Our Story: The History of Trinity Lutheran Church

Humble Beginnings (1977–1978)

The vision for Trinity Lutheran Church began in the summer of 1977. A small group of families met at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Liberty, fueled by a shared commitment to establish a new Lutheran presence in the Northland. By October of that year, 18 families had officially committed to the mission.

With guidance from the LCMS Missouri District, the congregation quickly took shape. Our first officers were elected in December 1977, and just a month later, we celebrated our first worship service—a "Service of Thanksgiving and Praise"—at Kearney Middle School.

Building a Foundation (1979–1987)

The late 70s and early 80s were a season of "firsts."

• 1979: We welcomed our first full-time pastor, Rev. Dirk van der Linde.

• 1980: After purchasing five acres of land, we broke ground on our very first church building. On October 12, 1980, we held our Festival of Dedication, finally having a home of our own.

Growth and Expansion (1987–2009)

In 1987, we called Rev. Drew A. Newman to lead our congregation, beginning a season of ministry that would span nearly four decades.

As our church family grew, so did our need for space. In the late 1990s, the congregation moved forward with plans for a new, larger sanctuary. This beautiful addition was completed in early 1999 and featured our Classic Digital "Pipeless Pipe Organ." We celebrated this milestone with a dedication service on March 7, 1999. Through the incredible generosity of our members, the mortgage for this expansion was fully paid off in just ten years.

Trinity Today & Tomorrow

After 38 years of faithful service, Pastor Drew Newman retired in August 2025. While we look back on our history with immense gratitude, we are also looking forward with excitement to the next chapter of our ministry.

Where we are now:

• Our Interim Leadership: We are currently being served by Rev. Kevin Vogts, who is providing steady guidance and Word during this transition.

• Our Future: Trinity is currently in the process of seeking the next Pastor whom God is calling to lead our church family.

Whether you have been part of our history for decades or are visiting us for the first time, we invite you to be part of our future.