Growing Together

It's called Growing Together, an effort of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi to offer three educational opportunities in Malawi, Africa: a Pastors' Academy, a school for lay evangelists, and English language training.

The brochure provides the details of Growing Together, but I want to encourage individuals and congregations to take advantage of the matching fund opportunity provided by Norda, Inc. of Ladysmith, owned by Mark and Margaret Stensvold.  Norda will match up to a total of $10,000 to challenge all of us to support Growing Together.  For every $2 contributed, Norda will donate $1.  Youth groups, Sunday Schools, women and men's groups, seniors' groups, and, of course, individuals are invited to participate.

Our goal is $30,000. This total will cover the cost of all three educational components of Growing Together. I ask that every congregation consider a minimum of a $100 gift.  A pastor in our synod who serves a very small congregation told me recently, "Most congregations could raise that much and more in a special offering after a worship service as folks are leaving for coffee hour."

The Pastors' Academy and English training (educational materials are in English) will happen in October of this year. Pastors Todd Iverson and Greg Kaufmann will join Malawi teachers as instructors. The Evangelist school will take place in 2011 and will be taught by Malawi pastors. It is our hope that Growing Together will provide annual educational opportunities for our sisters and brothers in Malawi.  In future years, other pastors in our synod will be invited to travel to Malawi and teach at the Pastors' Academy.

Thank you for your generous support as we seek to significantly strengthen our global partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi.

Blessings,

Bishop Duane Pederson

View the brochure.