Living loved t-shirts that members of Evergreen UMC wear to share the Gospel. Photos from Facebook.

“In my apostolic letter, Evergreen UMC said they wanted to grow and reach beyond the walls of the church,” said Rev. Kori Lehrkamp, Evergreen UMC. “We are living into that vision.”

Evergreen United Methodist Church in Wahpeton, North Dakota, is living into that vision to show love for their community and share the Gospel. They even had t-shirts made that say, 'Living Loved.' We are living love into the world,” said Pastor Kori.

The congregation held a Rally Sunday, is starting Wednesday evening community gatherings, inviting college students, getting to know their new pastor in small group settings, and exploring Fresh Expressions of Jesus.

Rally Sunday happened outdoors. “That was fun. We had outdoor worship and a bouncy house, grilled burgers,” said Rev. Kori. “We had a really good time. I had a chance to meet people I have not met yet.”

On Wednesday evenings, anyone in the community is welcomed to the Evergreen UMC’s Zion Chapel. Families gather for food, fellowship, devotional time, and activities. 

“We have a building that a lot of groups in the community use. As a church, we have not really gathered on Wednesday evenings since COVID,” said Pastor Kori. “We gather for food, sharing a Gospel story, and activities—board games and ping pong. It is a different way to engage folks and share the Gospel.”
 
Evergreen UMC had a booth for the North Dakota State College of Science’s (NDSCS) block party to welcome students back to school this summer. 

“Organizations in the community use this opportunity to connect with NDSCS students and to get their name out. We handed out baked goods—cupcakes, cookies, and bread made by congregation members. We had a tag with information about the church and upcoming events. There was a card attached. When students fill out the card and bring it to us, they receive a gift card to a fast-food restaurant in town. We want the students  to get to know us.”

Pastor Kori began serving at Evergreen UMC on July 1, 2023. Congregation members have been getting to know her through small group gatherings—patio party, garden party, coffee in the park, and dinner at a member’s house. 

“It’s given people an opportunity to ask me questions they wouldn’t ask me on a Sunday morning or even in a Bible study. It’s just a little bit of a different setting where they can ask me questions and get to know who I am as a person,” said Pastor Kori.

Connection is a true touchpoint for Pastor Kori and other congregation members. “I got to meet the folks that lived in this assisted living center,” said Pastor Kori. “One person, she was like 80 years old, asks, ‘I don’t understand tattoos, can you explain yours?’ So, we had a conversation about tattoos. On Sunday after church, she told me she had called her son and talked about tattoos. We now have that connection, and it opened doors.”

Each small group gathering involves a different cast of people in different places. Evergreen UMC is leaning into Fresh Expressions. Ten people are attending Imagine Day on September 30. 

Members of Evergreen UMC connect with each other on Rally Sunday.

“We have some seasoned members of our congregation attending. They thought it was not for them but for younger members of the congregation. I reminded them that if they catch fire for the ideas of the Fresh Expressions movement and grow a deeper understanding, they can pass it on and invite buy-in. They might not be the people who lead a Fresh Expression, but they will make the ministry more effective.” Pastor Kori said.

Partnering with the community, especially the groups that are meeting throughout the week in the Zion Chapel, Evergreen UMC’s secondary building, is one of the ways that Pastor Kori sees beginning.

“I recently met with the executive board of the AA groups,” she said. “We just had a cool conversation about what it is that they need from us. I asked, ‘How can we partner with your ministry besides letting you use our building?’ We are slowly building that relationship. We want them to know that we are a faith community that wants to love and support you in whatever capacity we can.”

Members at Evergreen UMC have a passion for ministry and spreading the Gospel. Pastor Kori shares, “They are hungry to do ministry and to be involved in it. They are willing to do things and step into new roles. Who knows how God will show up.”