Lutherans reaching out to community

The volunteers help congregations revitalize and expand ministries.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- Victory Lutheran Church is looking within and without for ways to bolster its congregation.
And the Rev. Hosea Ekong, the 14th pastor of the church who has served since 1998, said Victory is doing what it can in the church along with reaching out into the community.
Victory Lutheran and Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Canfield are partnering in a ministry to provide a free hot breakfast on the fourth Saturday of the month to people in need.
On a larger scope, Victory has sought input from Harvesters for Christ, a project of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Missions based in St. Louis, whose goal it is "to begin, revitalize, enhance or expand" the ministry of congregations.
Three volunteers with Harvesters, John and Carol Matern and Sam Wrice, arrived at Victory on May 26 and will stay until Friday.
"Our main concern is sharing the message with congregations that Jesus loves us and he suffered the Crucifixion for our salvation," John Matern said. "We want to show how to share your faith in your life."
Workshops
From that standpoint, the Harvesters are presenting workshops for church members on attracting new members and showing their faith. Victory Lutheran along with St. Mark Lutheran Church in Boardman and Concordia Lutheran Church are participating in the programs by the Harvesters.
"If we don't have the membership, it affects everything and our ability to share Christ," said the Rev. Mr. Ekong, who noted the membership is at about 50 and many are retired and older people. "Our membership has been dwindling. We would like to get new members into the church."
The Harvesters are helping by teaching church members how to go about prayer canvassing and presenting workshops on how to interest people in your church, using the talents of church members, sharing faith and building relationships.
"We're going out in a two- or three-block area around the church and taking prayer requests," said Mr. Ekong, adding they also leave fliers on church activities. That's the means to acquaint neighborhood residents with the church, which has been at its current location at 2110 Glenwood Ave. since 2000.
"We're here to stay and are part of the community," Mr. Ekong said.
History
The church history starts at McGuffey Theater, where the congregation first met in 1946, moving to a member's home on Myra Avenue from 1947-48 and then to a school building on Wardle Avenue in 1948. The church was known as Peace Lutheran in 1948-51 then changed its name in 1951 when it occupied a building on the corner of High and Edward streets.
From 1960 to 2000, the church was on Breaden Street.
"It's also a challenge because there is a transient population," Mr. Ekong said.
John Matern noted that the Harvesters' role is to "plant the seed" and added, "Nothing happens if you do nothing."
Victory is taking an active role in directing its own destiny. The groundwork for its community outreach began in 1982 when Leotha Arnold, a charter member, was instrumental in starting a food and clothing outreach.
"We see a lot of senior citizens and children," Mr. Ekong said. "But now we're seeing more middle-class people because of the economy."
The free breakfast, which is from 9 to 11 a.m. the fourth Saturday of the month, is open to all. Those attending can start the day off with a homemade breakfast, get a bag of groceries to help out at the end of the month, and find clothes if they need them. "There was a need in the community for this," Mr. Ekong said.
Residents in the ZIP codes of 44502, 44507 and 44511 may receive groceries; other churches and food banks cover other areas.
After-school program
The church also offers an after-school program from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, which is a source of pride and accomplishment for Mr. Ekong. Some 20 at-risk children in second and third grades participate under the direction of a certified teacher.
The children, mostly from Cleveland Elementary School, are tutored in math and reading, work on computers and participate in arts and crafts. Lord of Life church also assists with this venture, which follows the school calendar.
"As for volunteers, we get them where we can find them," Mr. Ekong said, adding they have retired professionals, teachers and Youngstown State University students.
The children arrive at the church by bus and have a light snack and dinner.
Mr. Ekong said this outreach is another way for the church to attract interest. If the children are involved, they might stay that way and also draw their parents.
"I think we're making a difference in their lives. It is an opportunity to help them," the pastor said. "The younger people are the future of our church."
The church will offer a vacation Bible school, an Army adventure camp, from 5 to 8 p.m. June 19-23 for participants from ages 4 to 14.
Other duties
In addition to Mr. Ekong's duties at Victory, he also conducts some services at Concordia Lutheran Church, which is without a pastor at this time, and he helps at St. Mark Lutheran, which has an interim pastor.
"It's a priesthood of believers. All members of the congregation have a divine commission," he said. "Any member can be called to serve the church and share the word. That has to happen. ...One person finds one person and shares the ministry."
Born in Nigeria, Mr. Ekong ended up in the same calling as his father, who also was a Lutheran minister. "I kind of stumbled into it," he said.
He graduated in 1999 from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis; Victory is his first pastorate. Before answering the call to the ministry, he worked in materials management for a large nursing home in the Cleveland area, where his family lived. Mr. Ekong and his wife, Lillie, have two adult children and three grandchildren.