District Ministries

The Winnebago Reservation in Northeast Nebraska is home to 2,500 Nebraskans, mostly Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) Indians. God is reaching out to these people through His missionary Pastor Ricky Jacob.

There has been a Christian presence here since the 1980’s, but Pastor Jacob began his ministry here in 1993. He has provided a Lutheran message to the people of this area since then. Pastor Jacob offers the people many opportunities for spiritual learning and growth. There is Divine worship and Sunday school every week, as well as home Bible studies and weekly confirmation classes. Pastor Jacob also makes visits to those in jail, treatment centers, and hospitals. Every week he also leads a spiritual talking circle, as well as a Divine service, at the Ho-Chunk Youth Facility. The Outreach recently began offering an after-school program once a week for school-aged children in the community.

This ministry is also involved in the community and is reaching out in many different ways. Each summer there is Vacation Bible School for the children of the community, taught by volunteers from other LCMS congregations.

In 1998, Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Preschool was started with Mrs. Jana Inglehart as its teacher. Sheryl Tietz took over as preschool teacher in 2010. This preschool welcomes three and four year-olds to come and learn about their Lord and Savior in an educational environment. This is now operated by the Jesus Our Savior Lutheran School Association.

The vision for this ministry is to establish a Christ-centered Native-led ministry that offers Word and Sacrament ministry and is supported by the community.

Pastor Jacob continues to work to bring the Good News of our Lord and Savior to the entire community of Winnebago. He notes the Winnebago people have a rich heritage, their own language, their own celebrations and humor, as well as a unique way of perceiving the world around them which impacts how they live and what they value. Pastor Jacob is witnessing to these people and working, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to make Jesus Christ part of their community as well.

The ministry of Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Outreach and the work of Rev. Jacob is supported by the 246 congregations of the Nebraska District through their unrestricted mission and ministry dollars, along with individual donors. As a ministry of the Nebraska District, this outreach is funded through the Nebraska District’s annual mission budget. Direct donations may be made to the Nebraska District LCMS, PO Box 407, Seward, NE 68434 with the memo: Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Outreach. Jesus Our Savior Lutheran Preschool is a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS and is supported by direct donations and the fees paid by the students who attend. Donations for the preschool ministry may be sent to Jesus Our Savior Lutheran School Association, P.O. Box 105, Winnebago, NE 68071.

Hope Lutheran Church is South Sioux City, Nebraska, is engaging the Hispanic and immigrant populations around them through English classes, acts of mercy, and Sunday afternoon worship services. As a partner with other LCMS congregations in the area, they are showing the love of Jesus to their neighbors across state and cultural boundaries.