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Report on Special Project to Rwanda

September 4, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Concordia Lutheran Mission Society occasionally receives a request for a special mission project.  Last year the A-BC District’s President Rev. Glenn Schaeffer approached CLMS with a request for CLMS to accept a special project for Rwanda.  Rev. Schaeffer assumed responsibility for raising funds for two teachers to instruct a week-long course to church leaders in Bible and theological training in the Beth Ammi Christian Fellowship and the Reformed Christian Fellowship Church of Rwanda.

Following are excerpts from Dr. Glenn Schaeffer’s report on his teaching trip to Rwanda in early 2019.

Greetings!

My wife Sandra and I just returned from a two week trip to Rwanda.  It is amazing how the bonds of faith and the shared love we have for Jesus connect us to one another despite differences in ethnicity, language, and social class. 

I led a four day conference on Romans 1-8 with heavy emphasis on the doctrine of justification – a doctrine that was “foreign” to them. There were about 35 church leaders present for the conference, mainly from the Beth Ammi Christian Fellowship Church and two pastors from the Reformed Christian Fellowship Church of Rwanda.

They are passionate about worshiping and serving their Lord, but most of the Christians, including the leaders, have a limited knowledge of the Bible and tend to live under the burden of the law. 

They are eager and hungry to learn more.  Our daily sessions at the conference started at 9 am and concluded at 4 pm with a one hour lunch break (during which they huddled to talk about the lessons).  Otherwise, they listened, discussed, debated, and prayed…with no other breaks!

Both churches are requesting ongoing biblical/theological training.  In fact, this matter is quite pressing as the government of Rwanda has mandated that all pastors of congregations are to have a theological degree/certificate from an accredited school. 

I am thankful for the opportunity that Sandra and I had to travel to Rwanda. Aside from the conference we visited four additional congregations that are extensions of the Beth Ammi located in various regions of Rwanda.  I also preached at a worship service there.

The congregation I now serve in Michigan is quite supportive of my work in Rwanda.  Sandra and I plan to return to Rwanda to continue to develop relationships with them and to provide them with biblical and practical training.

In Christ,

Glenn Schaeffer

Dr. Schaeffer and CLMS are very grateful to the people of LCC who heard about this special project and supported it both financially and with their prayers.

Filed Under: News, Special Project Tagged With: , , , ,

Exploratory Visit to Rwanda for Theological Education

June 4, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Brothers and sisters in Christ gathered in Rwanda.

After an initial visit from Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer early in 2018, Beth Ammi Christian Fellowship Church and other Lutherans in Rwanda have invited Canadian Lutherans to return to help them train pastors, elders, and deacons/deaconesses through theological education and mentorship.

While this is not a Lutheran Church-Canada sponsored project, from time to time Concordia Lutheran Mission Society adopts special projects, which allow for exploratory work that falls outside of LCC’s mission areas.

We have set up a project, 1825 – Exploratory Mission to Provide Theological Education in Rwanda, to provide you with an opportunity for you to make a financial donation, with the goal of raising $7,000.00 so that two Canadian instructors can travel to Rwanda to teach a week-long course, to visit/preach in some of the churches, and to continue to build trust with the leaders of the churches related to the Beth Ammi Christian Fellowship Church and other Lutherans in Rwanda.

Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer meets with church leaders in Rwanda in early 2018

I want to support an exploratory visit to provide Lutheran theological education in Rwanda.

For additional information about the project, Dr. Schaeffer has provided a video.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Mission updates at CLMS event

February 23, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Neitzel presentation

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.

Alexey skype chat

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 recognition

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.”

cheque presentation

CLMS President Rev. Cliff Haberstock, hands cheque completing 2014 project commitments to LCC Mission Executive Dr. Leonardo Neitzel.

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Lutheran outreach to Managua

February 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Representatives from the Nicaraguan church and Lutheran Hour Ministries discuss strategy for Managua outreach.

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.

(Project 1514) Goal: $12,000

donate

Filed Under: 2015, Fully Funded in 2015 Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Ministry with youth and children

February 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment

The outreach team prepares for a busy summer.

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.

(Project 1523) Goal: $6900

donate

Filed Under: 2015, Fully Funded in 2015 Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Rent for worship space in Rivas

February 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Pastor Ruffino speaks to his congregation.

Missionary Rufino Quintero continues working as a mission developer in the towns of Jinotepe, Rivas, La Pita and Diriamba. Two students from the Seminario Reforma Luterana, the theological education program of Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua (ILSN) assist him in his work.

This grant pays the rent for the place in Rivas where the growing congregation gathers for Sunday worship services and other activities during the week. The space costs $535 per month.

I want to help support renting a space for Gospel proclamation and outreach.

(Project 1513) Goal: $6400

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Filed Under: 2015, Fully Funded in 2015 Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Farming for the future in Nicaragua

February 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment

1512 NIC Ag project

Cultivating the land around the mission centre will provide employment, fruits, vegetables and a model for future farms.

When God provides land, He expects His people to make the most of it. That’s what’s happening in Chinandega, Nicaragua.

Development on the land purchased for Lutheran Church–Canada’s mission office currently includes the Martin Luther Chapel, where the Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua (ILSN) holds large gatherings and classes; an efficient building for offices and classrooms; a health clinic; sewing school; and dormitories for theological students and staff. Even with this development, there is a large section of land ready for the next step—a sustainable agricultural project.

The mission plans to develop the soil then plant fruit trees, crops, and flowers that will help support the mission, provide employment, and establish a model farm for teaching and replication across the church. It’s an ambitious project developed by an experienced Canadian agricultural expert who sees the potential for Gospel outreach and generating sustainable financial support for the church.

To help get things started the project needs funds to employ a caretaker for hands-on maintenance and extra workers to begin developing the land for planting.

The project demonstrates the desire to exercise good stewardship and a vision for the future of the church and how it touches the lives in the communities in which it serves. You can be part of it!

I want to help support this unique farming venture!

(Project 1512) Goal: $5000
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Filed Under: 2015, Fully Funded in 2015 Tagged With: , , , , ,

Facility rentals in Cartago and San Jose

February 17, 2015 by Leave a Comment

1504 CR rentals

Pastor Retana leads Bible study.

By God’s grace Lutheran Church–Canada’s mission in Costa Rica is expanding into the large city of Cartago and into the capital, San Jose. Several mission and social ministry services have started in Cartago such as Bible study for women, outreach to teenagers in challenging life situations, sewing, Bible study groups, international mission teams’ work and other activities.

A new outreach has now started in the capital San Jose with the vision of making it a Lutheran national/international connection since the capital is on the north-south road in Central America.

The church cannot afford to buy property in Costa Rica so rental facilities are needed in both cities.

I want to help support outreach in Cartago and San Jose.

(Project 1504) Goal: $12,000

donate

Filed Under: 2015, Fully Funded in 2015 Tagged With: , , , , ,

Clinic provides health for body and soul

January 23, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Pastors meet with people waiting to see a doctor or dentist at the mission center clinic.

Pastors meet with people waiting to see a doctor or dentist at the mission center clinic.

The health clinic at the mission centre in Chinandega, Nicaragua is experiencing an increase in patients. Regular worship services in the nearby Martin Luther Chapel make new connections with families in the neighbourhood. As a result, every Thursday as many as 30 people visit the clinic.

Rev. Edmond and Cherie Auger and Pastor Mardo Calero spend time with those waiting to see the doctor or dentist, providing comfort and counsel, and sharing with them the Good News of the Gospel. CLMS is privileged to help fund this ministry to body and soul.

Here’s how you can be involved.   

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Hope in troubled Ukraine

January 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Children learned about God's love during a vacation Bible school in Ukraine.

Children learned about God’s love during a vacation Bible school in Ukraine.

As Canada drifts through winter, summer is a warm memory and an ever-present hope. For children, teens and young adults in Ukraine, the summer of 2014 brought national tension and uncertainty.

Yet for some, who benefitted from Lutheran Christian summer camps and vacation Bible schools supported by Concordia Lutheran Mission Society, this past summer introduced them to God’s love in Jesus Christ or encouraged them in their faith. This foundation of faith in young hearts points to a bright future for these Ukrainians.

And it doesn’t stop after summer is over.

Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko is planning a young adult winter retreat to fan the flames of faith.

You can help bring hope to young lives in Ukraine by supporting Concordia Lutheran Mission Society’s Ukraine projects.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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