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: (610) 278-7336 |
Debbie Perez
Coordinator for Evangelical Outreach
Contact: (610) 278-9400, ext. 112 |
Upcoming Related Events
Related News
ELCA ads: "God's Work. Our Hands."
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is adding television to a pilot advertising campaign with the tag line, "God's work. Our hands." The Travel Channel is broadcasting two 30-second spots a total of about 60 times from Sept. 29 through Oct. 12 on cable and satellite television.
Sign up now for 2008 Mission Fair
There's still time to align your ministry with God's dreams at the 2008 Mission Fair. Registration ends Oct. 3. Don't miss this opportunity to explore your missional potential with author and outreach expert Dave Daubert at the Oct. 18 event at St. Matthew, Springfield.
Mission Fair offers practical ideas to renew your congregation
The Holy Spirit is m o v i n g across the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. God has great dreams for our community and our world. How can we, as Lutherans in Southeastern Pennsylvania, be more effective in helping those dreams come true? We'll start figuring this out together at the 2008 Mission Fair on Saturday, Oct. 18 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Springfield. Our time will be practical, interactive, and spiritual as we explore what we can do to connect God's reign with our time and our neighborhoods.
Practicing God's dream ... now!
God has great dreams for our community and our world. How can we, as Lutherans in Southeastern Pennsylvania, be more effective in helping those dreams come true? We'll start figuring this out together at the 2008 Mission Fair on Saturday, Oct. 18 at St. Matthew's, Springfield.
Practicing God's dream...now!
Dave Daubert and Brian Metke will lead the Synod's annual Mission Fair -- "Practicing God's dream...now!" -- Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Springfield.
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Synod News
Help avert humanitarian disaster in Zimbabwe
The ELCA is sending $600,000 to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe to help sustain the ministries of four hospitals in the midst of economic, political and social decline that has taken a disastrous toll on the country's food supply and medical institutions. The ELCA is also sending more than $300,000 to help secure food production. Learn more about how to help the ELCA International Disaster Relief.
Synod office construction project delayed
The construction of new offices for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran church in America (ELCA) on the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) campus is temporarily on hold due to the recent economic downturn. In the meantime, the seminary and synod are negotiating rent-free office space in another campus building, the Wiedemann Center, until the project can be resumed. The move into this temporary space is projected for early January.