Our logo and our heart for the lost
The SHeep Church
What does the sheep mean?
Our church logo might not be what you’d expect, but the story behind it dates back over 2,000 years. Many in our community know us as “The sheep church” because of our distinctive logo, which is inspired by the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke chapter 15:
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:3-7
The sheep in our logo serves as a constant reminder of two powerful truths:
- We were once that lost sheep that Jesus came after. He pursued us relentlessly and brought us into His fold.
- There are still “lost sheep” all around us—people who are close to us but far from God. The sheep reminds us of our calling to reach out to them with the same love and persistence that Jesus showed us.
THe story behind our SHeep logo
The Parable of the Lost Sheep became a cornerstone teaching for Group 99, Immanuel’s student ministry. The image of the one lost sheep resonated so deeply with our students that they adopted it as their ministry logo. Through this imagery, students began to recognize that each of them knew at least one person who was close to them personally but distant from God.
As students faithfully pursued these relationships with purpose and prayer, God moved in remarkable ways. The impact was so profound that the entire church took notice. Soon, church members of all ages embraced this mission of seeking the lost.
Today, this passion for reaching those who don’t know Christ has become so deeply embedded in Immanuel’s identity that the sheep symbolizes our entire church network’s mission.
Does the sheep have a name?
Yes! The sheep in our logo is affectionately named “Waldo.”
At Immanuel, we use the term “Waldo” when referring to someone who is close to us but far from God. Just like in the classic “Where’s Waldo?” books, this person may be hidden in plain sight—present in our lives but spiritually lost. This playful nickname connects the biblical image of the lost sheep to our everyday mission of reaching out to those who need to experience God’s love.
