On May 24, approximately 35 people gathered in Jefferson, North Carolina, to worship together for the first time as High Country Lutheran Church.
The Southeastern District is home to a wide variety of people, congregations, ministries, and communities. Stretching from the mountains to the coast, it reflects a diversity of geography, traditions, and experiences, all united by a common mission: to connect people to Jesus so that lives are transformed and God’s kingdom grows.
On Pentecost Sunday, that mission took on a new expression in the mountains of western North Carolina.
High Country Lutheran Church officially put down roots in Jefferson, North Carolina, as approximately 35 people gathered at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7946 for the congregation’s first worship service. The service was led by retired LCMS pastors Rev. Fred Hoffman and Rev. David Hudak.
The story of High Country Lutheran begins with Don and Janet Mullis. After relocating to the area from Charlotte, they were encouraged by their former pastor, Rev. Jeff Ware of All Saints Lutheran Church, to meet with SED Executive Director of Witness, Rev. Dr. Yared Halche, in February to discuss the possibility of planting a church. What began as a conversation quickly became a movement.
Over the course of just a few months, the core group expanded to include Rev. Bryan Chestnutt of Mountainside Lutheran Church, Rev. Shea Pennington of St. Stephens Lutheran Church and Circuit 17 Visitor, and many others who shared a vision for Gospel witness in the High Country. Pastors Hoffman and Hudak joined that growing group, helping to shepherd the new congregation toward its first day of worship together.
During his sermon, Pastor Hudak reflected that God “is beginning a new work under the motivation of the Holy Spirit.” May the Lord continue to bless High Country Lutheran as it grows in faith and fellowship, and as it scatters Gospel seeds throughout its community and beyond.