Leadership La Porte County awarded the “Spirit of Leadership” award to Nate Loucks, Pastor, State Street Community Church and President of the Pax Center, at a breakfast meeting held at the Best Western in La Porte on Wednesday, January 31st. The breakfast was attended by approximately 30 community members.
Leadership Board of Director President Dace Cunningham stated, “The Spirit of Leadership Award was created in 2011 by Lance Werner, who served as Board President at that time. The award was designed to recognize and honor a person in the community who embodies the qualities that demonstrate the true spirit of community leadership. The award was not meant to be an annual award but could be enacted at any time by the Leadership Board to recognize good work in the community. Dion Campbell, Michigan City Police officer and School Resource Officer at Michigan City High School was our first ever recipient. The board recently resurrected this award and unanimously selected Nate to receive this honor.”
In January of 2010, State Street Community Church opened its doors with a heart and vision to reach young adults with a relevant, transparent and simple approach to worship. In the words of State Street’s founder and Pastor, Nate Loucks, “when we planted the State Street Community we sought to be purposeful in our engagement with La Porte. In that time we have witnessed the many forms of division happening within our neighborhoods. Many of these patterns of brokenness were present already in childhood: patterns of poverty, loneliness and despair. There is no absence of forces and collectives that seek to divide those within our communities. But what if we sought to be a particular community that countered those voices of division with that of unity and reconciliation?”
Following the opening of State Street Community Church, a food and clothing pantry and weekly community meal began to serve the needs of those IN NEED in the community. Soon after, a building became available just down the road from the Church and became the Pax Center. Pax is Latin for peace. The addition of the Pax Center furthered State Street’s mission.
Today, the efforts of State Street Community Church and the Pax Center have fed hundreds of hungry community members each week, through the food pantry and weekly community meal. Their outreach has expanded to a community garden and a Garden Club for kids that teach them about growing fresh fruits and vegetables. An exciting new project in the former Lenick’s dairy property called “The Brighton Street” project is happening now and will further expand the services led by State Street.
Monica Komasinski, Executive Director of Leadership La Porte County stated, “In the 8 years since ‘planting’ his church in a blighted area of La Porte, Nate and his State Street community have shown an inspiring capacity for caring and serving those in need. They have become a force for creativity, compassion and collaboration. All from the vision of one man. Today we celebrate his simple yet significant impact on the La Porte Community. His vision knows no bounds. His ability to bring people together for a common good is unparalleled. He didn’t simply bring a new church to the La Porte community; he fostered change and compassion and gave hope to so many in need. Where we see problems, Nate sees solutions.”
Nate addressed the guests at the luncheon with thanks for the award, but highlighted the influence his family on his character building. He stated, “My grandfather once told me that the way I was wired would lead me to see problems and want to fix them. He said that I would be challenged but should still go forth and do good works.” Loucks also praised the leadership team of State Street as well as the many volunteers that help him serve those in need. “They are the real leaders”, he added.
In addition to serving as the Pastor of State Street Community Church and President of the Pax Center, Nate is a busy father, and husband. He serves the community in other ways as well as the Vice President of Family Advocates, a Board member of the Northwest Indiana Food Council, member of the Home Team of La Porte County, advisory board member for the Guiding all Kids (for Riley School and La Porte Community Schools) and is the VP of the Singing Company of LaPorte County youth choir.
For more information about the presentation of the Spirit of Leadership Award, or information about Leadership La Porte County, please contact Monica at 219-325-8223 or email: info@leadershiplaportecounty.com