Updates from congregations around the Church of the Lutheran Confession
The year was 1880. Nine years before North Dakota became a state, and one year before the Gunfight at the OK Corral, a small church was built near the Maple River in the town of Mapleton, North Dakota. That church building was purchased in 2001 by Gift of God Lutheran Church—a congregation newly formed that same year. The walls where we worship are adorned with Scriptures that remind us that God Himself is present. Last summer’s hail storm provided us with the opportunity this year to put on new shingles and gutters. We’ve also been pondering doing some renovations to make additional Sunday School rooms and a dedicated nursery.
Mapleton’s population has grown from 604 in 2001 to 1,470 in 2024! The outreach efforts of Gift of God have mostly been directed toward the youth in Mapleton via Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, and catechism classes. Many of the nonmember parents in town are happy and even eager to have their children study the Bible and learn Christian teachings from the catechism. We look upon these as opportunities to sow the seed of the Gospel in the hearts of the children, and also a way to connect further with the parents.
We had our VBS in July. The theme was, “God Is the Giver and Designer of Our Life—Our Creator and Redeemer!” Many members of Gift of God volunteered and blessed the children with outstanding crafts and treats. Fourteen of the students who attended were from families who live in Mapleton but are not members of our congregation.
Our city celebrated Mapleton Days in September. Gift of God Lutheran Church had a booth with a game and prizes for kids. We also handed out new trifold brochures recently printed for this occasion and the future.
Mapleton is located in the Red River Valley, through which the Red River and its tributaries flow on their way to Hudson Bay. The valley was once the bottom of a huge body of water called Lake Agassiz. That’s why the eastern part of North Dakota has such rich farmland. Many fields here have corn that’s head high by the Fourth of July!
Mapleton’s heritage has been a rural one blessed with many gifts of God. More and more, it’s also becoming an urban one. Only the Lord knows what the future holds, but in view of the mission outreach opportunities of the present, we’re looking forward to more blessings in the future; specifically, being able to bring the greatest gift, Jesus, to receptive hearts! Amen, may it be so!
is pastor of Gift of God Lutheran Church in Mapleton, North Dakota, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ponsford, Minnesota.
