The Pacific Southwest District is one of 35 Districts of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. We believe in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is the creator of the universe who loved the world so much that he sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ to die on a cross for the sins of all people. His resurrection on Easter morning declared God’s victory for all who believe. Through the power of the Holy Spirit the Christian Church was born at Pentecost (Acts 2) and through the power of that same Spirit we come to faith in this One God. We believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God and in the Lutheran Confessions as an accurate explanation of the Scriptures.

With the office in Irvine, CA, the geographical area of the Pacific Southwest District includes Arizona , Southern California and Clark County Nevada. There are 320-plus ministries, of which 81 are culture-specific (African-American, Arabic, Asian Indian, Brazilian, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hispanic, Indonesian, International, Jewish, Korean, Muslim, Native American, Vietnamese). Approximately 70 of those ministries worship in a language other than English. Click here to see a map of the 4 regions of the District.

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod includes the second largest protestant school system in the United States. Within the Pacific Southwest District, over 70 percent of the congregations operate Lutheran schools with a combined total of 21,000 students enrolled in 220 schools (preschool, elementary, high school). Concordia University, located in Irvine, CA, is one of ten universities in the LCMS school system.

Mission Statement

As the Pacific Southwest District, our Mission is to effectively resource congregations and schools to fulfill the Great Commission.

Vision Statement

We envision the PSWD as a contagious community of healthy missional congregations with:

  • Courageous leaders transforming their communities
  • An ever-increasing number of people being won to Christ
  • Churches overflowing with ministry partners
  • Schools bursting with dynamic disciples
  • New churches and schools rapidly springing up
  • Lutherans speaking joyfully and publicly about Jesus
  • Believers generously investing their material and spiritual gifts for mission

 

Pacific Southwest District – LCMS
Core Beliefs and Core Values

We Believe:

Therefore We Value:

The eternal, triune God is:

  • Father Almighty, Creator and Master of    all
  • Jesus the Son, the crucified, risen and    reigning Savior
  • Holy Spirit who creates faith, motivates    for mission and empowers for fruitful    service
  • Obeying God, proclaiming Jesus as the     only Savior and relying on the power of     the Holy Spirit

People are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, sustained by Word and Sacrament.
  • God connecting people to Himself     through the proclamation of the Word and the administration of the     Sacraments

The Bible is the inspired Word of God, the source of all truth and the blueprint for Christian living.
  • Building lives and ministries faithful to the Word
  • The application of the proper     distinction between Law and Gospel

The church is the body of Christ called in the Great Commission to reach the lost and make disciples of all nations.
  • Health congregations and schools     united in mission with a passion to     reach all people

Disciples glorify God through a life of fervent prayer, diligent Bible study, love, worship and faithful witness.
  • Growing God’s people in faith and life     as compassionate and bold witnesses for Jesus

Disciples advance God’s Kingdom through the responsible and joyful stewardship of all God’s material and spiritual gifts.
  • Passionate, healthy, courageous     leaders and congregations who are     good stewards of all God’s gifts.

 

Meet The President

The Rev. Dr. Larry Stoterau has served as President of the Pacific Southwest District since September of 2000. He describes the ministry area of the District by saying, "We live in one of the most dynamic regions of the country. People come from all over the world, looking for new beginnings. What we have in the Church is hope through Christ and promises for tomorrow."

Prior to his election as President of the 100,000-plus members, Dr. Stoterau was the senior pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Chandler, AZ from 1983 - 2000, and Emmaus Lutheran Church, Alhambra, CA 1973 - 1983, where the District's first Chinese ministry was established. During his 27 years of congregation service, Dr. Stoterau served as the District's first vice president (1997 - 2000) and on numerous District and Synodical committees.

He received his AA Degree from Concordia College, St. Paul, MN, his BA Degree from Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, IN, and his Master of Divinity Degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO in 1973. He earned his Dr. of Ministry Degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA in 2001.

President Stoterau has a strong interest in community involvement and takes an active part in Ecumenical Relationships. In communities where he has served, he has been an active member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Community Hospitals. He has been active in Rotary International.

Dr. Stoterau and his wife Linda have two grown sons, Samuel and Joseph. Mrs. Stoterau is the Secondary Curriculum Coordinator for Orange Unified Schools in Orange, CA. Linda is also an accomplished church musician and worship leader and currently serves on the Commission on Worship for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.