MISSION STATEMENT
Faith Lutheran Church is a community of God’s people centered in Christ and called together in love to welcome everyone, to make disciples, to grow in faith, and to serve all people.
A HISTORY OF FAITHFaith Evangelical Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Lutheran Church in America-formerly-of the
Augustana Synod.
The first'' worship service was celebrated by Pastor Elmore Carlson (then serving Trinity Lutheran in Nampa) in the I.O.O.F. Hall on October 17, 1954.
In June of 1955 Leonard Dalberg, an Intern from Augustana Seminary at Rock Island Illinois, arrived in Caldwell to assist in developing the congregation.
August of 1955 saw the place of worship moved to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the Sunday School organized.
On December 4,1955, Faith Lutheran Church was officially organized with 48 adults and 18 children. The Charter Roll was closed March 25, 1956, with 100 adults and children.
Following his ordination in June of 1956, Leonard E. Dalberg was called as the first Pastor of the Congregation
Construction of the church was begun June 25, 1956, the cornerstone was laid on August 26, 1956 and the Service of Dedication was held October 28, 1956.
Groundbreaking for the parsonage was held in January of 1957, with Dedication the following June.
The year of 1960 was known for the planning construction and dedication of the Educational Wing of the church.. Groundbreaking was held June 26, 1960 and the dedication of that new addition was held on the fifth Anniversary of the church, December 4, 1960.
In all the building activity of the Congregation, has resulted in our fine facility at a minimum cost. Present value of land, building, and furnishing and equipment now exceeds $100,000.00. The availability' of construction loans from the Board of American Missions made visible the reality of our church early in its history. We are indeed grateful for the church's investment and confidence in the ministry that has been ours in Caldwell.
In February of 1961, Pastor Charles M. Gunnerson came to serve as the second Shepherd of Faith Lutheran. In the eight years that characterized his ministry Faith Church experienced both numerical growth and christian maturation.
In the fall of 1968 a call was issued to Pastor Leon Collins, a recent graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and he was installed as the third pastor of Faith Lutheran on September 8, 1968.
On August 1, 1971 Faith Church entered into a whole new phase of life, for on that date the membership of the Church voted to enter into an arrangement wherein it would share a common building complex with the congregation of Treasure Valley Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The plan included the addition of a sanctuary and office complex and the remodeling of the existing building to meet the varied needs of both congregations. Groundbreaking ceremonies- for the expanded building complex was celebrated on September 26 and construction began immediately. The total building complex was completed and dedicated prior to Easter of 1971. We pay tribute to the goodly number of God's people who undertook in Faith to establish our congregation. We give thanks to God for those who have endured over the years to maintain and upbuild the family of Faith and to make vocal and visible the Gospel - of Jesus Christ in Caldwell. We look to the future with great confidence that God will continue to bless our congregation as we seek further to minister to the needs of the community of Caldwell and to the world.
The Easter People
Therefore, If any one Is In Christ, he Is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
The theme of our directory is "Strengthening the Ties that Bind." As you meet our Faith family, may you see not a collection of faces, but one family joined together in the dedicated service of "Being sent." As a family, we look forward to including your unique and individual talents which will strengthen our churches passion and vision for God's work. We enthusiastically welcome you to our church family and give thanks to God for the many members, both present and past, and recognize their love and dedication to service. May the Lord richly bless us as He "Sends us," empowered and equipped, into His fields which are still ripe for harvest.
Remember, whatever we do, we do in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be all honor, praise and glory, both now and forever. AMEN. Yours in Christ, Pastor Bob