History in the making: LMA cements its footprint in Western Australia

Sunday 17 May 2026 was a historic day in the life of Australian confessional Lutheranism in Western Australia with the installation of Pastor Sam Modra as the inaugural pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church Perth.

A record attendance of more than 70 worshippers filled a rented hall in Moresby Street Kensington to witness the President of Lutheran Mission Australia, Rev. Dr. Matt Anker, conduct the Rite of Installation for Pastor Sam.

Pastor Matt preached on Acts 1:1–11, the Ascension of Our Lord.

The account of the Ascension provides a pattern for the church’s mission and therefore it is most appropriate that Pastor Sam is installed today with these words ringing in our ears. It recounts Jesus’ teaching ministry founded in the Word of God. It reveals the centrality of His crucifixion and the message of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It reminds us that this mission is empowered and made possible only by the Holy Spirit. And it concludes with Jesus’ ascension and the perplexing statement regarding the apostles’ exceeding joy at His apparent departure… the great rejoicing that accompanies Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father is not some kind of rude celebration indicating they are glad He is gone. But rather it signifies that the apostles have finally got it. At last they understand Who Jesus is, what He has accomplished and where their hope lies. They recognise that in His ascension He is not going away, but taking up His rightful place as the eternal Son of God and making Himself available to people of all times and places. They rejoice because at last they see that in His ascension Jesus has given us greater privileges and joys than the devil took away from us in the beginning.

… As Jesus physically gathered this last time with His apostles, I would’ve expected Him to go out with a bang. With some incredible show of power and majesty, and divine authority. But instead as Jesus prepares to leave the disciples’ sight, He simply opens their minds to understand the Words of Scripture that will provide them with everything they need for this life and the next. He shows them that the writings of the Old Testament – Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms – are all about Him. He opens their minds to receive this word with faith and points them again to the central message of the gospel – that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, securing forgiveness for sinners, defeating death and opening heaven to all who believe.

… As Pastor Sam takes up the ministry of Jesus in this place, he is called to use the very same Word Jesus spoke. He is to use this Word because it is the very power of God for those who are being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18) … This Word is the only tool that Pastor Sam has as he ministers to you as Jesus’ ambassador. This Word which will be proclaimed from pulpit, shared in your homes, poured on you in Holy Baptism and placed in your mouth in the Lord’s Supper. This is no ordinary Word, but thanks be to God, it is abundantly available for you and for me. And thanks be to God, you now have a pastor whose only job is to continually open your minds to that word so you might be filled with the same joy the apostles experienced on the day of Jesus’ ascension.

Rev. Dr. Matt Anker installs Rev. Sam Modra as pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church Perth.

During the installation, Congregation Chairman, Keith Kowald, reminded those in attendance that it was only 16 short months since a small group of Lutherans who had left the LCA following the 2024 LCA Synod first gathered in the back patio of Stuart and Jen Morick’s home to commit themselves to continuing a truly confessional Lutheran Church as part of the emerging Lutheran Mission Australia. It is just on 12 months since Emmanuel became a fully-fledged constituted congregation.

‘We thank God for blessing us so that we have been able to take the next step and today welcome our own pastor. God be praised indeed!’, Keith said. ‘Let’s pray that another LMA congregation might be formed in WA in the future.’

Tokens of Office were presented to Pastor Modra from Chairman Keith Kowald, Vice-Chairman James Campbell and Elders David Harris and Stuart Morick.

Johan, Pastor Sam, Tara, Ruby and Ezra Modra

After the Rite of Installation Pastor Sam was joined before the altar by his wife Tara. The Modra family, including children Johan, Ruby and Ezra, were then formally welcomed with a loud round of applause from all before Pastor Sam took over the service and officiated his first Holy Communion at Emmanuel.

At the conclusion of the service, messages of blessing and congratulations were read from LMA congregations and pastors from around Australia, underlining the fact that while we are far from the rest of the church on this side of the country, we are definitely not alone.

Maggie Lale presented a bilum bag to Pastor Sam.

Leah John presented a bilum bag to President Matt.

A further surprise for Pastor Sam, Tara and Pastor Anker came after the service when Maggie Lale and Leah John, two of our PNG ladies who have been with us since day one presented them with traditional PNG Bilum bags. A Bilum is a traditional hand-woven bag with great cultural significance in Papua New Guinea. It serves a practical purpose and symbolizes the values, identity, and history of the people who create and use it. It reflects the rich culture of Papua New Guinea, woven with meanings that connect generations and clans. “Bilum” is also Tok Pisin for “womb” and symbolises “beginnings, nurturing and life”.

Congregation members, visitors and friends then enjoyed fellowship with a lavish community lunch.

Report and photos by

David Harris
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Perth

The Emmanuel congregation were delighted to welcome Pastor Sam and his family into their midst.