The history of LINC Twin Cities has its roots in the urban ministry organization Partners in Mission. PIM was incorporated as a non-profit in 1997, but actually begun as a collaboration between Trinity First Lutheran Church of Minneapolis and 7 suburban congregations in 1987 to support the inner-city ministry of Trinity First. With the greater influx of immigrants and refugees into the urban center of the Twin Cities, PIM began to see new ethnic ministry opportunities in the Twin Cities area and eventually decided to shift their major focus to these areas.
In September 2007, the Board of Directors of Partners in Mission, in consultation with staff of the Minnesota South District, the Oswald Hoffman School of Christian Outreach, Concordia University, and a variety of pastors met with Rev. Mark Junkans, Executive Director of LINC-Houston. Because of that gathering, Partners in Mission felt challenged to assume a greater role in mission outreach in the Twin Cities.
In order to respond to this challenge, PIM made two decisions:
- Change of name to reflect this new thinking (yet maintain its organizational structure; i.e., its 501(3)c and Recognized Synodical Organization status).
- Expansion of vision and mission as a catalyst to better address the new challenges of the expanding diversity and mission opportunities for ministry.
Taking these actions is helping to expand the presence and influence of LCMS and our District in the Twin Cities. These actions are an effort to establish collaborations of significant partnerships in order to leverage resources for growth and impact.
To underscore these stated goals, the Board and partners of LINC-TWIN CITIES met on Saturday, March 1 to develop a new mission statement, core values, and the beginnings of our vision for the next decade.
After intense discussion and prayer, the adoption of a new mission statement was met with unanimous approval : “LINC-TWIN CITIES is a network of strategic partnerships multiplying churches among diverse communities.”
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