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Welcome to Holy Trinity
Our Church is convinced that God's people are called to Love, Live and Share Christ
We are a vibrant ELCA congregation in Johnson County, Iowa. All are welcome and invited to call Holy Trinity their church home. When we say, all are welcome, we mean all - no exceptions, qualifications, or asterisks.
As a community, we are committed to being authentic, safe, and intentional as we grow in our relationship with God and with one another.
WHO WE ARE
We are a spirit-driven, vibrant, passionate community welcoming people of every walk of life and faith.
OUR DESIRE
Love, live, and share Christ by intentionally embracing a model of a fully relational church, 24/7 in all of our ministries.
Share and nurture collaborative leadership across all generations.
Create and expand opportunities for more generous investment and serving in North Liberty.
Encourage all participants to connect, grow, and serve in small group and large group ministries.
Strive for excellence throughout our ministries.
WHO WE ARE
We are a spirit-driven, vibrant, passionate community welcoming people of every walk of life and faith.
OUR DESIRE
Love, live, and share Christ by intentionally embracing a model of a fully relational church, 24/7 in all of our ministries.
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Share and nurture collaborative leadership across all generations.
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Create and expand opportunities for more generous investment and serving in North Liberty.
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Encourage all participants to connect, grow, and serve in small group and large group ministries.
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Strive for excellence throughout our ministries.
OUR MISSION
The hope, promise, and unconditional love of Christ is increasingly evident in our communities and beyond because of us.
Our mission is evidenced by our discipleship growing by 15% per year to over 400 distinct individuals engaged in ministry each week and a growing online presence.
All Are Welcome
As a faith community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we recognize the need to explicitly state that the gospel is God’s gift to ALL PEOPLE to be shared unconditionally. Because we strive to be a spiritual home for all God’s people, we not only welcome, but fully include, all persons without exception, and without regard for:
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age
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race
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gender identity
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sexual orientation
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financial or family status
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physical or mental abilities
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denominational past or faith experience
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strength of faith or doubt
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Immigration and/or refugee status
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language ability
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criminal past, following appropriate boundaries
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health
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any other human distinction used to discriminate and exclude
OUR STORY
The History of Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church began as a small gathering of believers in a growing North Liberty community and has grown into a vibrant, mission-driven congregation. Rooted in a desire to “Love, Live, and Share Christ,” our story is shaped by faithful leadership, steady growth, and deep community involvement. From our early days as a church plant to the thriving congregation we are today, each chapter reflects God’s continued work among us.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Our Values
Love Christ
Scripture is loaded with explicit examples calling disciples to love God and love Christ. We do so because God first loved us – and does so unconditionally, modelling such an ethic in the gift of Jesus. And we do so both in community, and individually. When we are together, the primary form is in worship – when we humble ourselves in prayer and heartfelt praise. Yet we don’t check our brains at the door – rather, we open ourselves to listening afresh to God’s Word, wrestling honestly with its implications for our day. Worship is also where we experience God’s commitment to us made visible in Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. And in the process, we are built up in our faith and formed in our Christian identity. Outside of worship, each of us is called to further our love for Christ through the practice of personal spiritual disciplines, which give the Holy Spirit a language with which to encourage our discernment.
Live Christ
We believe we are freed by what Jesus has done for us. Our community always seeks to better understand what it means to live in Christ in our particular context. That happens first and foremost through the integrity with which we approach our daily work – visible in how we do what we already do! We then enhance our witness by praying with and for each other, caring for and listening to the voices of those most vulnerable around us, sharing our abundant resources, and opening ourselves up to further transformation and spiritual growth.
Share Christ
We understand ourselves as having been “blessed to be a blessing,” so we strive to intentionally put others first and seek to be the hands, feet, and voice of the broken in our world, Johnson County, and North Liberty in particular. All are welcomed to the grace of God at Holy Trinity, following the example of Jesus, who sought not only the spiritual superstars of his day, but the broken, the labeled, and the disenfranchised. Whether you’ve been going to Church your whole life, have never been to Church, consider yourself ’spiritual’ but not ‘religious’, or you’re not sure what you believe, we would love to welcome you! Whether you consider yourself rich or poor, politically liberal or politically conservative, “traditional” or “contemporary” - you are God’s child, and your presence is valued at Holy Trinity. And as such, you will be challenged to grow here as a child of God. Christ sets us free from the power of our sin, and grants a daily opportunity to follow Jesus afresh. Come experience this community of love - a community that accepts you just as you are, yet loves you far too much to let you stay there! Come worship with us, or come to one of our ministry events!
Our Leadership
Pastor Tim Smith
LEAD PASTOR
Pastor Tim Smith was the original Mission Developer at Holy Trinity, and still serves as our Lead Pastor today. A graduate of Michigan State University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, he is veteran of over 30 years of pastoral ministry, having served in Detroit, New Britain, CT, and Cedar Rapids prior to moving to North Liberty. A father of three, Tim is married to Lisa, who teaches in the Education Department at Mt. Mercy University. He is an avid guitarist, audiophile and hiker, and is eager to share his passionate love of Scripture!
Richard Tiegs
Office Administrator
Megan Miller
Director of Communications & Media
Wonkyung Kim
Collaborative Accompanist
Lila Bowman
Custodian
Visioning Council
Emily Lenhart
Council President
Larry Kudej
Vice President
Lea Peters
Secratary
Jack Fratzke
Treasurer
Ken Morse
At-Large Member
Youth Member
At-Large Member
Vacant
Kristen Stoll
At-Large Member
ELCA Demonination
We are a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Denomination in the Southern Iowa Synod.
Become A Member
We would love to welcome you into our congregation! We invite you to visit us for worship and introduce yourself! Join in a ministry, make some new connections, and/or contact one or both of the pastors.
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If you are among those who have been wrestling with your own faith, seeking a new church home, or just finding yourself curious about how you might better understand what Holy Trinity is about, we’ve got an opportunity for you! Next Steps is offered at various times throughout the year. Reach out to the office to see when the next series will begin.
These are great opportunities to get to know others, make connections, and explore questions of faith that may be important to you. It’s also an excellent means to become more intentional about growing in your connection with Christ. If you’d like to participate, please email office@holytrinitynl.org to indicate your interest. If you are primarily or exclusively worshiping online, let us know that as well, and we will work with you on alternate options for an in-person Next Steps class.
PASTORAL CARE
We are here for you
Pastoral care happens throughout our lives. You may have a need, such as requesting a visit while in the hospital, care center, school, at home or at work.
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If you wish to speak with a pastor, you are invited to contact the church office or contact the pastor directly via email. For specific needs, including baptisms, Holy Communion, weddings, and funerals, it is best to contact the church office to schedule a conversation with one of our pastors. For more details, please visit our pastoral care page.
