Mission Work

Living Our Mission in Joplin and Beyond

mission serving immanuel lutheran church youth joplin missouri

Immanuel Lutheran Church is much about missions and mission work. Since 1897, we have existed by God’s grace to serve our community and world. Below are some of the endeavors that demonstrate how we are living our mission to be “Grounded in Christ, Guided by Grace, Growing to Serve”.

  • Martin Luther School – MLS has been in existence in Joplin for more than seventy years, serving children and their families, “Lighting the Flame of Learning” with a quality Christ-centered education. MLS is a fully-accredited, reasonably-priced private school with openings for students age two through middle school. Learn more about Martin Luther School and how they might be a great fit for a child you know.
  • comfort dogs immanuel lutheran church joplin missouri
    Comfort Dog Ministry
    – Immanuel’s own Daniel Comfort Dog and his handlers visit people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and at community events, sharing mercy and compassion with those hurting or in need. Team Joplin also responds after disasters all around the country and have become trusted friends to many. Learn more about LCC K-9 Daniel and our Comfort Dog team.
  • Global Missionary Support – Immanuel supports those who work nationally and internationally to bring the Gospel to those they serve. Our missionary friends are found on all corners of the globe, including Africa and Asia. We also have an active LWML (Lutheran Women in Mission) group.
  • Disaster Response – Since the 2011 Joplin Tornado, Immanuel has renewed its commitment to helping those who are suffering through disaster by deploying specially-trained LERT (Lutheran Early Response Team) volunteers, chainsaw crews, as well as special equipment and people to help clean up or rebuild (not to mention the Comfort Dog Team).
    • LERT Teams serve both Regionally and Locally! From projects around the church property and neighborhood, to across town and in the next town over, folks will varying skill levels can contribute in a variety of ways.
    • Are you interested in volunteering? Contact our LERT organizers, Richard King and Bill Ideker, today!
  • Growing to Serve. In living our mission over the past ten years, Immanuel has gone to serve folks in need as far North as North Dakota, as far South as New Orleans, as far East as Connecticut, and as far West as Las Vegas, Nevada. (The 2023 Mission Trip recently traveled to refurbish and restore a property in Michigan!)

Recent LERT Local Projects

Call the Church Office (417-624-0333) to volunteer with LERT, or fill out the Contact Form at the bottom of this webpage!

Learn More