In 1996 Pastor Jan Case, Executive Assistant for Parish Ministries for the Southern District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, met with a group of Lutherans eager to start a mission congregation in eastern Slidell, Louisiana. The name which was chosen for the congregation was Lamb of God, perfect for a group of Christians gathering together to celebrate and share their hope in Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
The group began worshiping in the home of Pastor Case but soon grew beyond its capacity. Arrangements were made, through the graciousness of one of the members, to worship in the loft of his facility, Gymnastics Plus. From the perspective of the members of Lamb of God, the emphasis was on the Plus as they gathered to hear God's life-giving Word. However, the loft soon became too small and the congregation moved to the main floor, moving balance beams and other gymnastics equipment to the side and adding distraction reducing curtains every Sunday. At this time, an Adult Bible Class and Sunday School became an integral part of the Sunday morning schedule with classes being held anywhere and everywhere in the gym.
On those occasions when the gym was not available the congregation became mobile. This meant a few Sundays at the Ramada Inn and Osaka Japanese Sushi restaurant. Non-Sunday events in the life of the congregation were also held anywhere and everywhere. But all was done with a sense of being on a joyous adventure.
On May 18, 1997, the congregation reached its first milestone as it celebrated its Charter Sunday. Seventy-two individuals came forward to sign the Charter, a true indication that God was blessing the work of this young mission church. Shortly thereafter the congregation purchased five acres of land on Allen Road in eastern Slidell on which to plant this growing congregation and immediately began work on plans for a permanent worship facility there.
Throughout this period the congregation continued to be served by Pastor Case who retained his position with the District. Briefly, Pastor Case was assisted by seminary student Robert Lewis who was training to be a pastor through the Synod's DELTO program. In 1999 the congregation requested a Vicar to assist Pastor Case - a big step for the congregation as it headed toward its ultimate goal of a full-time pastor. The seminary responded by sending Vicar Stefan Wismar to serve the congregation. It was during the year of his vicarage that the growth in attendance demanded an additional service be added to accommodate the worshiping community. With Vicar Wismar's term coming to an end the congregation requested another Vicar. This request was answered with the arrival of Vicar Brandon Simoneaux in August of 2000. However, in November, 2000, Pastor Case unexpectedly received a call to serve as Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in New Orleans which he accepted. This was a big test for Lamb of God. However, through its maturity, exceptional lay leadership, Vicar Simoneaux's care, and guidance from Pastor Richard Meyer, a retired pastor/missionary and former Southern District President it met the test.
Throughout this time the Congregation continued its commitment made in 1996 to celebrate and share the hope found in Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. It continued to grow and thrive and in February of 2001 it celebrated another milestone as it broke ground at the Allen Road site preparing for the construction of its first permanent building. As Vicar Simoneaux's year drew to a close, the congregation numbered about 150 baptized souls and it faced its next milestone - the calling of its first full-time pastor. The congregation sent its call for a pastor to the seminaries, asking that it receive one of the Seminary candidates for the ministry. That call was given to and accepted by Stefan Wismar, whom had just a year ago served the congregation as Vicar. On June 17, 2001, Stefan Wismar was ordained and then installed as Pastor of Lamb of God Lutheran Church.
The summer of 2001 was exciting for Lamb of God for not only did it welcome Pastor Wismar but construction began on the new facility; not a sanctuary proper, but rather an all-purpose building with classrooms, offices, a meeting hall, and, of course, a kitchen for those famous Lutheran potluck dinners. On Ascension Sunday 2002, the congregation said good-bye to Gymnastics Plus and moved into the new facility at 57210 Allen Road. Later, on September 8, 2002, at a special service, the congregation dedicated the building.
The congregation continued to grow, adding seasonal worship services, fellowship events, Bible Studies, and youth activities. It also increased its outreach efforts and maintained its high level of support for mission projects. However, in August, 2005, Lamb of God’s momentum was challenged as water from the Hurricane Katrina tidal surge flooded the building. Two feet of wet walls, muck, and ruined contents were stripped from the building and replaced by new sheetrock, floors, paint, appliances, office equipment, and renewed commitment. Throughout the rebuilding, only one Sunday was “dark” - August 28, 2005, the day before the Hurricane struck and the day of the mandatory evacuation. On June 25, 2006, the revitalized facility was dedicated and the congregation celebrated the 5th. Anniversary of the Ordination and Installation of Pastor Wismar.
Since moving into 57210 Allen Road, the congregation has grown in many ways. It now serves 300 members and friends, sponsors a radio outreach program, owns an additional five acres of property purchased for future growth, has rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina, has partnered with the Southern District and Lutheran Social Services to sponsor a disaster relief camp for Katrina workers, and has committed itself to an aggressive campaign to raise funds to build its Sanctuary. It has been a short but blessed life for this congregation.
Lamb of God congregation has come a long way since it’s beginning as just a few people meeting in a home sharing a faith that God would bless their mission. God has truly blessed Lamb of God’s commitment to fulfill the great commission to make disciples of all nations. In Acts 1:1 Luke writes, "In my former book Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach." Indeed! Lamb of God Lutheran Church is evidence that Jesus continues to do and to teach as He brings people into his Church through the sharing of His Good News.
