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Gospel proclamation inside and out in Nicaragua

January 30, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Pastor Ruffino proclaims God's Word in Rivas, Nicaragua.

Pastor Ruffino proclaims God’s Word in Rivas, Nicaragua.

A pastor with a missionary’s heart is a blessing to a church. Pastor Ruffino in Nicaragua is now reaching out to four communities: Rivas, Jinotepe, La Pita and Diriamba. Two vicars from the seminary program assist him.

Earlier this year the people in La Pita gratefully received a large tarp that serves as the “roof over their head” when they worship and hold Bible study.

Meanwhile in Rivas the outreach rents a facility as do the congregations in Jinotepe and Diriamba. They receive support from Concordia Lutheran Mission Society to make sure the proclamation of the Gospel continues.

You can help too by clicking here.

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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.   

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Keeping pastors on the move in Nicaragua

January 16, 2015 by 1 Comment
Travelling the roads in Nicaragua is tough on motorcycles and drivers!

Travelling the roads in Nicaragua is tough on motorcycles and drivers!

When pastors in Nicaragua travel from church to church or visit congregation members they use motorcycles. While bus transportation is available, it takes a lot of time and sometimes the buses don’t go where the pastors serve!

Often the roads to these places are nothing more than well-worn dirt trails scored with deep, muddy potholes in rainy season. The conditions are not kind to motorcycles or to the pastors!

Pastor Angel travels weekly close to 200 km from Potosi, to serve three additional congregations including a mission in Cristo Rey. His motorcycle is old and worn out. Unless the church decides to send a new pastor to serve the three additional churches, he will need a new one.

That’s where Concordia Lutheran Mission Society stands ready to help. Keeping the Nicaraguan church in motion on safe wheels is a project already rolling which you can support here.

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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.

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Nicaraguan church takes aim at Managua this year

January 2, 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.

Concordia Lutheran Mission Society is privileged to supply some of the funds needed for this visionary endeavour. And we would be honoured if you would help too.

Here’s a link to find out more. 

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Anniversary of loss and hope in Thailand

December 26, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Some of the members of the Lutheran congregation in Kok Kloi, Thailand.

Some of the members of the Lutheran congregation in Kok Kloi, Thailand.

Ten years ago on December 26 a deadly tsunami hit Thailand’s west coast killing thousands, destroying communities, washing away businesses and stealing livelihoods. The area hardest hit is also where two Lutheran pastors, Rev. Suchat Srikakarn and Rev. Suchat Chujit serve six congregations and preaching stations.

The tragedy of the 2004 tsunami provided them the opportunity to show God’s love in tangible ways that touched hundreds of lives. Men, women and children wanted to know more about this God who loves them and the hope they have in His Son, Jesus Christ. Church attendance increased, cultural Buddhists were baptised into Christ and began studying God’s Word, growing in their faith.

Pastor Chujit, a Lutheran Church-Canada missionary, and his wife receive support from Concordia Lutheran Missionary Society for their outreach and ministry in southern Thailand. In a country where less than 2 percent of the population is Christian, they have a difficult task. But with your financial and prayer support, they continue proclaiming the Gospel message.

On the tenth anniversary of the tsunami and sharing God’s message of hope, consider giving a single $10 gift or a monthly $10 gift to support this important ministry.

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Desks wearing out in Nicaraguan classrooms

December 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Desks used in the Christian education program are wearing out.

Desks used in the Christian education program are wearing out.

The children’s Christian education program in Nicaragua is wrapping up another successful year. With 675 children in classes almost every day, it’s no wonder their desks need replacing.

Children in Nicaragua spend half their day in state-run schools and the other half in classes at churches of Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua (ILSN) where trained deaconesses provide Christian education and academic tutoring. While at their desks the children not only study but also eat their lunch.

The weekday classrooms also serve as places of worship on Sunday when the desks are used for Sunday school. Concordia Lutheran Mission Society collects funds to buy new desks each year. You can be part of a child’s educational experience by purchasing a desk for $25.

What a great Christmas gift!

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Mission continues during political unrest in Ukraine

December 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The student outreach team in Odessa, Ukraine.

The student outreach team in Odessa, Ukraine.

Despite political and social upheaval, the task of proclaiming the Gospel to students in Odessa, Ukraine continues.

Pastor Oleg Schewstchenko reports that the political situation made 2014 a challenging year. “Some of the students left town and some had to leave the country even before they were able to finish all their exams,” he explained. However, the pastor and more than 25 students gather every Tuesday to study the Gospel of Mark. He noted there are a growing number of private, small gatherings in his outreach ministry due to the political situation.

The students have also gathered to sing and pray for the situation in the country and for elections in Ukraine and Odessa. The pastor says that at all the events “we had opportunity to invite new people and to share the hope we only have in Jesus.”

This year at special outreach events on Valentine’s Day, a student day and Easter Pastor Oleg shared the Gospel with more than 100 people and gave to students more than 25 English and 50 Russian Bibles.

For more than 20 years Lutheran Church-Canada has served the spiritual needs of college and university students in Ukraine. With the support of Concordia Lutheran Mission Society the vital interaction continues.

Here’s how you can support this outreach.

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Lutheran outreach in Costa Rica loses meeting place

December 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Children gather to learn about Jesus from Deaconess Betty Retana in Costa Rica.

Children gather to learn about Jesus from Deaconess Betty Retana in Costa Rica.

A children’s program in Costa Rica had to adapt quickly to an unexpected change. The landlord of the house the mission rents in Alajuelita, a San Jose suburb, gave notice to Lutheran pastor, Rev. Edmundo Retana and his wife Betty, a deaconess, that he no longer wanted to rent the property. Fortunately, the pastor made arrangements to continue the children’s program at a local community centre.

They are currently looking for a more permanent location in which to continue the outreach. Wherever the program eventually finds a home, it will need support from Concordia Lutheran Mission Society to help pay rent and buy supplies.  You can help here.

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CLMS AGM and Mission Festival Set for February 8, 2015 in Kitchener

December 8, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Rev. Alexey Navrotskyy

Rev. Alexey Navrotskyy

The 2015 Concordia Lutheran Mission Society Annual Meeting and Mission Festival will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at Faith Lutheran Church, 247 Westmount Road East, Kitchener, Ontario.

Dr. Leonardo Neitzel

Dr. Leonardo Neitzel

The Mission Festival will feature Dr. Leonardo Neitzel, head of Mission and Social Ministry for Lutheran Church-Canada, reporting on the challenges and opportunities of LCC missions. A Skype connection is also planned with Rev. Alexey Navrotskyy, a pastor from Ukraine who is pursuing further studies at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton, AB.

The presentation will be followed by a brief Annual Meeting and refreshments. The CLMS Board of Directors will be meeting in Guelph February 5-7 to select mission projects for 2015.

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