In July 1987, Pastor David Osborne came to Woodstock, Georgia as a pastor/developer for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pastor Dave knocked on many doors and networked with many people in the community, inviting them to the exciting opportunity of beginning a new congregation in the developing Towne Lake Community. Many local citizens caught Pastor Dave’s enthusiasm and passion for the gospel and by 1988 Sunday morning worship services and Sunday School classes were being held in rented space at a local office park complex located on Highway 92.
On December 11, 1988, Charter Sunday, “The Living Charter of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Woodstock, Georgia” was signed. The charter proclaimed:
We believe—that we are called and chosen by God and through faith accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Led by the Holy Spirit, we gather together to become the people of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and commit ourselves to: Worship, praise, honor, and glorify God, Grow in our personal understanding of Jesus Christ, Share in the Good News of Jesus Christ with others, and responsively care for those who are in need.
We promise—to faithfully support and participate in the life of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church through our time, talents, treasures, and prayers, so that we, the members of the Body of Christ, may demonstrate God’s love in the world.
One hundred and thirty-one adults and children signed the charter.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was officially recognized as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on April 9, 1989. By that time the congregation, in addition to weekly worship and Sunday School, had added to its ministries Confirmation classes, First Communion Classes, a Women of the ELCA group, youth activities for 3rd – 6th graders, Vacation Bible School, an Altar Guild, and choirs for adults and children. That same year a Building Committee was formed to plan for a church building at the corner of Eagle Drive and Rose Creek Drive.
The design for the structure, which included a sanctuary, fellowship area, classrooms and administrative offices, was approved in 1991 and a capital fund campaign was initiated. The building was completed in 1992 and dedicated in 1993. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church hence became a permanent presence in Towne Lake. The buildings allowed the congregation to serve the community by offering meeting space to community groups.
Dramatic growth continued to mark the development of Good Shepherd. In 1993 the membership had grown to 470 and a part-time music director and a part-time secretary were added to the staff. Regina Haller, Associate in Ministry, was hired as part-time director for Christian Education and Youth Activities in 1994. In 1995, congregational members and committees were surveyed for the development of a comprehensive 5 year mission plan. In 1996, 2 nursery caregivers were hired, weekly worship attendance approached 300, and a new Building Committee was formed to consider building expansion. In 1997, a new capital fund campaign for building and parking expansion produced over $500,000 in pledges.
As ministries, programs, and responsibilities continued to expand, a Call Committee was appointed in 1997 for the purpose of calling an Associate Pastor to Good Shepherd. Pastor Kari Toavs was called to that position in 1998. That same year the building expansion to increase fellowship, education and music space began. Membership in 1998 soared to over 800.
The building expansion was completed and dedicated in 1999. Also in 1999, a Praise service was added to the Sunday worship schedule, bringing the number of Sunday services to three, and a part-time Praise Service Coordinator, Pam Weinelt, was hired. The Praise Service offered Lutheran liturgy to worshippers using a less traditional style of music. A new organ was purchased in 2000 to enhance the more traditional liturgies of the congregation.
In 2002, after fifteen years of dedicated and tireless service to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Pastor Osborne resigned as Senior Pastor. A new challenge was presented to the congregation to survive and flourish without the continued presence of its beloved developer. Though there was much anxiety and grief, the congregation committed itself to the future and demonstrated its commitment to growth by hiring Michelle Angalet as part-time Children’s Ministry Coordinator.
It was not until January 2004, that Pastor Paul Baumgartner was called as the second Senior Pastor of the congregation. In 2005, the congregation completed an intense Long Range Planning Process, including the development of a Mission Alignment Plan and a congregational mission statement: We are called, gathered and blessed to be a community and instrument of grace for all sheep of the Good Shepherd.
In 2006 Pastor Kari Toavs Parsons resigned as Associate Pastor. Michelle Angalet was commissioned as an Associate in Ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and was called to full-time ministry in education and family ministries at Good Shepherd. In October of 2006, Pastor Justin Lind-Ayres was installed as the second Associate Pastor of the Congregation. In 2007, Thomas Eisnor was hired as the first full-time Director of Music Ministry/Organist and Meredith Hale was hired as part-time Media Coordinator. Gina Benardo became the first paid Sunday School Superintendent in 2008. Pastor Lind-Ayres resigned in June of 2009 and Pastor Justin Ask was called as the third Associate Pastor of the congregation in September of that year. Kathy Gunn was hired as Office Coordinator in September 2009 as well.
Good Shepherd congregation continues to be an active community of grace with a membership of over 1000. Bible Studies are scheduled almost every day of the week. Two separate Sunday School programs happen on Sunday mornings so that worshippers can attend the worship service they prefer. Annual Mission Trips for service are offered. The annual Fall Fair brings hundreds of members of the community to fellowship with us. GSLC Quilters make quilts for Lutheran World Relief and Yarn Angels knit and crochet prayer shawls. Senior members of the congregation engage in fellowship and learning and service as God’s Little Achers and Empty Nesters provides similar opportunities to adults with “empty nests.” Faith Stepping Stones marks milestones in the lives of our children and youth, and 4th-6th grade youth participate in Faith, Fun and Friends (FX3). Youth participate in Confirmation, Break Through, Saints and Sinners and summer trips. The music program of the congregation now includes the Chancel Choir, Praise Team, Handbell Choir, Shepherd’s Choir for children and Jubilate Ringers.
GSLC congregation has been following the Good Shepherd for more than twenty years! By his love the Good Shepherd has led us and by faith we have followed. As we look to the future we commit ourselves to the principle that has never failed us: FOLLOWING THE GOOD SHEPHERD!
