How it all started...
Long before there was an LOJ Caldwell, there was a call. Pastor Todd first sensed God's call to ministry as a young boy and, years later, spent 15 years serving and leading in virtually every area of ministry at our parent church. Eventually, he and his wife, Trina, were sent to Caldwell to plant the tenth branch of The Love of Jesus Ministries.
Our first service was held at Caldwell College (now Caldwell University) in the middle of a snowstorm. Family, friends and a few students made their way through the snow to Werner Hall that Sunday morning, and a new church family was born.
Expanding the vision...
From those early days, the vision of LOJ Caldwell has continued to grow around two inseparable ideas: service of others and empowered living for ourselves. Inspired by Jesus' call to the “faithful and wise servant” in Luke 12:42-43, Pastor Todd began teaching that following Christ means becoming “Servant-Leaders,” that is, Believers who are equipped to serve God, family and others while also learning to live the full, abundant and purposeful life that Jesus expressed in John 10:10.
Today, that vision is recognized simply in the words that shape everything we do: Equipping for Service. Empowering for Life. We want to build people who know God's Word, live it practically and carry His love beyond our walls into their homes, workplaces, communities and world. We also want to continue investing in ministry and outreach that teaches our families sound Biblical principles for living well-balanced, joy-filled, prosperous lives.
Where we are headed...
Our story is still being written. We envision LOJ Caldwell becoming a large, multicultural family of deeply rooted disciples and true Servant-Leaders. We see generations maturing in Christ, faithfully serving others while living by faith, with wisdom and purpose. We also envision expanded outreach and greater opportunities to meet real human needs with the love of Jesus. And we foresee more families – and especially more young people – being impacted for the Kingdom of God.
Importantly, our vision reaches beyond the growth of just one church. We believe the Body of Christ can accomplish extraordinary things when all of God's people move beyond the walls that divide us and work together to do the works of Jesus. We want LOJ Caldwell to be part of building that kind of Church — one that is united in faith, extravagant in love and firmly committed to serving people everywhere. And perhaps there is a place for YOU in what God writes next.
