Lutheran Urban Mission Initiative, Inc. (LUMIN) was founded in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) by a group of LCMS business people and professional educators deeply concerned about the downward trend of Lutheran education in Milwaukee’s urban community. Several schools had closed in prior years and others were struggling to remain open. LUMIN’s organizers determined to reverse that trend by developing a network of high performing schools focused on academic excellence, leadership development and spiritual growth; and supported by human care and social services designed to address the numerous “barriers to learning” confronted by urban students.