Hope Lutheran Church: Anchored in Faith

Anchored in Christ, growing in faith, love, and service. That is the mission statement Reverend Dr. Patricia Medley and the congregation she leads at Hope Lutheran Church has lived by for decades.

Unlike some churches in the area, Hope Lutheran Church, 211 Elton-Adelphia Road in Freehold Township, does not just display any cross symbol, but an anchor cross. The reason, according to Medley, is quite simple.

"Stability," Medley said. "God is our anchor. Faith is our anchor. It’s what keeps us stable and in the right direction. It’s like when someone goes out to the sea. It’s the anchor that keeps everything in place."

Medley and the Lutheran Church staff pride themselves on stability and continuity.

"The best part about being here at the church is watching these young men and women grow up," Medley said. "I’m glad we’ve made a positive impact on families that now bring their children here. It’s great continuity."

The Hope Christian School, founded in 1967, helps provide continuity the staff strives for. Its mission is to provide proper preschool education for children ages 2-5 in a secure, loving, Christian environment. The staff places great value on the importance of preschool as the beginning of a child's formal school experience.

The school also offers Spanish classes and a "Mommy, Daddy, and Me" program, where younger students can take classes with their parents. 

"It’s a great bonding experience for us and families," Medley said. "We teach children of the children we taught years ago. I’m glad the parents can look back at their experience here positively and pass it on their children. Some tell me 'I never wanted to leave in the first place!'"

Much like other churches in Freehold, Hope Lutheran attracts churchgoers from Monmouth County and other areas in the state. Medley also notices the same problem other congregations have throughout the community--homelessness.

"Some people don’t expect homelessness to be a major problem in this community," Medley said. "Throughout the state it is, especially in this tough economy. We just donated hundreds school supplies and canned goods to our sister church in Camden. It’s sad to see these levels of poverty in our own backyard."

Whether it is during a normal fall day, holidays such as Christmas Eve, or extreme weather events such as during last winter's blizzards, Medley and the church keep their doors open for those less fortunate.

In addition to assisting those in need throughout the state, members of the Hope Lutheran Church have traveled internationally to Bosnia and Croatia, among other countries. Medley said the purpose of these trips is not only to help others, but to show that people from different places, no matter their background, can positively interact with one another.

"We're all about helping others and leaving a positive impact," Medley said. "It’s not impossible for people, no matter what background, race or religion to work together and co-exist."

For more information on the Hope Lutheran Church and the Hope Christian School, visit its Web site or call 732-462-7545.