Southwestern Texas Synod

What Southwestern Texas Synod does

The Southwestern Texas Synod is a regional governing body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), serving 120+ congregations and 250+ rostered ministers (pastors and deacons) across South-Central Texas. Headquartered at 1090 Oestreich Dr., Seguin, Texas, the synod operates with approximately 10-15 staff members under Bishop Rev. Sue Briner (re-elected May 2024 to a second six-year term). The synod delivers pastoral leadership development, congregational vitality coaching, candidacy and call processes, disaster preparedness and response coordination, and migration/border ministries — the latter leveraging its unique position as the ELCA synod with the longest U.S.-Mexico border. Its portfolio includes six campus ministries, new church starts (Palabra de Vida, Valley Metanoia Network), inclusive ministries (Technicolor Ministries for LGBTQIA2S+ communities), border relief programs (Eagle Pass Frontera Ministries), and grant programs including the More Than Enough Fund (food/hunger ministries, $41,507 granted in 2025), the Tiemann Endowment Fund for Leadership Development (established 2018, ~$6,000 annual distribution), and Transformational Ministry Grants.

The synod does not develop or own proprietary technology. Its technology stack relies entirely on third-party SaaS platforms: Constant Contact for email newsletters (Weekly 5), Substack for Voices of Faith/Voces de Fe publication, Smartsheet for forms and applications, onRealm for online giving, Safe Gatherings ($37/applicant for background checks and abuse prevention training) and CongregationU for volunteer/staff training, YouTube and Vimeo for video content, and Discord for community engagement (Technicolor Ministries).

Revenue is generated primarily through mission support contributions from member congregations (percentage-of-giving model), direct donations and offerings, grant programs funded by endowments and designated funds, assembly offerings (e.g., 2026 Assembly raised $53,152.73), and nominal program fees (e.g., Eagle Pass Immersion at $150/person/day, Safe Gatherings at $37/applicant, supply pastor recommended remuneration at $250-$350 per service). The organization is a nonprofit religious entity governed by a Synod Council, with full communion partnerships dating to 1997-2009 (PCUSA, Reformed Church in America, UCC, Episcopal, Moravian, UMC) plus bilateral dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church.

Name

Southwestern Texas Synod

Legal name

Southwestern Texas Synod

Website

https://swtsynod.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Southwestern Texas Synod is a regional ELCA governing body serving 120+ congregations and 250+ rostered ministers across South-Central Texas through pastoral leadership development, congregational support, disaster response, and unique border/migration ministries along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Denominational Governance

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Lutheran denomination governance
• Congregational leadership support
• Pastoral ministry coordination
• Religious organization services
• Faith community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Seguin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Mission Support from Congregations: Congregations contribute mission support payments as a percentage of their giving to support synod-wide ministries and operations. The synod provides remittance forms and online statement of intent forms for congregation mission support.
2. Direct Donations and Offerings: Individual donors contribute directly to various funds including disaster response, leadership development, border relief, campus ministry, new ministries, and general operations. Online giving is available through onRealm platform.
3. Grant Programs: The synod administers grant programs including Transformational Ministry Grants for innovative ministry projects, More Than Enough Fund for food/hunger ministries ($41,507 granted), Tiemann Leadership Development Grants, and Evangelical Mission Endowment Fund grants. These are funded through endowments and designated funds.
4. Assembly Offerings: Special offerings collected at annual Synod Assembly events, such as the 2026 Assembly Offering for Tiemann Endowment Fund which raised $53,152.73 including a $20,000 matching challenge.
5. Training and Program Fees: Some programs charge nominal fees such as Equipping the Saints conference participation, immersion experiences ($150 per person per day), and Safe Gatherings background check processing ($37 per applicant).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Southwestern Texas Synod is a regional governing body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) serving 120+ congregations and 250+ rostered ministers across South-Central Texas. It provides pastoral leadership development through First Call Accompaniment and Lay Leadership Development, congregational vitality coaching, candidacy and call process support, disaster preparedness and response, migration and border ministries, and administers grant programs such as the More Than Enough Fund and Tiemann Endowment Fund for Leadership Development.

Product overview

The Southwestern Texas Synod is a regional governing body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), serving over 120 congregations and 250+ rostered ministers across South-Central Texas. Rather than a unified tech product, the synod offers a portfolio of ministry programs including new church plants (Eagle Pass Frontera Ministries, Palabra de Vida, Technicolor Ministries, Valley Metanoia Network), grant programs (More Than Enough Fund, Tiemann Endowment, Transformational Ministry Grant), educational initiatives (Damascus Lifelong Learning), publications (Weekly 5 & Voices of Faith newsletters), and border/migration ministries. These programs are facilitated through integrations with Smartsheet, Constant Contact, Substack, YouTube, Vimeo, Discord, and other platforms, with online giving through onRealm.org.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eagle Pass Frontera Ministries A border ministry located at Iglesia Luterana San Lucas in Eagle Pass, serving migrants at the Texas-Mexico border ecumenically with Mission Border Hope and Frontera Digna, providing food, spiritual care, water, clothing, hygiene items, and transportation logistics.
• Palabra de Vida
• Platicas de Santa Sofia
• Technicolor Ministries
• Valley Metanoia Network
• More Than Enough Fund A seed grant program providing funds to congregations and ministries to start or expand food or hunger ministries across the synod, with over 30 feeding ministries currently supported.
• Disaster Preparedness and Response
• Migration Ministries
• Damascus: Lifelong Learning
• Tiemann Endowment Fund for Leadership Development An endowment established in 2018 providing annual grants of approximately $6,000 to equip lay leaders, pastors, and deacons for building and strengthening congregations and ministries.
• Weekly 5 & Voices of Faith
• Immersion Experiences
• Transformational Ministry Grant
• Evangelical Mission Endowment Fund Grant

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ rostered ministers supported with candidacy, first call, and ongoing development
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered full communion, primary, key, core, supporting and bilateral.

• The United Methodist Churchfull communionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Full communion partner since 2009. Most recent full communion agreement.
• The Episcopal Churchfull communionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999Full communion partner since 1999. Allows exchange of clergy and shared ministry.
• The Moravian Churchfull communionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999Full communion partner since 1999.
• Presbyterian Church (USA)full communionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Full communion partner since 1997. Denominations worship together, may exchange clergy, and share commitment to evangelism, witness, and service.
• Reformed Church in Americafull communionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Full communion partner since 1997. Allows for exchange of clergy and shared ministry.
• United Church of Christfull communionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Full communion partner since 1997. Worship together and share commitment to evangelism, witness, and service.
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)primaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Southwestern Texas Synod is one of 65 synods that make up the ELCA. The synod participates in ELCA churchwide initiatives, receives representation at assemblies, and connects with ELCA ministries including World Hunger, Disaster Response, and AMMPARO immigration network.
• Iglesia Luterana of Costa Rico (ILCO)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner synod relationship with Costa Rican Lutheran Church. ILCO has presence in 30 communities benefiting 5,000 people with over 1,500 members and 11 pastors. Focus on integral mission in urban popular communities and rural areas.
• Northwest Washington SynodkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner synod relationship. Northwest Washington Synod has 121 congregations and worshipping communities. Members help homeless and hungry through various local ministries.
• Cross Trails MinistrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional ministry partner providing outdoor ministry experiences. Associated with Cross Trails Ministry annual reports and corporation meeting information.
• Texas Lutheran UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional ministry partner with Lutheran Campus Ministry located on TLU campus. Space for Region 4-South Archives provided in Blumberg Library and Lutheran Ministry Center.
• Lutheran Foundation of the SouthwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry partner providing legacy gift planning support and manages Tiemann Endowment Fund for Leadership Development. Regional Associate Deacon John Dellis serves as Director of Legacy Planning.
• Lutheran School of Theology-ChicagosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeminars partnership for rostered leader education and theological formation.
• Wartburg Theological SeminarysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeminars partnership for rostered leader education and theological formation.
• UpbringsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional ministry partner - social service organization extending reach of synod ministries.
• Portico Benefit ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA ministry partner providing benefits and financial resources for rostered ministers. Rev. Tim Schroeder serves as Regional Representative.
• Mission Investment Fund, ELCAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA ministry partner for mission investment. Dan Schwiesow serves as representative.
• Lutheran World ReliefsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA ministry partner for international relief and development.
• Lutheran Disaster ResponsecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA ministry partner coordinating disaster response across synods including partnership with Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod.
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA ministry partner providing immigration and refugee services supporting synod's border and migration ministries.
• ELCA AMMPARO NetworksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerELCA ministry partner network for accompaniment of migrants.
• Mission Border HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMethodist ministry ecumenical partner at Eagle Pass. Provides overnight shelter for migrants processed by CBP and helps with transportation logistics to San Antonio and final destinations.
• Frontera DignacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic ministry ecumenical partner responding to essential daily needs of migrants including food, spiritual care, water, clothing, hygiene, and personal essentials.
• FEA Foundation MinistrieskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Radical Hospitality Border Experience in Rio Grande Valley, collaborating on immersion experiences about immigration realities.
• UT-RGV School of Social WorkkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Project Radical Hospitality Border Experience, providing social work perspective on immigration and border realities.
• Grace Lutheran Church, HarlingensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner congregation for Project Radical Hospitality Border Experience in the Rio Grande Valley.
• St. John Lutheran Church, San JuansupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner congregation for Project Radical Hospitality Border Experience in the Rio Grande Valley.
• Roman Catholic ChurchbilateralStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilateral dialogue partner. Joint work on immigration and social justice issues.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• Roman Catholic Diocese of San Antonio: The Catholic diocesan governing body covering South-Central Texas. Operates in the same region with similar pastoral, charitable, and immigration ministry functions, and is a bilateral dialogue partner of the ELCA on immigration and social justice.
• Episcopal Diocese of West Texas: An Episcopal regional governing body covering West Texas with comparable diocesan structure, bishop-led governance, and congregation support functions. Operates in the same geographic region with a parallel full-communion partner role via ELCA-Episcopal agreement (1999).
• Presbyterian Synod of the Sun: Regional Presbyterian governing body covering the same Sunbelt geography. Comparable in denominational governance structure, congregational support model, and full-communion partner status via the 1997 Formula of Agreement.

Direct peers

• Iglesia Luterana de Costa Rica (ILCO): An ELCA partner synod in Costa Rica with presence in 30 communities, 5,000 beneficiaries, and 11 pastors. Directly comparable as a Lutheran regional governance body in a different cultural context, and a formal companion synod partner.
• Southeastern Synod (ELCA): Another ELCA regional synod of comparable scale and structure serving congregations across a multi-state region. Directly comparable governance model, rostered minister support, and congregational vitality mission.
• Northwest Washington Synod (ELCA): An ELCA partner synod with 121 congregations that Southwestern Texas Synod maintains a formal partner relationship with. Same denominational governance structure and similar ministry portfolio including hunger and homeless outreach.
• Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod (ELCA): The third ELCA synod operating in Texas. Same denominational structure, same regional scope of work, and shares the Texas Lutheran ministry context, making it a direct structural peer.
• Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod (ELCA): The other ELCA synod serving Texas, operating in the Gulf Coast region. Most directly comparable to Southwestern Texas Synod in denomination, structure, scale, and Texas geography, and a stated partner in disaster response coordination.
• Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod (ELCA): ELCA synod of similar size and structure serving western Pennsylvania. Operates the same synod governance model, call process for rostered ministers, and congregational support framework as Southwestern Texas Synod.

Broad incumbents

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA): The parent denomination of which Southwestern Texas Synod is one of 65 regional synods. Operates churchwide ministries including Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, and AMMPARO that the synod channels and localizes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SWTSWO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southwestern-texas-synod

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Southwestern Texas Synod