Posted on February 10, 2026 by Andy Wyss
Lutheran Family Service News
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Lutheran Family Service is humbled and grateful to be named the 2025 recipient of the Fred E. Lietz Mission Project Award, a distinction given annually by the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) to ministries that demonstrate exceptional service within the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
This award, named for the first president and CEO of LCEF Fred E. Lietz, honors individuals and organizations whose work reflects the vision he championed: strengthening and expanding Christ‑centered ministry through intentional partnership.
In the words of Rev. Bart Day, LCEF President and CEO:
LFS sets a new standard in standing for life, from cradle to grave. Your work in mental‑health counseling and adoption services is blessing the church and the world.
For decades, Lutheran Family Service has walked alongside individuals and families facing some of life’s most difficult moments. Whether through Christian adoption support, life advocacy and support for women experiencing unplanned pregnancies, mental‑health counseling for individuals, families, congregations, and church workers, or marriage and relationship support, the mission of LFS remains simple: “We walk with people who are experiencing hard times and are there for them just as God has been for us.”
This award acknowledges not only the breadth of our services, but also the growth of our ministry across Iowa, Nebraska, North & South Dakota, Illinois, and now the Mid‑South District — growth made possible through LCEF’s financial and strategic partnership.
On November 7, LFS Director of Life Ministries Kim Laube and Director of Ministry Advancement Wanda Pritzel attended the LCEF Annual Meeting in St. Louis to accept the award on behalf of our entire LFS team.
The award includes a crystal recognition piece, now displayed in our Fort Dodge office, and a $25,000 ministry gift to support the expanding work of Lutheran Family Service.
A special video created for the event by LCEF videographer Lee Rohlf captured stories and moments from across our ministry. This composite video is available for viewing here:
During the ceremony, Kim Laube shared an acceptance message that expressed the heart of our ministry and the gratitude of our entire team. A portion of her remarks reads:
To our staff and counselors at Lutheran Family Service: this award is yours. Your faithful service, your daily willingness to walk beside people in their most vulnerable places — this is what makes ministry real.
She continued by recognizing the support of congregations, individual donors, and the many clients and families who entrust LFS with moments of deep vulnerability:
To our clients… thank you for letting us serve you; your courage inspires us. And finally, to God be the glory. It is by His grace that we are enabled to do this work.
Her closing words captured the spirit of the award:
We accept this award not as a finish line, but as a pledge to keep walking, keep serving, keep expanding the reach of care, hope, and Christ’s presence in our communities.
The Lietz Award embodies the invested-dollar approach championed by Fred Lietz: resources invested into ministry grow and return to support even more Gospel-driven work. LCEF’s financial and organizational partnership has allowed LFS to elevate the quality and reach of our services in real, tangible ways. In her remarks, Kim Laube added:
This award signifies not simply recognition of our work, but celebration of a partnership that furthers Christ’s love in action.
We are honored to share this recognition with every staff member, counselor, supporter, donor, volunteer, and congregation who helps make this mission a reality.
We extend our deepest thanks to LCEF for this recognition and for their unwavering commitment to ministries across the LCMS. We thank our LFS team for their faithful service. And we thank God, who continues to open doors for us to bring Christ’s love to those who need it most.
May we continue — together — to build healthy churches, healthy families, and thriving lives.
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