Our Community

People of Hope is a mission-centered, Christ-focused growing and dynamic congregation. We work hard to welcome and share the love and grace of God within and outside of the walls of the church. The church continually weighs itself against God's welcoming standards and strives to welcome all- including, but not limited to- people of every race, nationality, age, political affiliation, marital status, gender identity, economic or social status, sexual orientation, mental and physical abilities. People of Hope formed just over 25 years ago with a focus on reaching those who have felt rejected by the church in the past and/or are new to faith in Christ. The community of believers is a diverse collection of faith backgrounds and beliefs.

Acceptance and welcoming all are central to the mission and message of the congregation.

The Member Missionaries of People of Hope are actively engaged in mission opportunities within our church, the community of Rochester, and the world. People of Hope is continually working to develop its own identity, as it is a relatively young faith community. People of Hope worships in an informal setting, encourages members to ask deep and difficult questions of faith, and challenges members to share the love of God with all they encounter on a daily basis.

People of Hope is a Reconciling in Christ congregation which means we proudly belong to a network of Lutheran communities that support the acceptance and full participation of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. We have taken a leadership role in the community of Rochester in terms of ministry with the LGBTQIA+ community and marriage equality.

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People of Hope is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with about 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations. We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. For us, as the ELCA, this faith comes through the good news of Jesus Christ and gives us the freedom and the courage to wonder, discover and boldly participate in what God is up to in the world. We are a church that is always being made new, and at the same time, is deeply rooted in Scripture, Lutheran theology and Lutheran confessions. We are also rooted in the vibrant, diverse communities and rich histories of our congregations. It’s through these roots that the Holy Spirit guides and nourishes us so that we can be a church that is both resilient and always new.