History

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was organized on May 14, 1967 by mission-developer Stanley Rogge. The congregation initially met in a storefront on the Fayetteville Square until a more permanent church location could be found. Property was purchased at the corner of Old Missouri Road and Rolling Hills Boulevard. Groundbreaking for the first unity of the church was on March 2, 1969. What we now call the Fellowship Hall served as the first sanctuary. A few classrooms and a kitchen (now the church office area) were also built at this time.

The congregation continued to grow and we added a 200-seat sanctuary in the fall of 1990.A pipe organ was added at this time as well. The current Altar Table, Pulpit and Baptismal Font were moved from the previous sanctuary. They were all given a facelift by a stonemason to get them to their present condition. In 2000, after receiving a generous gift and support from members of the congregation, the Alton Activity Center was completed. This added a large area for Fellowship, a new kitchen, a stage, a larger nursery and several classrooms. Later that year, the Fellowship Hall was remodeled to create the Gathering Room and the upstairs Loft.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church currently has over 700 members and is affiliated with the Oklahoma-Arkansas Synod of the ELCA The ELCA is the largest Lutheran body in the USA. Pastors who have served our church are: Stanley Rogge (1967-70); Charles Chamberlin (1971-80); Fred Nelson (1980-88); Roger Bruns (1988-93); Bob Lutze (1993-2007); Dick Jebsen (interim, 2007-2010); Clint Schnekloth (2011-present).

Mission:
“Connecting People to God through the Gospel of Christ.”

Vision:
“We are a family of bright lights—each one loving, accepting, caring, creative, and responsive to those within and outside our congregation. We all strive to grow in faith through worship, study, and prayer, and to serve and share God’s gracious love with all people.”

More Detailed History