Christ Lutheran Church stands on Schoenherr Road in Warren, Michigan, where it has rooted itself since 1960. Today it carries a vision spelled out in seven words: "Connecting Christ and the Community to Renew the World." That sentence captures the Lutheran identity of the congregation and its long commitment to a neighborhood and a wider Macomb County community. The church describes itself as a place where anyone can feel at home regardless of background, proclaiming the gospel in its fullness and resting on the unshakable foundation of the Word of God.
Roots on Schoenherr Road
The story of Christ Lutheran begins in January 1957, when the Board of American Missions purchased the property at 32300 Schoenherr Road. A call was extended to Pastor Donald H. Niehaus, who arrived on August 11, 1960. The new congregation was dedicated on May 7, 1961, and Niehaus was formally installed as its first pastor on December 17, 1961. He served the church for thirty-five years before retiring in 1995 and went to be with the Lord in July 2018.
Pastor Daniel Cave accepted the call to Christ Lutheran in 2007, served for fourteen years, and retired in 2021. The current pastor, Tsegayesus H. Hunde, was installed on December 19, 2022. The church was originally a member of the American Lutheran Church; today it is affiliated with Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC).
Pastor Tsegayesus H. Hunde
Pastor Hunde is an African-Norwegian minister who moved to Michigan from Norway in 2022 with his wife, Hana Aklilu Belay, and their three sons: Reuben, Reuel, and Reynaud. He holds two master's degrees, two bachelor's degrees, and a three-year advanced diploma. Before joining Christ Lutheran, he served for eight years as a parish pastor in the Norwegian Lutheran Church and earlier spent years in full-time ministry at Yewongel Berhan Church in Oslo. Three decades of ministry have shaped the call he now carries in Warren.
From his desk, Pastor Hunde often writes that "we are saved by faith, not by deeds or through our righteousness," and he leans on Matthew 16:18 as a steady reminder: "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." He invites anyone curious about Christ Lutheran to explore the history, mission, and opportunities for service and learning the congregation offers.
Sunday at 10:00
Worship takes place every Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. The Sunday morning liturgy follows Lutheran tradition, anchored in the preaching of the Word and the celebration of Holy Communion. The service is livestreamed on YouTube for members who are traveling, homebound, or simply unable to attend in person.
Two contemporary music groups share the music at the regular Sunday gathering, with Genesis and the CLC Praise Band rotating weeks. During the summer months, when services combine into one service, traditional organ music sits alongside the contemporary groups for a blended 10:00 a.m. service. Music Director Justine B. Bowse plays the organ, piano, or keyboard for regular services, funerals, and special services throughout the year.
Children, Catechism, and Youth
The next generation is a top priority at Christ Lutheran. Sunday School meets at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays for children who are potty-trained through grade four. Catechism classes gather at 11:15 a.m. on Sundays and run from September through May for students in grades five through eight. Confirmation comes at the end of eighth grade, when a young person affirms the Christian faith and becomes a full member of the church.
Evelyn Hudson-Wright, the Youth and Family Coordinator, builds relationships with parents and children, recruits and trains volunteer teachers, and walks alongside families through the milestones of baptism, first communion, and confirmation. The playground on the church grounds, dedicated in 2022, was given to the congregation for the joy of children today and future generations.
Daily Bread Food Pantry
Since 2004, Christ Lutheran has operated the Daily Bread Food Pantry, a ministry that assists families in need across Macomb County and within the congregation itself. The pantry provides non-perishable food along with paper products, hygiene items, and cleaning supplies. Before distribution, volunteers pray a blessing over each household, recalling that "we cannot live by bread alone."
The pantry is open on the third Tuesday of the month from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., currently every other month following COVID-era policies. Visitors are asked to register with a simple form and to bring a photo ID along with a bill that matches the address on the ID. One member of each household may receive groceries every sixty days. Melissa Bruesehoff leads this ministry, and donations come from CLC families and friends throughout the year.
A second outreach called Pins and Needles gathers people who sew lap robes for Michigan veterans and for nursing facilities, providing a quiet avenue for fellowship and service.
Prayer, Bible Study, and Adult Education
A weekly prayer group meets on Mondays to pray for members and friends who are ill, grieving families, the community, government leaders, the church council, and the staff. Anyone can submit prayer requests by email or by phone.
Bible study gathers on selected days during Lent with sessions on Christology and discussion. Catechism-style teaching continues in the regular schedule as well. Adult Education invites anyone to grow in the understanding of the Word and to apply it to daily life. The Parish Education Ministry, led by Melissa Bruesehoff and Jim Gadd, builds a warm and engaging learning environment for both children and adults.
Music Ministry
Music at Christ Lutheran reflects a blend of styles. The Genesis contemporary group and the CLC Praise Band lead worship on alternate weeks. Choir and congregation join the singing as well. The Worship Committee, with Sherry Carroll as leader and Evelyn Hudson-Wright and Chad Bruesehoff among its organizers, oversees the Altar Guild, ushers, the Adult and Youth Music Committees, the Church Decorating Committee, and the screen team, and arranges annual AED and CPR training for ushers.
Caring for the Whole Congregation
A Homebound Ministry sends volunteers to visit members in residences and nursing facilities for spiritual support, communion, and friendly conversation. Volunteers make cards throughout the year and send them to homebound members.
Pairs and Spares gathers adults age 50 and up once a month for lunch, games, and outings. The group is open to anyone in that age range and to their friends. The Fellowship Committee, led by Kathi Frezza and Debbie Brown, plans meals and events to keep the congregation knit together as a family of friends.
The Communication Committee, led by Lee O'Bryan and Nancy O'Bryan, makes sure the church's many activities are well advertised through bulletins, flyers, and the electronic sign. The Property Committee, managed by Allan Mullins, cares for the buildings, parking lot, and grounds.
Mission and Vision
The mission statement is shaped around the word CHRIST:
- C - Creating a Christ-centered community
- H - Healing body and soul through the Word of God
- R - Reaching out to those in need
- I - Inviting all to hear God's Word
- S - Sharing our gifts with others
- T - Telling the Good News of Christ
The vision statement reads: "Christ Lutheran Church is united through faith in Jesus Christ and committed to serving God's world. Empowered by the Holy Spirit we work with our neighbors to nurture a more caring and compassionate community."
Governance and Online Life
Congregational governance runs through the Congregational Meeting as the highest body, then through the Executive Committee - the pastor, council president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary - and then through the eighteen-member Church Council. Cheryl Gothro serves as Council President. The Finance Committee and Stewardship Committee work with Treasurer Jim Bruesehoff on the budget and giving. Information Technology, led by Steven Brown, looks after networking, audio and video, livestreaming, and the church's online presence.
Sunday services are livestreamed on YouTube, and recordings of recent services are available through the channel. Giving is available online, and prayer requests can be submitted by email at Churchoffice@clcwarren.org or by phone at 586-293-0700. The church office is staffed during the week, and the pastor is available for pastoral conversations, baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
Visiting Christ Lutheran
Christ Lutheran Church is located at 32300 Schoenherr Road in Warren, Michigan. The Sunday morning rhythm begins at 10:00 with worship and Sunday School, followed by catechism at 11:15. On the third Tuesday of each month the food pantry opens at noon. Visitors and members alike are welcome to drop in on a Monday prayer meeting, to attend an Adult Education gathering, or simply to walk through the doors on Sunday morning and experience sixty-plus years of ministry to Macomb County.