Those in youth ministry know how important it is to provide opportunities for service yet it is often difficult to organize mission trips. Thats why a group of youth leaders have joined together to form, LutheranHANDS: Helping and Serving, a program dedicated to providing opportunities for youth to serve local communities and communities abroad. LutheranHANDS organizes Mission Trips for senior high and young adults to parts of the United States which has been left to rebuild from disaster or tragedy. Not only will our youth be able to meet new people, learn a new trade, strengthen their relationship with God, have fun while traveling with their peers but, they will also bring Hope to desperate families and communities.

The LutheranHANDS ministry is partner with the Office of Youth Ministry of the Lower Susquehanna Synod. It is organized by a group of leaders in youth ministry led by Michael Brommer, Youth Ministry at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Middletown, and Jesse Woodrow, Youth Ministry at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Harrisburg. They are working with the help and guidance of other Pastors, youth leaders, and under the advisement of the Synod’s youth ministry staff.

The program is young but growing. You can get involved immediately by donating money to the program or being a part of the Mission Trips. Check back frequently for updates and sign up for our emails.

From all of the LutheranHANDS team, Thank You!

Meet the Founders

Mike, Pastor Richard Eckert, and Jesse

Michael Brommer grew up in the Lutheran Church as his parents, John and Pastor Cindy Brommer, have been involved in Youth Ministry since before he was born. Michael graduated from Middletown Area High School in 2003 and earned degrees in Chemical Engineering at Drexel University in 2008. He is a Process Engineer for Sunoco, Inc where he is developing technologies for advanced biofuels production.  Michael is very passionate about youth ministry and currently volunteers his time as Director of Youth and Family Ministries at his home congregation, St. Peter’s Lutheran in Middletown, and for the Lower Susquehanna Synod Youth Ministry program. He has served as a youth leader for the Harrisburg Area Confirmation Camp, the Lower Susquehanna Synod’s Junior High and Senior High events (“Alive Alive” and “Winterfest”), and much more. As an important part of his ministry, Michael has participated in and led mission trips to the gulf coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Michael, along with Jesse Woodrow, is a founder of the LutheranHANDS ministry and is dedicated to its growth and success.

Jesse Woodrow and Michael have been the best of friends since growing up together in Middletown and have proven to be the perfect team in founding the LutheranHANDS Ministry. Shippensburg University is the proud Alma Mater of Jesse where he completed a major in French and minor Spanish. He has earned certification to teach both languages in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and teaches both at Susquehanna Township High School. Jesse is also a graduate from Gettysburg Theological Lutheran Seminary’s Youth Ministry Certification School. He spent time of two summers studying and serving in France. Jesse has been very active in Youth Ministry, pursuing and accepting a Youth Director position during his sophomore year at Shippensburg. He was called to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Harrisburg where he continues to serve. He has served as a youth leader for the Harrisburg Area Confirmation Camp, the Lower Susquehanna Synod’s Junior High and Senior High events (“Alive Alive”, “Winterfest”, and Leadership Training Camp), and much more. Jesse has led the charge among Harrisburg Area churches in Mission Work around the Gulf Coast leading many mission trips to the area since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Michael and Jesse encourage all those interested in speaking with them about mission work (or anything else) to contact them at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Support Staff

Sarah Rudi graduated from Alvernia University with a degree in Nursing.  A resident of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, she is no stranger to youth work in the Lower Susquehanna Synod. She serves on the Staff for Harrisburg Area Confirmation camp as well as being an advisor to St. Marks Lutheran Church. She is a vital part of the team, helping to plan various mission trips inlcluding our most recent trip to Lantern Hill, Mexico.

Alex Jones (Web Servant) thought he was leaving the Hershey bubble when he graduated from Susquehanna University with a B.S. in Elementary Education.  However, through a series of hillarious circumstances (and the lure of more chocolate,) he now finds himself right back where he started.  He now teaches fourth grade at  Hershey Elementary School.  He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in School Administration.  He got his youth ministry start at Holy Trinity Hershey, continuing to serve as an adivsor to this day.  He has participated in service mission trips in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Central Pennsylvania.

The Future of LutheranHANDS

While our focus will remain on the 2009 Lantern Hill Mission Trip and the 2010 Annual Mission trip, 2010 is going to be an expansion year for LutheranHANDS as the following projects are set to launch:

• Local year-round outreach, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area
• The LutheranHANDS Running Team
• An additional (annual) Mission Trip for adults