Shepherd of the Coast’s History
Shepherd of the Coast began in June 1987 when 10 Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) pastors contacted the English District of the Synod to recommend beginning a mission congregation in Palm Coast, FL.
The first Bible Study class met on January 2, 1988 which included some members from Forrest Lutheran Church in Silver Springs, FL. The first Sunday worship service was held on March 6, 1988. Dr. George Bornemann and his wife Helen commuted from Oveido each weekend to lead worship and teach Bible class. Rev. Ted Richer accepted the call to become the first Pastor in 1989.
Also in 1989 the small congregation purchased its current 10-acre site on Pine Lakes Parkway. A multipurpose facility, completed in October 1992, opened in June 1993 as a preschool facility, the Open Arms Lutheran Child Development Center. After expanding in 1996, it was eventually closed in June 2017 due to declining enrollment. The facility now serves as our Fellowship Hall.
The Rev. William Douthwaite III became SOTC’s Pastor in June 1996. Ground-breaking for SOTC’s new sanctuary took place on December 4, 2004. Our first worship service was held there on February 16, 2005. It was dedicated to the glory of God on March 6, 2005.