Messiah is a welcoming and caring family of God centered in the Good News of Jesus.
Our mission is to educate, equip, and energize believers to serve as disciples.
January 16, 1977 - Initial meeting held in the community room of First Federal Savings; N. Fort Myers, with 39 People present.
January 23, 1977 - First worship service held at First Federal; 16 in attendance.
January 30, 1977 - Mission certified as "The Lutheran Ministry of N. Fort Myers". Mission to be funded by ALC's United Mission Appeal.
February 6, 1977 - First Communion service and first church bulletin; 54 in attendance.
April 3, 1977 - First Palm Sunday Service held in store front, Ixora Drive at Bayshore Road, in N. Fort Myers; 52 in attendance.
September 18, 1977 - Congregation chose the name Messiah Lutheran Church of North Fort Myers, Florida.
December 11, 1977 - Organization celebration, The Third Sunday in Advent, for Messiah Lutheran Church; 101 in attendance. Bishop Gordon Huffman brought the message.
February 26, 1978 - Moving again, but in the same building. Retaining rear store for office and Sunday School, using a much larger store on Bayshore Road for worship services and Adult Bible Class.
April 16, 1978 - Congregation voted to "CALL" Pastor Perry Hanson, Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Baltimore, Md.. as our "full-time" pastor.
July 23, 1978 - Last service as "mission organizer" for Pastor Walter Ruth.
July 30, 1978 - Last service as "mission organizer" for Pastor Clarence Beireis.
August 1, 1978 - Pastor Perry Hanson (Messiah's first called pastor), with wife Lynn, sons, Nathan, Peter, and Michael, arrived in Fort Myers.
September 17, 1978 - 4 p.m. Installation service for Pastor Perry Hanson. The Rev. David Wolber, Dean of the Southern Region officiated.
September 26, 1978 - First Issue of DISCOVERY, Messiah's monthly newsletter.
June 17, 1979 - Groundbreaking Service for our new Messiah Lutheran Church.
December 2, 1979 - Last services at Bayshore location.
December 9, 1979 - First Service in New Church; 229 in attendance.
March 2, 1980 - 4 p.m. Dedication of Messiah Lutheran Church.
April 1986 - Phase II groundbreaking for the new sanctuary.
July 3, 1986 - Building permit issued for construction of new Sanctuary.
March 22, 1987 - Dedication of new sanctuary and offices.
February 4, 1996 - Dedication of new Education Building and Parish Hall.
February 16, 2002 - Celebrations began for our 25th Anniversary Year.
Rev. Walter Ruth (Deceased) 1976 - 1978 Pastor Developer
Rev. Clarence W. Beireis (Deceased) 1976 - 1978 Pastor Developer
Rev. Elwyn Goodsell (Deceased) 1977 - 1978 Pastor Developer
Rev. Perry Hanson 1978 - 1983 First called Pastor
Rev. Harold Popp (Retired) 1984 - 1997 Senior Pastor
Rev. Bill McKinney 1993 - 1996 Associate Pastor
Rev. Paul Milholland 1998 -1999 Senior Pastor
Rev. Kenneth Saurman 2001 - 2002 Senior Pastor
Rev. Charles May 2004 - Senior Pastor