ELCA MISSIONARIES MEET=20
About 30 missionaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America met =
July 20-24 at Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas, for a conference =
on Lutheran missionary efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean. =
Participants engaged in Bible study, shared information about
international=
ministry, compared work styles and told stories. Harold T. Hanson, ELCA =
director for international personnel said, *Together with national =
Lutheran churches we determine what work will be done in that particular =
country.* Missionaries are scattered throughout Latin America; not very =
many serve in each particular country. *All missionaries are part of a =
larger community. We need to alleviate the sense of being isolated, which
=
is why this gathering is so important,* he said. *Here, missionaries came
=
together for the first time as a family and built community,* said the =
Rev. Rafael Malpica-Padilla, ELCA program director for Latin America and =
the Caribbean. Missionaries discussed involvment in local politics, =
adopting a modest lifestyle, language, culture and Christian faith and =
practice. Missionaries *need to accept their identity as foreigners and =
guests in the host country and church,* said Hanson. ELCA missionaries =
currently serve in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Jamaica
=
and Puerto Rico. =20
For information contact:=20
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS=40ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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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
