Military Outreach Ministry
Serving Those Who Serve
Tierrasanta Lutheran Church’s Military Outreach Ministry supports local active-duty military families in Murphy Canyon, Tierrasanta, Serra Mesa, and the surrounding community. Through outreach, service, and partnerships with local organizations, we seek to share Christ’s love and serve God’s children.
Sharing Christ’s Love:
Serving Military Families
In the broader Tierrasanta community and neighboring Serra Mesa community, there are thousands of military families. Through our Military Outreach Ministry, Tierrasanta Lutheran Church will endeavor to welcome and support our military community by working with both the Murphy Canyon Chapel and the MCAS Miramar Chapel and their Chaplains. By addressing particular needs of our military neighbors, we hope to make a difference in the lives our ministries touch.
Upcoming Military Outreach Meeting
MOC MeetingWednesday, September 16, 2026, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Category: Military Outreach Events
Room: Main Building - Fellowship Hall
Coordinator: Wayne Duke
wduke22@gmail.com
We all Have Something to Give
You don't have to be a member of TLC, have special experience, or know exactly where to start. There is a place for everyone.
Children’s Clothing Fair
Twice a year, we work with the Murphy Canyon Chapel to host a children's clothing fair to distribute clothing to military families in need. With the help of the congregation and Tierrasanta community, we are able to collect gently used and like-new clothing for our areas military children.
Military Food Distribution
In May and November, we host a food distribution for area military families. With the sponsorship of congregation and community members, we distribute 3 days worth of food in May, and in November a Thanksgiving Day meal, along with additional goodies.
Military Family Assistance Ministry
This ministry provides support to individual military families that find themselves in extreme situations and who have sought help through their respective Chaplain. This support could be financial support for food or other necessities, transportation support, or possibly something else. The goal is to provide whatever support necessary to enable the family to get through the situation they find themselves in and back on stable grounds.
School Food Support
We help distribute food through Hancock and Miller Elementary schools serving many children from the Murphy Canyon military community. We assist in distributing food provided by Feeding San Diego to local elementary schools who’s children are primarily from the Murphy Canyon military community.
Baby on Board
We collect requested baby supplies through S.T.E.P.'s Baby on Board initiative to help military families with some of the essentials their little ones need. Each February we collect baby supplies to support S.T.E.P's Baby on Board military families.
Sharing The Joy!
During the Christmas season, we team with Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) in their Sharing the Joy Adopt Family and Toy Drive. MOC adopts at least one military family ensuring each member receives at least three presents from their wish list and invites others members to consider doing so. Additionally, for the families that aren't adopted, the Toy Drive ensures that their children have Christmas presents. Boxes for toys will available in the church narthex.
Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America honors our fallen military buried at National Cemeteries, by placing wreaths on each grave at Christmas. While not a TLC ministry event, we support WAA by encouraging the congregation and anyone else to sponsor wreaths by clicking the button below and take part with us in the laying of the wreaths prior to Christmas and the clean-up after the New Years. For participation in these two activities contact Marsha Abbott (619) 206-5790.
Keep Our Military Families in Your Prayers
Military families carry unique responsibilities and challenges. We invite you to pray with us for those who serve, their families, and the communities that support them.
“I was hungry and you fed me; I was naked and you clothed me…”
— Matthew 25
We pray for wisdom, strength, and inspiration as we continue looking for ways to better serve our local military community.
Be Part of the Conversation
Interested in learning more about Military Outreach or helping us plan future outreach opportunities? We’d love to have you join us!
The Military Outreach Committee meets during the school year to plan, coordinate, and evaluate our outreach efforts in support of our local military community. Whether you’re ready to volunteer, have an idea to share, or simply want to learn more, there’s a place for you.
Committee Meetings
Generally: Second Wednesday of each month
Time: 3:00–4:00 PM
Location: TLC Fellowship Hall
Zoom: Remote participation is available
We’d Love to Hear From You
Have a question about Military Outreach? Want to volunteer, make a donation, support an upcoming event, or simply learn more about what we do? We’d be happy to hear from you!
For questions about the Military Outreach Ministry, committee meetings, or upcoming outreach opportunities, please contact one of the team members below.
We’d Love to Hear From You
Have a question about Military Outreach? Want to volunteer, make a donation, support an upcoming event, or simply learn more about what we do? We’d be happy to hear from you!
For questions about the Military Outreach Ministry, committee meetings, or upcoming outreach opportunities, please contact one of the team members below.
Contact Us
+ + + + +
Wayne Duke
858-740-1068
Beckie Ryan
619-204-4596
Marcia Abbott
619-206-5790
moc@tierrasantalutheran.org
You can also contact the Tierrasanta Lutheran Church office at 858-560-8688.
Whether you’re looking to lend a hand, make a donation, or simply learn more, thank you for caring about the military families in our community.
Wrapped in Prayer: Supporting Those Who Serve
At Tierrasanta Lutheran Church, service takes many forms. Through the Prayers & Squares Quilting Ministry and the Military Outreach Committee (MOC), our congregation has found meaningful ways to support those who serve and those who have served our country.
Prayer quilts offer a tangible reminder of God's love, carrying the prayers and encouragement of the people who create and dedicate them. Through special patriotic quilts, the quilting ministry extends this care to veterans and military patients, including those at Balboa Naval Hospital.
Watch the video to see how quilting, prayer, and military outreach come together to remind our veterans that their service is remembered, appreciated, and surrounded by the prayers of their community.
TIERRASANTA LUTHERAN CHURCH
Sharing Christ’s Love,
Serving God’s Children,
Transforming Lives, and
Making Disciples
11240 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92124
Tel: (858) 560-8688
Email: info@tierrasantalutheran.org