sparkhouse

What sparkhouse does

Sparkhouse operates as a faith formation resource publisher and imprint of the Publishing House of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company develops and sells curricula, Bible translations, workbooks, leader guides, and digital resources for faith formation across the full lifespan — from early childhood (Frolic, Sanctuary Scribes Series) through children (Whirl, Holy Moly, Spark: Activate Faith, Connect), youth confirmation and ministry programs (Lutheran Yes!, Re:form, Colaborate, Echo the Story, T.B.D., Wholeness & Holiness), and adult small group materials (Animate, Dialogues On). Its products are denominationally tailored for Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Reformed traditions, developed with input from theologians, pastors, and practitioners of each tradition.

The underlying technology is a hybrid content and digital platform model. Sparkhouse combines physical products (Leader Guides, Anti-Workbooks, DVDs, Poster Packs, Bundles) with Sparkhouse Digital, a web-based platform providing unlimited access to Sparkhouse curricula. Curriculum design methodologies include the Lutheran Yes! Quest System with predictable session rhythms (Gather, Focus, Discover, Send) and student-choice Quests; the Re:form 40-episode animated video series combining humor with theology; and Colaborate's problem-based, hands-on investigative learning approach. Content is differentiated by pedagogical innovation (humor-based engagement, student choice, problem-based learning) and denominational specificity.

The business model is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce operation selling one-time/perpetual-license products through wearesparkhouse.org, supplemented by phone (800-328-4648) and email sales support, plus the Sparkhouse Digital subscription platform. Pricing ranges from $5.99 (Anti-Workbooks) to $124.99 (bundle packs), with quantity discounts available. The go-to-market combines content marketing, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube), email newsletters, webinars, SEO, and a Curriculum Order Builder tool. Revenue mechanics rely on repeat institutional purchases by churches, which typically buy across multiple programs within the same congregation, creating within-account cross-sell.

Name

sparkhouse

Legal name

Publishing House of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, d/b/a Sparkhouse

Website

https://wearesparkhouse.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sparkhouse is a non-profit faith formation resource publisher and ELCA imprint that develops denominationally-tailored curricula and digital platforms for Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches, serving congregations from early childhood through adult education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Education Publishing

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Educational Services (8200), Blankbooks, Looseleaf Binders & Bookbindg & Relatd Work (2780)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Education & Catechetical Publishing (Sunday School, Catechism, Study Guides) (MPAJAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Religious Children’s Publishing (Faith-Based Kids & YA) (MPAJAHAJ), Children’s Religious & Values-Based Publishing (MPAJAFAL), Faith-Based Nursery & Playgroups (EDACACAK), Religious Education, Kids & Family Faith Programming (MPABALAM)

Keywords

• Faith formation curricula
• Religious education publishing
• Confirmation curriculum
• Church education resources
• Sunday school materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Curricula and Resource Sales: Sparkhouse generates revenue through the sale of physical and digital faith formation curricula, including Leader Guides, Student Quest Books, Anti-Workbooks, Connection Decks, DVDs, and Poster Packs. Products are sold as one-time purchases for churches and religious organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sparkhouse develops and sells faith formation curricula and educational resources for churches and religious organizations, covering age groups from birth through adult. The portfolio includes denomination-specific confirmation curricula (Lutheran Yes!, Colaborate: Lutheran/Methodist/Presbyterian), general youth programs (Re:form, Re:form Ancestors, Re:form Traditions, Echo the Story, T.B.D., Wholeness & Holiness), children's curricula (Frolic, Spark: Activate Faith, Whirl, Holy Moly, Connect), adult small group resources (Animate, Dialogues On), Bibles, leader guides, student workbooks, DVDs, and the Sparkhouse Digital platform for online curriculum access.

Product overview

Sparkhouse is a faith formation resource company owned by the Publishing House of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of religious education curricula and resources spanning from birth through adult. The core product lines include Lutheran Yes! (confirmation curriculum with four units), Re:form (youth faith formation with 40 sessions), Re:form Ancestors (biblical character studies), Re:form Traditions (denomination-specific content), and Colaborate (hands-on confirmation programs for Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian denominations). Supporting offerings include Sparkhouse Digital (digital access platform), Early Childhood curricula, Children's programs, Youth ministry resources, and Adult small group materials. The portfolio also includes Bible translations, anti-workbooks, leader guides, and DVD/video resources designed for church educational settings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Frolic: Early childhood curriculum and faith formation resources
• Whirl
• Holy Moly
• Sparkhouse Youth
• Sparkhouse Adults
• Sparkhouse Digital

Products and services

• Lutheran Yes! Student-centered confirmation curriculum for Lutheran denominations featuring four 10-session units (Lutheran Worship, Lutheran Theology, Ten Commandments, Baptismal Affirmations) with Gather/Focus/Discover/Send session rhythms and student-choice Quests. Developed with input from 100+ congregations.
• Re:form Youth faith formation series with 40 sessions covering questions about the Bible, creed, disciples, Jesus, other beliefs, and tough topics. Includes 40 animated videos (5-7 minutes each), Anti-Workbook activities, and Leader Guide.
• Re:form Ancestors Youth Bible study exploring Old and New Testament characters (Adam & Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, Paul, etc.) through animated videos and interactive Anti-Workbooks.
• Re:form Traditions Denomination-specific curriculum exploring four key questions per tradition (backstory, beliefs, practices, tradition today) for Lutheran, Methodist, and Reformed churches across 4 sessions.
• Colaborate: Lutheran Confirmation Hands-on investigative learning confirmation curriculum for Lutheran churches featuring problem-based learning. Four units cover Old/New Testament Bible, Lutheran History & Catechism, and Lutheran Living across 60 sessions.
• Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation Active faith confirmation curriculum for Methodist churches using problem-based learning to explore Methodist history, doctrine, Wesley's theology, grace, perfection, prayer, and worship across 45 sessions.
• Colaborate: Presbyterian Confirmation Confirmation curriculum for Presbyterian churches covering Presbyterian history, doctrine, and the full Bible through problem-based learning across 45 sessions.
• Sparkhouse Digital Digital platform providing unlimited access to Sparkhouse curricula and resources in a single web-based platform for simplified planning.
• Frolic (Early Childhood) Faith formation curriculum for early childhood (birth to 5 years), including Bible-based learning activities and the Unbridled Presence series for toddlers and preschoolers.
• Spark: Activate Faith Children's faith formation curriculum for elementary-age children within the Spark Rotation model.
• Whirl Children's faith formation curriculum covering lectionary and classroom models for early and middle grades.
• Holy Moly Animated Bible storytelling curriculum for children combining storytelling and illustrations to engage kids with Bible stories.
• Connect Children's faith formation curriculum for elementary-age children.
• Echo the Story Youth Bible study curriculum using a narrative approach to engage teenagers with scripture.
• T.B.D. Youth ministry curriculum for grades 5-12 covering Bible study and faith exploration.
• Wholeness & Holiness Youth curriculum exploring themes of personal and communal faith, wholeness, and holy living.
• Animate Adult small group faith formation curriculum using video-based exploration of Christian faith topics.
• Dialogues On Adult small group curriculum facilitating dialogue on faith and spirituality topics.
• Sparkhouse in the Summer Seasonal summer curriculum for children's ministry providing faith formation content for vacation Bible school and summer programming.
• Unbridled Presence Early childhood and children's faith formation resource, including the Sanctuary Scribes Series 1, designed to introduce young children to spiritual practices.

Named customers7 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Beaming Books: Beaming Books publishes children's picture books and religious-themed storybooks sold through church and retail channels. Comparable to Sparkhouse in the early childhood and children's faith formation segment, particularly under the Sparkhouse Books sub-brand.
• David C Cook: David C Cook publishes children's, youth, and adult curricula including the Workshop Rotation Model and various denominational and non-denominational resources. Comparable to Sparkhouse in multi-format Sunday school and confirmation curricula sold to churches through direct e-commerce.
• Concordia Publishing House: Concordia Publishing House is the publishing arm of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, producing Lutheran-specific curricula, Bibles, and worship materials. Most directly comparable to Sparkhouse in denomination-specific Lutheran confirmation and children's education publishing.
• Group Publishing: Group Publishing specializes in children's and youth ministry curricula, VBS programs, and Sunday school resources marketed directly to churches. Strong peer comparison to Sparkhouse in the children's/youth curriculum segment, especially around innovative pedagogy and experiential learning.
• Abingdon Press: Abingdon Press is the publishing imprint of The United Methodist Publishing House, producing confirmation curricula, Bible studies, and adult small group resources. Directly comparable to Sparkhouse for Methodist-specific confirmation content (Colaborate: Methodist Confirmation) and adult small group materials.

Emerging players

• RightNow Media: RightNow Media is a streaming library of faith-based video content serving churches with Bible study and small group resources via subscription. Comparable to Sparkhouse Digital and Re:form video products as a digital-first alternative for church education.
• FaithElement: FaithElement produces digital small group and Sunday school curriculum resources for mainline Protestant denominations. Closely comparable to Sparkhouse in serving Lutheran/Presbyterian/Methodist congregations with modern, discussion-based curricula.
• The Ministry League: The Ministry League is a digital platform offering subscription-based children's ministry curriculum with video content for churches. Comparable to Sparkhouse Digital in the transition from print to digital, subscription-based children's curriculum delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Lifeway Christian Resources: Lifeway is the publishing and retail arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, offering Sunday school, VBS, and small group curricula across all age groups. It is the largest US Protestant church resources publisher and the broadest incumbent peer to Sparkhouse's faith formation portfolio.

Others

• Faithlife (Logos Bible Software): Faithlife builds digital Bible study platforms, church management tools, and online curricula for evangelical and mainline churches. Comparable to Sparkhouse Digital as an ecosystem participant enabling digital delivery of religious educational content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wearesparkhouse
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1d-wyazLGBF4_sVzmlzImQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/wearesprkhouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/_sparkhouse_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sparkhouse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 sparkhouse