For Immediate Release — July 1, 2021

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Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention in Lexington, Kentucky
LWML 39TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

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The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) welcomed 2,787 people to the LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, June 24–27, 2021, under the theme "Running the Race … Looking to Jesus.” The convention theme was based on Hebrews 12:1–2. The voting body adopted a $2,150,000 mission goal for the 2021–2023 biennium. This goal, by the grace of God, will fund 28 mission grants as women and men respond in prayer and mites (offerings) during the next two years. The following grants were chosen:

  1. Deaconess Ministry Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch — Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, $ 81,680
  2. Healing the Invisible Wounds of War through Horses — Spirit Warrior, Central Maine, $95,000
  3. Thirst to Learn: Bible Books for Africa's Children — Lutheran Heritage Foundation, $100,000
  4. Making the Next Generation of Disciples for Life — LCMS Life Ministry, $92,000
  5. Helping Hands for Lutheran Deaf Outreach — Lutheran Deaf Outreach, $50,000
  6. Hope of Christ for Cancer Patients — Phil's Friends, $70,000
  7. Training Pastors to Serve the Church in Russia — Lutheran Theological Seminary, Novosibirsk, Siberia, $100,000
  8. Light of Christ in Eastern Europe — Mission Central, $56,000
  9. Propelling the Gospel — LAMP Ministry, Inc., $65,000
  10. Educating Pastors in Africa — Mission Central, $100,000
  11. Redeeming Life Maternity Home, Illinois Expansion — Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries, $100,000
  12. Mercy Medical Care for Tanzania — Mwadui Lutheran School and Community, $68,182
  13. Gospel Outreach to Women and Children in Mongolia — Lutheran Hour Ministries, $100,000
  14. Caring for and Sharing Christ with Hurting People — Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, $100,000
  15. The Littlest and Least of These — St. Paul Lutheran Church and Christian Academy, Dallas, Texas, $42,000
  16. Bring the Inner-City Children to Camp — Lutheran Valley Retreat, Colorado, $25,000
  17. Spiritual and Physical Food for Children of Peru — La Mision Luterana del Peru, $56,750
  18. “Ends of Earth” Scholarships — Mission Opportunities Short Term (MOST) Ministries, $50,000
  19. Sharing Jesus' Love in India — Lutheran Braille Workers, $100,000
  20. Mission & Outreach to the Least of These — Victory Lutheran Church, K. I. Sawyer Community, $51,356
  21. Mercy House Belize Lutheran Campus — Belize Mission Society, $100,000
  22. Ministry Vehicle Fund, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone — Lutheran Bible Translators, $70,000
  23. Showing God's Love in the International District, Albuquerque, New Mexico — God Cares About You Mission, $98,000
  24. Reaching the Homebound with God's Word — Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc. (DBA Worship Anew), $100,000
  25. Missionaries to America Project — Mission Nation Publishing, $88,000
  26. Strengthening the Lutheran Mission to Kuna, Idaho — Friendship Celebration Lutheran Church, $100,000
  27. Expanding God’s Love in Uganda — LCMS Office of International Mission, Africa Regio, $92,000
  28. Christ-Centered Materials for Hmong Language School and Outreach — St. Paul Hmong Outreach Ministries, $70,208.

Voting Body Elects New Leaders 

On Saturday, June 26, 2021, the convention voting body elected these servant leaders: 

Vice President of Christian Life: Susan Brunkow, Kansas District 

Vice President of Communication: Kathy Pavelock, Eastern District 

Vice President of Gospel Outreach: Karen Morrison, Kansas District

Recording Secretary: Brenda Piester, Kansas District

Jr. Pastoral Counselor: Rev. Gary Piepkorn, Rocky Mountain District 

Nominating Committee: Kaye Wolff from the Michigan District, Chair, Lois Teinert from the Texas District, Janis McDaniels from the Carolinas District, Lisa Asmus from the South Dakota District, Melissa Salomón from the Pacific Southwest District, committee members

Offerings Received

(The following offering amounts were collected during the convention. Because additional offerings are still being received, these are unofficial totals and updates will be announced in a later LWML eNews.)

Convention Offering #1  —  LWML Mission Goal 2021–2023: $43,494.15

Convention Offering #2  —  King’s Community Outreach in Fort Wayne, Indiana: $27,434.02

Convention Offering #3  —  Gifts for All God’s Children’s Connecting Kids to Christ Center, in Detroit, Michigan: $28,206.66

Convention Offering #4  —  POBLO International Ministries in Clinton Township, Michigan: $27,079.61

Gifts from the Heart

Gifts from the Heart are donations of gift cards and specific items chosen by the LWML Convention Planning Committee. They come from LWML members and donors; totals include all online donations received to date: 

Assurance for Life Ministry: $1,252
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri: $1,870
Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, Indiana: $1,495
MOST Ministries: $940, plus donations of used eyeglasses
Unspecified Gifts: $1,930

Mission Pledge Walk

A mission pledge walk was held to support the new $2,150,000 mission goal for the 2021–2023 biennium. Groups and individuals unable to attend the convention were encouraged to walk in their neighborhoods. In Lexington, nearly 1,100 individuals took part, walking from the convention center to Thoroughbred Park in a 1.5 mile loop. Contributions raised totaled $96,232.92.

Tee Up 4 Mites Golf Outing

The Sixth Biennial Tee Up 4 Mites Golf Outing was held on Wednesday, June 23, at the beautiful University Club of Kentucky. There were 69 golfers, comprising 18 teams, sponsored by the Lutheran Federal Credit Union. The funds raised totaled $30,710.00 in gross receipts.

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others. 

Contact:
Susan Donnelly
Public Relations Director

LWML Office
801 Seminary Place, Ste. L010
St. Louis, MO 63105
800-252-5965
www.lwml.org