Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church

Can you imagine a church celebrating 80 years of service amidst the ever-changing landscape of Detroit? Right here, at the corner of Outer Drive and James Couzens, stands Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church (ODF). Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church has been a steadfast beacon of faith since 1936. It began as a west side expansion of Epiphany Lutheran Church, originally located at Seven Mile and Woodward. The first pastor of Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church was Carl Kemp, the former vicar at Epiphany. Initially, the congregation held services at the former John L. King Elementary School. By 1937, the church building was completed, and the mission officially became Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church. A significant addition was constructed in 1950. Rev. Kemp led Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church until his passing in the 1950s. His successor, Rev. Theodore Daniel, served for 30 years, retiring in 1985. Several pastors followed, including Rev. Thomas Van Der Bloemen, Rev. James Wiggins Jr., and Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Gray. In 2002, Rev. Eddie Morales became the current pastor of Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church. Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church remains a vital presence in Northwest Detroit. It actively engages in numerous service projects. These include community cookouts, a free music program, backpack giveaways, bi-weekly Bible study, a public prayer room, a nursing home ministry, blood drives, and grief ministry. Outer Drive Faith Lutheran Church also participates in the “Eat Up, Meet Up” program, partnering with Wayne County to ensure children have access to nutritious meals year-round. ODF celebrated its 80th anniversary in the fall of 2016 with a series of events. These included a fashion and talent show, a concert, and a celebratory service featuring former pastor Rev. James Wiggins Jr. from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Florida. The festivities concluded with a banquet honoring the church’s eight decades of service to its northwest Detroit neighborhood.