The congregation of Outer Drive Faith (ODF) Lutheran Church will celebrate 80 years of service in Detroit with a series of events this fall.
“We know that this congregation, this community and this city have changed remarkably since we were initially founded. But we are still here. We are still strong as a church body and we remain committed in our service to God here at the corner of Outer Drive and James Couzens,” said Rev. Eddie Morales, ODF pastor.
He continues, “Given both the challenges and opportunities facing our city now, churches like Outer Drive Faith, that have been around through Detroit’s good and bad times, are treasures, because it speaks to the dedication of our congregation members. Each Sunday our members arrive from a number of surrounding communities, and while we are celebrating our past, we are also recognizing our future as a truly metropolitan congregation serving this city.”
Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church was founded in 1936 as a west side expansion of Epiphany Lutheran Church, which stood at Seven Mile Rd. and Woodward Ave. The vicar at Epiphany, Carl Kemp, became the first official pastor at ODF, soon after his ordination. Members of the mission church met initially at the former John L. King Elementary school. The church building was finished in 1937 and the mission officially became Outer Drive Faith Lutheran. A major addition to the church was made in 1950.
Rev. Kemp led the church until his passing in the 1950s. Rev. Theodore Daniel took over and led the church for the next 30 years until retiring in 1985. The church had a succession of pastors for several years: Rev. Thomas Van Der Bloemen, Rev. James Wiggins Jr, and Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Gray, until the current pastor, Rev. Eddie Morales, was called to lead the church in 2002.
ODF continues to be a viable force in Northwest Detroit. The church proudly promotes a list of monthly and annual service projects that includes a cookout for the community, free music program, backpack giveaway, bi-weekly Bible study, a prayer room open to the community, a nursing home ministry, blood drive, and grief ministry. The congregation also serves as an “Eat Up, Meet Up” site which is a collaborative movement with Wayne County to ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals 3 times a day, 365 days a year.
The anniversary celebration kicks off with a fashion and talent show on October 28, followed by a concert on November 6, and culminates with a celebration service on November 13. Preaching at the special service will be the church’s former pastor, Rev. James Wiggins, Jr., who currently leads St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Fla. The November 13 worship service will be followed by an afternoon banquet during which members of the congregation will recognize the work done through the church in its northwest Detroit neighborhood during the past eight decades.
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Photo by Seth Hinz/Michigan District, LCMS
