Why Space Matters in Ministry
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When it comes to ministry, how important is the space where ministry takes place, really?
If you ask John Buck, head of school for Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School (LuHi) in New York, it’s an integral part of the mission.
“In ministry, we always think we can save on space so that we can devote our money and attention to other aspects of ministry. But if we want to deliver on our mission, we have to recognize that the space matters.”
John Buck
Head of School
Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School
Buck, a 2002 LuHi alum, wants students to come to the campus and feel inspired, invested in and cared for.
For LuHi, how hard could it be? Situated on a 35-acre 1950s estate, LuHi has a rich history rooted in faith, vision and community with a reputation as sparkling as the mansions on campus. But as spectacular as the school was from the outside, the inside of the school was less remarkable.
“LuHi is in a park-like setting, just very cool and unique on the outside,” explained Dan Brown, Lutheran Church Extension Fund senior vice president of National Lending. “But the inside didn’t match the outside.”
Not only that, but the decades-old building wasn’t quite up to par as far as comfort. It didn’t have air conditioning and the heating was unpredictable.
“The interior space didn’t match the beauty of the campus and didn’t elevate the program,” Buck added. “The finishes were tired and old, and we knew that if we wanted to be competitive and inspiring in 2025 and beyond. We needed to be strategic, to breathe new life into the school.”
At just the right time, LuHi connected with LCEF on a loan and campaign to convert the 30,000-square-foot classroom wing into a state-of-the-art learning space, complete with STEM lab, lots of natural light and a community setting for students to relax and connect with each other.
“We gutted the space and tore down the walls to the stones, but we didn’t change the footprint of the space,” explained Buck.
And that’s good, because LuHi’s footprint is more than just a beautiful campus. LuHi has also garnered national attention for its top-ranked basketball program, which has produced several NBA players including Ryan Dunn and V.J. Edgecombe.
Their summer sports program brings families to the campus for eight glorious weeks, providing what Buck calls a “front door to the Long Island community.” From there, the beauty of LuHi—both on the outside and on the inside—takes root. And it’s not just about looks.
“People who are new to the school genuinely are drawn in by the kindness that they experience when they come here,” said Buck. “We consistently hear about the kindness of the culture and the warmth of the experience.”
“We can barely get our students to go home now!” said Jessica Raba, assistant head of school/principal. “LuHi has always been inviting as a culture, just warm and good for socializing, and now the space really lives up to that culture. My parents graduated from LuHi, I graduated in 1998, and now my children will learn in a beautiful, new and inspiring space. It’s just so special.”
