About Abundant Life...
"Growing as ONE,
Sharing HIS Love,
Living by Faith"
Where in the World is...?
Well, if you can't find him, our Pastor [Wally] is most likely on the road. He can be reached at all times by his cell phone however. Pastor uses his hands-free Bluetooth enabled cell phone to minister to his church even while meeting delivery deadlines as a licensed commercial truck driver. Pastor Shifflett is hard at work driving truck to help support the ministry of Abundant Life Lutheran Church and Open Arms Child Care Center on average of 11 days a month. Amazingly, those days he is driving cross country are barely noticeable to his congregation due to Pastor's full schedule when he is home of member home visits, phone calls, emails, church business meetings, his appearance at nearly every group meeting held at the church, and of course, Sunday Worship Services. Pastor is very dedicated to looking after the needs of his congregation, even while working at his former vocation in order to also take care of the financial needs of the ministry of Abundant Life. You see, the real facts are that the needs of an urban ministry can and do often outstrip the available resources. In a mission church such as Abundant Life, even more so. Our congregation is comprised of a loving diverse church family who come together to worship God and to learn and to grow in Christ's teachings. The fact that our church is accessible to our local community of believers in East Charlotte, dramatically helps Abundant Life to serve those who may find it difficult to make their way to worship at one of the larger churches in more affluent areas of our city. So, that's the upside. We have a go-getter of a pastor who is willing to work a second job while still performing his intended mission to minister to the needs of his congregation. The down side is, Pastor Shifflett is always needed at home when he can be home, and even when he can't. Needs of congregation and that of a normal pastor's life with home and family are difficult to manage from a driver's seat.
Pastor Shifflett behind the wheel of his truck
Click picture for full sized view
Our hope is our Pastor's story will resonate with many who would be moved to pray for ways to help the ministry become self supporting so that our Pastor can stay home and minister full time to the needs of the people of Charlotte. If you read this story of our truck driving Pastor, and wonder where in the world he is? please prayerfully consider offering your help at Abundant Life. Any and all offers of prayers, to advocate, to volunteer, or to assist financially would help dramatically. Please call the church office if you can help in the mission of Abundant Life Lutheran Church.
Church phone: (704)531-9000
For anyone who may consider sponsoring Pastor Shifflett per mile, as he drives delivering trucks, his recorded mileage per week as recorded by the trucking company will be posted on this page. Also posted will be information on where his travels have taken him in the previous weeks. This in case you might want to keep a look out for our truck driving pastor, just to see where in the world he is. ~Smile~
Members of Abundant Life pictured next to Pastor's truck
Click picture for full sized view
Weekly Devotional Schedule
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Sunday Worship Service - 11:00am each Sunday
Engaging, upbeat, inclusive praise worship service. - Grace Alive! - 10:00 am Sunday mornings
Fun Sunday educational program for children. - Life Together Sunday - 10:00 am Sunday mornings
Fellowship and scriptural study for adults. - Life Together Tuesday - 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm Tuesdays.
A special time for prayer, praise, fellowship, and bible study.
6740 Albemarle Rd
Charlotte, NC 28212
Mail To:
Abundant Life Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 25262, Charlotte, NC 28229
(704)531-9000
Rev. Wally Shifflett, Pastor e-mail