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:
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.
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.
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.
Gail Wilson, Administrative Assistant (1992 – 2010), Retired.
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.
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.
Arnold Tiemeyer Interim Director 2006-2007
Neil Harrison, Director 2007-2008, departed LAMPa to serve as ELCA Director for Renewed Evangelizing Congregations.
Marissa Harris Krey, Advocacy Developer 2008 – 2012, departed LAMPa to serve a congregation.
Amy Reumann, Director 2009 – 2015, departed to serve as Director of Advocacy for the ELCA Washington Office.
Paul Lubold, Advocacy Developer, 2011-2015
Tracey DePasquale, Associate Director, 2013 – 2016, Director, 2016 –