Grand Canyon Growing In Faith Program

Growing In Faith is a ministry within the ELCA committed to fostering learning environments for followers of Jesus to grow in faith. We believe that lay members of our parishes are integral to healthy discipleship in our churches and communities.

History of Growing In Faith (Formerly Diakonia) 

The Diakonia program was started by the Reverend Dr. Stephen P. Bouman in 1977 when he was pastor at Atonement Lutheran Church in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. Atonement, along with a church in Connecticut (First Church in Stamford) and a church in Harlem (Central Methodist) received a grant from Union Theological Seminary for a one-year study to determine what each needed to do to reach out to the community. 

As a result, Pastor Bouman developed Diakonia to take the message of the font and the altar out the front door of the church into the community. This would be a program of spiritual formation and theological education of the breadth, but not depth, of theological education pastors receive in seminary. To maintain the grassroots emphasis of the program, local parish pastors were invited to teach the courses, and the courses were offered locally. The first classes were held in Queens, New York and 6 students completed the two-year program of study in 1980.

Through the efforts of graduates who had relocated, Diakonia has been planted in other ELCA Synods. The Diakonia National Board was created to engage in expansion and publicity efforts in a number of additional ELCA Synods. In almost 40 years of the program, more than 2000 persons have completed the program throughout the country.

After over 40 years of success in providing quality lay education in 11 synods across the ELCA, the National Board (Now the Growing In Faith National Board) redesigned the program to meet the needs of our 21st century churches and students. The program consists of a Foundation Year and a Practical Year with flexibility to suit the interests and regional needs of the students. Visit the Class Overview page for more information on the individual classes.

Our Mission Statement

Engaging in faith formation to equip disciples to live out their baptismal call.

Our Vision

A world where all the baptized see themselves blessed to be a blessing. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls us to go forward in faith and action, making disciples of all nations. Students and graduates of Growing In Faith respond to this great commission in a variety of ways.

 

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