Mission

According to Scripture, all members of Christ’s church are called to be missionaries … called and sent out by Jesus to transform the world in the mission field of life … family, work, “glocal” (local to global), and church gathering. Thus at Hope Lutheran, we hope to train all according to Acts 1:8 to be missionaries: in “Jerusalem” (near home), “Judea” (a bit further out), “Samaria” (still further out), and to ends of the earth. Jesus calls us to bring his rule reign redemption and resurrection power to bear on people, problems and places of our broken world. In addition to ongoing spiritual growth, discipleship and training efforts, Hope has hosted mission summits with guest speakers such as Rev. Dr. Gemechis Buba (Assistant to the Bishop of the North American Lutheran Church) and Rev. Mark Vander Tuig.

For many years, our youth engaged in short term mission endeavors, transforming and serving the world.

Pastor Wendy is President of Call Inc., a non-profit teaching and discipleship mission dedicated to mobilizing ordinary people called by Jesus to “incorporate” His call into all of life … family, work, “glocal” (local to global) and the gathering of believers. In other words, Call Inc. is about training ordinary people for mission in all of life.  Pastors Wendy and Joel are founders of the mission along with longtime members of Hope Lutheran before moving.

For many years, Hope Lutheran has actively participated in various missions of Cedar Hill, particularly the Cedar Hill Food Pantry and the Transformation Vision of Cedar Hill. For many years, Pastors Joel and Wendy with other Cedar Hill leaders and citizens have prayed weekly with the Cedar Hill leadership at schools, fire stations, police stations, the chamber of commerce, businesses, government entities, and churches. For many years, Pastor Joel has served as the chaplain of the Cedar Hill fire department.

For years, we have devoted our resources, building, words and deeds towards Jesus’ mission: the transformation and salvation of the world.  Towards that end:

  • Hope Lutheran believes that its building is a gift from God and can be graciously used to further other kingdom, mission and community efforts beyond Hope Lutheran. Two other churches have been housed in our building: Rock of Faith Family Church and Thanksgiving Tabernacle (Rev. Edsel Dureus). Several community groups have met in our building including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. All of these help reflect both the mission of Jesus and the ethnic diversity of our area.
  • Hope Lutheran financially supports many mission endeavors … local and global, giving a tithe (10-20%) of its budget towards mission efforts! During the Sunday morning offering, a gift may be given at any time to these missionaries and mission efforts by clearly designating the gift to these missionaries; then, the gift will be sent to the appropriate missionary or mission. Here is a sampling of missions we regularly support in both our budget and through extra mission offerings and efforts: individual giving, fundraising efforts or with special offerings:
  1. North American Lutheran Church
  2. Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ
  3. Victor and Sara Gaultney (members of Hope): Wycliffe Bible Translators.
  4. Jay and Sara Gerhart (Leadership Training in Southern Africa)
  5. Louis & Jane Falstich, also with Wycliffe Bible Translators, serving in Vanuatu.