Outreach

The Saint Paul Area Synod works in collaboration with ELCA Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ by reaching out to diverse groups to invite and gather them into worshiping communities. The Saint Paul Area Synod presently has seven new mission starts under development:

Pueblo de Fe, St. Paul
Pueblo de Fe grew out of Holy Trinity-San Martin Lutheran, which voted in 2006 to sell its building, cease as a congregation, and support the start of a bi-lingual congregation on St. Paul’s West Side. Pueblo de Fe is served by Jacqueline Belzer at 612.703.4752 as ministry coordinator and worships on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. in Neighborhood House, 179 Robie Street E., St. Paul.

Light of the World Lutheran Church, Farmington
Light of the World Lutheran Church, Farmington, is a mission start under the leadership of the Rev. Deb Stehlin, initiated by the Dakota County Partners: Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley; Easter, Eagan; Hosanna!, Lakeville; Grace, Apple Valley; and Community of Hope, Rosemount. The congregation worships at 10 a.m. at North Trail Elementary School at 170th St. and Pilot Knob. The street address is 5580 170th St. West, Farmington, 55024.

Joy Fellowship at Circle Pine for Chinese in Northern St. Paul Suburbs
Joy Fellowship is an outreach Group to serve Chinese in Northern St. Paul Suburbs. They current meet at 6:30 p.m., Saturdays, biweekly at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 9185 North Lexington Avenue, Circle Pines, MN 55014. The program includes potlucks, singing, adult Bible study, and youth and children education. Joy Fellowship grew out of Minnesota Faith Chinese Lutheran Church, the only Lutheran Chinese Church in Minnesota. Contact the Rev. Shen Lin at 651.324.6898, or at Joy group of www.FaithChineseChurch.org.

One in the Spirit, St. Paul
One in the Spirit is an inter-tribal, ecumenical word, and sacrament ministry with and among the American Indian people on St. Paul’s East Side. The ministry began in 2008 and they gather for worship on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 463 Maria Avenue, St. Paul, with a supper following. Contact the Rev. Jennie Lightfoot at 612.770.0109.

Humble Walk, St. Paul
Humble Walk is a “worshipping community of seekers,” that “seeks to create faith community in St. Paul’s West 7th neighborhood by meeting people where they are and inviting them into relationship with one another and with God.” Begun in 2008, they meet weekly for worship and a meal on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. in the Pilney Building, 1032 West 7th Street. Contact the Rev. Jodi Houge at 651.786.9028, or visit www.humblewalkchurch.org.

Spirit of Truth, St. Paul
Spirit of Truth is a justice-centered, relationship-based community that began meeting in 2009 out of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 701 N. Lexington Parkway, St. Paul. They are currently forming a launch team and plan to begin public gatherings in the late spring of 2010. For more information, contact organizer and co-creator Peter Marincel at 651.336.6726 or the Rev. Grant Stevensen at 651.645.6700.

House of Mercy, St. Paul
Founded in the spring of 1996, House of Mercy offers “a discriminating blend of high church and low, of tradition and innovation, sincere worship and healthy skepticism.” The congregation has roots in the American Baptist Church, but became affiliated with the ELCA in 2008. They meet for worship on Sundays at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 104 Snelling Avenue S., St. Paul at 5:00 p.m. and are led by the Rev. Russell Rathbun, the Rev. Debbie Blue, and Mike Russell. For more information, call 651.298.0858 or see their website, www.houseofmercy.org.

For additional information, contact the Rev. Paul Erickson, assistant to the bishop for evangelical mission, at 651.224.4313.