The Abundant Life Arabic Lutheran Church Case Statement

The Abundant Life Arabic Lutheran Church
19100 Ford Road
Dearborn, MI 48128
(313) 336-0036

A mission start of the ELCA and the Southeast Michigan Synod, the Abundant Life Arabic Lutheran ministry is only the third Arabic speaking congregation in the ELCA. The Abundant Life is located in Dearborn, MI and is the only Arabic Christian congregation in the city of Dearborn.

Michigan, and more specifically Southeast Michigan, has one of the largest Arab/Middle Eastern communities outside the Middle East. This unique immigrant community originates from countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Iran, and others.

The city of Dearborn has a population of about 96,000 of which about 35,000 are of Middle Eastern descent. 90% of this Middle Eastern community is of the Muslim faith. This leads to a minority presence of the Middle Eastern Christian community in Dearborn and hence elevates the uniqueness and necessity of the ministry of the Abundant life in Dearborn and the Metro Area. The Abundant Life has become the Arab Christian voice in Dearborn.

The Abundant Life continues to live its mission of witnessing the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the love of God and love of our neighbors. Physically located next to several religious organizations, our church is also a neighbor to the largest Mosque in North America. In the community of Dearborn the Abundant Life has been known as a leader in establishing and nurturing the Christian-Muslim dialogue, and has been featured in the most watched video of the ELCA: “Understanding Islam” with over 23,500 viewers since June of 2006. Also our church has been recognized and received the “bridge building Award” by the ADC under the patronage of her majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, queen of Jordan for building this Christian-Muslim relationship in our community, October of 2003.

Since the Middle Eastern world continues to lack a deep understanding of the Lutheran identity, it is no wonder that almost all of the members of the Abundant Life come from other Christian traditions such as the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Melkite, etc. and embrace the doctrine of grace embedded in God’s love for us sinners manifested in the act of redemption of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that we as Lutherans proudly, humbly and dearly hold in our hearts.

God has touched many people through this humble ministry of the Abundant Life. Whether through an ESL (English as a second Language) program, or assistance in filing an immigration form, referral to community resources and centers, counseling, worship and Bible study in Arabic, leading the community and with the community in addressing racial profiling and injustice inflicted upon the immigrant community, advocating for peace in the world and especially in the Middle East, or building an awareness about the Arab Christians that so often have been forgotten, I believe and I know that God has been and continues to be at work in our midst.

Glory be to God! Amen.