2021–2023 LWML Mission Grant #18 “Ends of Earth” Scholarships — Mission Opportunities Short Term (MOST) Ministries" $50,000
MOST: Making a Difference to the Ends of the Earth
By Marty Moro
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! (Psalm 96:3).
Now, how would I do that? How can I share the Gospel among the nations? Is it enough to be content as a member of a church body that sends people into the mission field, or is there a way for me to personally take an active role in carrying out the Great Commission?
There is a way! You can travel to another part of the world and share God’s love in word and deed by dedicating a week or two of your life to a short-term mission trip. You can join like-minded Christians, led by an experienced team leader and an organization that manages all aspects of the trip, from start to finish.
Mission Opportunities Short Term (MOST) Ministries has been providing short-term mission opportunities for 35 years. MOST teams are made up of mission-minded individuals, often formed by LCMS congregations, deployed to help missionaries and local pastors at host sites around the world. Sometimes, teams are made up of individuals from multiple congregations who get connected to each other through MOST.
Thanks to the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, several MOST team members have had a portion of their costs covered by the “Ends of the Earth” grant approved at the 2021 LWML Convention. Funds from this grant make it possible for more people to join MOST mission teams. In response to requests from missionaries in the field, these teams are sent to help those communities in a number of ways, including water filtration projects, construction projects, medical clinics, and eyeglass clinics. Each team addresses a specific need which will improve the lives of the people, and each trip provides opportunities to share the Gospel and support the work of the local church.
MOST’s January 2023 mission trip to Tanzania was only possible because of the “Ends of the Earth” grant. The team was short on members, and the trip would have been canceled without funding from the LWML. This eyeglass team struggled to find the right prescription for Dora (pictured above with team members and her family), but eventually found a -13.25 prescription that improved her sight tremendously. MOST eyeglass clinics are made possible through the work of volunteers who collect used eyeglasses or work to refurbish them at the MOST Mission Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. These glasses, previously ready to be discarded, make a big difference in the lives of people in areas where the cost of a pair of glasses can exceed a person’s monthly income. And just think about the potential economic impact of these glasses: they can restore a person’s ability to read, to hold a job, to provide for their family, and to have a positive impact on their church and community. Thank you to MOST volunteers, team members, supporters, and the LWML for making all this possible!
To learn more about how to connect with MOST, please visit the MOST Ministries website at mostministries.org or follow us on social media.
Marty Moro is the new Executive Director of MOST Ministries. Prior to starting at MOST he served as a Lutheran school teacher and administrator, and as a development professional for Lutheran organizations. Contact him at mmoro@mostministries.org to find out how to become a part of MOST’s valuable ministry.
This story was originally featured in the Summer 2023 Lutheran Woman's Quarterly. Order your subscription here.
For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.
