'lutheran Education Association'

What 'lutheran Education Association' does

Lutheran Education Association (LEA) is a 501c-style nonprofit professional association founded in 1942 and headquartered in River Forest, Illinois, on the campus of Concordia University Chicago. The organization serves educators, administrators, and ministry workers across the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) educational ecosystem, including K-12 teachers, school principals, early childhood educators, parish educators, and retired educators across North America. Its stated mission is to "link, equip, and affirm" educators in Lutheran ministry through faith-integrated professional development, community networking, and curated resources.

LEA's core products are digital-first. LEAconnects is the primary content platform, hosting decades of archived articles, devotionals, webinars, and professional development materials organized by topic, grade level, and content type. LEAhub is the membership management portal, built on GrowthZone, where individual educators and schools register for membership and where principals can enroll their full faculty under group plans. Seven role-based listserv communities — LEADnet (administration), ECEnet (early childhood), ETnet (elementary), MIDnet (middle school), SECnet (secondary), PEN (parish education), and EncourageAGEnet (retired educators) — segment the network. Supplementary products include the What Works for Me podcast, Words on Wednesday video devotionals, the Shaping the Future online magazine, the Lutheran Education Opportunity Center (LEOC), and the Lutheran Junior Honor Association (LJHA) student recognition program with an associated merchandise store. The Virtual Exhibit Hall provides a year-round digital marketplace for partner organizations including Concordia Publishing House, FACTS, BJU Press, Concordia Plan Services, and Rediker Software.

LEA generates revenue through annual individual and group membership dues, event registration fees for the annual LEA Convocation and Lutheran School Administrators Conference, sales from the LJHA store, and charitable donations. Distribution is primarily self-serve through LEAhub and LEAconnects, supplemented by direct institutional enrollment via a Full Faculty Form and event-based engagement. Strategic partnerships with LCMS districts, Concordia universities, and ministry organizations serve as the primary GTM channels. The organization maintains a small staff led by Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Laabs and operates with no disclosed venture funding, no parent company, and no public listing.

Name

'lutheran Education Association'

Legal name

Lutheran Education Association

Website

https://lea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lutheran Education Association (LEA) is a nonprofit professional association founded in 1942 that links, equips, and affirms Lutheran K-12 educators, administrators, early childhood teachers, parish workers, and retired educators across North America through membership dues, faith-integrated professional development content, and annual conferences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Education Association Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD)

Keywords

• Lutheran education resources
• Faith-based professional development
• Educator membership association
• Christ-centered curriculum
• Ministry professional networks

Headquarters

HQ city

River Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual and Faculty Membership Dues: LEA generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues. Educators join individually or principals register their full faculty under group membership plans at discounted rates. Membership provides access to the LEAconnects platform, member-only content, and event discounts.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue is generated from registration fees for annual events including the Lutheran School Administrators Conference and LEA Convocation. Non-members pay higher registration rates while members receive discounts.
3. Lutheran Junior Honor Association (LJHA) Store: Sales of merchandise through the LJHA Store, offering products associated with the Lutheran Junior Honor Association program.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization accepts charitable donations through its 'Give Now' platform, providing an additional revenue stream to support operations and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Lutheran Education Association provides membership-based professional development, Christ-centered curriculum and devotional content, networking, and advocacy services for Lutheran K-12 educators, administrators, early childhood and parish educators, and retired educators through digital platforms (LEAconnects, LEAhub), annual conferences, and ministry-specific listservs. Revenue is generated through annual membership dues (individual and full-faculty group plans), event registration fees, merchandise sales through the LJHA Store, and charitable donations.

Product overview

Lutheran Education Association (LEA) operates a membership-based professional ecosystem for Lutheran educators comprising multiple interconnected digital platforms and programs. The core platform is LEAconnects, a resource library providing articles, videos, webinars, and devotional content with member-exclusive access. LEAhub serves as the membership management portal. Supporting products include LEAnews (weekly newsletter), Words On Wednesday (video devotionals), Devotions (comprehensive devotional collections), Shaping the Future (online magazine), and the What Works for Me Podcast. Special programs include the Lutheran Junior Honor Association (LJHA) for student recognition and the Spiritual Nurture video series for early childhood educators. Events include annual LEA Convocation and the Lutheran School Administrators Conference. The Virtual Exhibit Hall showcases partner resources, while LEOC provides additional professional development. Listservs by education level facilitate networking across the Lutheran education community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LEAconnects: Resource platform offering access to decades of articles, videos, webinars, and professional development materials for Lutheran educators.
• LEAhub
• LEOC (Lutheran Education Opportunity Center)
• Words On Wednesday
• Lutheran Junior Honor Association (LJHA)
• The LEArning Curve Blog
• What Works for Me Podcast

Products and services

• LEAconnects Resource Platform Comprehensive online resource platform offering decades of articles, devotionals, videos, webinars, and professional development materials organized by topic, grade level, and content type for Lutheran educators. Members receive full access; non-members have limited browsing.
• LEAhub Membership Portal Centralized member portal providing access to LEAconnects content, membership management, event registration, and full faculty membership enrollment tools for individual educators and Lutheran schools.
• Virtual Exhibit Hall Year-round virtual marketplace featuring partner organizations with products and services for Lutheran educators, accessible through the LEAconnects platform and used by exhibitors during virtual and hybrid conferences.
• LEAnews Weekly (bi-weekly per membership benefits) digital newsletter delivering news, updates, Tips of the Week by expertise area, and curated resources to Lutheran educators.
• Words On Wednesday Weekly video devotional series providing spiritual encouragement and faith-based content for Lutheran educators, distributed through LEAconnects and social media.
• Devotions Comprehensive collection of devotional content including series for New Testament, Old Testament, prayer, and various seasonal devotionals for Lutheran educators.
• Shaping the Future Online magazine featuring articles, network resources, and professional development content for Lutheran educators across all education levels.
• What Works for Me Podcast Audio podcast series sharing insights, best practices, and experiences from Lutheran educators.
• LEA Convocation Annual gathering of Lutheran educators featuring workshops, fellowship, and professional development opportunities, with differentiated member and non-member registration pricing.
• Lutheran School Administrators Conference Annual conference specifically designed for Lutheran school administrators providing leadership development, governance training, and networking opportunities, with differentiated member and non-member pricing.
• Lutheran Education Opportunity Center (LEOC) Resource center providing educational opportunities, webinars, and professional development materials for Lutheran educators.
• Spiritual Nurture in the Lutheran Early Childhood Classroom Video Series Video-based professional development series focusing on spiritual development and nurturing faith in early childhood Lutheran education settings.
• Lutheran Junior Honor Association (LJHA) Student honor society program recognizing academic excellence and Christian character among Lutheran school students, supported by the LJHA Store selling associated merchandise.

Named customers3 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

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Concordia University, NebraskacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConcordia University Nebraska is a strategic partner of LEA, supporting Lutheran educator preparation and professional development. CU Nebraska prepares future Lutheran teachers and administrators who benefit from LEA's ongoing professional support throughout their careers.
• Concordia Publishing HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConcordia Publishing House is a key partner providing Christ-centered curriculum materials and publishing resources for Lutheran schools. CPH is an exhibitor in the LEA Virtual Exhibit Hall and collaborates on resources for Lutheran educators.
• BJU PressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBJU Press provides curriculum materials for Lutheran schools. Listed as an exhibitor partner in the LEA Virtual Exhibit Hall, providing educational content resources to LEA member schools.
• Concordia Plan ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConcordia Plan Services provides employee benefits including health, retirement, disability, and survivor benefits for LCMS church workers and their families. They partner with LEA to support the well-being of Lutheran educators through exhibitor participation.
• Concordia University ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConcordia University Chicago is co-located with LEA headquarters and is a key strategic partner. CUC prepares Lutheran educators at undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels, and shares LEA's mission to support Lutheran ministry educators. LEA is headquartered at the CUC campus.
• Concordia University TexasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConcordia University Texas is Austin's leading Christian university affiliated with the LCMS. It is a partner in preparing future Lutheran educators and serves as an exhibitor in the LEA Virtual Exhibit Hall.
• Concordia PlanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the Concordia Plans, LCMS congregations and schools provide comprehensive employee benefits. Concordia Plans serves as a Virtual Exhibit Hall exhibitor providing benefits guidance and services to Lutheran school employees.
• Lutheran Hour MinistriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLutheran Hour Ministries began as the Lutheran Laymen's League and reaches over 136 million people weekly through Bible courses, daily devotions, and The Lutheran Hour radio program. They partner with LEA through the Virtual Exhibit Hall, offering spiritual resources to Lutheran educators.
• Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty (LCRL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCRL is an LCMS religious liberty organization headquartered in Washington D.C. providing advocacy, education, and resources on religious liberty, sanctity of life, and educational opportunities. Partners with LEA through the Virtual Exhibit Hall to support Lutheran school advocacy.
• Arrowhead Conferences & EventsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArrowhead Conferences & Events is a 501c3 non-profit subsidiary of Cru, serving over 500 ministries annually. They provide conference planning services and serve as a Virtual Exhibit Hall exhibitor, offering event planning support to LEA and its member schools.
• LCMS Districts and National Education OfficescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLEA partners with LCMS districts, national education offices, and international educators to carry out missions collaboratively. These district partnerships serve as key channels for member recruitment and advocacy coordination.
• Nancy Larson ScienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNancy Larson Science K-5 is a comprehensive elementary science curriculum with hands-on activities and experiments. Serves as a Virtual Exhibit Hall exhibitor offering science curriculum materials to Lutheran elementary schools.
• Creative Communications for the ParishminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative Communications for the Parish provides affordable creative resources for sharing the Gospel with children, including the Good News Planners. Partners with LEA through the Virtual Exhibit Hall to offer creative ministry resources to Lutheran educators.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Learning Forward: National professional association focused on educator professional development standards and training—directly comparable to LEA's PD delivery function but secular and broader scope.
• NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children): Leading US membership association for early childhood educators, offering PD, accreditation, and publications—overlaps with LEA's ECEnet early-childhood network and spiritual nurture content.
• ASCD: Large, established global PD organization serving K-12 educators regardless of faith tradition, with publications, conferences, and memberships—overlaps LEA's PD content and conference functions but operates at much larger scope.

Direct peers

• National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA): The leading US professional association for Catholic school educators, operating on a parallel membership, professional development, and conference model. Most structurally similar faith-based K-12 educator association to LEA.
• Christian Educators Association International: Professional association for Christian school educators offering professional development, legal support, and community—parallel membership and PD model to LEA.
• Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI): Membership association serving Christian schools and educators across denominations with professional development, accreditation, and networking—directly comparable service portfolio to LEA's Lutheran-specific focus.
• National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES): Faith-based (Episcopal) professional association supporting K-12 educators and administrators via conferences, resources, and accreditation—comparable denomination-specific education association structure.
• Jewish Education Association of North America: Professional body supporting Jewish day school and supplementary educators with PD and community resources—parallel faith-tradition educator association model.
• Seventh-day Adventist Office of Education: Denomination-focused K-12 education office supporting Adventist educators with curriculum, professional development, and conferences—a near-twin in mission and member-facing services to LEA.

Others

• Concordia Publishing House: Core LCMS-aligned curriculum and devotional publisher that is both a strategic partner and adjacent commercial peer; overlap with LEA in Lutheran content production and educator reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/LutheranEd
• Facebookfacebook.com/LutheranEducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lutheran-education-association
• Pinterestpinterest.com/LutheranEd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 'lutheran Education Association'