Add an Article Add an Event Edit

Light of Christ Lutheran Church

3976 County Line Road South East
763-972-2400

Our Mission

Our mission statement serves as a guide:

"Lives Transformed through the Love and Light of Christ"

History of our Church

In the late 1960's several families in the Delano area were looking for a Lutheran alternative to the existing Wisconsin Synod congregation in the community. Interestingly enough, families from Rockford were thinking the same thing. A request was sent into the American Lutheran Church (ALC) offices and representatives were sent to hold joint meetings with the families from both communities. The result of these meetings was the start of a mission congregation with worship services being held in both Delano and Rockford. Pastor Manuel Johnson was called to lead this congregation and a parsonage was purchased in Delano. Under Pastor Johnson's leadership and the faithful commitment of the members the church grew and became an important voice in each community. When a member from Rockford donated acreage, a church building was constructed in Rockford and worship services were held only there.

In 1984, the people from Delano felt the need to have more of a presence in the Delano area. Pastor Johnson resigned to take another position and the congregation split into two churches. Each called a pastor and Light of Christ began. During those early years, worship services were held in the school and also at St Paul's United Church of Christ.

Through the ministry of Mission Builders, the first building was completed in 1987. As the congregation continued to grow, there was a need for additional worship space. On October 10, 1997, a new sanctuary was dedicated with a seating capacity of over 300 people.

Today, the congregation numbers just over 1000 members with 1/3 of these being youth and children. In the past three years, worship attendance has grown by 60% and recently the congregation was one of the 11 congregations in the Minneapolis Area Synod honored for their faithful, mission-orientated financial stewardship.

Over the last 20 years this community of faith in the west Minneapolis area, has grown to serve God in many ways. It has been dedciated to providing meaningful worship experiences, creating opportunities for famlies to grow together in faith, and to reaching outside its walls to bring the transformational love of Jesus Christ to all God's people. In recent years these efforts have experienced a renewed spirit and tremendous growth in participation.

Throughout its history God has indeed worked through the mission and ministry of Light of Christ Lutheran Church. Our mission statement "Lives transformed through the Love and Light of Christ", honors both the congreation's desire to be Christ-focused and mission directed.

Photos