Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault, Minnesota

What Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault, Minnesota does

Trinity Lutheran Church is an LCMS-affiliated congregation located in Faribault, Minnesota, founded in 1870 and serving over 1,500 members across the city and surrounding Rice County area. Its core activities include weekly worship services, Christian education through Sunday school and adult Bible studies, pastoral care, and community outreach — operated by a small staff team of approximately 7 people supported by volunteer leadership.

The congregation's distinctive operational footprint includes the Faribault Lutheran School, a K-8 parochial school operated as a joint venture with Peace Lutheran Church since 1996, and the Trinity Radio Club, which has broadcast worship services over local radio since 1946 and now extends that reach through a YouTube channel offering livestreamed services and Bible study content. These platforms form the congregation's primary ministry infrastructure alongside in-person programming.

Financially, Trinity Lutheran operates as a non-profit religious organization sustained by voluntary member contributions (tithes and offerings), supplemented by school tuition and community fundraising. In May 2025, members voted on a proposal to consolidate with another LCMS congregation; the measure did not pass, and leadership transitioned with the installation of Rev. Alex Sloter as pastor on May 3, 2026. The organization celebrates 150+ years of continuous ministry, having marked its sesquicentennial in 2020.

Name

Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault, Minnesota

Legal name

Trinity Lutheran Church

Website

https://trinityfaribo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1870

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Trinity Lutheran Church is an LCMS-affiliated congregation in Faribault, Minnesota, founded in 1870, serving over 1,500 members through worship, Christian education, a K-8 joint-venture school, and radio/YouTube broadcasting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (81311), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Radio Broadcasting (MPAIAEAF), Religious/Faith-Based Radio Networks (MPABABAC), Religious Music & Worship Broadcasting (MPABALAN)

Keywords

• Lutheran worship services
• Christian education programs
• Religious broadcasting ministry
• Faith-based youth programs
• Community human care services

Headquarters

HQ city

Faribault

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings (General Fund): The General Fund supports day-to-day church operations including utilities, salaries, support of Faribault Lutheran School, missions, evangelism, and church activities. Donations can be made via bank Bill Pay, ACH transfer, credit/debit card, or check.
2. Improvements Fund: Designated fund for property upgrades, equipment additions, and tangible building improvements.
3. Sudanese Mission Fund: Supports mission work spreading God's Word to Sudanese people in southern Minnesota, including support for the mission pastor and his family.
4. Faribault Lutheran School Tuition: FLS is a tuition-based K-8 Christian school. Tuition assistance is available for qualifying families through the school and for Trinity members through Trinity Lutheran Church.
5. Pie Makers Fundraiser: Started as a fundraiser for church construction, Pie Makers have raised over $190,000 to date selling pies on Monday mornings and after church services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Trinity Lutheran Church is a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation providing weekly worship services (traditional and contemporary), Christian education through Sunday School and Confirmation programs, youth ministry (Lutheran Youth Fellowship), adult Bible study and small groups, music ministry with choirs and handbells, and community human care assistance. The church jointly operates Faribault Lutheran School, a K-8 Christian school, and runs the Trinity Radio Club broadcasting ministry on radio, cable TV, and online streaming.

Product overview

Trinity Lutheran Church offers a unified portfolio of spiritual and educational services centered on worship, ministry programs, and Christian education. Core offerings include in-person and broadcast worship services across three weekly time slots, the Trinity Radio Club broadcasting since 1946, and online giving for donations. The church supports Faribault Lutheran School (K-8), Confirmation (7th-8th grade), Sunday School programs (Kingdom Quest for ages 3-4th grade, Kingdom Builders for 5th-6th grade), Vacation Bible School, and Lutheran Youth Fellowship (6th-12th grade). Additional programs include Small Group Bible Studies, Music Ministry (choirs and handbells), Human Care assistance, and Sudanese Mission outreach. The church campus houses a historic pipe organ and serves as a community hub for Faribault.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Person Worship Services Traditional and contemporary Lutheran worship services held on Saturdays at 5:30 PM and Sundays at 8:00 AM (traditional) and 10:30 AM (often contemporary), with the 8:00 AM service broadcast on KDHL Radio AM 920. Open to all community members and visitors.
• Trinity Radio Club Broadcasting Ministry Multi-platform broadcasting ministry established in 1946 that spreads the gospel and worship services via KDHL AM 920 radio, internet streaming video at trinityradioandvideo.org, live streaming, and local cable TV (Charter Communications channel 181, Consolidated Communications channel 10).
• Faribault Lutheran School (FLS) Independent K-8 Christian-based school jointly supported by Trinity Lutheran and Peace Lutheran Churches, offering top academics with Lutheran doctrine instruction. Tuition-based with financial assistance available for qualifying families. Open to children of all faiths.
• Confirmation Program 7th-8th grade program at Trinity Lutheran Church building disciples through Luther's Small Catechism, requiring service hours, sermon notes, and culminating in a May confirmation ceremony.
• Kingdom Quest Sunday School Interactive Sunday School at Trinity Lutheran Church for children age 3 through 4th grade featuring rotation-based learning with music, Bible stories, crafts, games, and snacks.
• Kingdom Builders Sunday School Sunday School program at Trinity Lutheran Church for 5th-6th graders with age-appropriate Bible study and application activities.
• Vacation Bible School Summer program at Trinity Lutheran Church for children featuring Bible learning through interactive activities, themed around VBS Cave Quest.
• L.Y.F. (Lutheran Youth Fellowship) Faith-based youth group at Trinity Lutheran Church for 6th-12th graders offering fun activities, devotions, fellowship, and annual trips, coordinated by Dan and Chrysteena Saehler.
• Small Group Bible Studies Multiple adult and youth Bible study groups at Trinity Lutheran Church meeting at various times including Sunday mornings, weekdays, and evenings in homes and church facilities.
• Music Ministry Choir and handbell programs at Trinity Lutheran Church including Trinity Handbells, Trinity Choir, Worship Team, FLS Tone Chimes, FLS Choristers, and FLS Handbells.
• Human Care Ministry Assistance program at Trinity Lutheran Church providing living assistance, furniture, personal items, limited financial aid, and food shelf donations to community members in need.

Quantifiable outcome

• Membership grew from 1,000 in first 25 years to over 1,500 today
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Peace Lutheran Church (Faribault)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Trinity Lutheran and Peace Lutheran Churches jointly established Faribault Lutheran School in 1996. FLS is an independent K-8 Christian-based school located at Trinity's site. Both congregations support and are associated with the school, which is open to children of all faiths.
• KDHL Radio (AM 920)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1946Partnership with KDHL AM 920 for broadcasting Trinity's 8:00 AM Sunday services since 1946. The radio broadcast reaches listeners throughout southern Minnesota, extending Trinity's ministry beyond the physical sanctuary.
• Charter Communications / Consolidated CommunicationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCable television distribution partners broadcasting Trinity's recorded worship services on Charter Communications channel 181 and Consolidated Communications channel 10, aired Mondays/Tuesdays at 3:30 PM.
• Camp OmegaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamp Omega is a Christian retreat facility and summer camp near Waterville, Minnesota, established in 1964. It serves various Christian and community groups with support from congregations of the Minnesota South District of LCMS.
• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrinity Lutheran Church is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and its Minnesota South District. LCMS provides doctrinal guidance, resources, and connection to the broader Lutheran denomination.
• LCMS Minnesota South DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional LCMS district providing support and oversight for Trinity and other Lutheran congregations in southern Minnesota.
• American Red CrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrinity hosts periodic Red Cross blood drives, most recently scheduled for September 15, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, to support community blood supply needs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• Camp Omega: LCMS-affiliated Christian retreat and summer camp facility in Waterville, MN, supported by congregations including Trinity. Comparable as a Minnesota South District Lutheran ministry partner, serving similar LCMS families.
• Concordia University System: LCMS-affiliated higher education system of universities and prep schools. Comparable as part of the same LCMS educational and theological ecosystem, though operating at the post-secondary level rather than K-8.

Broad incumbents

• Educational Media Foundation (K-LOVE / Air1): Major non-commercial contemporary Christian music radio network with online streaming reaching millions. Shares Trinity's religious radio broadcasting mission but operates at a vastly larger scale with a different theological focus.
• Bott Radio Network: National Christian radio network broadcasting Bible teaching, worship, and Christian talk programming. Comparable to Trinity Radio Club in religious broadcasting mission, but operates at a multi-market commercial scale.
• Salem Media Group: Large publicly-traded Christian/conservative media company operating radio stations, digital platforms, and publishing. Comparable in the religious broadcasting space but at significantly larger scale and commercial scope.

Direct peers

• Peace Lutheran Church (Faribault): Local LCMS congregation in Faribault, MN, and Trinity's co-sponsor of Faribault Lutheran School. Operates as a peer LCMS church in the same community, recently voting alongside Trinity against consolidation.
• LCMS Minnesota South District: Regional LCMS district providing oversight and support for Trinity and other Lutheran congregations in southern Minnesota. Direct institutional peer in denominational structure.
• Northwestern Media: Minnesota-based Lutheran radio broadcasting ministry affiliated with the LCMS, operating similar radio and online programming to Trinity Radio Club. Most directly comparable in terms of Lutheran radio broadcasting mission and regional focus.
• KFUO Radio: The LCMS's flagship radio ministry based in St. Louis, broadcasting Lutheran worship, theology, and talk programming. Shares Trinity's denominational affiliation and broadcast-driven outreach model.
• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS): Trinity's parent denomination, providing doctrinal guidance, resources, and regional structure. Comparable as the broader organizational body whose mission Trinity directly advances at the congregational level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsWCywDWgxu5-ZAsPlgb7kg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Trinityfaribault
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/trinity-lutheran-church-faribault-minnesota

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Trinity Lutheran Church, Faribault, Minnesota