Our Savior Lutheran Church Serves Lakeland, FL

A Lakeland Church Proclaiming the Gospel for Forty Years

Our Savior Lutheran Church has proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ in the Lakeland area for forty years. We are a Bible-believing Lutheran congregation located in north Lakeland, near Gibsonia and Socrum. Since 2020, we have been served as a dual parish along with Resurrection Lutheran Church in Winter Haven. In our worship, God proclaims to us, through His Word, that He has forgiven us of our sins through His Son, Jesus Christ, and He offers this to us freely and fully by His grace. This is great news, and we can’t help but share it with our community! We invite you to come, visit us, and hear this wonderful message.

We are a member congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), in fellowship with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). We hold to the teachings of the Bible and worship in a traditional, liturgical style. Come and receive the comfort and blessings that only Jesus, our Savior can give!

Our Pastor Serves Our Savior and the Lakeland Community

Caleb Strutz grew up in Galesville (just outside of La Crosse) and Verona (just outside of Madison), Wisconsin. In high school, wondering what he wanted to do with his life, he realized that no job has a greater, eternal impact than becoming a pastor. So he went to Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, and Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mankato, Minnesota. While in college, he met his wife, Brianna. They now have three children. In May 2025, Caleb graduated from seminary and was assigned to serve Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lakeland and Resurrection Lutheran Church in Winter Haven. He was ordained and installed in June 2025.

Caleb and Brianna are excited to be in Florida and to serve God’s people at Resurrection, Our Savior, and the community! Caleb enjoys studying liturgy, playing with his children, and BBC mysteries. He can be reached by call or text at (608) 515-3142. He hopes to meet you soon!

A Lutheran Church in Lakeland

We’re Lutherans, which means that we hold to what the Bible teaches. In the Bible, God tells us that, due to the Fall of Adam and Eve, humanity is trapped in sin. We have no ability whatsoever to rid ourselves of sin and its consequences. However, out of His mercy and love, God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, fully man and fully divine, to live and die for us. Through His holy life and death, Christ accomplished what we never could – the atonement of sins. On that basis,we are justified (declared righteous), and God gives us this precious gift of grace by creating faith in our hearts through His Word and Sacraments. Now, when God sees you, He sees His dear, forgiven child. This is the Gospel message that our church proclaims. This is what Lutheranism is all about.

For more detailed statements of our beliefs, check out these links:
We Believe, Teach, and Confess
The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
ELS Doctrinal Statements and Resolutions

A Traditional, Liturgical Church in Lakeland

Our worship is Christ-focused, Bible-saturated, and grace-giving.

Our worship is Christ-focused. Christ lived and died for you. Personally. Individually. This is such great news, and it permeates every aspect of our worship. Our prayers, hymns, and scripture readings remind us of the great things God has done and allow us to give thanks for our salvation through Christ.

Our worship is Bible-saturated. Our church uses ancient patterns of worship (often called “liturgies”) that are found in Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary. Through these, the worshipers recite Scripture to confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and praise God. Our sermons closely follow the biblical text and proclaim to us God’s precious truth.

Our worship is grace-giving. Worship is so much more than what we do! Here, God actively gives us grace throughout the service. That’s why many Lutherans call their Sunday worship “the Divine Service,” because God serves us with His grace. Through the pastor’s voice, God tells us that He has forgiven us and loves us. Through the Scripture readings and sermon, the Holy Spirit works upon our hearts so that we recognize our faults but also recognize our Savior. Through the Lord’s Supper, Christ gives grace through His Body and Blood, which was given and shed specifically for us.

This is why Lutherans view worship as “heaven on earth.” God is present. He heals us. He strengthens us. He showers us with His love. What’s more wonderful than that?