We’re Planting a Church in North Liberty!
No doubt you’ve been hearing a bit of buzz lately about the
new church that we – the congregations of Iowa District East – are planting in North Liberty, Iowa. And no doubt you’d love to know a little more
about this new opportunity and the new pastor who will be serving this budding
congregation.
So that we can continue to walk together and support each
other as a district, and as brothers and sisters in Christ, here are a few
questions and answers to give you the full scoop on all things North Liberty:
Why Bother to Plant a
Church?
Our Lord tells us in Matthew 28:19-20, “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, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the
end of the age.” Also, research
shows it is the most effective and biblical way to do evangelism, all centered
on Word and Sacrament.
Why North
Liberty?
Located in the heart of Johnson County,
North Liberty is a young and vibrant community, and is one of the fastest
growing cities in Iowa
with over 13,000 residents. The median age is just 29 years old, yet 62% of Johnson County is un-churched. North
Liberty is a community ripe for harvest and in need of God’s Word
and Sacraments.
Who Will be Planting the Church?
You are! But for the sake of decency and good order, St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City will be serving as the “mother
church.” As such, she will be facilitating resources and support as well as
providing encouragement to the church planter, his family, and the new
congregation. However, while St. Paul’s
will be serving as mother, she will need help and support from her 119 sister
congregations.
Who is the Church Planter?
Pastoral Candidate Andrew Richard, of Sterling
Heights, Michigan, was recently
assigned to St. Paul’s
Lutheran Chapel as Assistant Pastor for Church Planting. This summer, Candidate Richard will be
ordained and installed and will begin his work in North
Liberty. He received his
Bachelor’s degree from Oakland University in Rochester,
MI before going on to study at Concordia
Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne,
Indiana. Candidate Richard
has specialized training in church planting, having studied also at the Church Planter
Assessment Center
in Chicago.
He is married to Renae, who is trained as a deaconess, and together they have a
ten-month old daughter, Alexandria.
A Number of
Denominations have Planted Churches in North Liberty.
How will this one be Different?
This church will be distinctively Lutheran. To that end, she
will be biblical and confessional, liturgical, sacramental, Christ-centered and
when conflict arises, she would be committed to the practice of biblical
reconciliation. In other words, she will look like her mother and her sisters!
How Can I Help?
St. Paul’s
pastor, Rev. W. Max Mons, notes, “We need our sister congregations to help us
and Candidate Richard in nearly every way imaginable. To be sure, we will need
financial support. But we also need people, especially those who are willing to
help us reach out to the community of North Liberty.
Perhaps there are people in our district who would be willing to be “deployed”
to North Liberty to help this congregation get
started.” Those wishing to help should contact Pastor Mons at 319-337-3652.
