ELCA: 15 New Missionaries to Start Serving in July

(Photo: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)A woman walks with two children

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - one of the few mainline denominations fully supporting its long-term mission personnel - says 15 new missionaries will begin serving in July.

Every year 225 missionaries serve in more than 40 countries teaching, preaching, healing, peacemaking, building and growing communities, the denomination said in a statement on Wednesday.

ELCA notes that of the total, some are self-funded volunteers and others are serving a two-year commitment.

The missionaries receive financial support through giving by congregations, individual members and others across the church.

Rev. Lanny Westphal, who directs missionary sponsorship at ELCA worldwide ministries says sponsorship is a way for people in the church to "make a direct connection" to the ministry of ELCA missionaries.

"Together, God's work is truly happening through our hands," he says.

Rev. Twila Schock, director for missionary sponsorship, says the church "has not wavered in its commitment to supporting our missionaries" despite economic setbacks.

She says the denomination is experiencing a resurgence in the number of fundable long-term missionaries.

The long-term service positions are developed with the priorities of ELCA global companion churches in mind, according to

ELCA says new mission personnel will being their service with orientation in Toronto before being dispatched to their areas of service, according to Rev. Stephen Nelson, who serves as director for global community at ELCA churchwide ministries.

"Our global companions request ELCA personnel to fill positions identified as critical needs," he says.

A search on Wednesday of 75 mission service opportunities available in an ELCA Database Search shows a variety of positions, including but not limited to work in young adult programs, work for physicians, health care workers, english teachers, pastors, music instructor, librarian, a theology professor, agricultural volunteers, communication worker, church musician, and mission and evagelism teacher.

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