In 1979 the Lutheran Coalition on Public Policy was established out of strategic conversations and partnerships among Pennsylvania Lutheran synods, social service organizations, congregations and Division for Mission in North America (DMNA) of the Lutheran Church in America. It was the first Lutheran state advocacy office in the country and served as the model for the church. In 1992, the name was changed to Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania. The booklet Pulling Children from the River, by Bishop B. Penrose Hoover, details the first 25 years of the ministry.

LAMPa has been served by the following staff:

Tracey DePasquale

Associate Director, 2013 – 2016, Director, 2016 –

Paul Lubold

Advocacy Developer, 2011-2015

Amy Reumann

Director 2009 – 2015

Departed to serve as Director of Advocacy for the ELCA Washington Office.

Marissa Harris Krey

Advocacy Developer 2008 – 2012

Departed LAMPa to serve a congregation.

Neil Harrison

Director 2007-2008

Departed LAMPa to serve as ELCA Director for Renewed Evangelizing Congregations.

Arnold Tiemeyer

Interim Director 2006-2007

Craig Staller

Associate Director 1996-2005

Following LAMPa, Craig worked for the Bureau of Special Performance Audits in the Department of the Auditor General, the Cleve J. Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill, and the Colonial Park Mall.

Kathleen Daugherty

Advocacy Developer 1998-1990, Director 1997-2006

Kathleen continues to lead public policy advocacy efforts for a variety of Pennsylvania agencies and coalitions.

Gail Wilson

Administrative Assistant (1992 – 2010)

Retired.

Russell Siler

Director 1991-1997

Russ later served as the director of the Lutheran Office on Governmental Affairs in Washington DC and then the pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem.

Ron Sell

Director 1985-1991

Ron went on to become the first Executive Director of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, the statewide children’s advocacy organization and was instrumental in the passage of the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Pennsylvania.

Kay S. Dowhower

Director 1978-1985

Kay subsequently directed state and regional advocacy for the Lutheran Church in America in New York and served as director of the Lutheran Office on Governmental Affairs in Washington DC.