Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Minn., lives its mission statement: “Serve Christ by Sharing God’s Love.”
When they built a new addition four years ago, they invited the community to use the new facilities at no cost. “Part of our addition is a gym/Christian Life Center, so we have basketball practices quite often in there,” said Pastor Lynn Ronsberg, ’79. Zion also invites the community to come to their weekly Wednesday night meals.
“We’ve had about 50 people each week. Some now want to help with the meals–running the dishwasher, serving, cleaning,” Ronsberg said. Zion’s members keep an eye out for the regulars, expressing concern if they haven’t shown up in a while.
Zion also keeps a clothes closet that is open on Thursdays with free clothes for those who need them, and has offered its space for the start up of the Grand Rapids Homeless Shelter.