Executive Directors Report
Mission Awareness Training
These trainings consist of a six-week training for
lay leaders, as well as clergy, of interested
congregations. This training inspires its participants with a fresh vision for doing mission work in their own neighborhood. DVD and power-point presentations present a fresh vision for mission work in our communities. Since the beginning of Agora, sixty congregations in various ELCA synods have participated in having Mission Awareness Training in their congregations. In 2008, five congregations plus three community congregations received the training. Members from First Lutheran in Crystal, House of Hope in New Hope, Central Lutheran in Minneapolis, and St. Paul’s Lutheran in Minnetonka have completed the six-week Mission Awareness Training. St. Stephen’s Lutheran in West St. Paul, Grace Lutheran in East St. Paul, and Christ Lutheran in Faribault have completed the training.
Worship Partnership
Agora has been blessed during 2008. Its ministry
has expanded beyond the boundaries of Minneapolis
and now goes into the St. Paul Synod as well as
into other synods in Minnesota. A number of
new worshipping communities have begun.
First Lutheran in Crystal partners with
a Liberian worshipping community, Central
Lutheran in Minneapolis partners with an
Ivory Coast worshipping community, and
St. Paul’s Lutheran in Minnetonka partners
with a Hispanic worshipping community.
Mission Centers
It is exciting to see congregations
become centers for global and local
missions when they establish partnerships
with newer worshipping communities.
Agora brings mission opportunities into
existing church buildings.
Discipleship Academy
Agora’s Discipleship Academy is a place where the
west meets east, north and south. People from diverse
Christian backgrounds study together and delve into and dialogue about Biblical truths and the commonalities of different Christian faith traditions. The Academy is a place to experience the beauty and excitement of the unity of the Global Christian community. The curriculum is designed to be a flexible
three-year course which includes Bible study, church history, spiritual practices, preparation for preach-ing and elements of the healing ministry. This year twenty individuals have completed the Discipleship
Academy. Classes met every other Saturday, September through April, at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis
A Glimpse of Heaven
Agora has a rich history of gathering
people together into worship and celebration.
The diverse Cultures of the nations
celebrated the Pentecost at First Lutheran,
Crystal, and Christmas of Nations at Atonement Lutheran,
Bloomington, witnessed a glimpse of heaven.
Agora Sunday and Adult Forum
Congregations enjoy and experience a mini Pentecost in their congregations during an Agora Sunday Celebration as well as get a fresh vision formission work during an Adult Forum. The followingcongregations participated: House of Hope in New Hope; Christ Lutheran of Faribault; St. Stephen’s in Bloomington; Cross of Glory in Brooklyn Center; Long Lake Lutheran; First Lutheran of Crystal; Holy Nativity in New Hope; Faith Lutheran in Forest Lake; Grace Lutheran of St. Paul; Roseville Lutheran; Immanuel Lutheran in St. Paul; Lake Nokomis Lutheran and Central Lutheran in Minneapolis; St. Stephen’s Lutheran in West St. Paul; and Bethel Lutheran of Northfield.
Agora Annual Seminar
Dr. Craig van Gelder led the annual
Agora Seminar at Calvary Lutheran
Church in Golden Valley this past
October. The Seminar was well
attended by representatives from
many congregations as well as
community leadership.
My Gratitude
Agora’s assistant, Marilyn Erickson, moved on from Agora to her next
passion. Now Emmanuel Lamptey from Ghana is assisting to support Agora’s ministry. He is a wonderful support and strength in the ministry. I thank each of the dedicated board members and teams behind Agora’s successful programs. Their dedication and passion for our Lord and His Church is amazing and always encouraging. The strong faith of many community leaders is also an inspiration to me and others. There are about twenty-five congregations and more than three hundred regular supporters for Agora’s ministry. They are the people who make ministry happen at Agora. I remember all of these people, in addition to those we serve, in my prayer.