For Immediate Release — July 1, 2021
Click here to download the printable PDF of this News Release.
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Convention in Lexington, Kentucky
LWML 39TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) welcomed 2,787 people to the LWML Convention in Lexington, Kentucky, June 24–27, 2021, under the theme "Running the Race … Looking to Jesus.” The convention theme was based on Hebrews 12:1–2. The voting body adopted a $2,150,000 mission goal for the 2021–2023 biennium. This goal, by the grace of God, will fund 28 mission grants as women and men respond in prayer and mites (offerings) during the next two years. The following grants were chosen:
- Deaconess Ministry Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch — Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, $ 81,680
- Healing the Invisible Wounds of War through Horses — Spirit Warrior, Central Maine, $95,000
- Thirst to Learn: Bible Books for Africa's Children — Lutheran Heritage Foundation, $100,000
- Making the Next Generation of Disciples for Life — LCMS Life Ministry, $92,000
- Helping Hands for Lutheran Deaf Outreach — Lutheran Deaf Outreach, $50,000
- Hope of Christ for Cancer Patients — Phil's Friends, $70,000
- Training Pastors to Serve the Church in Russia — Lutheran Theological Seminary, Novosibirsk, Siberia, $100,000
- Light of Christ in Eastern Europe — Mission Central, $56,000
- Propelling the Gospel — LAMP Ministry, Inc., $65,000
- Educating Pastors in Africa — Mission Central, $100,000
- Redeeming Life Maternity Home, Illinois Expansion — Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries, $100,000
- Mercy Medical Care for Tanzania — Mwadui Lutheran School and Community, $68,182
- Gospel Outreach to Women and Children in Mongolia — Lutheran Hour Ministries, $100,000
- Caring for and Sharing Christ with Hurting People — Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, $100,000
- The Littlest and Least of These — St. Paul Lutheran Church and Christian Academy, Dallas, Texas, $42,000
- Bring the Inner-City Children to Camp — Lutheran Valley Retreat, Colorado, $25,000
- Spiritual and Physical Food for Children of Peru — La Mision Luterana del Peru, $56,750
- “Ends of Earth” Scholarships — Mission Opportunities Short Term (MOST) Ministries, $50,000
- Sharing Jesus' Love in India — Lutheran Braille Workers, $100,000
- Mission & Outreach to the Least of These — Victory Lutheran Church, K. I. Sawyer Community, $51,356
- Mercy House Belize Lutheran Campus — Belize Mission Society, $100,000
- Ministry Vehicle Fund, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone — Lutheran Bible Translators, $70,000
- Showing God's Love in the International District, Albuquerque, New Mexico — God Cares About You Mission, $98,000
- Reaching the Homebound with God's Word — Lutheran Ministries Media, Inc. (DBA Worship Anew), $100,000
- Missionaries to America Project — Mission Nation Publishing, $88,000
- Strengthening the Lutheran Mission to Kuna, Idaho — Friendship Celebration Lutheran Church, $100,000
- Expanding God’s Love in Uganda — LCMS Office of International Mission, Africa Regio, $92,000
- Christ-Centered Materials for Hmong Language School and Outreach — St. Paul Hmong Outreach Ministries, $70,208.
Voting Body Elects New Leaders
On Saturday, June 26, 2021, the convention voting body elected these servant leaders:
Vice President of Christian Life: Susan Brunkow, Kansas District
Vice President of Communication: Kathy Pavelock, Eastern District
Vice President of Gospel Outreach: Karen Morrison, Kansas District
Recording Secretary: Brenda Piester, Kansas District
Jr. Pastoral Counselor: Rev. Gary Piepkorn, Rocky Mountain District
Nominating Committee: Kaye Wolff from the Michigan District, Chair, Lois Teinert from the Texas District, Janis McDaniels from the Carolinas District, Lisa Asmus from the South Dakota District, Melissa Salomón from the Pacific Southwest District, committee members
Offerings Received
(The following offering amounts were collected during the convention. Because additional offerings are still being received, these are unofficial totals and updates will be announced in a later LWML eNews.)
Convention Offering #1 — LWML Mission Goal 2021–2023: $43,494.15
Convention Offering #2 — King’s Community Outreach in Fort Wayne, Indiana: $27,434.02
Convention Offering #3 — Gifts for All God’s Children’s Connecting Kids to Christ Center, in Detroit, Michigan: $28,206.66
Convention Offering #4 — POBLO International Ministries in Clinton Township, Michigan: $27,079.61
Gifts from the Heart
Gifts from the Heart are donations of gift cards and specific items chosen by the LWML Convention Planning Committee. They come from LWML members and donors; totals include all online donations received to date:
Assurance for Life Ministry: $1,252
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri: $1,870
Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, Indiana: $1,495
MOST Ministries: $940, plus donations of used eyeglasses
Unspecified Gifts: $1,930
Mission Pledge Walk
A mission pledge walk was held to support the new $2,150,000 mission goal for the 2021–2023 biennium. Groups and individuals unable to attend the convention were encouraged to walk in their neighborhoods. In Lexington, nearly 1,100 individuals took part, walking from the convention center to Thoroughbred Park in a 1.5 mile loop. Contributions raised totaled $96,232.92.
Tee Up 4 Mites Golf Outing
The Sixth Biennial Tee Up 4 Mites Golf Outing was held on Wednesday, June 23, at the beautiful University Club of Kentucky. There were 69 golfers, comprising 18 teams, sponsored by the Lutheran Federal Credit Union. The funds raised totaled $30,710.00 in gross receipts.
The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. As Lutheran Women in Mission, we joyfully proclaim Christ, support missions, and equip women to honor God by serving others.
Contact:
Susan Donnelly
Public Relations Director
LWML Office
801 Seminary Place, Ste. L010
St. Louis, MO 63105
800-252-5965
www.lwml.org
