About Us

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SHEPHERD BY THE LAKES LUTHERAN CHURCH

Beginning as a mission effort by the Mission Action Council of the Kendallville Circuit, the first service of the group of Christians that would grow to be called the congregation of Shepherd by the Lakes Lutheran Church was held in the Community Hall in North Webster on June 7, 1992. Pastor David Mommens of St John Lutheran Church in Columbia City proclaimed the Word at this first service. The congregation was received into membership of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod on October 16, 1994, with Pastor Raymond Mueller being installed on October 23, 1994. The land for the present church site was purchased in December 1994, with ground breaking for a sanctuary on November 16, 1997. The cornerstone was laid on September 13, 1998 and the church was dedicated on November 15, 1998. Pastor Paul Kienker was installed at Shepherd on July 8, 2001, and Pastor Jerry Winegarden was installed on August 3, 2003.

In the fall of 2008 the foundation was laid for a new sanctuary and classroom addition. On March 17, 2009 the construction from the ‘ground up’ began, with the sanctuary and classrooms being dedicated on July 26, 2009 to God’s glory.

From an initial congregation of 9 saints, the congregation has grown by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to a roll of 145 baptized believers in Christ, with 116 of those communicants.

Welcome New Member Tri-Fold 2.pdf