World Mission
You - a Missionary
Are you looking for opportunities to serve as an ambassador for the gospel outside of Canada? These options are available to you, depending on the length of time that you are interested in serving:
- our sister church in the USA - the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has opportunities for people who want to serve for only a few months or for several years. Go to their website www.elca.org/globalmission and then follow the prompt to 'global service'.
- The Canadian Lutheran World Relief International Volunteer Service also has volunteer positions available to qualified individuals.
- Two organizations that fill cross-cultural volunteer positions are based in the Synod of Alberta and the Territories - "Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots" (LAMP) Canada flies into northern Canadian communities each summer to offer vacation Bible school sessions, for more information, check their website - www.lampministry.org; and "On Eagle's Wings" offers a similar program and hosts another information website - www.oneagleswings.org
- remember that you are a missionary to your family, friends and the person next door - serve where 'you are planted'.
Study Tours
Occasionally, study tours are offered through the synod but more likely, through a congregation who has established some relationship with the Lutheran Church in another country. Some of the study tours that have most recently taken place or are about to take place, are listed below:
- "Mission to Colombia" visited that country, our 'Companion Synod', early in 2005. For a complete report by Bishop Steve Kristenson and to view pictures of this mission, please check another area of this site - About Us - Colombia Synod.
- Mexican study tours are offered by a number of congregations in the Synod.
- University of Alberta, Augustana Campus (contact Dr. Dittmar Muendel for more information).
- Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Lethbridge (Contact Corinne Jerke of Lethbridge)
- St. Albert Lutheran Church, St. Albert Contact the congregation for information about the summer, 2007 trip.
- El Salvador is the focus of cultural exchange and support for the congregation of Hosanna Lutheran in Edmonton. Contact them for more information.
- Canadian Lutheran World Relief organizes an annual "Tour of Discovery" group trip to overseas countries where they have development projects. For details about these trips, look at their website at www.clwr.org or call them toll free at 1-800-661-2597 .
Missionaries Sponsored by This Church
For a complete list of the missionaries, the countries they serve and their work there, please click on this link to the national church's website:
World Missionaries
Celebrating the ministry of the Rev. Brian Rude, missionary to El Salvador - poster
Global Mission Event (GME) with Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Global Mission Events (GMEs) are offered by the national church - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Watch for more information on the ELCIC webiste www.elcic.ca
World Mission Contact Person
To help our congregations understand the mission of making "disciples of all nations", congregational members are invited to become 'world mission contact persons'. The purpose of this network is to -
- accept the need to tell the World Misison story to the members of his/her congregation
- serve as a resource person concerning the missionary efforts of the ELCIC
- promote an understanding of global mission.
The duties and responsibilities include:
- publicize the literature, news and information available regarding world missions and Lutheran missionaries - this may involve adding notices to the congregation's bulletin boards, distributing notices along with the worship service folders and inserting information through the parish newsletter;
- coordinate one interpretation event in the congregation each year;
- organize a 'World Mission Committee' in the congregation to assist with the task of promotion.
Please contact the synod office (780, 439-2636 or e-mail svilletard@elcic.ca) if you are willing to accept this responsibility for your congregation!