University Lutheran Chapel

What University Lutheran Chapel does

University Lutheran Chapel (ULC) is a non-profit Lutheran congregation founded in 1942 and located at 1511 Washtenaw Ave in Ann Arbor, Michigan, directly across from the University of Michigan campus. As a member of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), ULC operates 18+ paid staff delivering two weekly worship gatherings (a traditional 9am service and a contemporary 11am service that is livestreamed on YouTube), Christian education programs including ULC-U 101 and Next Step classes, community groups, youth and children's ministries, and the Missional Leadership Institute (MLI) year-long paid internship program for college students.

The church's product portfolio spans ministry services (worship, student gatherings, Alpha course, Community Groups), Christian education (Foundations, Baptism, Confirmation, New Member classes, Rule of Life series), specialized ministries (International Student Connect with ESL classes, 55 Alive senior ministry, prison ministry, prayer ministry), a church plant (Emmaus Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor's Old West Side), and The Common Cup, a non-profit coffeehouse in the church basement opened in 2007 that serves as a community gathering space. Digital distribution channels include YouTube livestreaming, the Digging Deeper podcast, Instagram and Facebook, a weekly email newsletter, and the Church Center mobile application for giving and engagement.

ULC's business model is donation-driven through voluntary tithes and offerings collected during services and via the Church Center giving platform, supplemented by modest retail revenue from The Common Cup coffee shop. The church maintains five core Kingdom Partnerships (Family Life Services, Family of God Detroit, Hope Clinic, House N2 Home, Love Ypsi) and supports international missions in Costa Rica, Tanzania, and Germany. Strategic direction centers on four pillars stated by the church: Multiplying Leaders for the Church, Engaging the University, Serving the City, and Sending into the World.

Name

University Lutheran Chapel

Legal name

University Lutheran Chapel

Website

https://ulcannarbor.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

University Lutheran Chapel is a non-profit Lutheran church and campus ministry in Ann Arbor, Michigan, serving the University of Michigan community through worship services, student ministries, Christian education, and community programs since 1942.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services / Church Ministry

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Lutheran church services
• Campus ministry programs
• Christian education classes
• Student worship gatherings
• Faith community groups

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

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: Church operates primarily through voluntary tithes and offerings from congregation members, with online giving available through Church Center application
2. The Common Cup Coffee Shop: Non-profit coffee shop in church basement generates revenue through beverage and food sales. Opened in 2007, serves University of Michigan community with coffee, tea, smoothies, and baked goods from local partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

University Lutheran Chapel is a Christian congregation that delivers weekly Lutheran worship services (traditional and contemporary), year-round campus ministry programming for University of Michigan students, Christian education classes, community groups, international student support, and a non-profit coffee shop called The Common Cup. The organization also operates a paid Missional Leadership Institute internship program, engages in church planting (e.g., Emmaus Lutheran Church), and supports five Kingdom Partner mission organizations in southeast Michigan.

Product overview

University Lutheran Chapel offers a diverse portfolio of ministry services and programs centered on worship, Christian education, student ministry, and community service. The church provides two main worship gathering styles (traditional 9a and contemporary 11a services), extensive student ministries including the Missional Leadership Institute internship, The Common Cup coffeehouse hospitality ministry, Christian education through ULC-U 101 and Next Step Classes, and mission partnerships with five Kingdom Partners. Additional offerings include Alpha courses, Community Groups, International Student Connect, Youth Ministry, Prison Ministry, sermon podcasts (Digging Deeper), and support services like the Prayer Ministry and 55 Alive senior ministry. The church also planted Emmaus Lutheran Church as a new congregation in Ann Arbor.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Traditional Worship Gathering (9a) Sunday 9am Lutheran worship service featuring hymns led by organ or piano in a traditional liturgical format. Open to the public free of charge with voluntary tithes and offerings collected.
• Contemporary Worship Gathering (11a) Sunday 11am contemporary worship service with a band and modern worship songs, also livestreamed on YouTube during summer. Open to the public free of charge.
• All Student Gathering (Wednesday) Weekly Wednesday evening student gathering at 7pm during the academic year that includes a meal, worship, teaching message, and small-group Bible study. Targeted at University of Michigan and Ann Arbor college students.
• Missional Leadership Institute (MLI) Year-long paid internship program for college students providing hands-on ministry experience alongside ULC staff in outreach, peer-to-peer ministry, resident ministry, and operations. Approximately 8+ interns annually.
• Rule of Life Series Audio-based teaching series covering spiritual disciplines including devotion, community, service, and rest. Available as a free resource from ULC.
• Next Step Classes Foundational Christian education courses covering Foundations, Baptism preparation, First Communion instruction, Confirmation, and New Member orientation. Open to congregants and newcomers.
• ULC-U 101 Four-part educational series covering The Bible, Christian Doctrine, Christian History, and Discipleship, taught by ULC's pastoral staff for congregants and newcomers.
• Digging Deeper Podcast Weekly podcast companion to ULC's Sunday sermons featuring deeper discussion and study questions, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for community groups and personal devotions.
• Alpha Course Group discussion series exploring the basics of Christianity in a friendly, low-pressure environment. Offered annually and targeted at people exploring the Christian faith for the first time.
• Community Groups Intentionally formed groups of 3-15 people who share life together for mutual discipleship and support. Open to ULC congregants and newcomers.
• International Student Connect Ministry welcoming international students with ESL classes, hospitality, and support services. Targeted at international students enrolled at the University of Michigan and other Ann Arbor colleges.
• Youth Ministry Ministries for middle school, high school, and children including Kids Word and confirmation classes. Targeted at families with children and youth in the Ann Arbor area.
• Emmaus Lutheran Church (Church Plant) Church plant in Ann Arbor's Old West Side led by ULC's Church Plant Pastor Chris Troxel, operating in partnership with St. Paul Lutheran Church Ann Arbor. Worship services held at 420 W. Liberty Street.
• The Common Cup Coffee Shop Non-profit coffeehouse opened in 2007 located in the basement of University Lutheran Chapel, offering coffee drinks, teas, smoothies, and baked goods as a community gathering space for the University of Michigan community.
• Kingdom Partnerships Program Coordinated volunteer and financial support program for five partner mission organizations in southeast Michigan: Family Life Services, Family of God (Detroit), Hope Clinic, House N2 Home, and Love Ypsi.
• 55 Alive Senior Ministry Monthly fellowship gatherings with speakers, concerts, and themed programming for adults aged 55 and older. Targeted at senior adults in the Ann Arbor area.
• Prayer Ministry Prayer team ministry offering prayer meetings and Sunday morning prayer support for church members. Targeted at ULC congregants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Planting nine churches total (including current Emmaus Lutheran Church plant)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Family Life Services of Washtenaw CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKingdom Partner supporting women facing unplanned pregnancy. ULC supports Life Sunday and partners with this ministry as part of their Kingdom Partnerships strategy to serve the broader community.
• Family of God (Detroit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInner city mission in southwestern Detroit focused on serving people's spiritual and physical needs. ULC sends monthly teams to serve freshly cooked meals and has ongoing sending relationship.
• Hope CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free medical care, dental care, behavioral health care, food and basic supplies. ULC serves as their 'Cereal Church' through ULCereal Drives and staff meal prep volunteers.
• House N2 HomecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFurnishes homes with donated household items for adults and families exiting homelessness in Washtenaw County. ULC provides volunteers and student move-out donations.
• Love YpsicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Kingdom Partner serving Ypsilanti with diaper pantry, urban garden, community meals, and food bank. ULC provides monthly community meal support.
• Emmaus Lutheran ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew church plant in Ann Arbor's Old West Side. ULC Church Plant Pastor Chris Troxel leads this effort in partnership with St. Paul Lutheran Church Ann Arbor. Worship services held at 420 W. Liberty Street.
• Christ's Hope InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal organization providing care and discipleship for orphaned and vulnerable children in 7 African countries. ULC has sent mission teams and church members sponsor children through this ministry.
• Concordia Seminary St. LouisminorOthersLutheran seminary where multiple ULC staff received theological education. Pastor Randy Duncan received MDiv from this institution.
• Concordia University Ann ArborminorOthersUniversity where Pastor Randy Duncan previously served as Campus Pastor and Adjunct Professor of Theology for ten years. Amy Duncan leads student worship teams for Daily Chapel at CUAA.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Christ's Hope International: Global ministry partner of ULC serving orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa. Comparable as a faith-based nonprofit with mission-trip integration, donor-driven revenue, and international program operations.
• Hope Clinic: Local Washtenaw County nonprofit partner of ULC providing free medical, dental, and behavioral health care. Comparable as a faith-rooted community-services nonprofit reliant on volunteers and donations in the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS): ULC's denominational body, overseeing thousands of congregations nationally. Provides theological oversight, resources, and the Michigan District partnership that supports ULC's campus mission expansion.
• Concordia University Ann Arbor: LCMS-affiliated university in Ann Arbor where Pastor Randy Duncan previously served and Amy Duncan leads student worship. Closely related through shared denomination, geography, and talent pipelines (seminary graduates).

Direct peers

• St. Paul Lutheran Church Ann Arbor: Local LCMS partner congregation in Ann Arbor, currently hosting Emmaus Lutheran Church plant. Operates as a comparable Lutheran congregation in the same geography with similar worship and education programming.
• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship: National evangelical campus ministry with chapters at universities including Michigan. Comparable as a multi-program, university-anchored Christian organization serving the same student demographic through small groups, teaching, and missions.
• Cru: Inter-denominational campus ministry present at University of Michigan, focused on evangelism, discipleship, and missions among college students. Direct functional overlap with ULC's student ministry, Alpha course, and missions programming.
• Baptist Campus Ministry at University of Michigan: Denominational campus ministry at UofM providing worship, Bible study, and community programs. Comparable model targeting the same student population through a different denominational lens.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/ulcannarbor
• Facebookfacebook.com/ULCAnnArbor
• Instagraminstagram.com/ulcannarbor

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

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 University Lutheran Chapel