About Our Ministry

1994 – John Kleindienst and August Gewecke approached N.J. District Presi-dent Dr. Donald Sandman re the possibility of sponsoring a mission in north-western N.J. or in Milford, Pa. This was deemed a good idea by the N.J. Dis-trict.

1995 – Rev. Edward Grant pastor of Family of Faith Lutheran Church in Mid-dletown, N.Y., agreed to assist the group in development of the mission.

1996 – Ad placed in Milford Gazette seeking interested parties to join this ef-fort. There was some response. Ed Ibold a Lay Leader and a graduate from the N.J. District Learners and Leaders Program joined our group. Ed Ibold became the mission’s point person in the area.

1997 – In April 1997 a name was chosen for the mission: Tri-State Lutheran Fellowship (TSLF). The mission operated as an outreach of Redeemer Lu-theran Church, Newton, N.J. reporting to the Redeemer Board of Directors Evangelism Commission. All offerings and expenses were handled through Redeemer. In 1997 several community outreach events and activities were held. The first worship service was held on Sunday October 12, 1997 at 5:00 PM at the Sun-shine Station Day Care Center. A bible study was held after the worship serv-ice. In October 1997 TSLF received a $5,000 grant from The Christian Heritage Endowment Fund Board of Trustees given through the N.J. District Board of Directors. This gift was used to support Pastor Grant’s ministry as part-time mission developer.

1998 – In spring of 1998 the mission relocated to the annex of the Tom Quick Restaurant located in Milford, Pa. Worship services were held at 8:00 AM Sunday morning led by Pastor Grant. A telephone was added for reasons of accessibility to the mission. The Congregation Outreach Council of the N.J. District assisted TSLF with a shared ministry grant of $15,000. Pastor Grant conducted a week day “Sunday School” at the Sunshine Station and held a six week evening seminar for singles. Post card mailings were sent to the surrounding communities.

1999 – Confirmation instructions were held by Ed Ibold and TSLF had its first confirmation class of two. Pastor Baked confirmed the two children. Pastor Grant performed one baptism during this time. Tri-State mission had a series of supporting Pastors during this next period who chiefly conducted Sunday wor-ship. In March of 1999 LCMS N.J. District Shared Ministry Grant was received in amount of $9,000. LWML N.J. District gifted $1,000 in Mite Box offerings to Tri-State. Many other offerings were made to TSLF by individuals in addition to our own offerings.

2000 – Pastor Robert Klemm started his ministry at TSLF in April of 2000. In November, 2000 TSLF moved to Montague, N.J. Grange Hall. Pastor Klemm held communion classes and one member of the class was baptized. Teen bible study was held as well as adult bible study on Sunday morning. The mission received $7,500 from the N.J. District Shared Ministry Grant in March. TSLF worshiped at the Montague Grange until 2005.

2005 – September 2005 worship again was at the Sunshine Station, Milford, Pa. Pastor Klemm left ministry with the mission in December 2005.

2006 – January 2006 John Babbitts, Jr., status “Wichita Deacon”, began con-ducting services and leading the mission activities. November 2006 seminar with Martin Barlau, Director of Open Arms Institute. Group decided to work toward opening an Open Arms Child Development Center. Sunday School started in September. VBS held in August. Sunday morning adult Bible class reinstituted.

2007 - Name of mission changed to Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Milford, Pa. Social events were held for congregational fellowship from time to time. Located property in Dingmans Township with 18 acres of land to purchase for Open Arms Center/Worship Center. Collection of items for Lutheran Social Ministries of N.J. in spring and fall. Newsletter started. VBS held in August. Autism seminar/workshop held with view to assist families in our area with handicapped children. Mission Statement composed. Vision Statement composed. Committee formed to write a constitution for the congregation in June. Committee formed to develop a business plan for the Open Arms Center. Constitution approved at the October 9, 2007 meeting of N.J. District Board of Directors., LCMS. Election of officers to the Board of Directors of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Milford, Pa. effective January 1, 2008.