LCMS World Mission Your Gifts in Action 2008

Continued from last month’s newsletter…read below for more Gospel activity that has resulted from your gifts and places God is opening doors for us in 2008, where your gifts will help us proclaim the Gospel. The summaries are arranged by world region.

India

In October, Concordia Seminary, Nagercoil, welcomed the visitation team from Serampore Senate, the Indian higher education accrediting agency. The agency gave the seminary authority to issue a bachelor’s degree for the very first time. The Bachelor of Divinity program will begin in June 2008. This is a huge step—no longer do seminary students need to complete their degree in other seminaries or universities. This will result in a much deeper theological background for graduates. In order to be granted the accreditation, the seminary had to build four additional faculty homes, and promise to complete other upgrades, such as a faculty office complex, a 16-apartment married-student residence, road paving, campus maintenance shop expansion, chapel, library, and additional classrooms. Significant gifts will be required to complete the plan.

Thailand

“In the Pang Na area of southern Thailand, the LCMS World Mission team visited six schools and a Lutheran church. The team brought the Good News as they interacted with 339 students and their teachers in English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) classes as well as a church camp where only a small portion of the children were committed Christians.”—Rev. Bob and Diana Hedtke

 Mexico Outreach

I’m sorry to have to announce the Mexico Mission trip will not be happening this coming year. The dates available do not correspond with our Spring Break which makes it difficult for our young adults to miss school. I have called Azusa, coordinators for the Mexico Outreach, to arrange for a new team to be assigned to Merida. Moneys earned and donated will be sent to the Mexico Outreach Program. I ask that you continue to pray for the families in Mexico Outreach Program. I ask that you continue to pray for the families in Mexico. Pastor Luis says thank you to St. John’s Lutheran Church for the many years of prayer and support and sends God’s Blessings to all. I also wish to thank you for your many years of encouragement and support.

Debra Francik

Mexico Outreach