Because of World War II, there was a delay in carrying out his dream, but Lutheran work officially began in 1946, just after national independence. One early convert was a young man who served as an interpreter for missionaries. Baptized Thomas Batong, he studied theology and was ordained in 1961. He earned advanced degrees in the U.S. and served as the dean of the Lutheran Seminary and later as president of the Lutheran church. The LCP emphasizes evangelism, mission, education, and stewardship, engaging all church members as active participants regardless of their respective stations in life.
Pastoral counseling plays a vital part in helping people confronted by radical change.
Mass media, both broadcast and print, are used effectively. The LCP currently has a membership of 25,000 in over 150 congregations, most of which are in the highland region of North Luzon. The LCP went a step beyond its mother synod and joined the Lutheran World Federation. Confident of its confessional heritage, the LCP has not hesitated to become ecumenically involved. It has been active in the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, and participated in a series of dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church whereby baptism in both churches was mutually recognized.