A year ago, I founded the Danish Countryside Chapel with the aim of reaching out to those who were not attending church. I realized that many people had reservations about joining churches, whether due to discomfort with certain aspects of the church, lack of knowledge about it, or a lack of outreach from churches. I wanted to create a space where people could come to church and also receive videos and messages at home.
To create the chapel, I had to overcome potential competition from other churches and make it accessible to people both physically and virtually. I decided to create a chapel where I could provide videos every week and hold in-person services on Sundays at 9 am. I also continued to perform traditional Christian functions, such as baptisms and funerals, and provided support to local people and their concerns.
The principles that the chapel was founded on include sharing messages that focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, creating a faith community bound by real ties among real people, joyful worship and fellowship, and supporting local people and their concerns. Although the chapel is rooted in Lutheran traditions, it values the teachings and practices of other denominations.
I am grateful for the training I received as a pastor performing funerals, which taught me valuable lessons about the importance of supporting people in times of need. The chapel has grown into a real Christian community with real Christian ties, even though it is not a fully functional church and does not have Sunday school or other programs. However, we have performed over 200 funerals and baptisms and have made a positive impact on the lives of many people in the community.
As the pastor of the Danish Countryside Chapel, I want to express my gratitude for all of you who have made this place your home. We may not have Sunday school or confirmation classes here, but that doesn't make our community any less of a church. We have a full board of directors who have done an excellent job supporting me, even though I don't get paid. Although I do have to answer to them, I'm hopeful that someday I will be able to earn a salary from this work.
As a registered 501c3 church, we depend on contributions to keep us going. Our rent and other expenses require regular donations, which are all tax-deductible. If you're able to contribute, please send your benevolence to our address: 1398 280th Street, Exira, Iowa 50076. Our board oversees the treasury, and your support will directly benefit the work we're doing here.
I'm proud of the outreach we've been able to do at Danish Countryside Chapel. We've helped many people in ways that might not be visible to the wider community. While we don't do everything that a traditional church might offer, I hope that we provide a welcoming space for those seeking a spiritual community. And if you do have a family and are looking for a permanent landing place, I'd be happy to help connect you with a church that meets your needs.
To all the pastors out there, I'd like to extend an invitation to support us in our work. We believe in what we're doing, and we're happy to help connect people with other churches when the time is right. Let's work together to strengthen our communities and support each other in our missions.
Finally, I want to thank all of you who have made the Danish Countryside Chapel your spiritual home. Your presence here validates the work we're doing and fills me with joy. I hope to see this community thrive for another hundred years and beyond. God bless you all, and have a wonderful day.
Pastor Loren
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