New Beginnings
Hello there!
My name is Adam, Pastor of St. Martin’s Lutheran Mission, here in Mendota IL. I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself!
I was born and raised in the Western Chicago Suburbs, mostly in Geneva IL. I was raised in a loving Christian home, and I spent much of my youth/ early adulthood as a professional musician, which included a lot of time leading music in various churches! It was in my 20’s that after the turmoil of the COVID pandemic, I felt called to something else… I spent a few years working in a barn, which I loved, but that too came to an end… After much prayer, and advice from trusted friends and mentors, I decided to enter seminary, to pursue the Office of The Holy Ministry. It wasn’t long after that, that my own pastor informed me of another church nearby that needed help musically, and inquired as to whether or not I would be willing to assist this church… Since then, I have been serving in an assistant capacity at Faith Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Geneva IL, for over a year now. I have been preaching, teaching classes, and leading music, and each of these tasks has been a unique blessing! I have learned so much about myself, the church, and above all, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in doing each of these things, and I pray that I have carried out each of these tasks faithfully!
In December of 2025, I was called and ordained as a minister of word and sacrament under the oversight of the Independent Lutheran Diocese, and immediately began work to establish a church in an area that did not have a church belonging to an orthodox Lutheran Synod such as the LCMS, AALC, WELS, CLC, ELS, etc.… After considerable research and prayer, it was decided that I would pursue this venture in Mendota IL. This decision was not made lightly, however, Gods plan and timing are evident in this decision! Mendota is a beautiful little town with a vibrant community, and yet, the closest church of similar convictions to that of my Diocese, is over 25 miles away, nearly a 40 minute drive! Mendota is also close enough to my family in Geneva, that I still have some freedom to spend time with my family, and most importantly, care for my Grandparents who need considerable assistance on account of their health and age. My Grandfather, Floyd is in his mid 90’s, is legally blind, hard of hearing, and unable to walk more than a few feet, and my Grandmother, Lois, is in her late 80’s and suffers from Alzheimer’s… Every moment I get with them is a gift, so to be able to pursue our mission in Mendota, without sacrificing my availability to them, is a blessing of immense proportions!
Thinking on all of this, God’s timing never ceases to amaze me… At the same time that God called me to His Holy Ministry, my own personal situation was in a period of great turmoil, and change. I was currently navigating my own living situation, as I was no longer able to stay where I had lived for multiple years, for reasons outside of my control. This, normally speaking, would have been seen as a curse, yet, this ultimately afforded me complete and total freedom to explore where God was calling me to serve, and to commit to that calling without reservation. A time of great challenge, was also a moment that God swung open the door of opportunity to answer this calling, which would have been otherwise nearly impossible.
As of April of 2026, I have moved my whole life to Mendota, with the sole intention of celebrating word and sacrament with the faithful people in the area. What a joy it is to announce that, one week from today, on 6/28/26, our little church plant, St. Martin’s Lutheran Mission will be celebrating it’s first Divine Service!
It is my prayer that you come to spend a Sunday with us sometime in the future, and that we can be of service to you, and our neighbors around us, through the grace and power of God Almighty.
Pax Christi!
-Rev. Adam Linder
