Last Tuesday, Sojourners Christian Church (formerly South Joplin Christian Church) closed on the purchase of the Peace Lutheran Church property located at 3100 N. Saint Louis Ave. in Joplin where we have been renting for slightly over a year. As part of the negotiations, Peace Lutheran has rent-free access to the property for the duration of 25 years, so our partnership continues in a new way as we assume management of the facility and about ten acres of land.

To mark the occasion and to pledge ongoing collaboration in ministry and mission, we held a joint worship service on June 16 with Bishop Susan Candea preaching and Rev. Ron Routledge leading the Litany of Unity in Collaboration and presiding at the Table.

While not a merger, our two congregations are committed to working together to be good stewards of the resources available in this property and to further the mission of radical welcome and acceptance in the Joplin community.

Peace Lutheran Church (ELCA) is pastored by Rev. Rich Gates, now also a part-time synod associate in their Kansas City offices. Their congregation averages about 15 at their 9:30 am Sunday service and Sojourners averages about 60 at our 10:45 am service.

Thanks to Sojourners’ CC Pastor Rev. Dr. Colleen Carroll
for this information and photos.