In a special ceremony on Sabbath, Nov. 18, 2017, The Way Company officially became a member in the sisterhood of churches of the Minnesota Conference.
The Way was started as a strategic church plant by the Minnesota Conference to reach a large area north of Minneapolis/St. Paul where there was no English-language church. Pastor Carlos Rodriguez recruited a core group of 14 people from the surrounding area, and together they scouted a meeting location in the Mission Chapel of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Shoreview. This happened to be directly across the street from a member who had prayed for a church in that area for 30 years.
The Way Company began meeting in January 2015. Their name was inspired by John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
The new church plant went through a period of struggle and patience when Pastor Rodriguez left for a call to Texas in May 2016. But God sustained the new church, and in October 2016, Pastor Jared Little joined the effort. The members began planning activities and outreach, and soon the church started to grow.
A motion of acceptance
The church was packed with more than 80 regular attendees and guests for the induction service. Pastor Little shared a history of the church plant and read a brief review of the 28 Fundamental Beliefs.
Elder Brian Mungandi, vice president for administration, called forward the nucleus of the church: Pastor Little, treasurer Orion Quarnstrom and clerk Rebekah Berlin. He asked them to affirm their belief in the fundamentals, their love for Jesus and their commitment to sharing the gospel. Berlin then read the list of 32 charter members, and Elder Mungandi asked for a vote to accept them.
Elder Justin Lyons, conference president, announced the new church. He called for a nominating committee report of church officers and Pastor Little made a motion to be accepted into the sisterhood of churches. Elder Lyons accepted the request. It will be formally voted during the next constituency meeting.
Elder Lyons encouraged the new church to continue their work of sharing the gospel. He reminded everyone that God works by multiplication, which is another form of rapid addition.
—Sarah Little is a member of The Way Seventh-day Adventist Church.
