On a quiet stretch of Shady Oak Drive in Chaska, Minnesota, Christ Victorious Lutheran Church gathers a multi-generational family around Word and Sacrament each Sunday morning. Members travel from across Carver County to worship at 8:15 or 10:45 AM, to learn together between services at 9:30, and to send one another back into homes, schools, and workplaces as disciples of Jesus. The congregation's motto, "Knowing Christ to make Christ known," shapes everything from Sunday worship to meal-packing events on Saturday mornings.
Worship Rooted in Word and Sacrament
Christ Victorious is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. That identity shapes both services, which center on the historic liturgy of the LCMS and celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday. At 8:15 AM, the traditional service features hymns led by organ and choir in a reflective setting. At 10:45 AM, the contemporary service offers a more casual, modern feel led by singers and a praise team. Songs, prayers, and helpful information appear on a screen at the front so visitors can follow easily. Both services typically run about 70 minutes and welcome all ages, from infants to retirees. Each service includes a Children's Message to help young hearts engage with the Gospel.
The church holds firmly to the biblical teaching that Holy Communion delivers the real Body and Blood of Christ, given "in, with, and under" the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins. Before communing for the first time, visitors are invited to speak with a pastor; children are welcomed to come forward with their parents for a blessing. Alcohol-removed wine and gluten-free wafers are available upon request.
Children Welcome in Worship and in Class
Christ Victorious believes a noisy, active church is a growing church. Activity bags and sensory kits sit near the lobby doors, and a nursery for ages 0-4 is just off the lobby for families who need a quieter space during the service. The Children's Ministry, led by Lynn, surrounds every child with screened volunteers and a culture of welcome.
Sunday School meets at 9:30 AM for preschool through Grade 5 during the school year, walking children through the Bible narrative from Exodus and David to Esther and beyond. Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, Bible Explorers gathers the same age group for small-group time, a featured verse each week, worship, crafts, and games. The children's choir presents a Christmas program each year, drawing on volunteers from students in 6th-12th grade as well as adults to bring the story of Jesus to the whole congregation.
Walking with Middle and High School Students
Youth Ministry at Christ Victorious, directed by Paige, treats students as full participants in the life of the church. On Sundays at 9:30 AM, middle school students (Grades 6-8) meet in Room 121 and high schoolers (Grades 9-12) gather in the Youth Room for Bible studies that invite honest questions and connect God's Word to daily life. Confirmation meets Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the Crossings Room, where students grow in Lutheran doctrine and prepare to confess their faith for themselves; families seeking more information are encouraged to contact Pastor Toby.
High school students also have a dedicated Wednesday evening gathering from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Youth Room. Retreats, off-site activities, and the Rochester Servant Event (a partnership since 2023 that takes middle schoolers into hands-on mission work alongside other area churches) round out a year that aims to build lasting friendships and a faith strong enough for college and beyond. The church also offers families a free subscription to Axis, a resource designed to help parents disciple their preteens and teens.
Adults Learning Together
Between Sunday services, a robust adult Bible study meets at 9:30 AM from September through May, mixing coffee, conversation, and topics such as Difficult Old Testament verses, Politics and Faith, and Apologetics. Wednesday evenings during the school year offer small groups for adults to dig deeper in community.
Women's ministry includes "Jesus, Tea, and Me," a fellowship gathering that meets the second Wednesday of each month from 10:00 AM to noon at the church for treats and friendship under the leadership of Carolyn Wetzel. Each fall, "She Belongs," an eight-week women's Bible study, walks participants through the story of Joseph and what it teaches about trusting God through seasons of waiting and uncertainty.
Men's ministry gathers twice a week. Monday Morning Bible Study begins at 9:00 AM with prayer and a 15-minute teaching video, followed by group discussion, meeting every other week. Saturday Morning Bible Study meets the first and third Saturdays at 7:30 AM. Troy Meink and Bill Friedrich lead the men's studies. All members and regular attenders also have access to a free RightNow Media subscription, a vast library of Bible teaching and faith-building video content.
Core Beliefs
Christ Victorious confesses the historic Christian faith as expressed in the Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds. The church teaches that the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God; that God exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that humanity was created perfect but fell into sin; and that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to suffer and die for our sins and rise again for our justification. Salvation is a gift of grace alone, received through faith alone, on the basis of Scripture alone. Holy Baptism and Holy Communion are means of grace through which God delivers forgiveness and new life, with Holy Communion given to all baptized Christians who have been instructed and examined according to Scripture.
Milestones for Every Season of Life
The church walks with members through every significant moment, calling these "milestones." Holy Baptism welcomes infants and adults into God's family; First Bibles mark the beginning of a child's reading life with God's Word; First Communion prepares families to receive Christ's gifts at the Table. Confirmation is a season of deeper catechesis for students who wish to confess the faith for themselves. A Senior Blessing celebrates graduating high schoolers as they leave for the next chapter of life. The Becoming One marriage preparation process and the Leaving a Legacy funeral planning and stewardship ministry round out the milestones, reflecting a congregation that takes seriously the whole arc of a Christian life.
Serving Carver County
Christ Victorious frames its outreach with a simple value: "Love Where You Live." Several long-standing partnerships put that value into action. With The Humanity Alliance, members grow food in the Garden of Eat'N, prepare meals at Pack with Purpose, donate spices through periodic Spice Drives, and grow extra produce at home to share with neighbors facing food insecurity. With Love INC of Carver County, the congregation joins other area churches to meet practical needs, equip students with school supplies, and provide Thanksgiving meals.
With Together For Good, the church surrounds vulnerable families and foster parents with seasonal gifts, prayer, and encouragement. With Every Meal and partner school Clover Ridge Elementary, volunteers pack and distribute weekend food for students and support families year-round through the Angel Tree at Christmas. Twice each year the church cleans its adopted stretch of Lyman Boulevard, and on the second Saturday of October the congregation holds its annual Serve Day, a Christ Victorious Serve Event that takes teams into the community for projects at homes and public spaces across Carver County.
Reaching Beyond Carver County
Christ Victorious also looks beyond its own community to partner in the wider Church. Since 2021, the congregation has joined Pastor Matthew and Patience Cephas in their work with Royal Family International to strengthen Christ-centered ministry throughout Liberia, encouraging pastors, equipping lay leaders, and investing in the next generation through biblical teaching. Each year a mission team also joins the Cephases in Youth Care International, a four-day camp for hundreds of children and youth marked by worship, Bible teaching, music, games, and crafts.
Getting Involved at Christ Victorious
The church's "Serve: Our Church" ministry lists dozens of ways members can pitch in, from teaching Sunday School and Confirmation mentoring to knitting baptism and prayer shawls, running sound and screens, helping with fellowship meals, and serving funeral receptions. "Serve: Our Community" connects volunteers with the Humanity Alliance, Love INC, Together For Good, Every Meal, Highway Cleanup, and the annual Carver County Serve Day. "Serve: Our World" links members with the church's Kingdom partnerships in Liberia and with Rochester Servant Event.
Christ Victorious also uses Church Center, an app that puts the church directory, event registration, small group signups, and a digital Connect Card in every member's pocket. Newcomers who want to learn more can join a New Member class held periodically throughout the year, while those exploring faith can simply show up on a Sunday morning. As the staff often says, "Come as you are." Whether someone is just beginning to explore who Jesus is or has been following Him for decades, there is room at the table.