- OUR PURPOSE
Diakonia, the Greek word for service, is a calling of the whole people of God.
As Jesus took a towel and washed the feet of the disciples, God calls each of us to respond with loving service in a world needing God’s healing touch.
Deaconesses respond with loving service in a world needing God's healing touch.
The mission of the Lutheran Deaconess Association is rooted in diakonia as we prepare and support women for ministries of service in the church and world, and advance the church's diaconal mission.
God calls every Christian to diakonia -- not just deaconesses. In fact, one of the main reasons deaconesses exist is to assist the church in its diaconal mission. We accomplish this by encouraging and providing resources to you.
Servant work has been the focus of the ministries of deaconesses educated and supported by the Lutheran Deaconess Association since 1919. In its 90 year history, the LDA has consecrated 739 deaconesses who have served throughout the world as parish staff, missionaries, social workers, lawyers, nurses, teachers and more!