It’s About Multiplication
Holy Spirit Lutheran and Lord of Life, Fairfax, Virginia

“Can we do something together with God’s blessing?” That was the question asked by Pastor Ronald Qualley and other members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Fairfax, Virginia, when they first met with the interim pastor and council of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, ten miles away. Holy Spirit had been struggling to grow for almost eighteen years, but now was ready to close its doors.

Lord of Life stepped forward to propose a multi-site concept – one congregation in two locations - and held a congregational meeting for its members. Nearly ninety percent voted in favor of forming a Lord of Life West site. “I have been praying for a miracle to come so we wouldn’t have to give up,” said one of Holy Spirit’s members. “I believe I’ve seen one happen now in our midst.”

“Let’s Make It Happen” committees were formed to deal with the details of launching the new site, such as finances, governance, and fellowship groups. Pastor Qualley reports that the goal was “how to make this ministry a model for alternative mission development.” He adds, “Lord of Life is to be a place where God is seen, love is felt, and lives are changed.”

Five years later, Lord of Life, East and West, are going strong. One large staff, consisting of two full-time pastors, two part-time pastors, an administrator, a youth director, an education director, a director of music, and support personnel, is responsible for both sites. The Parish Leadership Council oversees both locations with one administration and one budget. One long time member put it this way, “I just see this as another worship offering but at another site. Why wouldn’t we do it?”

With five weekend worship services, it is a challenge to build unity within the church family. Ministry opportunities have provided a bridge for that. In Lent of 2006, both sites joined together in a program called “Purpose Driven Community,” where 150 people gathered in small groups. A joint community project was conducted with youth and adults working together to build a nature trail for a school for special needs youth. Joint youth retreats and programs are the greatest assets in building strong fellowship with two sites.

Groundbreaking was held for Lord of Life West’s seven-million-dollar building in the winter of 2006. Currently worship is held in a high school gymnasium. In a capital fund drive, 1.2 million dollars in pledges was raised from Lord of Life members. With the support of Ruben Duran, churchwide director for new congregational development, a loan was secured through the Mission Investment Fund.

Both sites are active in outreach. The new building will include a youth center and a drama center. Lord of Life East already has a pre-school and also the Shepherd Center for senior citizens. The congregation reaches out to its neighborhood with English-as-a- Second-Language classes, housing assistance for abused women and families, and a hypothermia center for the needy in the community in the winter. Members have worked with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild fifteen houses in hurricane-ravaged Biloxi, Mississippi. Lord of Life is also actively serving the poor in Haiti. Several times a year, member teams visit schools and orphanages supported by the congregation to paint, repair, build, and teach. The words of St. Francis are a motto for Lord of Life. “Preach Christ. If necessary, use words.”

Lord of Life will host a national conference on the multi-site concept April 15-17, 2007.
Pastor Qualley describes the purpose of the conference: “It is difficult to begin new mission sites in our present model of a developer pastor sent to gather a large enough mass of people that can afford to buy land, build a facility, and have money to provide programming. A larger congregation can see its mission as a church serving multiple sites.” Christians throughout North America are invited to learn more about this successful strategy for spreading the love of Jesus Christ. For more information, visit www.lordoflifelutheran.com