Called to Serve

In the summer of 2014, Flint LCMS Tri-Circuit pastors took a prayerful look at transforming one of its member churches on Flint’s east side into an urban mission center to meet the needs of a neighborhood in disrepair. The Michigan District LCMS agreed to support an attainable plan to preserve a meaningful presence in the community. A Flint Eastside Mission task force of LCMS pastors set goals and strategies to recruit congregational support. The plan required a 5-year financial and servanthood commitment from interested individuals and congregations. A video and brochure were developed and presented to member congregations to recruit support. By April of 2015, members from nine congregations committed to perform Operation Clean Up in cooperation with the Genesee County Land Bank. This “clean and green” effort resulted in mowing and clearing debris from more than 175 vacant lots on numerous weekends throughout the summer by more than 500 faithful servants.

Today, Franklin Avenue Mission is a hub of activity—operated entirely by an army of missionaries.