The History of Joy Lutheran Church

The Beginning
Joy Lutheran Church was begun in 1971 by a small group of families who felt God was calling them to start a Lutheran church in Parker, Colorado. In 1972, the Rev. Robert DeYoung was called to develop the church as a mission of the American Lutheran Church. The first place of worship was at the Parker Steak House. In February 1974 groundbreaking took place at the permanent location for the church on the corner of Pine Drive and Parker Hills Court and the first unit of the church was finished and dedicated that same year. In January, 1976, Rev. Ronald Beckman was called to serve as the congregation’s second pastor.

In the first five years of her existence, the church grew to 253 members and became the first Joy Lutheran Church in the USA. By May of 1976 Joy Lutheran Church was also hosting and helping three other congregations in establishing themselves in the Parker area: Faith Baptist, the Parker Catholic Mission, and a Seventh Day Adventist congregation. In 1979, Rev. Greg Uthus began his service as Joy Lutheran’s first associate pastor.

In August of 1979, Joyful Mission Preschool was established. Joyful Mission is the longest continuing preschool in the Parker area.

Growth and New Construction
In June of 1982, the congregation approved the construction of a larger sanctuary and classroom space and that construction was completed in 1986. Rev. Mike Lemke began his ministry as the second associate pastor of Joy in February, 1985. Rev. Luther Gruver served as a part-time retired visitation pastor. In 1988, Pastor Beckman took another call, and Pastor Lemke became the Senior Pastor.

In 1988, Joy Lutheran Church became a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as a result of the merger of the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. In 1990, Rev. Barb Lemke joined Pastor Mike as one of the then few clergy couples in the ELCA. The late 1980’s and 1990’s saw the continued growth of the congregation.

25 Years
In October, 1997, the congregation celebrated her 25th anniversary. Pastoral transitions occurred from 1998–2000 with the congregation being served by interim pastors Rev. Paul Gilbertson, Rev. John Conrad, and Rev. Paul Schairer during this period. In August, 2000, Rev. David Fisher was called as pastor.

More Construction
In 2003, the congregation embarked on her third major building project constructing a new sanctuary, preschool, nursery, and parking lot. The project was completed and dedicated in June, 2004. In December, 2003, Rev. Lyn Crase was called as the fourth associate pastor in Joy’s history. In July, 2007, the former sanctuary was remodeled into a fellowship hall, kitchen, and classroom/meeting room.

Through these years Joy Lutheran Church has continued to grow and now has approximately 1300 members with an average of 450 people in worship attendance at three weekend services and 200 children enrolled in the Sunday School.

The mission has remained the same over all these years: to love God, love each other, and make followers of Jesus Christ.