NEW Ministry Partnership!

Pan da Vida (LCMS) Collocates with Family of God

Pan da Vida (Bread of Life) is a congregation of Hispanic Lutherans worshipping in their heart language, Spanish. This is a young and vibrant congregation, blessed with many children. Unlike most of our congregations, the average age is in the thirties. About 50 worship together on a typical Sunday.

Pan de Vida was formerly part of LATINO, located at the former West Bethlehem and recently at St. Stephens, both in Southwest Detroit. LATINO relocated its efforts out of Detroit to East Lansing, selling the West Bethlehem building about five years ago. The congregation collocated with St. Stephens, with Pastor Eddie Morales of Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church leading their worship. The plan was to joint call a Spanish speaking pastor with St. Stephens but after more than four years that did not occur. Pan da Vida needed a new start and Pastor Jim offered them that opportunity at Family of God.

They began their worship services in our building on March 10th and their service, which takes place from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, fits well with our 3:00pm service. Their worship style is LSB but in Spanish. Like the Luke 52 Project, this is a partnership and there is no lease or rent involved. Our hope is that our two ministries will begin to find ways to work together. Pastor Morales believes we can help them become more missional to the neighborhood while Pastor Jim believes they can reach parts of our community that we could never touch.

Along with worshipping on Sundays, another goal that we hope to reach with Pan de Vida is that they would join us for our midweek Bible studies and meals, eventually hosting their own events in the building during the week. We could not be more excited for this opportunity that God has given both ministries!

So, before you ask, we are already considering language training. Know any good tutors?

All our best,

Pastor Jim and Vicar Tyler