Mission Starts & Redevelopments

Jesus sent the earliest disciples out into the world with the charge, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This charge is the foundation for the work we do as a synod.

In collaboration with our partners at the ELCA, the Saint Paul Area Synod works to answer this call by listening to the Spirit and doing the work necessary to see where a new ministry or a redevelopment might emerge. Currently, the synod has six mission starts (congregations/ministries that are relatively new and receive financial assistance and guidance from the synod) and two redevelopments (congregations that were on the verge of folding but have refocused or rededicated their mission with synod accompaniment). If you feel called to financially support these ministries, we welcome your designated gift on our donation page under the category of “Domestic Mission Support.”

Mission Starts

Cristo Rey
Ministering out of Atonement Lutheran Church (1980 Silver Lake Rd., New Brighton), Cristo Rey seeks to connect with the growing Latino population in the area. The congregation worships every Sunday at noon. Weekly Bible study on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. provides the foundation for this growing ministry. Pastor Ana Becerra serves as mission developer for Cristo Rey and can be reached at ana@cristorey-elca.org or 763-225-7079. Website: cristorey-elca.org.

Foundation of Life (African National Ministry)
This outreach to the Anuak community in Minnesota launched in 2017 in partnership with the Presbyterian Church USA. In addition to worship, Foundation of Life offers classes on leadership development and integration into U.S. culture. Its food distribution program has helped families since May of 2020. This community is working with Trinity Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater toward establishing partnerships for youth and women’s ministries. Worship is at 1 p.m. on Sundays at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi). For more information, contact the Rev. Gilo Gora Agwa at gilogagwa22@gmail.com.

Eternal Flame Hmong Lutheran Church (formerly Good Samaritan)
This congregation has been serving God’s people since 2010. The vision of Eternal Flame is for its members to strive to live out the fire of their faith that burns inside of them. As a Hmong congregation, we may come from different clans but at Eternal Flame and beyond our boundaries, we need to live out our call to love others no matter which clan they belong to or whoever they may be. We worship at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church (3676 Centerville Rd., Vadnais Heights) from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. We want to keep our unique culture and language alive for many generations to come in worship and fellowship in the Hmong community. All are welcome to join us in worship through Zoom. For more information, contact the Rev. Jua Jay Her at jher2016year@gmail.com .

Humble Walk
Humble Walk organically sprung up in the alleyways and backyards of folks in the West 7th neighborhood of St. Paul. This intergenerational church meets people where they are and invites them into relationship with one another and God. It has become a place where people come to heal from other church experiences. Humble Walk gathers weekly for worship on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. at Art House North (793 Armstrong Ave., St. Paul). Visit humblewalkchurch.org.

Minnesota Faith Chinese
As the only Chinese Lutheran church in the state, Minnesota Faith Chinese keeps its arms open for all Chinese who visit or move to Minnesota. Over 12,000 people heard the good news of Jesus the first time at the church worship services, Bible study groups, fellowships, retreats, gospel conferences, small group talks, one-on-one personal communication, daily Bible study email groups, funerals and weddings. No matter how short or long of a stay, many of them often tell us how much they love the church and our prayers. Some even started Bible study groups in other states or in China, with our support. The congregation boasts a choir and praise dance group, which is often invited by other communities to perform and share the gospel. Minnesota Faith Chinese has a strong mission partnership with Galilee Lutheran Church (145 N McCarrons Blvd., Roseville), where the congregation gathers for worship and community.

Shobi’s Table
Shobi’s Table is a pay-as-you-can café on wheels. We use a big blue food truck to serve from-scratch, delicious and nutritious meals to anyone and everyone who comes, no matter how much they can pay. We are a Word and Service ministry of the ELCA that focuses on how the church comes alive around one table, where all have the same access to the fresh food that is God’s love made tangible and real to all people. We believe that working, serving and eating together is one big way of how God fills us in body and spirit. Shobi’s Table offers lunch from noon to 1 p.m. (or whenever food is gone) at these St. Paul locations:

  • Tuesdays at Christ on Capitol Hill (105 University Ave. W – kitty-corner from the State Capitol)
  • Thursdays at Faith Lutheran (499 Charles Ave. in the Frogtown Neighborhood)
  • Fridays at Allianz Field (Snelling & University)

For more information about Shobi’s Table, visit shobistable.org.

Redevelopments

Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Vadnais Heights
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church is committed to practical, hands-on service in the neighborhood. Its annual pumpkin patch fundraiser supporting local mission and youth service trips is how many recognize the church. Through strong partnerships with the city and community organizations, Christ the Servant has been influential and engaged in Vadnais Heights since its founding in 1965. It distributes bread to residents weekly, provides space for community groups, serves the needs of its neighbors, and creates space for authentic worship and loving relationships. In 2013, the congregation considered closing due to financial concerns, membership decline and conflict. After an extended, intentional interim period, the church was approved for an ELCA redevelopment grant. Much progress has been made in healing and revitalizing the congregation relationally, spiritually and organizationally over the last several years of its mission redevelopment partnership with the ELCA and the synod. With God’s grace, synod partnerships, and a renewed mission to “Encounter God, Love One Another, and Reach the World,” Christ the Servant is well positioned to continue its journey of renewal. Worship is 9 a.m. on Sundays. Find out more at cslcvh.org.

Lutheran Church of Peace, Maplewood
In 2017, after much prayer and discernment, Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood decided God wasn’t done with it yet. With grants from the ELCA and the Saint Paul Area Synod, the congregation called a redevelopment pastor and began listening deeply to God and one another. Today its vision is to build “a brave community that includes the sure, and the searching, and the skeptical, spills outside the walls of the church, and shares the joy of Christ.” Lutheran Church of Peace endeavors that its people are renewed by the Holy Spirit who is leading them into abundant joy, deeper connection with God, and a more truly shared partnership with the community around us. Worship is held at 10 a.m. on Sundays in person and on Zoom. Find out more at www.lcpeace.org or by contacting Pastor Liz Eide at pastorliz@lcpeace.org.