Lutheran church preaches that salvation is a gift received through faith
Places of faith
By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers SAVED BY GRACE- The Rev. Gary Stevenson stands outside Our Savior Lutheran Church at 4191 Cochran St., Simi Valley.

Our Savior
Lutheran Church
4191 Cochran St.
Simi Valley
(805) 526-7577
Rev. Gary Stevenson
Founded: 1962
Size of congregation:
200-250
Denomination: Evangelical
Lutheran Church of America
Services: Sunday 8:30, 9:45
and 11:00 a.m.
Foundation of beliefs:
"Going back to founder
Martin Luther in 1517, these
are his famous three beliefs:
faith alone, word alone, grace
alone," Stevenson said. "This
means we are saved by grace
through faith."
Fun facts:
The men's softball team won
the church league last fall.
The congregation has been
involved in Relay for Life for
the past eight years.

Questions of Faith: (answered by Stevenson)

What is the purpose of life?

I struggle with that every day. The purpose of life I would think would be to love God and love our neighbors.

What must humankind do to get into heaven?

We're saved by grace through faith. It's God's action. It's what God did on the cross for humankind. Salvation is not in our hands; it's in God's hands. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Salvation is not something that is earned; it's a gift.

What is your belief in heaven or hell?

The straight definition of sin is separation from God. In that sense, there are people walking the Earth right now who are separated from God who are experiencing hell in their lives. There are some people who walk with God who experience heaven in their lives because they don't have that separation. In one sense, it doesn't matter what we believe.

We won't know if it's a physical place or not until that time comes at the end of our lives. Some of us will be surprised and some of us will not.

What is the role of the church in the community?

To be the hands and feet of Jesus- to love God and our neighbors as we are loved.

What is the church's view on gay rights and abortion?

The church has not come down on one stance or the other. Who we are and what we are . . . are gifts of God.

What is women's role in the church?

In the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) women have been ordained since 1971.

What is your view on ecology issues?

We are stewards of all creation. Creation is a gift to take care of, not exploit.