Concordia Lutheran Mission Society
Partners In Missions
Five students are expected to complete their studies at the Odessa Concordia Theological Seminary this year and be placed as vicars. The shared support from LWML-Canada and you helps alleviate the significant cost for stipends, transportation, meals, heating, translating, books and supplies, so that the students can focus and be sent to the field.
I want to support the preparation of pastors in Ukraine.
This three-fold project covers program costs and training of new leaders for Vacation Bible School, Summer Camp, and a Winter Youth Gathering.
I want to support youth programs in Ukraine.
Since 1989 Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) has supported mission work in Thailand and most recently this has been through Pastor Suchart Chujit. Pastor Chujit works hard to make the most of what he has, and sells rubber to supplement the modest support that LCC provides. His health has been compromised by two accidents and he is working hard to train leaders despite slow support from Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church.
I want to support Pastor Chujit in Thailand.
Young adults from Living Waters Lutheran Church in Dnepro provide free English lessons to university students. Pastor Sergey Bevz provides the attendees with counselling and prayer support, while the young adults build relationships and invite the students to church. Funds are for rent, printed materials, lessons, transportation and snacks.
I want to support the English language outreach club in Ukraine.
Dr. Leonardo Neitzel provides an update on LCC Missions.
KITCHENER, Ont. – At Concordia Lutheran Mission Society’s (CLMS) Annual General Meeting and Mission Festival, Sunday, February 8 at Faith Lutheran Church, almost 60 people heard the latest mission news from Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC), celebrated overseas mission activities, and heard first-hand of mission challenges in Ukraine.
Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel, Mission Executive for Lutheran Church-Canada, provided a detailed update on LCC’s mission fields including Ukraine, Southeast Asia, Canada and Central America. Sharing photos and stories Dr. Neitzel provided the audience with an engaging look at both the successes and challenges faced by mission workers and those they serve.
Attendees participated in a video chat with Ukrainian pastor, Rev. Alexey Navrotskyy, who is currently studying in Edmonton with the assistance of CLMS Partners in Mission.
Using Skype, the gathering participated in an interactive video call with Rev. Alexey Navrotskyy of Ukraine, who is involved in an intensive two-year study program at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton. This program, supported by CLMS, will enable Rev. Navrotskyy to improve his theological education and share his knowledge and experience with his fellow pastors in Ukraine upon his return. The pastor fielded a number of audience questions ranging from how he and his family are adjusting to life in Edmonton, to how the current turmoil in Ukraine is impacting the church there. An offering taken in support of Pastor Navrotskyy’s studies raised almost $2500. (You can contribute to Alexey’s efforts by supporting project 1501 – Foreign Student Fund.)
Lisa Jackson receives a certificate of appreciation from CLMS president, Rev. Cliff Haberstock on behalf of her mission team to Nicaragua.
For the first time, CLMS presented Certificates of Appreciation in recognition of the many congregational and area teams venturing into the mission field. Recipients this year included Jane Ford and Lisa Jackson representing two Vacation Bible School teams and Reg Zotzman for an educational mission to supply laptops in Nicaragua.
Since CLMS exists to support the mission and ministry of Lutheran Church–Canada, the afternoon concluded with the presentation of a cheque for $14,340 to Dr. Neitzel by CLMS president, Rev. Cliff Haberstock. The funds represent the final 2014 gifts from people across Canada who had supported CLMS projects over the past year.
Rev. Haberstock expressed the thanks of CLMS to Rev. Warren Hamp and the people of Faith Kitchener for hosting the event and for all who came to hear about the wonderful work done by our Synod with the support of the society’s “Partners In Mission.”
CLMS President Rev. Cliff Haberstock, hands cheque completing 2014 project commitments to LCC Mission Executive Dr. Leonardo Neitzel.
Representatives from the Nicaraguan church and Lutheran Hour Ministries discuss strategy for Managua outreach.
Since the founding of Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua (ILSN) in 2008, the pastors and deaconesses have dreamed of the day their young church could establish itself in their nation’s capital, Managua. The dream is now becoming a reality.
In October 2014 the ILSN along with Lutheran Church–Canada and the local office of Lutheran Hour Ministries established a plan to begin planting Gospel seeds in Managua. The prayer is that the Holy Spirit will use this proclamation to call people to faith in Christ and gather them into a community of believers — a new congregation.
But a new congregation needs a pastor. Concordia Lutheran Mission Society has accepted the responsibility for providing the funds needed to house a pastor and his family, provide a stipend, and purchase the equipment and supplies needed for outreach and ministry.
Your support will help make the vision of bringing the Good News of the Gospel to Managua a reality.
I want to help support the new outreach in Managua.
The outreach team prepares for a busy summer.
Young people everywhere enjoy getting together for fun and fellowship, especially when they can share their common faith and tell others about it. That’s what’s happening in Ukraine throughout the year.
During the summer of 2014 a Vacation Bible school team visited and worked in three congregations for six weeks supporting summer children’s programs, as well as working with children during the Days of Faith annual conference. God blessed the efforts with an opportunity to reach almost 150 children.
In the Black Sea area almost 90 young people and parents enjoyed a summer youth camp in 2014. They spent time in God’s Word focusing on the letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation.
These gatherings continue throughout the year. During winter young people go to Concordia Seminary in Odessa to spend time in God´s Word and pray for the peace in our country and for each other.
Ministry to young people in SELCU is very important. These projects not only help congregations by working with children or inviting new children to hear the Gospel, they also help to train new leaders for congregations, future pastors and teachers. They help young people invest in Christian education and give them an opportunity to support their pastors and churches.
Your support provides funds for transportation, training leaders, producing material, and supplying meals for the events.
I want to support the outreach to young people in Ukraine.
Students and visitors listen to a lecture.
Political unrest postponed the classes at the Concordia Seminary in Odessa in 2014. However, the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU), which is responsible for the seminary, decided in November 2014 to resume classes in September 2015.
The students receive instruction from visiting teachers and professors from North America who work with translators. It’s an intensive residential program with meals prepared on campus. With many SELCU congregations struggling to support their pastors, the members have little funding to support the seminary. However, they are generous with support of produce and their volunteer time.
A new front for the seminary has arisen as church bodies in neighbouring countries which do not have a Seminary may send their students to Odessa.
This project helps cover operational costs and faculty travel.
Your support ensures the Lutheran church in Ukraine is served by well-trained pastors with a deep love for God, His Word and His people.
I want to support preparing pastors for service.
Prisoners are eager to study God’s Word.
A team of missionaries from the Synod of Evangelical Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) started a mission in two high-security prisons in Nikolaev province. Missionary Rev. Alexander Urchenko and Deacon Sergey Bondarenko visit the prison weekly, holding services, conducting Bible studies and providing support for the inmates.
This project covers transportation costs, literature and provides practical help for the inmates including medicine, tea, warm clothes, books and food.
I want to help support Christian outreach to prisoners.
Students gather to study God’s Word and for fellowship.
For more than four years the pastor of the church in Odessa, Rev. Oleg Shevchenko, and a team of volunteers has conducted an evangelism ministry with college and university students in Odessa.
Each week they hold Bible studies and organize various special projects: thematic evenings, discussion clubs, hikes, conferences and competitions.
The goal this year is to reach out not only to the university students, but also to young people studying in the area’s trade schools.
This project supports the purchase of Christian literature, printed materials for meetings and the rental of facilities.
I want to help reach out with the Gospel to students.
