By Cheryl Magness
Earlier this year, Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries (BLDM) became a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). But its legacy of serving people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) goes back many more years.
In 1955, the RSO that now operates as BLDM began as an auxiliary for Good Shepherd Lutheran Home of the West. It later served not only Good Shepherd Lutheran Home but Bethesda Lutheran Communities. In 2011, it changed its name to Bethesda Lutheran Communities Auxiliary.
In 2020, Bethesda Lutheran Communities, a former LCMS RSO, began to move in a different direction. In 2022, it changed its name. Two years later, in April 2024, Bethesda Lutheran Communities Auxiliary began the process of applying for its own RSO status under the name Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries. Karen Carter, the president of BLDM, says, “We kept the name ‘Bethesda’ for the legacy, ‘Lutheran’ for the truth, and ‘Disability Ministries’ because, well, that’s what we do.” BLDM received its RSO status in May 2025.
During the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League convention in Omaha, Neb., in June, Carter sat at the BLDM table in the exhibit hall, eager to share BLDM’s mission with anyone who passed by. Sitting in the booth next to her, manning the Lutheran Special Education Ministries (LSEM) exhibit, was Nicole LeGalley, LSEM philanthropy specialist. Both spoke fondly of their memories of the original Bethesda and all that the name still stands for.
“My heart has always been with Bethesda [Lutheran Communities],” LeGalley said. “I remember, growing up, the Bethesda filmstrips. It was such a powerful ministry.”
“I’m older than she is,” laughed Carter. “I remember saving my nickels and dimes for Bethesda in Sunday school in southern Minnesota.”
LeGalley recalled being unable to attend a Lutheran school as a child because the local Lutheran school did not have the resources to serve her needs. “I was the kid they put on the bus. They sent me down the street, and I cried. I was embarrassed. I didn’t want to be the special kid who needed help.”
LeGalley does not blame the Lutheran school of her childhood, or any school that doesn’t have the resources to do everything it would like to do. “That’s where LSEM comes in. We provide the curriculum, hire the teachers, all of it.”
Carter said that LSEM “flows into” the work that BLDM does. LSEM serves children and teenagers with IDD; BLDM serves them as adults. Carter said LeGalley “is living proof of the Bethesda legacy. There are so many people who know Bethesda and what they were and what they did. … We want to carry on that legacy.”
The goal of carrying on the Bethesda legacy is being manifested in many ways. BLDM is available to answer questions; provide or help identify resources and materials; recruit and train volunteers; offer ongoing encouragement and support; and guide congregations through a process of assessing, creating and building on their ministry to those with IDD. Current projects of BLDM include:
- Support of Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in the Dominican Republic;
- Grants for elementary and secondary schools completing a special curriculum for IDD awareness; and
- Scholarships for college and post-graduate students pursuing work with people living with IDD.
Carter is grateful to Deaconess Dorothy Krans, director of LCMS RSO ministry, and to LCMS South Wisconsin District President Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador, for their support and advice during the process of applying for RSO status.
Krans said, “We value the ministry of Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries as they share Christ’s mercy and forgiveness and provide resources to our congregations, schools and members.”
This summer, BLDM published its first newsletter. In it, Carter noted the organization’s new name and recently acquired RSO status while emphasizing that “our mission/vision remain the same: sharing the love of Jesus with people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
To learn more about Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries, visit bethesdaldm.org.
To learn more about Lutheran Special Education Ministries, visit luthsped.org.
Posted Oct. 31, 2025
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