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Mission Interpreter Stories - Moments of Faith, Hope and Change
 Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, North
Ridgeville is
a mission congregation of the Northeastern Ohio Synod that has made
a difference in people's lives. The mission developer, calling on
people in housing developments in North Ridgeville met people
searching for meaning in their lives. Other folks were attracted by
the float the mission congregation made for the community parade.
Still others were excited that Spirit of Joy has a youth center
where teens can gather. As a result of these outreach efforts,
several adults have been baptized. Others have come After as many
as 30 years away from the church, other folks have returned to
worship because of the contemporary service and welcoming atmosphere
the members intentionally create, and by the unique nature of
worshipping in a warehouse setting.
Spirit of Joy is entering a new phase in their development. Pastor
Lisa Arledge has just begun her ministry there as pastor-developer.
She comes from St. John/St. Paul, Akron where she served as
associate pastor and director of the
Oasis Ministry, an outreach to youth in the community. She will
bring the expertise of Oasis to her new call. She also is strongly
committed to immersing the ministry in prayer and outreach in the
community.
 Iglesia Luterana La Trinidad, a
Spanish-speaking mission in two locations, Akron and Massillon,
has worship service on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. where there is an
overflow of children (which many congregations might envy) and
ministry that reaches people from a variety of Latin American
countries including Mexico, Columbia, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
Both congregations are growing as people discover the wonderful
message of grace in the Lutheran faith and find meaning in a liturgy
similar to the one they grew up in. they also are growing because of
the strong pastoral presence of their shepherds, Pastor Acosta and
Pastor Perez Espinoza who work with families, preparing their
children for baptisms, first communions, confirmations and other
festive occasion important to the Latin cultures.
The Akron congregation has graciously been welcomed by Bethany
Lutheran members who have had some events together, while the
Massillon church is hosted by Holy Trinity who has provided space
and visibility to encourage this growing congregation.
 "Just as I Am" - Cross Cultural Ministry
provides a ministry connecting the arts and theater community as
well as a number of cultures and generations in the Detroit Avenue
Shoreway/Gordon Square Arts Community centered at West 65th and
Detroit.
Pastor Christine Thompson is the mission developer and will
incorporate her theatre, music and arts gifts in a place where
people can come and experience church in a new way. They have just
found a small meeting place on 65th Street a few blocks south of
Detroit Avenue in order to develop the diversity of connections
Pastor Thompson has made. This ministry seeks to reach persons who
might otherwise not come to a church.
 Rejoice Lutheran Church, Hudson
is one of the synod's first mission congregations and nearly two
years ago moved into their first building. While they are
growing in numbers, the struggle of meeting mortgage payments has
made it more difficult to focus on the development of mission in
their community. Pastor Mike Conklin continues to challenge his
congregation in stewardship and developing disciples of Jesus.
 Faith
Lutheran Church, Lakewood is a congregation undergoing a
major transformation as it seeks to develop a second worshipping
community within its facility with the assistance of a mission
developer recently called and ordained Pastor Mark Rollenhagen.
While maintaining the existing congregation, Pastor Rollenhagen is
working with the community schools, and calling in the neighborhood
to welcome younger families. Their ministry is in partnership with
Messiah, Fairview Park who initiated the renewal efforts leading
towards the call of Pastor Rollenhagen. Their mission is to reach
persons who have had little contact previously with church and who
seek a new relationship in Christ. |
