Set on Mississippi Street in Fridley, just east of East River Road and a short drive north of downtown Minneapolis, Redeemer Lutheran Church has spent more than a century gathering a multi-generational congregation around a single call: to invite people into the way of the Redeemer. Rooted in the Lutheran tradition yet marked by what the church describes as three streams - traditional, evangelical, and charismatic - Redeemer brings classic liturgy, contemporary worship, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit under one roof. The church is affiliated with Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) and the Alliance of Renewal Churches (ARC), and that blend shapes everything from Sunday morning to summer camp.
Two Sunday Services, One Family
Redeemer gathers twice each Sunday morning in the same building but in two distinct settings.
The 9:00 AM Traditional service meets in the upper-level Sanctuary, where classic hymns, liturgy, and a relevant message carry on a worship style many longtime members describe as "the church you remember." The 10:30 AM Modern service takes place in the lower-level Worship Center and features a full band, contemporary worship music, and the same biblical preaching in a more casual environment. Both services run side-by-side and welcome the same open invitation to come as you are - dress casual or formal, arrive with questions, bring the whole family.
The 10:30 AM service is also livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook, so anyone can join from home. Redeemer Kids programming for children from birth through Grade 4 runs alongside the modern service, with a staffed nursery and age-specific rooms available during that hour. Parking is simple: visitors pull into the lot off the back of the building and look for the north-facing Main Entrance. Inside, a large Commons connects worshipers to each other and to the children's check-in area, while the lower-level Worship Center sits just down the stairs on the west side of the building.
What Redeemer Believes
Redeemer's stated beliefs are organized into three categories: Core Beliefs, Distinctives, and Cultural Engagement.
Among the Core Beliefs, the church teaches that the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God and the ultimate authority for faith and daily living. The church affirms one God who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Jesus Christ as fully God and fully human, born of the Virgin Mary, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross, rose bodily from the grave, and will return in glory. The Holy Spirit is described as truly God, who lives within every believer and continues to give both natural and supernatural gifts for the good of others. The church teaches that sin separates people from Him and that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Under Distinctives, Redeemer stands in the Lutheran Christian tradition and aligns with the ecumenical creeds and the Lutheran Confessions, including the teaching that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in Scripture, for the glory of God alone. The church teaches that Scripture contains both Law and Gospel, that Baptism and Communion are means of grace, and that every believer has direct access to God through Jesus Christ in the Priesthood of All Believers.
Cultural Engagement statements address the sanctity of life, sexuality, controlling substances, politics, and female leadership. Redeemer teaches that every human life holds immeasurable value, that marriage is defined as between one man and one woman, that followers of Jesus should not be controlled by anything other than the Holy Spirit, that Christ's kingship stands above earthly political parties, and that Scripture shows a consistent pattern of God gifting and calling both women and men to carry out His mission.
Redeemer Kids: Fun, Friends, Faith
On Sundays at 10:30 AM, Redeemer Kids offers programming for children from birth through Grade 4. Children are checked in at the Redeemer Kids area, where trained staff and volunteers - all vetted through Ministry Safe with background checks, policies, and ongoing oversight - lead a morning of Bible stories, games, activities, and prayer.
The nursery welcomes children ages 0 to 2. Preschool and Kindergarten children gather together for creative, faith-engaging programming. Elementary children in Grades 1 through 4 join their own group with age-appropriate lessons. Aaron Russnak leads the ministry as Kids Ministry Director.
Beyond Sunday mornings, Redeemer Kids runs a busy calendar throughout the year. Vacation Bible School takes place in late July each year and runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to noon for children age 3 through Grade 4, with a suggested donation of $50 per child. Each year brings a new theme - the latest being "Rainforest Falls," where kids explore the nature of God through music, crafts, a daily peanut-free snack, and a free USDA-funded breakfast and lunch. Good Friday Day Camp invites children ages 3 through Grade 4 to walk through Holy Week with Bible stories, games, and Easter egg decorating. The annual Kids Christmas Program, held in mid-December, lets children retell the nativity story through skits and classic carols.
Trunk or Treat, held in the church parking lot on the Saturday before Halloween, offers a safe, free community night of decorated trunks, treats, games, and prizes. Christmas Town, held each December, lets parents choose a gift for their children up to age 10, with donated toys and grocery gift cards extending the support, along with bonfires, s'mores, popcorn, crafts, and a full Christmas experience.
Redeemer Youth: Sunday Nights for Grades 5 to 12
Middle and High School students (Grades 5 through 12) find their own space at Redeemer on Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Middle School small groups begin at 6:15 PM, followed at 6:45 PM by a combined Middle and High School service, with High School small groups at 7:45 PM and the night ending at 8:30 PM. Nathan Strecker serves as Youth Director, supported by Youth Assistant Kenzie Monsrud.
The ministry's heartbeat is expressed in its own words: "We LOVE WITH PASSION. We LIVE WITH PURPOSE." The Sunday night rhythm blends fun, relevant teaching, worship, and small-group community. Confirmation is offered for students in Grade 9 and up, walking through a working understanding of the Bible and the Lutheran catechism.
Throughout the year, Redeemer Youth offers special events including the Youth Leader Training, the Youth Mission Trip to the Twin Cities (partnering with five other churches through the BRNC network for service projects around Minneapolis), Youth Street Team (a Friday-evening outreach to Minneapolis with ICCM volunteers, where juniors and seniors hand out food, water, and supplies and pray with people in need), and Collide, a recurring Wednesday-night gathering in the Chapel with acoustic worship, testimonies, and prayer for High Schoolers and Young Adults.
Building Blocks Christian Preschool
Building Blocks Christian Preschool is a ministry of Redeemer serving 3- and 4-year-olds in Fridley. The preschool's stated mission is to supplement spiritual, emotional, physical, and academic experiences within a Christian environment, partnering with families as children develop and explore a personal relationship with Jesus.
Three-year-olds attend two sessions a week ($152 monthly). Four-year-olds may choose three sessions ($200 monthly) or four sessions ($265 monthly). An early-bird discount is available when tuition is paid in full at the start of the year. "Later Gators," a flexible afternoon care option, runs Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from noon to 3:00 PM at $25 per afternoon. Classes are licensed for 20 children, ages 3 through 5, comply with Minnesota Department of Human Services standards, and are insured by GuideOne Insurance. Children must be potty-trained before school begins; children with special needs are admitted upon agreement among the preschool, parents, and doctor.
Preschool Director Bekky Conner has taught at Building Blocks for 15 years and is supported by Assistant Preschool Teacher Maria Hein. The school year kicks off with an Open House each March.
Young Adults
Young Adults, ages 18 to 29, gather throughout the year for community, conversation, and spiritual growth. Lauren Strecker leads the ministry as Young Adult and Creative Director. The Young Adults Gathering takes place on the second Friday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM and is built around authentic community and fun. Periodic Coffee House nights offer free handcrafted lattes, specialty drinks, and snacks in a come-and-go atmosphere for studying, working, or hanging out.
Each August, the Young Adult Retreat at Faith Haven Camp near Battle Lake, Minnesota, gathers the group for a life-transforming weekend of teaching, small groups, worship, and recreation. The most recent retreat focused on community from Galatians 6 - "building a practical community in a broken world." A January RESET gathering kicks off the new year, and a New Year's Retreat at Faith Haven for 9th through 12th graders closes out December.
Groups for Every Season
Redeemer builds a substantial portion of its life around groups - what it calls Growth Groups, small groups, and serving groups.
The Tuesday Bible Study meets during the school year from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, with coffee and refreshments available from 9:30 AM. The Wednesday morning Men's Bible Study runs from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, and a Wednesday evening Men's Bible Study meets from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Summer brings the Women's Summer Bible Study and the Men's Summer Bible Study, both running Wednesday evenings from late May into late July. A Women's Connection Event happens roughly every other month, with evenings of conversation, snacks, and fellowship open to women of all ages.
Course-based large groups rotate through the year, including the eight-week Financial Peace University on Sunday evenings (with shared dinner and childcare provided), the eight-week Practicing the Way course, and other studies on spiritual formation.
Beyond Bible studies, Redeemer hosts two well-known grief-support ministries under the GriefShare umbrella. Loss of a Spouse is a single-evening seminar for those grieving the death of a spouse, featuring video teaching from counselors and widowed men and women. Surviving the Holidays is a two-hour seminar offering practical tips, real-life stories, and a free book of daily readings for those facing the holiday season after losing a loved one.
Camps at Faith Haven
Redeemer's summer camp and year-round retreat ministry is housed at Faith Haven Camp on Eagle Lake near Battle Lake, Minnesota. Camp weeks are filled with Bible study, worship, small groups, swimming, campfires, and the kinds of friendships that last for years.
The camp calendar includes a New Year's Retreat for Grades 9 to 12 each December 28 through January 1, a Middle School Retreat (Grades 5 to 8) in February, and a Work Retreat in mid-May where campers prepare the grounds for summer and develop their leadership. Summer camp weeks include 10th through 12th grade camp in mid-June, 7th through 9th grade camp in late June, and 4th through 6th grade camp in mid-July. Redeemer provides Camp Scholarships for families needing financial assistance and offers paid summer staff positions and volunteer leader applications for those wanting to serve.
Local Outreach and Global Missions
Redeemer's Serve & Share: Local ministry partners with local organizations and non-profits to meet the physical and spiritual needs of neighbors, schools, and the city. Outreach teams include Meals on Wheels drivers, Family Table food servers, and volunteers who serve with Sharing Caring Hands.
On the global side, Redeemer runs an international mission trip each year. The most recent trip heads to Fang and Chiang Mai, Thailand, in November, partnering with Youth With A Mission San Diego/Baja (YWAM SDB) for a building project and service outreach. A recurring Tijuana Mission Trip continues to be part of the church's global work.
Ways to Serve
Serving at Redeemer runs through nearly every part of church life. Creative Media teams capture moments through photography, videography, and social media. Facilities teams handle gardening, lawn care, painting, repairs, and set-up and tear-down. First Impressions greeters, welcome desk hosts, refreshment servers, and ushers create a friendly atmosphere before and after services, while weekday front desk receptionists support office operations. Growth Group leaders and coaches guide small groups of adults. Kids and Youth teams include leaders, worship team members, story readers, nursery volunteers, small-group leaders, and food servers. The Prayer team covers the church in daily and weekly prayer, including Sunday Prayer Ministers and GriefShare Ministers. The Sacraments team prepares Communion on the first Sunday of each month. Tech teams run sound, video, livestream, camera, lighting, and stage operations during services and special events. The Worship team includes vocalists, instrumentalists, choir, and bell choir.
How to Get Connected
First-time guests are invited to fill out an Online Connect Card. From there, the church outlines four Next Steps: get baptized, join a group, read the Bible (a Bible Reading Plan is available), and serve on a team. Becoming a member, getting married, planning a funeral, and baptism information are all described on dedicated pages.
Redeemer offers a podcast on Apple Podcasts, a weekly email newsletter, and a presence on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. The Church by MinistryOne app gives members access to sermons, registrations, and giving. Rightnow Media is available to anyone in the Redeemer community free of charge for additional Bible teaching and family resources.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to noon. The church phone is (763) 574-7445, the email is bethechurch@redeemermn.org, and the address is 61 Mississippi Street NE, Fridley, MN 55432. Services are livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook, and giving is available online.