Peyton, Colorado

New Horizons Lutheran Church Opens Up Into the Community

New Horizons Lutheran Church Opens Up Into the Community

Mission developer the Rev. Tim Singleton began canvassing during his first months in Peyton, Colorado, northeast of Colorado Springs, to generate interest in New Horizons Lutheran Church. Simultaneously in February 2006, Singleton, his wife, and three children moved into their new home and his wife searched for a job.

The ELCA's Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit paid Singleton's salary so that he could focus on getting to know the community and the people's ministry interests. Singleton distributed informational flyers and hosted a house gathering in this rapidly growing suburban area.

Three Mission Partners congregations in the Rocky Mountain Synod's Southeast Colorado Conference dedicated financial gifts to New Horizons. A congregation in Wyoming about to celebrate an anniversary announced that it will also contribute to New Horizons.

Singleton suggests that Mission Partners could pay the monthly rent—costing at least $800—for a year or two for mission congregations worshiping in school cafeterias and other rental facilities. Additional financial gifts, and prayers, would also be appreciated.

Singleton recommends that Mission Partners accompany mission congregations with the sense that “we succeed or fail together.” Congregation members might vote to form a task force, including the pastor, to provide consistent support, follow-through, communication, and education regarding the mission congregation. Bishops would encourage synod congregations to support the synod's missions.

Established congregations could provide moral support by sending members one Sunday at a time to worship with a mission congregation. Also, established congregations could publicize the mission congregation: We're going to be the ELCA church out here, and people need to know,” said Singleton.