LWML eNews Issue #155 – April 16, 2015

LWML Mission Goal Reached – Thanks be to God!

The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is overjoyed to announce that the 2013-2015 Mission Goal of $1.83 million was met and surpassed. To date, the total for the biennium is $1,849,178.96, with one district’s March mites yet to be counted. In an eNews dated March 5, 2015, supporters were asked to pray, as eleven Mission Grants still required full or partial funding before the end of the fiscal biennium on March 31, 2015. After the announcement of the mites’ shortfall, many districts and single donors responded with additional gifts. All praise to our Lord, Jesus Christ, for gracious giving!

LWML President Kay Kreklau gives all glory and honor to God for the blessing of exceeding the LWML 2013-2015 Mission Goal.

LWML President Kay Kreklau reflected on her reaction to the announcement, “As I heard the good news that we had met our goal, I thought back to a few days earlier as I was praying for the LWML mission grants. I knew God would answer our prayers for the mission goal but I also knew that my will may not be His Will and that God’s plan is always the better plan. He is faithful! In that faithfulness He has answered our requests to fully fund all the mission grants we chose for the 2013-2015 biennium with a resounding “yes!”  Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”

At the 36th Biennial LWML Convention to be held in Des Moines, Iowa, June 25-28, 2015, a new LWML Mission Goal will be prayerfully selected by the delegates for the mission work of the Lord during the 2015-2017 biennium. Mite offerings over the current $1,830,000 Mission Goal, as well as all mites donated from April 1, 2015 through March 31, 2017, will be added to the new 2015-2017 Mission Goal.

Your mite offerings, along with the contributions of other LWML supporters, will help to continue to fund the mission grants selected at the LWML Convention in Des Moines, Iowa. There are many ways to donate, in addition to filling your Mite Box, such as:

Learn more about all these options on the LWML website at www.lwml.org.

With a smile, President Kay shared, “What a blessing it is to see again how the LWML has stepped out in faith, knowing that God would provide for our every need. And indeed He has, as He has not only gifted us in reaching our goal, but to once again exceed that goal. To Him be all honor and glory!”

Four More LWML Mission Grants Fully Funded

The Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) praises God for faithful givers who, by the grace of God, have made possible the complete funding of these four Mission Grants for the 2013-2015 biennium:

Final installment of $5,000 for Support for Lutheran Public Radio. This grant will help allow the director of business operations to devote more time to development, so that the radio and Internet show, “Issues, Etc.,” can continue to proclaim the Gospel and provide a better understanding of contemporary social issues in a Christian context. PAID IN FULL!

Final installment of $20,000 for Worship for Shut-ins. This grant will help to fund the production, marketing, and distribution of the weekly “Worship for Shut-ins” DVD program, produced by Lutheran Ministries Media. PAID IN FULL!

Final installment of $25,000 for Rebuilding Nord Est Haiti Lutheran School. This grant will help to rebuild the Lutheran primary school in Haiti, and will meet current earthquake standards and serve the physical and spiritual needs of Haitian children. PAID IN FULL!

Preparing Leaders for a Diverse World, Concordia College, Selma, Alabama will serve minority populations, preparing them for fulltime ministry and leadership in the church.

Complete mission grant of $50,000 for Preparing Leaders for a Diverse World, Concordia College, Selma, Alabama. This grant will help to provide funds for materials and recruitment of students for undergraduate and seminary classes, and to help in establishing the seminary program and expansion of the teacher education program that will serve minority populations, preparing them for fulltime ministry and leadership in the church. PAID IN FULL!

By God’s grace, your mite offerings, along with the contributions of other LWML supporters, have helped meet this national mission goal of $1.83 million. You may donate online at www.lwml.org and checks or money orders may be designated as missions and mailed to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, P.O. Box 411993, St. Louis, MO 63141-1993. All offerings received will be added to the new 2015-2017 Mission Goal.

*What are mites? Based on the Biblical account of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4), mites are monetary gifts placed in the Mite Box, sacrificially given by supporters of the LWML. These gifts are offerings above and beyond the support given to our congregations and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. You may read more about this and order your own Mite Box at www.lwml.org.

eQuarterly at Your Fingertips

LWQMuch loved Christian humorist Jan Struck shares her story in the 2015 spring issue of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly.

The Lutheran Women's Missionary League’s (LWML) magazine, the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly, is now available in a digital version, accessible from your tablet or phone. When you order the eQuarterly you will have access to every article in recent issues and quick links to Bible study leader guides, current Mission Grant updates, and more! The LWML is offering you a special preview of the 2015 spring issue of this wonderful magazine in the digital version free. Just click here and enjoy every story, devotion, and Bible study.

Go to www.lwml.org or call 800-252-5965 to subscribe, change address, or get back issues. Order the print, digital, or both editions: One year, $6.50; Three years, $18; Five years, $28.

PhilippinesDon’t miss President Kay’s mission article, “Witnessing Christ,” in the 2015 spring issue of the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly.