| Mission
Statement of Shepherd of the Hills
As God's Children, the Holy Spirit has called us
together to glorify God.
We will strive to be a congregation where all
people will be strengthened by Word and Sacrament for Mission and
Ministry. We will share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people,
conveying God's redeeming love, forgiveness and compassion. In our
individual ministries we will pursue excellence and remain open and
flexible in meeting the changing needs of the church, the community and
the world.
Therefore, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit
ourselves to regular worship in this community of faith. We pledge
ourselves in supporting the mission of Christ in this community and
throughout the world through Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church and
the worldwide Lutheran family through our offerings of time, talent and
treasure - signs of God's gracious love.
Staff
Pastor: Darryl Kiehl, Ph.D.
Intern: Vicar Naomi Olson
Our History
In 1980 the American Lutheran Church began
exploring the possibility of forming a new congregation in north Shelby
County. In October of 1987 the Reverand Jeffery Alvestad was called by
the ALC as Pastor/Developer and assigned to survey an area roughly
bordered by Interstate 459 and Interstate 65. After making over 4000
door to door visits, the decision was made by the newly formed
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to proceed with the formation of
a new Lutheran congregation.
In January of 1989 the 5 acre building site was
purchased through the generosity of our mission partner Nazareth
Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. On the occasion of the official
organization and incorporation of Shepherd of the Hills, Pastor Jeffery
Alvestad was called as Founding Pastor and installed on June 10, 1990.
In December of 1992 the congregation was approved
by the ELCA to begin the building process. Construction of the church
facility began in September of 1994 with many hours of labor donated by
congregation members and the ELCA Mission Builders, led by Project
Manager Paul Kinsey. The congregation began worship in the new church on
Palm Sunday, April 9, 1995 with the Service of Dedication held on May
14, 1995. |
