Mid-South District (LCMS)
| Mid-South District of the LCMS | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Territory | Arkansas, Tennessee, and the southwestern corner of Kentucky |
| Headquarters | Cordova, Tennessee |
| Statistics | |
| Congregations | 129 |
| Schools |
|
| Members | 28,000 |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod |
| Established | 1966 |
| Current leadership | |
| President | Rev. Roger Paavola |
| Website | |
|
www | |
The Mid-South District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), and encompasses the states of Arkansas and Tennessee, as well as the southwestern edge of Kentucky; the rest of Kentucky is divided between the Indiana District and the Ohio District. The Mid-South District includes approximately 129 congregations and mission stations, subdivided into 12 circuits, as well as 17 preschools, and 14 elementary schools. Baptized membership in district congregations is over 28,000.[1]
The Mid-South District was formed in 1966 when the Western District was divided, also creating the Missouri District. District offices are located in Cordova, Tennessee. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers. The Rev. Roger Paavola has been the district president since 2012. The 18th Regular Convention was held June 22–24, 2012 in Memphis, Tennessee under the theme of "Founded on Christ - Focused on Community," from I Corinthians 3:11 and I John 4:11-12.
Presidents
- Rev. Wilbert E. Griesse, 1966–1985
- Rev. Norman L. Groteluschen, 1985–1991
- Rev. David W. Callies, 1991–2003
- Rev. Kenneth E. Lampe, 2003–2012
- Rev. Roger Paavola, 2012–Present
Oldest congregations
- 1846 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Wartburg, Tennessee
- 1855 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tennessee
- 1868 - First Lutheran Church, Fort Smith, Arkansas
- 1868 - First Lutheran Church, Little Rock, Arkansas
- 1868 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Paducah, Kentucky
- 1869 - First Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Tennessee
- 1876 - Salem Lutheran Church, Springdale, Arkansas
- 1880 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alexander, Arkansas
- 1881 - Zion Lutheran Church, Ulm, Arkansas
- 1881 - Zion Lutheran Church, Waldenburg, Arkansas
- 1882 - Zion Lutheran Church, Avilla, Arkansas
- 1882 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Stuttgart, Arkansas
- 1883 - Zion Lutheran Church, Augsburg, Arkansas
- 1886 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Lafe, Arkansas
- 1887 - First Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee
- 1893 - Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Corning, Arkansas
- 1893 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Gillett, Arkansas
- 1894 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- 1900 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Mena, Arkansas
- 1915 - First Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Largest congregations
- Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.
- 1322- LakePointe, Hot Springs, Arkansas
- 1068- Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Tennessee
- 982- Christ the King Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tennessee
- 749- Grace Lutheran Church, Clarksville, Tennessee
- 692- Our Savior Lutheran Church, Nashville, Tennessee
- 607- Redeemer Lutheran Church, Mountain Home, Arkansas
- 563- Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee
- 598- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tennessee
- 558- Heavenly Host Lutheran Church, Cookeville, Tennessee
- 508- First Lutheran Church, Fort Smith, Arkansas
- 496- Faith Lutheran Church, Collierville, Tennessee
- 493- Faith Lutheran Church, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
- 489- Grace Lutheran Church, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- 483- Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Paducah, Kentucky
- 476- First Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, Arkansas
- 460- Christ Lutheran Church, Little Rock, Arkansas