Profile of the Dalton Free Lutheran Parish
The Dalton Free Lutheran Parish is a three joint parish with its office located at Zion-Sarpsborg Church in Dalton, Minnesota. Our three churches - Kvam, Tordenskjold and Zion-Sarpsborg - are all located within a fifteen mile radius of each other in a part of western Minnesota where farming and tourism are the lifeblood of our communities. Our three churches became a part of the Association of Free Lutheran Churches in 1962. We are conservative in doctrine and believe that the Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of the Living God. Our three churches exhibit the unique ability to work well together in all areas of our church ministry.
Our mission statement reads: Growing Together by God's Grace as Spirit-Filled Disciples of Jesus Christ. This is a characteristic we strive to live out and perpetuate at church services and by God's grace in our daily lives as well. We believe congregations should be warm and welcoming. We believe we should look to the Lord for guidance and keep our Savior, Jesus Christ as our central focus. When churches keep this as their pure and sacred guiding example, people will be drawn to Him.
Our three churches have a rich Scandinavian history. Kvam church was dedicated in 1874, Tordenskjold in 1871 and Sarpsborg in 1872. In 1937, Zion church was added to the parish. For many years Zion, Kvam, Tordenskjold and Sarpsborg shared one pastor and services were hold at each church on every other Sunday. On Palm Sunday, 1986, Sarpsborg burned down at the hands of an arsonist and with a dwindling membership they decided not to rebuild and joined Zion church in 1988. The new name of Zion-Sarpsborg was chosen.
As of November 2007, Kvam, Tordenskjold and Zion-Sarpsborg had 176, 324 and 312 baptized members respectively. Our average Sunday service attendance is about 200 for the three churches combined.
Some of the ministries in the Dalton Parish include:
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Sunday School for all ages Ladies Aid (WMF) Small group Bible studies Youth groups and activities Various mission projects with AFLC & World Missions Vacation Bible School Love Loaf Project |
Parish Softball Team Craft groups Men's Studies Fall Faith Focus events Hunter's Expo Cradle Roll |
