One congregation, one school, one shared mission

Sometimes God answers our prayers not by sending us somewhere new, but by helping us see what’s already on our doorstep.

At Our Saviour Lutheran Church Aberfoyle Park in suburban Adelaide, that realisation came as we reflected on the unique opportunity of sharing a campus with Our Saviour Lutheran School. Over a period of prayer and discernment, we became increasingly convinced that God was inviting us to see our congregation and school not as two separate ministries, but as one campus with a shared mission.

That question led us to establish a new campus missional engagement leader role, made possible through the generous support of the LCA Local Mission Fund. The role isn’t about creating more programs. It’s about building relationships, equipping people and helping congregation members see the school as a place where God’s love can be shared every day. More than anything, it is about intentionally creating opportunities for meaningful connection and discovering where God is already at work within our shared community.

As we walk through what this looks like, we are discovering that it is a process rather than a program. It has involved prayerful discernment, building teams, listening well and seeking opportunities through the regular rhythms of school life where our congregation and school communities naturally overlap. Rather than trying to create something entirely new, we are learning to recognise where God is already opening doors and asking how we can faithfully step into those opportunities.

For us, this has meant looking for practical ways the church can be the hands and feet of Jesus without expecting anything in return. It may be walking alongside families as children begin Foundation, celebrating milestones throughout a child’s primary school journey, supporting parents as they welcome a new baby, or simply being present during seasons of grief, uncertainty or change. We are learning that authentic mission often begins with simple acts of love, service and presence.

Although we feel we are only at the beginning of the journey, we’re already encouraged by the openness of our school community and the opportunities emerging through deeper relationships. We have also greatly appreciated Jodi Brook’s support throughout the Local Mission Fund process. Our regular check-ins have provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on what God is doing in our own context while also learning from the experiences of other LCA communities as they seek to engage mission within their own settings.

This has been a journey of trust and faith. At times it has felt as though God has revealed only the next step, rather than the whole picture. Yet that has reminded us that faithful mission is not about having all the answers from the beginning. It is about trusting God’s leading, remaining open to his prompting, and faithfully taking the next step he places before us.

Our hope isn’t simply to strengthen the partnership between congregation and school. It’s to cultivate a community where faith is shared across generations, relationships open doors for the gospel, and every person on our campus knows they belong, are valued and are invited to discover life in Christ.

We hope our experience encourages other congregations to look afresh at the opportunities God may already have placed before them. Sometimes the greatest mission field isn’t somewhere new – it is right on our doorstep.

Adam Morris is the pastor at Our Saviour Aberfoyle Park SA.

Our Saviour Aberfoyle Park SA is one of 10 congregations that received grants through the 2026 round of the LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund. Now in its second year, the fund was established to help congregations, districts and agencies as they seek new ways to reach their neighbours and local communities with the gospel. Expressions of interest for 2027 grants are now open and close on 20 August 2026. Click here for more information.