Posted on August 18, 2025 by Dcs. Faith Muehler
Lutheran Family Service News
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Meet Deaconess Faith Muehler who serves in two Lutheran schools through a partnership between Iowa District East and Lutheran Family Service. A recent graduate of Concordia University Chicago, Faith provides Christ-centered spiritual, emotional, and social support to students, families, and staff.
My role at Lutheran Family Service is to serve in two Lutheran schools in Iowa District East as an LCMS deaconess, offering Christ-centered spiritual, emotional, and social support to students, families, and staff. In this work, I hope to reflect the Church’s mission of mercy and compassion grounded in the Gospel.
To be a deaconess in the LCMS is to be a servant of Christ, theologically trained to share the Gospel through mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the faith. At the heart of this calling is the desire to serve “the Lord in His wretched ones and His poor,” as expressed by Rev. Wilhelm Loehe in the deaconess motto, “the True Deaconess Spirit.” A deaconess serves in many ways, always rooted in the understanding that every act of mercy flows from the mercy, grace, and service of Christ Himself.
What drew me to this ministry was seeing the deep need for emotional and spiritual support among young people. I first noticed it in middle school and even more in high school –classmates and friends struggling with mental health and not always knowing where to turn. When searching for what career path I wanted to take, I considered becoming a school counselor because I saw how many people around me were hurting, and I often struggled alongside them.
During my own challenges with mental health, the Spirit kept me and continues to keep me in the faith, bringing me back to the cross and the work and mercy of Christ. I wanted to share this comfort with those in the midst of their own struggles, which is what eventually led me to deaconess ministry. Praise God that He provided me this opportunity to work in this ministry –to walk alongside these students, teachers and families through any challenges, pointing them to the cross and peace found in Christ.
I am a 2025 graduate of Concordia University Chicago, where I completed their Deaconess Program and earned a degree in theology with minors in psychology and education. During my time at Concordia, I served as the student manager of the campus food pantry, the Pillars Pantry, where I had the opportunity to assist students and faculty facing food insecurity.
I also gained valuable ministry experience when I served at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL, and with Voice of Care, a ministry by and with those with disabilities, as a deaconess field work student. In between semesters, I also had an especially meaningful experience working at a Lutheran summer camp in St. Charles, MO, working with many wonderful teachers, parents, and kids. I spent my fifth year on internship in Wauwatosa, WI, at Lutheran Home and Harwood Place focused on spiritual care for those in senior living. This position at Lutheran Family Service is my first call!
This partnership between LFS and IDE schools will provide an excellent opportunity for supporting students, families, and staff by being a trusted resource within the school. I see students feeling more comfortable coming to school knowing they have these resources, and I pray that families will feel more connected –strengthening outreach and engagement between home and school. Through this partnership, I also see an aid in identifying student needs more effectively, offering support for both the students and the teachers.
Most importantly, I see an impact in how the presence of LFS will bring a Christ-centered approach to care, walking alongside the individuals in these communities in both joys and struggles. I see this partnership reflecting the mission of the Church to provide mercy and share the hope of the Gospel, reminding His people whose they are and what their Savior has accomplished for them.
My faith teaches me to see each student, parent, and educator as a beloved child of God created in His image—and as someone that Jesus died for and redeemed with his precious blood. My desire is to reflect this in my service in these schools. I plan to approach my work prayerfully, knowing that I don’t serve on my own strength. In every conversation, every act of care or mercy, I acknowledge that it all is founded upon and flows from Christ’s own mercy and grace. Whether I’m offering encouragement or simply being present, I trust that He is at work in and through it all.
A student or family might come to me when they’re facing challenges, whether that be stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, or other hardships. My role will include offering a listening ear, spiritual care, and Christ-centered support. This may look like praying with them, simply being present with them, or connecting them with helpful resources. Parents may reach out for guidance with their children, or for further engagement and strengthening communication with the school. Ultimately, I pray that God will use my position with LFS at these schools to walk alongside these students and families with compassion and point them to the hope we have in Christ!
It first started when my sister heard of this ministry from her own position as Lutheran School teacher in the Cedar Rapids area. She knew I had an interest working in schools and a deep concern for the growing mental health crisis affecting students, teachers and families. Through her, I got in contact with Lutheran Family Service to begin discussing this opportunity and ministry. From my very first conversations with their team, I was struck by their compassion, commitment, and Christ-centered vision. God was certainly at work!
Today’s generation is facing an unprecedented rise in mental health challenges where many are struggling with anxiety, depression, questions about identity and purpose, and more. Oftentimes, they don’t know where to turn. As a deaconess in this role, I have the opportunity to walk alongside them and their families offering them Christ-centered care and practical resources. Amidst any noise or pressure they face, I get to remind them of their identity in Christ and the immeasurable, unshakeable hope found in Him. I praise God that I can be a part of their support system, helping in any way I can to point them to Christ –who takes on every burden.
I plan to live out the mission of LFS by entering each day with the awareness that God is with me in every moment—both in interaction and preparation. Whether I am listening to a student, supporting a teacher, encouraging a parent, praying with the staff, I trust that God is walking with me and those around me, guiding each word or action. I want to reflect His presence of compassion, mercy and patience, relying on prayer for His continual guidance. Ultimately, I trust that God will work through everything I do in this role, knowing that that it is all in grounded in His mercy and grace.
Overall, I’m looking forward to seeing how God plans to work through this ministry in impacting the lives of the school communities. I know there’s so much to learn in this role, so I’m excited to see how God will use me and shape me to grow not only in skills, but also in faith. It’s truly a privilege to step into these schools as a deaconess and trust that God is already at work in every interaction and moment, walking alongside all of us!
Isaiah 43:1-4: “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you… you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you.”
This passage has been a deeply meaningful and comforting passage to me for many years. It reminds me of the love God has for me and all His people—a love that is so perfect that He knows, claims, and is with each of His children during all seasons of life. Through any challenge I may face personally or professionally, this passage serves as a constant reassurance of God’s presence and care. It has brought me great peace over time, and I pray that, in my vocation, this passage will continue to shape how I walk with others through their own seasons of life.
Here are a few things about me!
My favorite color is green, I love all types of music, I play violin, and I love to spend my time going on walks, watching my favorite shows and movies, reading, drawing, and spending time with my family!
I’m also very excited to join the Lutheran Family Service team in this new role! I praise God for leading me to this opportunity and for the hospitality and kindness that has been shown to me in taking on this call. It is truly a blessing to be a part of this ministry!
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