Our History

From our inception as the West Omaha Lutheran School Association (WOLSA) through the past two decades, the story of Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha is one of faith in God's providence, faith in one another, and faith in the promise of our students.

Understanding Our Past

In 2000, WOLSA was searching for the solution to its expanding enrollment and limited facilities. In answer to prayer, it received a gift of land – and the existing horse training facility – at 15656 Fort Street. At that time, the only financial solution available to prepare that facility for students was to take out a loan through the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). Since then, Concordia has strategically addressed annual budgetary needs alongside managing this debt. Concordia has paid an average of approximately $400,000 per year in debt service since 2003, while simultaneously making needed campus enhancements to better serve our students and grow our ministry.

Concordia’s current monthly debt service payment is $33,608, approximately $20,000 of which applies to the debt principal while the balance is applied toward interest. Still, these payments have not achieved a significant reduction of our debt burden. We remain saddled with $6 million in debt despite having paid nearly that much over the past 17 years.

Building Our Vision

Concordia is built on the solid foundation of faith in Jesus Christ. Here, we strive daily to help our students grow and provide opportunities for them to encounter Jesus and one another. With faith as our rock, the time is now to eliminate our debt – our primary obstacle to mission enhancement – once and for all. Reaching our $3 million campaign goal will mean $216,000 in savings for Concordia per year and will provide us with the momentum to eliminate our debt in full.

Eliminating our debt is a critical step to moving forward with faith. Freedom from debt would allow us to focus on investing in our greatest asset: our people. We could enhance educational access for students through tuition assistance, improve the quality of our programs, pursue more competitive compensation for our dedicated faculty, and build our endowment. Additionally, we will have the financial stability to be able to explore opportunities for campus consolidation and facility enhancements. It is through the prayer and generosity of our community that we will make this bold vision reality.

Methods of Giving

Pledges are commitments made in good faith. We encourage donors to consider up to a 30 percent initial payment to begin your pledge commitment, which may be paid in annual, semiannual, quarterly or monthly installments.

Check/Automatic Withdrawal/Credit Card: Checks should be made payable to “Concordia Lutheran Schools” noting Capital Campaign in the memo section of the check. To make a gift or pledge electronically via credit card or to set up an automatic withdrawal, visit our secure online giving page at ForwardWithFaith.com.

*Gift of Stock/Property: Charitable gifts of stocks, bonds or mutual funds, as well as gifts of property (e.g. homes, farmland, crops, or livestock) may offer special tax advantages.

*Estate Gift: You may be in a position to consider gifting a particular asset or assets through an estate gift.

*Corporate Matching Gift: A matching gift program provided through your employer may allow you to increase the value of your gift at no additional cost to you. Many companies match charitable gifts made by their employees, retirees or board members.

*To arrange a gift of this type or to coordinate a corporate matching gift, please contact Steve Gedwillo, Advancement Director, at (402) 445-4000 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..