HOUSTON—First Lutheran Church, El Cajon, Calif., was recognized July 14 during the national convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for its exemplary leadership in church planting.
The 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is meeting July 10-17 at the George R. Brown Convention Center under the theme “ONE People—Forgiven.” Among the approximately 3,000 participants are some 1,200 clergy and lay voting delegates.
During the convention, congregations excelling in any of three mission and ministry emphases were recognized. The three emphases are revitalization of existing congregations, planting new mission congregations and enhanced focus on time, talent and treasure.
Dr. Yohannes Mengsteab, national director of New Mission Field Development for LCMS World Mission, presented the award to Rev. Aaron Unseth and Cliff Albert of First Lutheran Church.
Although it has just 375 members, First Lutheran is one of 203 congregations that committed themselves, under God’s blessing, to plant three or four new congregations by 2017. Of those 203 covenant congregations, First Lutheran is the only congregation to plant three new congregations since 2008. In addition, the congregation has freed its senior pastor, Dr. Scott Rische, to serve as an apostolic missionary to accomplish the vision of planting 20 mission congregations in Southern California by 2017.
Posted July 14, 2010
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