Looking for a great way to offer prayer support for LCC’s missions?

The Lutheran Church – Canada  Missions and Social Ministry Services 2014 Advent and Christmas Prayer Calendar is now available for download.

In addition to assisting in focusing prayers on missions during the month of December, it also provides an overview of the wonderful projects of the LCC is involved with, many of which are supported by you as a CLMS Partner in Mission.

Learn more at The Canadian Lutheran website.

EDMONTON – Rev. Alexey Navrotskyy arrived in Edmonton, along with his wife

Rev. Alexey Navrotskyy

Vika and their two children, in early September to begin studies at Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS). He began classes September 15.

Rev. Navrotksyy is a missionary for Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) in Ukraine, where he serves with the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU). He graduated from Concordia Seminary in Odessa, Ukraine, a seminary program operated by LCC. His graduate studies in Edmonton will prepare him to help serve as an instructor at the Odessa seminary in the future.

“Lutheran Church–Canada is grateful to Christ, the Lord of the Church, for granting SELCU the opportunity to have one of its pastors doing post-graduate studies at CLS,” said Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel, LCC’s Executive for Missions and Social Ministries. “This will allow SELCU to strengthen the training of its national pastors as more SELCU pastors begin teaching at the seminary in Odessa.”

Rev. Alexey’s studies at CLS are uniquely tailored for him from among the seminary’s offerings, accommodating his ministry experience in SELCU, and designed to provide him with the theological resources he will need in an international leadership position. The plan is for Rev. Navrotskyy to complete coursework and a thesis for the Master of Divinity degree over the next two years.

“We are thrilled to see this chapter unfold,” CLS President James Gimbel said. “This opportunity has been under discussion for a number of years, and it is exciting to realize this potential.”

“We believe that Alexey’s arrival will bring an exciting depth and breadth to our CLS community,” President Gimbel continued, “and we also believe that we, in turn, can provide strong servant Christ-like leadership training to an important part of the greater body of Christ in Ukraine. Our mission to ‘form servants for Jesus’ sake” is rooted here in Canada, but extends beyond these borders to our Lutheran brothers and sisters under different socio-political challenges. There, too, there is a need for the message that ‘Jesus is Lord.’”

Funding for Rev. Navrotskyy’s studies come from a number of sources, including Lutheran Church–Canada’s Foreign Student Fund, Concordia Lutheran Mission Society, and the seminary itself through designated international student financial aid and individual donors. “We are thankful to all those who are contributing to Alexey’s education in Edmonton,” said Dr. Neitzel. “Indigenous theological leadership training is fundamental for LCC’s missions, and we thank the Lord for providing us with the resources needed.”

(This article was originally published in The Canadian Lutheran.)

Current CLMS Board meets in Edmonton to set 2014 project goals

Who do you know with a heart for missions?  A wonderful opportunity is available to help share the Good News around the globe by serving on the board of Concordia Lutheran Mission Society.

CLMS is currently seeking nominations to fill three vacancies on its board.

Jesus once said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. So, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2). If you know a fellow of member of LCC who has a heart for missions, CLMS encourages you to nominate them to work on the board.

In particular we are looking for people with social media technical and communication skills, and who can develop resource materials.

You don’t have to ask your nominees for their consent to serve nor whether they are currently members of CLMS, but you should recognize them as being mission-minded and having the ability to serve in this capacity. The Nominating Committee will make personal contact with each nominee to determine their gifts and willingness to serve. It is also appropriate to nominate yourself or someone who has been previously nominated.

Nominations should be sent to CLMS President Cliff Haberstock at president@concordiamissions.org by September 22, 2014. With your submission please include the nominee’s name, address, phone number, and—if available—email address, along with a brief overview of why the nominee would be a strong addition to CLMS’ board.