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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church

1120 Hull Road
Ruidoso, NM 88345
Kevin L. Krohn, Pastor
575-258-4191
Our History
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD
The history of our Church body goes back to April 26, 1847, when 12 pastors and 16 congregations formed the "German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States" at St. Paul Evangelical Church in Chicago. It was made up mostly of German immigrants who had come to the United States in search of a better life. They brought their Lutheran faith with them.
 
With such a long name it was inevitable that a shorthand designation began to be used: "Missouri Synod." The word "synod" Comes from the Greek for "going the same way" and has been used for centuries to describe a religious group with a united confession.
 
Today the LCMS is a "work-association of congregations," formed to help congregations walk together and help one another accomplish mission and ministry that each congregation cannot do as well alone.
 
As Missouri Synod congregations, we each move at our own pace. Though we're walking together, we're not marching in a parade. Though we are joined by a common theology, we don't make every move in exactly the same way.
 
Today the LCMS has grown to a church body with over 2.9 million members in over 6,400 congregations in the United States.
These congregations under one synod are divided into 35 geographical districts within our nation and of these 35 districts, 643 circuits are designed to help congregations carry out their responsibilities more effectively in each geographical area.
 
Shepherd of the Hills is in the Pecos Circuit of the Rocky Mountain District. We are one of 168 congregations called by the Holy Spirit and empowered to function as the body of Jesus Christ in our world today. We ministerto our members and world by: preaching and teaching God's Word; administering the Sacraments; and sharing our blessings to meet human need. The guiding principles of the Lutheran Reformation continue to be our standard: Scripture Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone. Through missionaries and overseas workers, the LCMS is committed to sharing the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in our own country and in 29 nations of the world. Together we are called and empowered to: "make disciples of all nations." Matthew 28:19.
  
SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS - RUIDOSO, NEW MEXICO
Our congregation was organized as a member congregation to the Rocky Mountain District of the Lutheran church – Missouri Synod on April1st, 1984.  Our brief history is as follows:
 
As early as the late fifties, then again in the sixties, Rev. E.W. Zimbrick and Rev. R. Gutknecht, pastors of Trinity, Alamogordo, in those periods respectively, held services in Ruidoso for short periods of time.  Low attendance in Ruidoso and parish responsibilities in Alamogordo drowned these efforts.
Then, beginning the first Sunday of August 1979, as a preaching station Shepherd was served in a joint effort by Rev. O.E. Krohn, Immanuel, Roswell, and Rev. L. Stevens, Trinity, Alamogordo.  Afternoon services were held at First Presbyterian Church, Ruidoso, Pastor Krohn and Pastor Stevens taking alternating Sundays.
With Pastor Steven’s call as editor of the Lutheran Witness in November 1984, Pastor Krohn continued alone in ministry to Shepherd.  Later, Rev. G. Harms, Trinity, Alamogordo, assisted.
 
For nearly two years, from September 1982 to July 1984, Rev. C. Ullmann– as a seminary intern for a year, then as an ordained pastor – served Shepherd as the District’s missionary-at-large.  Then in August of 1984 Rev. Stevens returned from St. Louis to serve Shepherd as vacancy pastor after Rev. Ullmann had accepted a call to Trinity, Alamogordo.  That first Sunday in August of 1984 marked exactly five years since Pastor Krohn and Pastor Stevens had started the preaching station.  Pastor Stevens was then called by Shepherd and he was installed on October 27, 1985, the date of our church building dedication. Pastor Stevens served until July 1st, 1990, the date of his retirement.  Pastor Kevin L. Krohn was installed that same afternoon and is currently serving Shepherd as pastor.