Get to Know Your Community with the Mission Insite Demographics Tools The more we understand those who live in our neighborhoods and communities, the more we increase our likelihood of succeeding with our invitation both personally and collectively as a congregation or school. As we understand who we are serving, we can tailor a ministry plan around their needs. The truth of God’s word and the Gospel message never change, however our packaging or style or approach to sharing

In this episode of the Mission Table Podcast Paul sits down with Rev. Peter Alexander who has served as an Interim Pastor in the LCMS since 1999, serving 10 congregations in California, Nevada, Arizona, Virginia, and New Jersey. He previously served on the LCMS TIM Board and now supports the work of the Board as an advisor. Peter’s experience, passion, and leadership make him a great resource for LCMS TIM. Read More about Transitional Interim Ministry here: www.lcmstim.org

Over MLK Weekend, nearly 90 youth gathered at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hayward for IMPACT Conference 2026—and it was one of those weekends that sticks with you. Students came from Tennessee, St. Louis, Sacramento, Germany, and all around the Bay Area, and by the end of the weekend, it felt less like a group of strangers and more like one big community. Youth were mixed into groups, shared meals, worshiped together, laughed a lot, and spent meaningful time building fri

Hope. Crisis. Opportunity. These three words served as overarching theme for the 28th Annual Best Practices in Transitional Interim Ministry (BP-TIM 2026). For increased access to the event, there was a venue change this year, which landed us at our own District Office in Livermore. Those registered represented seven different Districts from all across our church body. Fourteen sessions were packed into our time from noon to noon on January 19-21. We enjoyed a wide variety of

Requesting a Seminary Candidate To request a candidate from a seminary, first contact your District President. The District President must approve your congregation’s participation in the seminary candidate interview process before the seminaries can work with you. Once approval is given, please complete the form at the following link: Click here . After you submit the form: • It will automatically be emailed to the seminary you select, or to both seminaries if you choose no

Imagine turning the key to your very first home—and finding it empty. No bed to sink into after a long day. No towel after a shower. No dishes to cook a first meal. For many people moving out of chronic homelessness, this is what a “fresh start” can look like without the support of a caring community. Over the next few months, Lutheran Social Services of Northern California (LSS) will welcome more than 220 of our Sacramento-area neighbors into brand-new, permanent homes—noth