Redeemer’s Cheryl Chatman

by Cheryl Chatman

I was fortunate to be raised in a family that believed in, depended on and served God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. My grandmother often reminded us to “put God first, and all things will be added unto you.” My family attended church weekly, and was active in the work of the church and the community. The adage, “train a child in the way she should go and she will not depart from it,” resonates with me. Since childhood and to this day as a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis and as Executive Vice President and Dean of Diversity at Concordia University, St. Paul, I have encountered endless opportunities to share my faith and to be used by God.

Although my husband Kelly is the senior pastor at Redeemer, I would want to be a member of Redeemer even if he wasn’t the pastor. Redeemer attracts individuals who are service-oriented and want to be used by God, in familiar and unfamiliar surroundings, with known and unknown situations and circumstances. Redeemer members are willing to minister in faith, with limited resources, but with generous support from caring and supportive partnering congregations and organizations. The needs of the community are met in a variety of ways by Redeemer’s outreach, openness, support, and intentionality in being a part of the community.

The importance of Redeemer in my life can be viewed as 3M-dimensional, because of its Mission, Members, and Ministry. Redeemer’s mission to be a beacon of hope in the Harrison neighborhood is in direct alignment with the impact I want to have on the lives of those with whom I work, live, commune and interact. Our members respond to the community with empathy, care, compassion, support, dependability, hard-work, and generosity, and are models to me of God’s family. Our ministry together not only responds to varying needs of the community, but also enriches our individual lives and our relationships with God and with each other.