Nativity Lutheran Church (Bend, Or.)

The congregation of Nativity in Bend, Oregon had its beginning when Paul Baughman was assigned by the Division for Home Mission in North America of the LCA as the pastor-developer. He came to this area in 1981 and conducted a house-to-house survey. The congregation was organized on November 28, 1982 with 79 baptized members. The organization was preceded by the work of a service committee that planned early get-acquainted meetings, worship services, Sunday School classes, and other activities. In the early years the congregation rented a commercial building for its activities. Since 1983 they have been sharing the worship and educational facilities of Faith Evangelical Free Church. In 1985 the congregation began holding worship services in nearby Sun River as a part of their mission statement to serve the greater Bend area.