Who started the congregation? Why? When?

The work to form a congregation began in November of 1989 when Pastor Kevin
Elseroad and his wife, Bonnie, moved to Alpharetta at the request of the Lutheran
Church Missouri Synods English District to start a new church in North Fulton
County. It is the goal of the LCMS to connect people with Jesus Christ, who we
proclaim to be the worlds Savior. New churches are an excellent way to proclaim
the good news of Jesus Christ. When people hear the invitation to have eternal
life through Jesus many believe and become part of Gods family, the church.
Kevin and Bonnie did lots of spade work in talking to people, inviting them, and
helping to form a little community of Christians. By August of 1991 we were
officially recognized as a congregation of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
and our District President, Dr. Roger Pittelko, came to Alpharetta to receive us
into the Synod.
In what way did the founders think that the congregation would make an important
addition to the community?
We believed that as we followed Jesus mandate to make disciples of all nations we
would have positive effects in individuals lives, families, our community, our
nation, and even other nations of the world.
The positive impact would be through:
Changed hearts and lives as people came to know Jesus. As people follow
Jesus they always find they see and treat other people differentlywith more
love, kindness, patience, etc. This is a tremendous blessing to families,
communities and the marketplace.
As a group of Christians, Christ the Shepherd seeks to help our fellow man
with all kinds of relief: physical, educational, social, and spiritual. We
dont just help other members we help people who are strangers either in our
community or someplace else in the world.
Our Open Arms Child Development Center helps many families in our community
with quality child care in a Christian environment.
Our various ministries help people in every age/stage: children, youth,
adults
What are the highlights of the congregation's history?
Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus, connecting people with Jesus, baptizing new
disciples, bearing fruit that lasts in the name of Jesus
Also:
October 1990: Open Arms CDC is opened by Christ the Shepherd.
August 1991: Christ the Shepherd received into membership of LCMS.
August 1994: Randy Potts becomes CTSs first non-pastoral staff person to work
with our youth.
July 1997: new sanctuary dedicated to the glory of God
Fall 2003: dedication of new facility addition doubling all our previous space and
having it being used up in such a short time period.