About Us

Believers have been meeting in the Twin Cities area since 1895, when a small group gathered in northeast Minneapolis to establish the Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Congregation of Minneapolis. This is believed to be the oldest Finnish congregation in Minneapolis. Due to spiritual schisms since that time and many groups using the name "Apostolic Lutheran," the name was eventually changed to the "Laestadian Lutheran Church."

After holding services in the city of Minneapolis for a number of years, the congregation moved to Plymouth, Minnesota. Subsequently, many believers moved to areas west of Plymouth, and the Rockford congregation was established in 1992. Believers have lived in the Elk River area for some time, attending services primarily in the Minneapolis and Rockford congregations. As more believers began to settle in the area, Bible Class was organized and held at Lincoln Elementary School (Elk River) in April of 2002. In November of 2006, a group of believers gathered to discuss the interest in formally organizing a congregation. By the end of the evening, the Elk River Congregation had been formed, and the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Elk River (LLCER) was formally accepted as an LLC member congregation in February 2007.

Our Mission

The mission of our central organization, the Laestadian Lutheran Church, and its congregations is:

To preach the gospel of repentance and remission of sins to the people of our communities, our nations, and throughout the world so that they might become partakers with us of the grace that God offers sin-fallen man in His Son Jesus Christ.
To nurture and strengthen the faith of the believing and root our children in Christian faith in God's kingdom.
To awaken and inspire Christian values and ethics, soberness of mind, love of homeland, and responsible citizenship among the people of our nations.

In order to accomplish this mission, the Laestadian Lutheran Church arranges and holds services at home and abroad, teaches and supports the teaching of God's Word among children and youth, publishes literature, newspapers, magazines, and recordings. It also works with its sister organizations around the world.

Please visit the Laestadian Lutheran Church Web Site for further information on our central organization and how to receive additional scriptural teachings on our faith.