The first worship service was led by Alaska Missionary David Zietlow of Anchorage on March 3, 1973.  22 souls were present.
The following summer, Vicar Keith Kuschel arrived from Anchorage to do exploratory work in Fairbanks.

Pastor Zietlow continued to travel to Fairbanks to conduct worship services from September 1973 until July 1974, when Pastor Norbert Meier accepted the call to be Syndoulos’ first pastor. Syndoulos Evangelical Lutheran Church of Fairbanks, Alaska officially organized on May 18, 1975 with a total of 54 souls, of which 42 were communicant members.  The members chose a unique name for their congregation, Syndoulos, a Greek word meaning “fellow servant.”  The name not only identified them but also their purpose: to SERVE CHRIST TOGETHER in Fairbanks and throughout the world.

In the coming years, Syndoulos began to establish their roots, doing the following….

• 12/16/1975 – Purchased current property on Geist Rd.
• 7/5/76 – Construction began on parsonage, where services were held while the church building was being constructed.  Services had previously been conducted at Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home on Illinois Street and the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Farmers Loop.
• 8/28/78 – Excavation for the new church building began.
• 7/1/79 – The newly finished church building was dedicated.

On March 25, 2012, the congregation made history as they voted to change their name from Syndoulos to Light of the World Evangelical Lutheran Church. The name change officially changed on May 20 as the congregation re-dedicated themselves and the church to carry out the work of the Lord as his lights of the world.

To read our history, up to 1982 (along with the history of many of our other Alaska congregations, click here.)