Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Expands for Families Moving Forward
Written by Dylan Novacek – Content Specialist
“We’ve been looking forward to the day when we can host Families Moving Forward again,” exclaimed Pastor Ben Hilding of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Prague (pictured). “This expansion speaks to how we are working to eliminate barriers in order to become the best hosting site we can be!”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, congregations have been unable to host Beacon’s Families Moving Forward (FMF) shelter program in their buildings. However, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church was presented with a unique opportunity during this time. When a gift was made to update and expand their building, the congregation prioritized making their new space better suited to host shelter families.
“This began by someone taking a moment to notice the barriers,” Pastor Ben continued. “It was a collective example of listening to the barriers that prevent ministries from flourishing. There was a willingness to say: Let’s do something about that. George Winn was one of those listeners.”
“We began our renovation by centralizing where our staff and administration were located. From there, we were sure to structure the layout in a way that was accessible to the families staying with us,” said Dr. George Winn (pictured with his wife), a key individual in this expansion and a Beacon leader. “Brand new restrooms are now located closer to where the families stay, so they don’t have to walk across the whole building. They have big vanities and countertops to do make up. We also included onsite showers and laundry!”
Holy Trinity’s mission statement is, “Welcome, Worship and Respond.” As they worked to refresh their building, they were intentional in the choice to have dedicated space for shelter guests. In order to live into their stated values, they needed to respond to the needs of families.
“This is a response that listens to the needs and asks, ‘how can we do better’,” Pastor Ben noted. “This gift was inspired by a sincere faith with a genuine commitment to walk the talk. It was inspired by years of devotion and faith to make a genuine difference in the local community.”
For the residents of New Prague, hosting FMF is a community commitment with a history of area congregations working together around the shared mission of home. The impact of this work reaches far and wide in the community.
Read more on the congregation’s long-standing commitment to home in their first spotlight article.
“Previously, many congregations in the area worked together to shelter families through Hope House,” Dr. Winn said, reflecting on the history of this work. “This is a community project and an excuse for all of the congregations to work together. It’s not just Holy Trinity doing this work. It’s all of New Prague!”
Being unable to host families in person for nearly two years due to the pandemic has left the congregation and community volunteers eager to return to this work. With the new space open, clean, well-lit, and ready, the congregation awaits volunteers and shelter families alike.
(Pictured, George and his wife dancing in the new space).
“I am looking forward to volunteers stepping up,” Dr. Winn smiled. “Here we are in our facility with rooms that aren’t being used all the time. What more can a congregation do than to say, ‘Hey, come stay with us.’ Whether you’re a volunteer or a shelter guest. We’re so happy to welcome you here!”
“I’ve been lucky to hear so many stories shared by volunteers on how eye opening this experience is for them, and how close to home this issue hits,” Pastor Ben shared. “I am excited to begin hearing new stories in 2022.”
In addition to their commitment to sheltering families, the congregation at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church donated a Seeds gift for the homes at Prairie Pointe in Shakopee. Their $15,000 gift helps to create a home before we can welcome neighbors to it – the pre-development dollars needed for a development to go from launch to reality.
“Holy Trinity is playing a huge part in their local community by doing direct work with families for FMF as well as leading conversations about long term solutions to help see that all people have a home,” said Beacon Congregational Organizer Justin Lewandowski.
“We support the vision that all people have a home and we recognize that it’s a multi-pronged approach,” Pastor Ben explained. “We raised these donations through different sources in our congregation. Our Vacation Bible School kids managed to raise up to $5,000! It’s important to all of us!”
Each Beacon building requires about $750,000 in Seeds gifts from individuals, congregations, and community members. Each $15,000 Seed is a Beacon home and support for the family that will live there in the future. Click here to learn more about planting a Seed gift.
When congregations like Holy Trinity engage in this work, they spearhead important conversations in their community that create change and build new homes.
“It’s powerful seeing Holy Trinity take such bold steps for home,” Justin cheered.
While 2020 and 2021 presented more than their fair share of challenges for everyone, there was something meaningful to Pastor Ben and Dr. Winn about seeing their building expand in a time of uncertainty.
“This expansion truly speaks to how the congregation is preparing for a future we can’t even predict,” Pastor Ben reflected.
“There is no perfect time to do anything. There will always be something,” George asserted. “Either the interest rates are too high or too low. There might be local leaders who disagree, or even agree with us. But no matter what you’re doing, you need to keep going. If you are a person of faith, you need to have faith that people will soon see the need for change!”
“If there was something good that came from having our door closed for 14-16 months, it was that we could get this expansion done without people in the building,” George continued. “Folks could drive by and see the construction underway. It made it appear that we were still alive as a congregation!”
Mission driven to welcome, worship, and respond to the needs of the community, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and the neighboring congregations are proud of their commitment to home.
“This work pulls in certain groups of dedicated, caring people. People who will donate their time and do something good,” Dr. Winn said. “There is a great benefit to working side by side with fellow people in your community.”
“We do this work because we’re people of faith. We follow the Jesus ethic and believe he’d open his doors to host those without shelter for a night” Pastor Ben paused, reflecting on the year spent working from home next to his three- and six-year-old children. “This expansion felt like creating a coloring book in a lot of ways. We are excited for people to come in and fill the pages with color and life in the rooms. I think the families are ready and we can’t wait to have them join us.”
Beacon is grateful for our 100+ congregations who make this work possible. As we prepare the way and welcome shelter families back into congregations in 2022, we need your help. Will your congregation sign up to host for Families Moving Forward? Email Deb Rodgers at drodgers@beaconinterfaith.org to learn more about hosting.
