You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. – Acts 1:8
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod has a long history as a "mission synod," with an emphasis on planting, revitalizing and transforming the Church. That focus continues into the 21st Century, because with declining church participation and an increasingly diverse and young population, the entire five-county area is a "mission field."
Evangelical Outreach encompasses a variety of ministries that focus on developing discipleship and passionate spirituality among Lutherans and sharing the Gospel with our neighbors. Ministries include:
- Developing and supporting new mission congregations
- Transformational ministry and leadership
- Evangelism
Plant and revitalize the Church
Together we plant and nurture new congregations and tend to the healthy revitalization of existing churches.
Church planting -- With the support of the national church we start new ministries to reach underserved populations and minister to the diverse cultural groups God has blessed us with in the five-county Philadelphia area. Among our mission fields under development are four churches serving African nationals. In recent years congregations serving the Deaf, African-Americans, Latinos, and growing suburban areas have been started.
Transformational Ministry – We are developing a strategy and a Transformational Ministry Team to build our capacity for resilience and healthy change in order to help at-risk congregations turn around and to help healthy congregations stay that way.
Mission Fair and other major events
Each year we bring in thought-provoking speakers and practitioners to help our congregations and leaders keep their eyes on the horizon of our changing culture and context for ministry. Recent speakers have included Brian McLaren, Jim Kitchens, Nate Frambach, and Stephen Bouman as well as local practitioners.
Learn more about the 2008 Mission Fair, featuring Dave Daubert, to be held Saturday, Oct. 18!
Staff
The Rev. Patricia Davenport
Assistant to the Bishop for Evangelical Outreach and Mission Director
Pastor Pat Davenport works with new mission congregations as the deployed Mission Director for our synod, as well as redevelopment and congregational revitalization, evangelism, and transformational ministry. She also relates to the Central Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, and Northwest/Olney conferences.
Contact: 267.323.3746 |
Debbie Perez
Coordinator for Evangelical Outreach
Contact: 267.323.3752 |
Upcoming Related Events
Related News
Build an inclusive church training
Lutherans Concerned/North America and the Institute for Welcoming Resources will sponsor "Building an Inclusive Church Training" on November 19-21 at University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation in Philadelphia. Join the growing list of committed Christians who are working together across North America to foster the expansion of the welcoming church movement!
Transformational Ministry training June 18-19
Does your congregation have a willingness to learn more about God's mission for you? Are you experiencing a plateau, or do you want to renew your vision and sense of mission? If this sounds like your congregation, and you are open to honest self-evaluation and accountability, the Synod's Transformational Ministry Process may be for you. The first module training is provided by the SEPA Evangelical Outreach Team on June 18-19 (5:30 pm-10 pm and 8:30 am-8:30 pm) to be held at St. Paul's, Glenside.
Invitation to Transformational Ministry
Does your congregation have a willingness to learn more about God's mission for you? Are you experiencing a plateau, or do you want to renew your vision and sense of mission? If this sounds like your congregation, and you are open to honest self-evaluation and accountability, the Synod's Transformational Ministry Process may be for you. Click to read on for more information and download a brochure.
The Welcome Church installs pastor
The Welcome Center, a new church without walls in Center City that extends a special welcome to people experiencing homelessness, installed the Rev. Violet Little as pastor on Sunday afternoon in Rittenhouse Park.
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