THE HISTORY OF LUTHERAN LAY RENEWAL
Lutheran Lay Renewal (LLR) is an outgrowth of the Lay Witness Mission Program as initiated by the United Methodist Church in 1971. Dr. Ted Sahlstrom, a practicing Optometrist in Albany, Oregon presented the idea to the Pacific Northwest American Lutheran Church (ALC) Committee on Evangelism, who agreed to “test the waters” in seven local Lutheran Congregations. The program was such a success that the Committee on Evangelism recommended its application within the District, and Lutheran Lay Renewal was born.
In 1976, LLR was introduced to California with a Lay Renewal Weekend held at the request of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Saratoga, and was led by Dr. Sahlstrom. The Program was such a success that Immanuel called Dr. Sahlstrom to its staff as Director of Discipleship and Outreach. The LLR organization elected to form a California non-profit corporation, with offices located at Immanuel. Initially the goals of the organization were to expand the LLR Program throughout Northern and Southern California. With the independence of incorporation and self-funding, the objective was to serve all Synods of the Lutheran Church, with pastors from both the ALC and Lutheran Church of the Missouri Synod (LCMS) serving on the Board of Directors. These objectives were achieved and many renewals were conducted within both Synods.
Once again, the LLR Program was successful and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the impact on congregational and personal renewal so effective, the request for Lay Renewal weekends began arriving from congregations in many other States. Witness teams traveled to congregations in New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, North Dakota and even Utah. In response to this ever-increasing demand, Dr. Sahlstrom returned to Oregon in 1979 and formed Lutheran Lay Renewal-International to meet the demands throughout the Continental United States and Canada. After Dr. Sahlstrom passed away, the LLR International organization continued to serve these congregations. Today, it operates as Lutheran Lay Renewal of America and is under the leadership of Mr. Dick Brown. Lutheran Lay Renewal, Inc. also continues its aggressive mission in California operating as the Sierra Pacific District which has since been changed to Northern California District.
Lutheran Lay Renewal will continue in its mission to provide support and renewal to Lutheran congregations in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ He is the one, through the Holy Spirit, who has blessed this continuing ministry with willing servants, receptive hearts, and the desire of Lutheran congregations to “come alive in Christ”. LLR is dedicated to glorifying Jesus as Lord, and to awakening and strengthening His church by fulfilling the “Great Commission”.
In summary, Lutheran Lay Renewal is a Christ-centered lay movement that services all Synods of the Lutheran Church. Our operating expenses come solely from the “love offerings” we receive from congregations, and donations given by the people who serve or have served as team members. Each year we have an annual reunion/sharing meeting that is open to all who volunteer their time, talent, and/or treasure in support of this exciting ministry.
LuVheran Lay Renewal Inc.
Northern California
God Loves You Y Love One Another
Our History
