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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 35

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
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Disaster Response in particular. Trainings were held
in Madagascar, Haiti, India, the Dominican Republic
(over 12 partner churches across Latin America were
represented), and South Africa.

We plan to bring out a Deaconess Ministry DVD,
coordinating with all three deaconess education
programs of LCMS.

Today, more deaconesses serve in the United States and
around the world. We are particularly blessed in the LCMS with
a strong and growing corps of women of old, who continue to
work hard, laboring in the Lord’s harvest fields, serving alongside the office of pastor, helping and supporting the office by
using their gifts to bless and serve others.

Short-Term Mission Service—Ms. Erin Alter,
Director
The Short-term Mission Service Unit was officially formed
in July 2016. Since that time, we have sent almost 100 teams and
more than 700 people to serve God’s people around the world.
Mercy Medical Teams bring tangible care and compassion
to thousands of people who are without even basic medical
care, and they do so side by side with our Lutheran brothers and
sisters in those countries. Theological Educators teach intensive
courses to men studying to be pastors. Children have fun learning about Baptism, God’s promises, and even a little English
grammar at English Bible Camps.
When connecting people to the local Body of Christ is a
priority, lives and communities are impacted. Those connections are an essential part of LCMS International Mission
short-term mission service.

••

We also held the 2017 International Disaster Conference at the seminary in Fort Wayne. Of the attendees,
30 were considered “international,” representing
each region, and an additional 50 were partners from
across the United States. The topics included case
studies from previous disasters as well as theological offerings to help us all grow in our understanding of mercy. Particularly, the conference included
case studies from the typhoon in the Philippines, the
refugee crisis in Germany, flooding in Madagascar,
the Sierra Leone mudslides, and Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. Other notable topics were Mercy in a
Secular Environment, Spiritual Care after a Tragedy,
Animism and the Gospel in Africa, and Mercy and
Outreach Leading to the Church. Many connections
were made to further our relationships with these
other church bodies during times of disaster, which
makes our responses more effective and efficient.
In response to natural and manmade disasters
••

In the past triennium, we supported a multi-year
response to Hurricane Matthew, which struck
western Haiti in 2016. We worked with our Regional
Office and the Haitian Lutheran Church to provide
food, water, and building supplies. The long-term
response included rebuilding 50 homes for pastors
and 12 churches, and digging 17 deep water wells at
the churches as well. The wells have become community meeting points as clean water is hard to find,
particularly after the storm. We also did two Mercy
Medical Clinics in remote villages to combat cholera
outbreaks.

••

In the fall of 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto
Rico and caused massive destruction across the
island. We worked with our Regional Office and
missionaries in Mayagüez and Puerto Rico to assess
and put together an action plan for response. To date,
thousands of people have been given food and cooking supplies and dozens of roofs have been rebuilt for
needy families. We worked with Ted Krey to increase
staffing in the area to support a four-year response.
We purchased a Mercy Center adjacent to the current
church building in Mayagüez to increase capacity on
the ground. We are now in the second full year and
have received a grant for $600,000 from the Harold
C. Smith Foundation to further our work there. Our
total response to Hurricane Matthew is budgeted
at roughly $2,300,000 over the four years. Providing
care for people in their bodies, while also connecting
them to the Word and Sacrament is a Hallmark of
LCMS Disaster Response, and this effort epitomizes
that connection. To date, our response in Puerto Rico
has been roughly $790,000.

••

In December 2017, a typhoon hit the Lutheran
Seminary in Nagercoil, India. We deployed to assist
our Lutheran brothers and sisters early in 2018. The

Accomplishments over the Past Triennium
••

Sent the very first Mercy Medical Teams to Togo, the
Gambia, and Sierra Leone.

••

Celebrated the tenth summer of English Bible Camps
in Poland.

••

Streamlined and unified processes for people who
serve with LCMS International Mission short-term.

••

Began collaborating with Office of National Mission
on recruitment efforts for all kinds of LCMS service.

Plans for the Next Triennium
••

Develop mission education resources for congregations.

••

Write our own curriculum for English Bible Camps.

••

Create training materials for short-term service,
focusing on both leaders and individuals.

Disaster Response—Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson,
Director
Accomplishments over the Past Triennium
Training and preparedness (including theological education)
••

During the last years, we had the privilege of leading
multiple trainings/conferences throughout the various regions in Disaster Preparedness. The intent has
been to raise up leaders in our partner churches and
give guidance to our missionaries on the ground as
it relates to mercy work in the church in general and

2019 Convention Workbook