The Concordia Story: A Fifty-Year History of Concordia Lutheran Church 1951-2001

The year 1982 marked the publication of
Merkens’ first book directed at a general
Christian audience. The book, like the television
program, was titled Breakthrough. Its chapters
were primarily rewritten sermons which had
been offered by Merkens, but also included
ministry tips and inspirational stories.
That same year Concordia added 290 new
members, including 101 through adult confirmation,
150 through transfer, and 39 through
junior confirmation. That number, said Merkens,
was “unheard of” in the Missouri Synod.
In 1985 Concordia set another record when it
confirmed 84 children, the largest junior confirmation
class in Synod’s history. The reason for the large
class was a decision reached to consolidate the sixth
and seventh grades for that one year and from then
on to instruct and confirm sixth graders. This was
done in step with Texas public schools, which had
begun to incorporate sixth grade along with seventh
and eighth grades into “Middle Schools.”
As Concordia continued to add new souls,
the sheer size of the congregation at times prevented
members from really knowing each
✦
An aerial view of Concordia’s campus
in 1980 shows a packed parking lot,
which was later alleviated by the
purchase of land for additional spaces.
Chapter III ✦ 37