The Mission Training Center traces its beginnings to the late 1970s when, in response to needs of congregations scattered throughout the Northwest (especially Alaska), a movement began to make use of lay assistants in congregations. Established by the 1980 convention of the Northwest District, a Lay Ministry Committee began to study the feasibility of using lay assistants in congregations of the District. A paper entitled, A Theology of Lay Ministry, by Dr. Robert Schmidt, laid out a rationale and a program for developing lay ministers. The 1982 convention resolved both to do further research and to initiate a Lay Ministry program for the District. The appointed Lay Ministry Committee (Task Force) produced a curriculum and procedures for certifying candidates. In 1984 Dr. E. P. Weber, retired President of Concordia University, accepted the call to become the first part-time Director of the program. An office was established on the campus of Concordia University, and the program began with 12 enrollees. As the program matured, the name changed from "Lay Assistant-Ministry Program" to "Lay Assistant Program" to "Leadership Advancement Process", retaining the LAP acronym. Governance at first was through the Lay Assistant Program Task Force; in 2003 a Board of Directors, in association with the Northwest District, became the governing body. A close working relationship between the Northwest District and Concordia University was always maintained.

Using several models to deliver courses, the program was designed to help lay leaders in congregations to develop their skills and knowledge for more effective ministry on various levels.

After a decade of collaboration with an east coast partner, Mission Training Center, the LAP merged with the Mission Training Center in May, 2011, in order to enhance its mission of equipping mission service leaders. In May, 2013, the management and administration of the newly-formed and expanded Mission Training Center program in the Northwest District came under the direction of the Center for Advanced Lutheran Leadership at Concordia University.