as an expression of faith.
• Night to Shine Annual prom celebration for individuals with special needs ages 14+, held on the Friday before Valentine's Day with red carpet treatment, dinner, dancing, crowns/tiaras, and companionship. FaithLife Church has hosted this Tim Tebow Foundation event for eight consecutive years, serving approximately 175 Honored Guests with 300+ volunteer roles.
• Trunk or Treat Safe indoor Halloween event for families featuring decorated trunks, trick-or-treating, and community building.
• The Living Story Drive-thru live nativity experience with multiple stations, narration tracks, and live animals sharing the Christmas story, serving hundreds of community members annually.
• Wedding Ceremony Services Wedding ceremonies including FaithLife pastor, organist, wedding coordinator, one tech person, and custodian. Base fee $950-$1,500 with $100 deposit and balance due one month prior to the wedding.
• Funeral and Memorial Services Pastoral funeral services provided as a gift, with optional add-ons such as livestream or luncheons ranging from $600-$1,300 to cover expenses; donations to the funeral fund accepted.
• Baptism Services Baptism services for individuals seeking to publicly declare their faith.
• Care and Prayer Support Pastoral care services for people who are hurting, need to talk, or have prayer requests, with a dedicated prayer request submission channel.
• GriefShare Grief Support Program 13-week grief support course incorporating video teaching, Scripture, workbook, and small-group discussion for those experiencing loss.
• RightNow Media Bible Study Library On-demand library of Bible study videos and resources accessible via phone, iPad, computer, or TV, offered free for all FaithLife partners and friends.
• Community Resources Directory Curated directory of local community resources for mental health, addictions, divorce, financial troubles, grief, and other support needs, including referral connections to AA, ASAC, Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support, HACAP, Salvation Army, United Way, and Waypoint.
• Online Giving Online tithing and donation platform enabling congregants to make financial contributions to the church.

Quantifiable outcome

• 175 Honored Guests with special needs served at annual Night to Shine event
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FiveTwo Strategic GrowthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026FiveTwo is a non-profit ministry that walks with congregations to unlock potential within the pews and raises leaders up. Their Spirit-led process helps churches clarify vision, grow attendance, and disciple new leaders. FaithLife is beginning a 9-month journey with FiveTwo in summer 2026, including a Clarify Our Calling Workshop led by Pastor Bill Woolsey.
• Tim Tebow FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaithLife Church is an official local host of Night to Shine, a worldwide celebration hosted by the Tim Tebow Foundation that honors and values people with special needs. The event takes place annually on the Friday before Valentine's Day. The church has been hosting this event for eight years, providing a prom experience for 175+ guests with special needs including red carpet, dinner, dancing, and VIP treatment.
• Central Furniture RescueminorOthersCentral Furniture Rescue is a nonprofit that helps turn a new place to live into a home by collecting furniture and household items from the community for referred clients transitioning from homelessness. Donations from The Living Story nativity event are directed to this organization.
• ImpactLifeminorOthersBlood donation organization partnering with FaithLife for periodic blood drives open to the community.
• St. Mark's Lutheran Church FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated foundation supporting the church's mission and ministry work, linked through the church's website as a related resource.
• Community Resource OrganizationsminorOthersExtensive network of community partners including AA, ASAC, Bridgehaven Pregnancy Support, HACAP, Salvation Army, United Way, Waypoint, and many others referenced on the church's Community Resources page as referral connections for congregation members.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hosanna! Lutheran Church: Lutheran congregation in the Minneapolis metro of comparable operational scale and programmatic breadth, including children's ministry, community events, and small groups. Closely matched denomination and Midwest regional context.
• Wooddale Church: Minneapolis-area church of similar scale emphasizing community connection, small groups, and family ministry. Comparable Midwest positioning and congregational programming model.
• Lutheran Church of Hope: Large Lutheran congregation based in the Des Moines metro with multiple campuses and similar breadth of community programming, events, and digital outreach. Highly comparable denomination, regional Iowa footprint, and congregational scale.
• Woodside Bible Church: Large Michigan-based evangelical congregation with similar program breadth (small groups, NextGen, volunteer mobilization, community events) and a comparable blend of traditional/modern worship styles.
• Eagle Brook Church: Large multi-site Minnesota congregation with similar community programs, NextGen family ministry, and signature outreach events. Comparable in size and in operating model combining in-person worship with strong digital presence.

Broad incumbents

• Saddleback Church: Large multi-site church with extensive community programs, missions, and faith-formation curriculum. Comparable focus on community outreach, signature events, and small-group ministry, though operating at significantly greater scale.
• Willow Creek Community Church: Large multi-site church with long-standing programs in leadership development, community service, and digital content. Provides a relevant benchmark for organizational scale and program diversification.
• North Point Community Church: Large multi-site Atlanta-area church known for scaling leadership pipelines, small-group community, and digital content distribution. Broader and more established, but highly relevant as a benchmark for next-stage growth.

Others

• Salvation Army (Cedar Rapids): Faith-based social-services organization referenced as a referral partner on FaithLife's community resources page. Comparable in combining worship mission with community outreach and social services.
• Habitat for Humanity (Iowa Region): Faith-rooted nonprofit housing organization. Comparable to FaithLife Homes, LLC and the church's community-resource referral work with Central Furniture Rescue, given overlapping mission around housing and household support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@faithlife.church
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-mark's-lutheran-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 St. Mark's Lutheran Church