CHICAGO (ELCA) -- "Look to Jesus, Run the Race" will be the theme when members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather this summer for two Global Mission Events. The events are July 10-13 at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill., and July 17-20 at Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas. In 1996 Global Mission Events drew more than 3,500 people.
According to the Rev. Margarita Martinez, ELCA associate director for global events, emphasis will be on "how Jesus enables Christians in other countries to run the race." The theme text is from the New Testament book of Hebrews (12:1-2). ELCA members will come together to "be inspired for mission and renewed in their faith life," she said.
Dr. Elsa Tamez, one of the best-known women theologians in Latin America, will speak and teach daily at each event. Tamez is president of the Latin American Biblical Seminary, San Jose, Costa Rica. She is originally from Mexico. Her writing and teaching address social justice and the perspective of the poor and marginalized in Latin America.
Dr. He Qi of the People's Republic of China, will make a presentation at both events. A teacher of art at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary and Nanjing University, Qi explores the possibilities of illustrating Christian stories and themes with indigenous Chinese design.
The Rev. Bonnie L. Jensen, director of the ELCA's Division for Global Mission, will speak at the events' opening celebrations. Jensen was a missionary in Ethiopia and has been on the staff of the division since the ELCA was formed in 1988. The Rev. Stephen Larson, an ELCA pastor who serves a Lutheran congregation in Geneva, Switzerland, will preach for the closing worship.
Seven "global university" sessions featuring from 75 to 100 courses will be offered during each event. Topics range from alternative global travel to contemporary settings for ministry in Hong Kong, from outreach among "generation X" to work among homeless people, from promoting gender equity to issues around land mines.
Missionary staff of the ELCA from many countries will take part along with international guests from partner churches around the world. Music to be presented will come from Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America and Europe. Youth and children will take part in special global programs and activities designed for them, with a special emphasis on Asia and Latin America.
A newly-designed workshop track will train teams from ELCA congregations to bring global themes to their preaching, education, worship and music ministries. Two special tracks will feature concentrated study of Islam at Wheaton and Latino ministry at Seguin.
For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
