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Stories from around the synod God Speaks All Languages: The Story of the formation of Central States Synod’s Mandarin speaking congregation - The Chinese Lutheran Church of St. Louis. In the late 1990’s the Division for Outreach of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) targeted the growing Asian population in St. Louis as a potential mission field. It had the vision of developing an Asian community of the ELCA, active in ministry, using God’s gifts of culture, language, and heritage to share God’s love in a multicultural world. Reverend Len Dale, Mission Director for the Central States Synod, and representatives of the ELCA Metro St. Louis Coalition interviewed several candidates to develop such a new mission. Reverend Daniel Chong was selected and called to come to St. Louis from Malaysia in August of 1999 to start this new mission. Pastor Chong lived with Pastor William Yancey of Bethel Lutheran Church in University City and his wife, Valerie, for three months as he got to know local church leaders, looked for housing for his family, a car, and a potential church site. A number of ELCA congregations pledged assistance including office space at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Clayton and the use of the former worship sanctuary of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Creve Coeur, located in a western suburb of St. Louis and near a sizable Asian population. Worship services started in 2000. Pastor Chong also initiated the formation of Lutheran Asian Ministry (LAM), a group of local clergy and lay leaders. LAM served as a practical and cultural bridge between the St. Louis community and this new ministry. It also helped to fill the gap between the start of the ministry and its development into a fully recognized congregation of the ELCA. Pastor Chong met regularly with LAM for updates and fellowship. There were also many excellent Chinese meals along the way. Starting any new church is difficult, but starting one in a foreign land among people from a number of foreign lands is especially challenging. There were many language, cultural and religious barriers to overcome. Many people knew very little about Christianity and what it means to be part of a church. Many were struggling to make a new life in a new culture while tending to families left behind half a world away. From the very beginning Pastor Chong and those involved in this ministry have demonstrated a keen awareness and deep commitment to community service in the name of Jesus Christ. One of the first projects was starting an “English as a Second Language” Program, enlisting people from local congregations, including St. Thomas/Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, to assist in teaching English as well as developing friendships with the participants. Another community service project LAM helped facilitate was establishing a 5,000 volume Chinese language library, which is now permanently housed in the St. Louis County Public Library for use by entire community. Since its formation, worship attendance has gradually increased, leaders have been identified, a church council formed, and a name chosen – The Chinese Lutheran Church in St. Louis (CLC). Plans are underway to recognize and celebrate CLC as an official ELCA congregation at the 2008 Central States Synod Assembly at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis in June, 2008. When conversation started in the St. Louis region about developing a new mission in St. Charles, MO, Pastor Chong and his congregation were invited to participate. Not surprisingly, they enthusiastically agreed. The Metro St. Louis ELCA Coalition, the Reformed Church in America (RCA), the St. Charles Cluster of ELCA congregations and LAM are partnering in providing staff, financial and other support for a new mission. The vision is that this mission will be multicultural, multilingual, multiplying and multi-denominational. Lutheran Asian Ministry/Chinese Lutheran Church is tithing their support. They’ve committed 10% of their annual budget in 2007-2008 for this new ministry. Thank you for your congregation’s support of this new congregation in the Central States Synod, ELCA. Thank you also to all those who provide seed money, including the Lutheran Asian Ministry/Chinese Lutheran Church, to start new missions. Terry Moore, Diaconal Minister “Your
word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 |