Mission Opportunities
It is the primary goal of LC3 to help congregations work together in mission and ministry. 
In the history of the Lutheran church in North America, many and various things have fallen under the label of “mission” – including such things as social service ministries, legislative advocacy, and other support services provided by Christian churches. All these are important ways the Church reaches out to care for the needs of our neighbors.
We would like to use the word “mission” to refer more specifically to the ministry of the Word and the task of Evangelism. This mission is the one that Christ spoke of when he said: “It was necessary that the Messiah should suffer and to be raised from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48)
LC3 would like to help congregations engage in this calling to be witnesses to the good news of Christ, knowing that “in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19-20). We seek to be “Ambassadors for Christ” by working together in global mission and cross-cultural ministry projects, as well as domestic mission development in the starting of new congregations. Here are a few Word-centered missions which LC3 congregations are encouraged to support:
Global Mission: New Hope Mission Society
The New Hope Mission Society is a Lutheran evangelistic ministry in India, led by the Rev. K.K. Alavi. Rev. Alavi's ministry focuses on Christian outreach to Muslim people in and near Calcutta, through personal contact and evangelistic literature. Rev. Alavi has become known for his courageous witness in a difficult and dangerous context. Himself a convert from Islam, he has provided inspiration for other Muslims to follow him into the Christian faith. Through the work of the Spirit, there have been as many as 28,000 Muslim inquirers needing response and follow-up ministry as a result of Rev. Alavi's ministry.
An aggressive budget has been set to meet the growth needs of this urgent mission work among Muslims in India, including resources such as: computers, a church facility, and a fellowship and training center. The recent acquisition of a large facility and grounds, will provide living and worship space for families, as well as land for the church to grow food. The support we can provide will help to change the lives of many. For information on how your congregation can support the ministry of Rev. K. K. Alavi, contact the New Hope Mission Society at newhope@faithlc.com.
Teaching Ministry: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ghana
Lutheran schools in the African country of Ghana are alive and well and are educating future leaders to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But they could use your help. Are you going to be buying a new computer? How long has it been since you have sorted out your bookshelves? Theological works as well as Bibles can make their way to seminarians in Ghana. Computers can be shipped as well. Perhaps you or your congregation would even consider contributing to the expense of shipping a container. Let us give out of our abundance.
The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, New Rochelle, NY is collecting books for the library at St. Paul's Lutheran School, Accra, Ghana, and sending them directly to the Director of Schools and Projects, Kwadwo Gyami of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana. If you would like to help, or if you want more information, please contact Pastor Eric Swensson at eric@holytrinitynewrochelle.org or call (914) 740-3199. Pastor Swenson will also be sending computers and other educational supplies as well. Your participation in this mission project would be greatly appreciated!
Global Mission: East European Mission Network
The East European Missions Network (EEMN) is an evangelical, inter-Lutheran mission organization that is called to work in what predominantly were formerly Soviet bloc countries. Incorporated in 1992, their primary focus is evangelism and discipleship, with the long term goal of renewing and restoring the Body of Christ after generations of persecution and destruction at the hands of atheistic, communist governments. Working directly through fulltime EEMN missionaries and in close partnership with indigenous leaders and ministries in these countries, they are actively training the leaders of tomorrow. In addition, through innovative outreach in Russian public schools and elsewhere, they are seeing at times entire classrooms coming to personal faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, go to their website at: www.eemn.org
The Latin American Lutheran Mission (LALM)
The Latin American Lutheran Mission (LALM) is an independent Evangelical Lutheran mission focused on proclaiming the Gospel to the people of Mexico. It was the parent, and now partner, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mexico (ELCM). This partnership seeks to equip Mexican people to fulfill Christ's Great Commission. The Mexican Pastors of the ELCM serve 33 locations within a 180 mile radius of Monterrey, in Northeastern Mexico. ELCM also supports a Bible School.
The LALM Director is Rev. Richard Erickson (ELCA Pastor), headquartered in Laredo, Texas. Phone 956-722-4047 or 956-235-1963. Many volunteer opportunities exist for service to the mission both in Laredo, TX, and in Mexico for youth groups as well as adult groups. Contact the director for information on short term missions trips. The LALM website is: www.lalm-elcm.org.
LALM is a faith mission depending entirely upon God for supplying of its needs through the prayer and freewill offerings of his people as the Holy Spirit leads. Financial gifts may be sent to: LALM, PO Box 17385, Minneapolis, MN 55417-7385