A printable PDF version of the News Release is attached here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2023

Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention

40th Biennial Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, also known as Lutheran Women in Mission, welcomed over 3,500 people to their 40th biennial convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, June 22–25, 2023, under the theme “Celebrate the Lord of the Nations.” The convention theme was based on Psalm 33:12–13. 

2023–2025 Mission Goal and Mission Grants

The Lutheran Women in Mission voting body adopted a $2,350,000 mission goal for the 
2023–2025 biennium. This goal, by the grace of God, will fund 31 mission grants, as women and men respond in prayer and mite offerings during the next two years. Here is the list of Mission Grant Recipients:

  1. Orphan Grain Train Servant Center — Orphan Grain Train, U.S. $100,000 
  2. A Healing Space for At-Risk Children — Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, North Dakota $100,000
  3. Serving God’s Children with Special Needs — Journeys Lutheran School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin $100,000 
  4. Fortifying Faith in Those with Vision Impairment — Lutheran Braille Workers $100,000 
  5. Disaster Response Team — Trinity Lutheran Church, Tyler, Texas $50,000 
  6. Mobile Kitchen — Forged by Fire Services, Gulf Coast Region, U.S. $85,000 
  7. Upheld by God’s Hand, Mental Health Outreach — LCMS Life Ministry $96,500
  8. Expanding Gospel Proclamation Worldwide — Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri $100,000 
  9. Equipping Young Leaders — LCMS Youth Ministry $50,000
  10. Set Apart To Serve — LCMS Office of Pastoral Education $100,000 
  11. Lutheran Women in Mission Finish the Job — Ministry in Mission, Haiti $85,000
  12. Sharing Christ Crucified with High School Youth — Lutheran High School of Greater New Orleans, Louisiana $35,000
  13. Water and the Word — Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya $80,000 
  14. Enhancement of Deaf Ministry and Outreach — Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society, U.S. $47,000 
  15. Feeding Haitian Children Through Gospel and Meals — Trinity HOPE $58,082 
  16. Care for Street Children of Western Kenya — Capstone Ministries $50,000
  17. Nurturing Faith for the Aging — Lutheran Ministries Media (Worship Anew) $100,000
  18. Zoe’s Home Support — Zoe’s Home, Trinity Lutheran Church, Clinton, Missouri $75,000
  19. Tanzania Children’s Homes — Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, Africa $74,500 
  20. Sharing Christ with Women and Children in Kazakhstan — Lutheran Hour Ministries $100,000 
  21. Healthy Together: Healthy Workers, Healthy Church — Lutheran Family Services $106,000
  22. Expanding Gospel Outreach to Hispanics in the United States — Lutheran Hour Ministries $100,000 
  23. A Legacy of Love for Special Needs Children — Lutheran Special Education Ministries $100,000 
  24. God’s Word for Central & South American Missions — Lutheran Heritage Foundation $100,000 
  25. Bringing God’s Word to India — India Bible Translation Project $100,000
  26. Life Connection Events and Kits — Lutherans for Life $70,000
  27. Siouxland Lutheran Hispanic Ministry — Hope Lutheran, South Sioux City, Nebraska $50,000 
  28. Growing Our Place: Care for Special Needs Students — Our Place After School Care, Inc., Nebraska $20,000
  29. Repairs for St. Paul’s Lutheran School — St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Cullman, Alabama $50,000
  30. Showering Love on the Least of These — Mercy Holistic Ministry, California $100,000
  31. Breaking Generational Poverty in Detroit— Camp Restore Detroit, Michigan, Partial Payment of $58,988.62


LWML Elects New Leaders to the Board of Directors

 The newly elected officers for the 2023–2027 term are:

President: Eden Keefe, LWML Kansas District
Vice President of Organizational Resources: Arlene Naasz, LWML South Dakota District 
Vice President of Special Focus Ministries: Karol Selle, LWML North Wisconsin District
Treasurer: Anita Werner, LWML Rocky Mountain District 
Pastoral Counselor: Rev. Mark Maas, LWML Wyoming District

The LWML Nominating Committee Was Elected for the 2023–2025 Biennium

The newly elected members of the Nominating Committee are:

Chairman: Olajumoke Odedele, LWML New Jersey District 
Committee Member: Deaconess Betty Knapp, LWML North Wisconsin District
Committee Member: Laura Strattman, LWML Central Illinois District
Committee Member: Melissa Vance, LWML South Dakota District
Committee Member: Roxanne Pieper, LWML Minnesota South District 

The LWML Board of Directors Approved Appointed Officers 

The newly Appointed Officers are:

Strategic Plan Facilitator: Cheryl Mattil, LWML Texas District
Meeting Manager: Leslie Colligan, LWML New England District
Public Relations Director: Debbie Yocky, LWML Rocky Mountain District

Thank You for Your Generous Support

Convention offerings, the Mission Pledge Walk, and Tee Up for Mites donations are still being received. Final totals will be announced in an eNews article. Gifts from the Heart donation totals and recipients will also be provided.

About LWML

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is the leading women’s organization of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, LWML has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries, and to support global missions. We’re a nonprofit organization that encourages women to joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and to honor God by serving others.