Jennifer Raisanen:

The Voice of Zion 10/2000

 

Colorado Believers establish Congregation

The first two believing families moved to Colorado in July of 1996. The booming construction industry in the Roaring
Fork Valley drew some young believing men to the area in 1998. Later on that year a few other believers also moved to the area and one of the families moved away bringing the total to twelve young believers and one family. The small group met at the family's home for taped services on Sunday evenings.
Year of Growth, 1999
   The year 1999 was one of growth for the group of believers in Colorado's Roaring Fork Va1ley; it grew to fifty paying members. In October 1999, God blessed the Roaring Fork Valley Laestadian Lutheran Church with a pastor.
Discision to Organize
   A public service site was found in a community center, necessary since the group was getting too large for home services. At this time, the decision was made to choose a name and organize as an official congregation.
Gongregation Established
   In April 2000, it was decided that a committee be formed to discuss establishing the congregation. The committee drafted the constitution and bylaws, registered with the state of Colorado, and applied to the Laestadian Lutheran Church to become a member congregation. Then the congregation nominated and selected board members and the name for the congregation - the Laestadian Lutheran Church of the Roaring Fork Valley. At the
LLC's annual meeting in July in Minneapolis, the Laestadian Lutheran Church of the Roaring Fork Valley was unanimously approved as a member congregation.
God Has Blessed
    God has richly blessed the new congregation. There are currently 60 members over the age of 18 including over 40 single young people.
 
Jennifer Raisanen