About Us

WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT

Our Beliefs

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a member of a larger network of churches called the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. If you have any questions about our beliefs, we'd love to talk!

Lutherans believe... that God created the universe in six literal days, just as His Word tells us. He continues to sustain His creation with His power. God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, in His own image to live in a relationship with Him. He is also the author of marriage, designed to be between one man and one woman for life.

Lutherans believe... that Adam and Eve doubted and rebelled against God. Their act of disobedience was like pushing a self-destruct button on God's perfect creation. Their relationship with God, with each other, and with creation was broken. The same story has repeated for every person in every generation since. The Bible calls this broken relationship "sin." It also uses the word sin to describe the symptoms of our condition—such as lying, greed, and selfishness. Humanity's only hope was Gods promise of a Savior, first given to Adam and Eve and renewed to every generation thereafter.

Lutherans believe... that Jesus Christ is the Savior God promised. Jesus came down from heaven to be our substitute. He took upon Himself the punishment for all sins of all people for all time when He died on the cross of Calvary. God raised Him from the dead, proving that His sacrifice was sufficient.

Lutherans believe... that it is through faith in Jesus as Savior that a person receives the gifts of forgiveness, new life, and eternal salvation. Faith is the power to receive all that Jesus earned by His cross and empty tomb. It is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit, from beginning to end. The Holy Spirit creates faith through God's Word, which both reveals our sin and proclaims the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ.

Lutherans believe... that the Bible is the source of knowledge about God and the way He speaks to us today. The Bible was written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is true and without error from Genesis to Revelation.

Lutherans believe... that the church is made up of all who have faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Good Shepherd carries the name Lutheran not because it follows Martin Luther, but because it holds, as Luther did, to the truth of God's Word. If asked what a Lutheran is, the best answer is this: A Lutheran is a Christian who strictly keeps to the letter of Scripture. The purpose of the church is to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ and to go and make disciples of others.

Lutherans believe... that baptism is important because God commands it and attaches His promise to it. Through baptism, the Holy Spirit connects a person to Jesus Christ and marks them as His child. Baptism is God's action, not dependent on a person's age. Along with baptism, God has also commanded the Lord's Supper, in which Jesus gives His body and blood "in, with, and under" the bread and wine.

Lutherans believe... that Jesus will return one day, just as He promised, as Judge. Everyone who has received by faith the salvation Christ won by His cross and empty tomb will live forever with God.




At Good Shepherd, God's love, grace, and truth come alive. Whether you're seeking spiritual nourishment, engaging worship, or meaningful fellowship, you'll find a welcoming home here. Our services, Bible studies, and ministries are designed to help you grow in faith and embrace the transformative power of God's Word. Join us as we journey together in worship, learning, and service, and experience the hope and purpose found in Christ.



GOOD SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP

Meet Our Team

Kevin Hahn 

Kevin Hahn 

Pastor

Contact Pastor Kevin

Sharon Bettenhausen

Organist

drake-talles-website-manager-good-shepherd-lutheran-church-frankfort

Drake Talles

Website Manager

Lori Powless

Lori Powless

Administration

Contact Church Office

Karen Glim

Praise Team Director

marilyn-toepper-organist-good-shepherd-lutheran-church-frankfort

Marilyn Toepper

Organist

Denise Marshall

Denise Marshall

Administration

Contact Church Office
lloyd-martin-organist-good-shepherd-lutheran-church-frankfort

Lloyd Martin

Organist

THE HISTORY OF GOOD SHEPHERD

Our Story

The Founding of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

The Founding of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was founded in 1956 by 32 families, with 21 men signing on as the first voting members. Among the original families were Kuch, Klier, Subbert, Uthe, Koenig, Kuse, Seeman, Heyer, Lauffer, Simpson, Schuldt, Cohrs, Hopkins, Wischover, Lahti, Bell, Schinkowski, Schilling, Mather, and Sangmeister. Many of these families continue to be active in the congregation today.

The Rev. Adolph E. Ullrich was installed as the part-time pastor on April 15, 1956. A week later, on April 22, the first worship service was held at 1:30 PM, with Sunday School meeting beforehand at 12:30 PM. For the first nine months, the congregation shared a building at 144 Hickory Street (now a private residence) with the Methodists. The name "Good Shepherd" was inspired by one of the building’s beautiful stained-glass windows. Forty-six children were enrolled in Sunday School from the start, and confirmation classes began with five students meeting in the office of the Frankfort Grain Elevator. On September 6, 1956, eighteen women organized the Good Shepherd Circle, whose service would bless the congregation for decades. The youth group followed in 1958, led by the Subberts and Sangmeisters.

A Journey of Growth and Renewal

A Journey of Growth and Renewal

As the community grew, the congregation purchased land on Sauk Trail for a new church building. Groundbreaking took place on November 15, 1987, and the new building was formally dedicated on Good Shepherd Sunday, April 9, 1989. The old church, parsonage, and some surrounding land were sold in 1988 and 1989. A new education wing and offices were dedicated on February 24, 2002.

On March 21, 2002, a contemporary worship service was added, creating the Sunday schedule we follow today: worship at 8:00 AM, Sunday School from 9:30–10:30 AM, and a second worship service at 10:46 AM. In 2006, the congregation launched a traditional morning-only preschool, which served the community until its closure in 2015. That same year, the church’s address changed from 295 Sauk Trail to 177 Luther Lane—a perfect fit for a Lutheran congregation.

Pastoral Leadership Anchored in Christ

Pastoral Leadership Anchored in Christ

Since its founding, Good Shepherd has been served by Rev. Adolph Ullrich, Rev. Erwin Baumgartner, Rev. Fred Ade, Rev. James Dishop, Lay Minister Jay Mather (son of one of the founding families), and Rev. Kevin Hahn, the current pastor.

The name “Good Shepherd” reminds us that the glory for this congregation’s mission and ministry belongs to Jesus Christ alone. Guided by His heart for the lost and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Good Shepherd looks forward with hope to all that He has planned for the future.