History
Bringing the Message of Hope to the Community for 30 Years
Thirty years ago as the Bee Gees rose to the top spot on the disco charts, a small group of eight families were beginning a Bible study on the east side of St. Paul. A few months later, they hired a full time pastor for their fledgling church which they called Hope. They met briefly at Oakdale Elementary before sharing space with the Korean Methodist Church in return for paying utilities and cleaning the building. “During the early years, we all wore many hats and experienced joys and trials. We were on our knees asking for direction and guidance. Although we were few in number, God provided financially and brought many through our doors” says original member Marlene Linn.
Four years later they purchased the building and property they were sharing at 7910 15th Street North in Oakdale. Hope continued its founding vision of glorifying God, enjoying His presence and learning to become fully devoted followers of Him. 423,000 bulletins later, the church wanted to come together to give thanks and recall God’s faithfulness throughout the twenty-five years. “Hope embraced us, discipled us, helped us find healing and then released us to serve – I think this is its legacy and future” affirms Jane Wellumson, former youth leader, who attended Hope for 15 years.
While Hope Church of Oakdale celebrates the past, we will continue to minister in the present and are committed to planning for the future. What excites Rachel Streifel about the future is, “the knowledge that we have a forward-looking staff and a congregation that is not afraid to embrace change — not change in the message, but in everything else.”