Rev. Per Nilsen has been developing Community of Hope Lutheran Church, Rosemount, MN, a rapidly growing mission congregation. Community of Hope has grown from 150 to 500 + in worship attendance and has developed a culture around the ALPHA course. Per led the Adult Discipleship and Evangelism Team at Prince of Peace, Burnsville, MN and served as an Associate Pastor in Upstate NY. He graduated from Luther Seminary in 1990. Per’s heart for evangelism emerged after meeting Christ “for the first time, again” while in treatment for drug addiction at the age of 17. He believes that Christ’s vision for the church is found in these provocative words from John’s Gospel, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)