Home Missions Update (December 2023)

Faces of Faith in North Liberty, Iowa 

Invitation to Celebrate Christmas

Pastor Lucas Callies met the Coffey family in 2021 at a North Liberty Community Center event called “Breakfast with Santa.” Matt, Stephaine, and their kids came to Good Shepherd’s Christmas service later that month. Throughout the next year they would attend worship services and bring their kids (Silas and Desiree) to church events. They became more and more interested in learning about God’s Word. This past year they took Bible Information Class and recently became members. That day was even more amazing because their children came to faith through baptism. They are now passionately helping out the mission as Good Shepherd tries to reach the lost in the community.” 

Welcome to Good Shepherd

It was one of Pastor Callies first Sundays as pastor when Dillion walked into the community center.  Dillion had a Mariah Carey cap and necklace on, dried mustard in his bread, and fell asleep during the sermon.  Members were a little tentative at first.  He said he was surprised that he found a church meeting in the community center.  It was his third service of the day and was excited to worship with us.

Pastor found out from Dillon’s mom that he suffered from schizophrenia and hadn’t found a place where he had been welcomed in the community.  He told me no one had taken the time to teach him the Bible.  So, over the next year Pastor and Dillion walked through our Bible Information Class together, and Dillion came to every worship service.  Members also come to love Dillon.  Every time he walked into service, you would hear everyone chime in “Good Morning, Dillion!”  After the BIC class was completed, Pastor Callies asked Dillion if he would like to join our Good Shepherd family.  He answered, “I thought I already was?”

Dillion was baptized and became a member in May 2022.  He faithfully attends worship and has invited hi mother, stepfather, and grandparents to join.  You can find Dillion on Sunday morning helping set up church, enjoying the coffee, or talking with other members.

From Lucas Callies, home missionary at Good Shepherd in North Liberty, Iowa

New Missions or Enhancements

Have you wondered about the process of the 100 missions in 10 years? There have been many stories from across the country where our new mission starts and mission enhancements are. Please check out the website wels100in10.net for these stories. We strongly encourage you to share with your congregations. If you have any Home Mission ideas or questions, the Minnesota District Board would love to work with you to solidify these New Missions and Mission Enhancements! 

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MN District Mission Board & Resources

Rev. Steve Waldschmidt (Chair) Christ Alone Dardenne Prairie, MO pastorsteve@christ-alone.church (636) 445-0440	Mr. Doug Dorn St. Paul’s Litchfield, MN doug.dorn@agcountry.com (320) 212-6100
Rev. Rev Mark Kaesmeyer West Lutheran High School Plymouth, MN mkaesmeyer@westlutheran.net (763) 498-9940	Rev. Dustin Sievert St. Croix Lutheran Academy West St. Paul, MN dsievert314@gmail.com (920) 419-5968
Rev. Rob Guenther St. John’s New Ulm, MN pastorguenther@gmail.com (507) 240-2433	Mr. Daryl Schultz Resurrection & Life Rochester, MN dschultz@us.ibm.com  (507) 261-6906
Rev. Mark Birkholz Mission Counselor Brandon, SD mbirkholz232@gmail.com (303) 501-2773	Mr. Glen Schulz Zion Springfield, MO gbschulz@gmail.com (507) 240-2433

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