New Mission Starts

Jesus sends 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 for evangelical mission.

In collaboration with the Domestic Mission Unit of the ELCA, the Saint Paul Area Synod works to "go and make new disciples." In some instances, this has meant launching new mission starts. These new mission starts are not any more special than existing ministries - they simply have come to be because the synod, congregations, and leaders have discerned the need for church to exist in these new ways.

Mission starts in the Saint Paul Area Synod include:

Good Samaritan Lutheran Church

Good Samaritan is an intentional outreach to the Hmong community on St. Paul’s East Side. They worship at Hope Lutheran Church (1340 N. Hazel Street, St. Paul) on Sundays at 11:30am. The Rev. William Siong is seeking to reach out to the second and third generation Hmong Community to develop a ministry in which people from all Hmong clans are welcome. Contact Pastor William at 651.815.7118 or pastorwilliam@hopechurchsaintpaul.org.

Humble Walk

Humble Walk is a “worshiping community of seekers" in St. Paul’s West 7th neighborhood. Humble Walk meets people where they are at and invites them into relationship with one another and with God. Begun in 2008, they gather weekly for worship on Sundays at 4:30 at Art House North (793 Armstrong Ave, St. Paul). They also can be found at Shamrock's Pub on West 7th for Storytelling and Beer & Hymns events. Contact the Rev. Jodi Houge at 651.786.9028 or visit www.humblewalkchurch.org.

Shobi’s Table

Shobi's Table is a ministry of, by, and for folks in St. Paul's Eastside who struggle on the margins of our community, bringing church outside the walls and onto the streets. They do church out of a food truck, offering healthy food, radical hospitality, and a chance for all people to celebrate and develop their gifts. This vision is rooted in the story of Shobi (2 Samuel 17), who provided hospitality for David and his troops. For more information, contact Deacon Kari Olsen, mission developer, at shobistable@gmail.com.

Cristo Rey

Developing out of Christ the King Lutheran (1900 7th Street NW, New Brighton), Cristo Rey seeks to connect with the growing Latino population in the area. The congregation worships on the fourth Sunday of the month at noon. Weekly Bible Study on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm provides the foundation for this growing ministry. Ana Becerra serves as mission developer for Cristo Rey and can be reached at ana@lifeatctk.org or 763.225.7079.

Foundation of Life (African National Ministry)

Launched in May 2017 in partnership with the Presbyterian Church USA, the African National Ministry is an outreach to the Anuak community in Minnesota. In addition to worship, educational classes focused on leadership development and integration into U.S. culture take place throughout the year. For more information, contact the Rev. Gilo Gora Agwa at agwagora2008@gmail.com or 651.800.6779.

The Depot Church

Launched in September 2018, the Depot Church began as a mission exploration in partnership with St. Andrew's Lutheran in Mahtomedi and the Saint Paul Area Synod. The Depot Church worships on Sunday evenings at Oneka Elementary School (4888 Heritage Parkway, Hugo, MN 55038). For more information, contact the Rev. Brian Norsman at bnorsman@standrews.org or visit www.thedepotchurch.org.