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At the 1951 summer meeting of St. John's Lutheran Church in Burlington, Wisconsin, the members decided to try a new ministry called the Lutheran Pioneers. The pastor of St. John's, Rev. Reuben 0. Marti, and a layman, Mr. Bruce Thompson, presented the program to the congregation with the understanding that they try it for a year and at the end of that time either continue with the program or drop it. The first meeting was held on September 10, 1951, and weekly meetings continued for the rest of the year. When the year was up, the congregation voted unanimously to keep it.
Other congregations soon heard of the program that was being used by St. John's and requested information. By 1954, this program had expanded so that a broader program had to be designed. In February of 1954, the first National Convention was held. On February 7, 1954, Bruce Thompson was appointed the first National Commander of Lutheran Pioneers.
In 1957 a committee of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod began a study of the Lutheran Pioneer program. At the 1959 Convention of the Synod the delegates approved the organization's existence without any objections and positively encouraged the opportunities it offered for developing Christian attitudes toward the Creator (see Proceedings, 1959, R 86, Committee #20).
On February 3, 1960, the Lutheran Pioneers was incorporated and thus became the Lutheran Pioneers, Inc. The 100th Train was chartered that year at the 7th Pioneer Convention.
On September 18, 1976 a special Thanks Service was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to thank God for his many blessings and to commemorate 25 years of growth within the Lutheran Pioneer ministry.
On September 19, 1976, the National Headquarters building outside of Burlington, Wisconsin, was dedicated.
After 27 years of faithful and dedicated service, Bruce Thompson asked to be relieved of his duties, and on September 10, 1978, Terry Beguhn was appointed the 2nd National Commander of Lutheran Pioneers, Inc.
In January of 1981 Bruce Thompson returned as National Commander and Lutheran Pioneers began to look toward having a full-time National Commander. September 11, 1983, Dale Lorfeld was appointed National Commander.
The 1985 National Convention voted to go ahead with the position of a paid, full-time National Commander. On August 1, 1985, Dale Lorfeld began full-time work as National Commander.
Today, this Ministry is growing with a membership of well over 5000 boys and over 700 chartered Trains. Though it may change in size and subjects covered, its purpose will not change ... "to provide youth of the WELS, or of Lutheran Churches in doctrinal fellowship with that synod, a program in keeping with the purpose of the Church. Said program to include Scripture-based teaching and application under direction of pastor and congregation of skills and crafts interesting to the adolescent youth, and to keep said youth within the companionship of their own Lutheran youth from an early age."
