“We are not just opening a gate, but opening a gate that brings people of commitment and trust — those that are ready for change and renewal,” Mendedo said.

Mendedo said “the gate” is a gate for Godly people, righteous people, to come on campus. He believes the new entrance will bring more visibility to the school.

“When people come here, we’re looking for people to give thanks unto the Lord and give glory to our creator,” Mendedo said. “We are on Broad Street and so many miracles will continue … miracles for Concordia and Selma.”

Concordia’s entrance on Green Street, Mendedo said, is officially closed.

“Our gates are open to all,” Mendedo said. “It (the new entrance) brings us to (the) main street; we are no longer hiding; Concordia continues to move toward and expose itself to the community … this is just the beginning.”

The new entrance, Mendedo said, is a part of the $15 million “master plan” project to add infrastructure and build up Concordia.

“It’s of symbolic significance as well as a first step in development of west campus and the remarkable changes that are yet to come,” said Alan Zacharias, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod representative and president of Alan Zacharias & Associates of Illinois, who is helping to raise the funds for the project. “This is a gateway for what lies ahead for the space.”

Concordia bought the property, along with others between Franklin and Broad streets, from the United Methodist Children’s Home in 2010.