2015–2017 Mission Grant: Renovation of JEM Seminary Buildings — Nigeria, $120,000 fully paid

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod began work in Nigeria in 1936 among the rural Ibesikpo clan with 16 initial congregations and grew into the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, which became an LCMS partner church in 1963.

The Lutheran Church in Nigeria (LCN) is the oldest partner church in Africa, and currently comprised of approximately 80,000 members in 339 congregations. The LCN operates the Jonathan Ekong Memorial Lutheran Seminary (named after the late Rev. Dr. Jonathan Udo Ekong, the pioneering father) in Obot Idim and continues to be an important partner for Gospel proclamation, preparing young men for the ministry in the LCN in the most populous country in Africa.

In recent years, the student population experienced record highs with 79 students in 2014 and 87 in 2015 compared to 54 students in 2009. The Theological Education by Extension program is also seeing incremental increases.

In addition to making the buildings safe and serviceable, the seminary is preparing to apply for accreditation from the Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC). Students at the seminary complete five years of academic work and three years of internship before graduation. The seminary seeks to provide recognized credentials for their students as well as for the development of the seminary and church. Students will also officially graduate from University of Uyo in a diploma program.

In order for the Nigeria Seminary to achieve accreditation and students to receive university credit, the facilities must meet the standards of the Nigeria Universities Commission. The goal is to renovate or rebuild the buildings so they are safe and serviceable under the burden of larger student numbers. The overall plans include three hostel buildings, an administrative building and the library.

This project will serve the Seminary community made up of teaching and non-teaching staff and students totaling approximately 150 people, not including visitors. The seminary facilities are host to periodical LCN conferences and workshops, as well as short-term visiting lecturers from the States.

The original grant proposal was for the renovation of the dormitories. However, it was discovered that the present building structures and designs which were originally planned to be renovated would not meet NUC standard for accreditation approval.

In February, 2016, LWML approved Synod’s request to construct new dormitories with the portion of grant funds originally intended for remodeling the old and obsolete structures.

Archbishop Christian Ekong has submitted architectural illustrations and drawings for a two-story dormitory building that is designed to house 100 students. Archbishop Ekong is currently working on the detailed budget for the total construction. Once Synod has received and accepted the budget plan, a grant agreement will be executed and a portion of the funds will be forward for the initial phase. Additional funding will be forwarded upon successful progress reports from Archbishop Ekong.

On March 15, 2017, LWML President Patti Ross and VP of Gospel Outreach, Shelley Moeller visited the International Center and presented a check in the amount of $120,000 for this project to John Fale, Dan McMiller and Gary Schulte. Dan McMiller also presented LWML with a copy of the architectural illustrations and drawings.

It is anticipated the building should be completed in July, 2018.

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For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.

2015–2017 Mission Grant: Hope and Healing to the Navajo People — Rocky Mountain District, $75,000 fully paid

Our LWML mite offerings are at work helping to bring Hope and Healing to the Navajo people in New Mexico. In April, four Lutheran Indian Ministries’ (LIM) staff, including Vicar Tim Norton, who serves at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran church in Navajo, New Mexico, attended the Beauty for Ashes (BFA) training in Anchorage, Alaska. This faith-based conference was designed to educate and train individuals on how to interact with, and respond to, those whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence, abuse and neglect.

During the conference, Vicar Norton and his wife Heidi each had opportunities to share the Gospel with individuals who were experiencing much pain due to past abuse. One grateful participant stated, “I want to know Jesus the same way you do.” We believe this training will open doors for a healing ministry among the Navajo people.

Funds are also being used for an upcoming Confirmation retreat. Navajo youth face many challenges, and recently the community lost one young man to suicide. Vicar Norton’s hope is that youth retreats will help provide a stronger connection to the body of Christ for Navajo teens so they do not to feel alone and isolated.

As the LWML reaches out to our Navajo brothers and sisters in Christ through youth camps, after school programs, Bible studies and support groups, funded by this mission grant, may they experience the love, forgiveness and power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. 

For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.

2015–2017 Mission Grant: Healthy Families — Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, $60,000 fully paid

The grant funds so graciously provided to the Centers for Healthy Families will help ensure that free programs such as the successful Nurturing Parenting Program® will continue to be offered to assist at-risk parents and caregivers of children under five. 

One young single mother has shared her personal story of the love, care and support she received from the staff.  She has gained confidence in her ability to fulfil her role as a positive, capable mother to her young son and continues to utilize the various programs available.  Her words of witness to all are “I am so thankful for all the resources that have been provided to me by these wonderful programs, and for the support of the staff who are such amazing people I am so blessed to know.”  

Thanks be to God, the centers can continue to share the love of Christ through interactions with the participants. 

For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.

2015–2017 Mission Grant: Providing Hope for Detroit — Acts 2 Enterprise, $100,000 fully paid

Acts 2 Enterprise (A2E) is an ongoing ministry that impacts the lives of people in Detroit daily. A2E provides a variety of outreach ministries as part of its overall outreach, each designed to impact residents of the city whom are served through A2E. Among the many aspects of outreach, two that were prominent during the past few months were the Urban Institute hosted by A2E Director Rev. Christopher Bodley, and the three A2E Sports Camps/VBS programs that were held. The Urban Institute is a multi-day conference designed to build and equip other leaders to serve the city of Detroit and other urban centers; while the Sports Camp/VBS program, a total of three week-long camps, involves several hundred children by teaching various sports skills, while providing a Vacation Bible School atmosphere to teach them about Jesus.

The Good News is shared through every component of A2E by either Pastor Bodley directly, or by one of the many volunteers (Urban Missionaries) who serve alongside of him. This practice applies to both children and adult outreach ministries. In September, the Urban Institute hosted over 50 attendees who learned under the theme “Transformed to Transform”. As People of Hope, they are thankful to have been chosen by God to be transformed by His grace. Attendees focused on the Biblical principles of spiritual formation, the process of transformation, and how they become catalysts of transformation in their spheres of influence.

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For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.

2015–2017 Mission Grant: Clean Water and Evangelism Ministry — MOST Ministries, $50,000 fully paid

A grant of $50,000 was awarded to Mission Opportunities Short Term (MOST) Ministries at the 2015 LWML Convention. As of now, $25,000 has been disbursed making it possible for them to send out teams to help others with their physical need of receiving clean water.

In response to the great need for clean water in the third world countries, MOST Ministries purchased 250 water filters that were used in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Africa. The Clean Water and Evangelism Grant enabled them to provide:

• sustainable clean drinking water for 400 people (50 filters),

• health, hygiene, and nutrition education workshops for entire communities,

• A Nicaraguan family very thankful for their clean water.

  Oral Rehydration Spoons for 50 families, which allow mothers to follow simple Spanish instructions on the double-sided measuring spoon and create a hydrating drink from ingredients they already have,

• water filters for 95 hosts in these countries to keep them healthy so they can continue to evangelize to their communities. These filters are also shared with local families,

• Bible-based curriculum to share the Gospel for entire communities,

• increased credibility as the church is seen as truly caring for both the physical needs in addition to preaching the Gospel, and

Pictured is Sandy Hardies, former LWML EC member, in Nicaragua working with MOST Ministries.

• 105 Sawyer Water Filters to be used for the first quarter of 2017.

The grant money has allowed the mission team to work with several local pastors who live and work in the La Cartonera and Maranonal communities. Sharing the love of Jesus is always the end goal and remains the reason for MOST Ministries to do what they do. MOST Ministries is thankful for the LWML’s support and prayers.

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For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.

2015–2017 Mission Grants: LCMS Young Adult Corps (formerly LCMS Youth Corps) — Scholarships for Lutheran Mercy Young Adult Corps, $25,000 fully paid and Renovation of JEM Seminary Buildings — Nigeria, $120,000 fully paid

President Patti and VP of Gospel Outreach Shelley attended chapel at the LCMS International Center and presented checks for Young Adult Corps and Renovation of JEM Seminary Buildings — Nigeria,  fully funding grants #17 and #4.

For more information about this mission grant,
view the individual mission grant page here.

For more information about this mission grant,
view the individual mission grant page here.

2015–2017 Mission Grant: Redeeming Life Maternity Home — Sanford, Florida, $100,000 fully paid

The LWML grant made it possible for us …

… to provide safe shelter to at risk pregnant women and their babies. Our residents also received life skills classes and mental health counseling to improve their ability to care for their children.

The  grant was used to cover housing expenses including mortgage costs, food, utilities, resident counseling, and supplies for mothers and babies.

Danielle's Story

Danielle came to Redeeming Life completely homeless and abandoned by her boyfriend. While here, she was able to get employment, save enough money to purchase a small car, and begin putting her life back together. Danielle was confirmed in the faith and her dear baby was baptized.

Sharing the Good News!

Many of our residents feel unlovable and rejected. We minister to them and help them see how very valuable they are to God. By helping us meet their physical needs, we have an opportunity to share the lifesaving Gospel, and whenever possible, witness the Holy Baptism of their children.

— Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries

For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.