For more than two decades, the Garuna Foundation has been strengthening Lutheran ministry throughout Southeast Asia. Established by former LCMS missionaries Rev Jeff and Cheryl Ehlers, the foundation emerged from their experience serving in Thailand, where they witnessed a pressing need for ongoing, structured theological training for pastors, deaconesses, and lay leaders. Their long-term commitment […]

For more than two decades, the Garuna Foundation has been strengthening Lutheran ministry throughout Southeast Asia. Established by former LCMS missionaries Rev Jeff and Cheryl Ehlers, the foundation emerged from their experience serving in Thailand, where they witnessed a pressing need for ongoing, structured theological training for pastors, deaconesses, and lay leaders. Their long-term commitment to developing faithful, theologically grounded workers in the region has shaped Garuna’s ministry ever since.

A particularly significant development in recent years has been Garuna’s partnership with Grand Canyon University (GCU) to offer an online Master of Arts in Christian Ministry. Delivered by Lutheran professors at a dramatically reduced cost, the program aims to build theological capacity across Asia and beyond. While the degree normally costs around USD $50,000, the arrangement secured by Garuna through the support of Grand Canyon University reduces the cost to roughly USD $1,000 for each student. An extraordinary gift to churches who would otherwise never access graduate-level education. Students first pass an English language proficiency course before beginning two years of online study. Class sizes are intentionally small, helping develop strong cross-cultural fellowship among participants who meet weekly and learn from one another’s ministry contexts.

This partnership reached the LCA in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped how the world learns and communicates. Garuna invited LCA International Mission to nominate candidates for this new online cohort. What was then an innovative alternative to traditional face-to-face learning soon proved to be a providential and strategic way to continue developing church leaders at a time when international travel was impossible.

Pastor Giesa Panpan, head of ministerial training in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG), was nominated and jouned the program. With the support of monthly data allowances provided by LCA International Mission, Pastor Panpan participated in his online courses and completed his degree in October 2022. Mr Peter Gigmai of Highlands Seminary in Ogelbeng was also accepted into the initial group. Although his study was interrupted due to travel to Germany, he is scheduled to complete the program in November 2025.

LCA International Mission has continued to support additional students, covering the cost of internet access for those in areas with limited connectivity. Those expecting to complete their studies in November 2025 include:
• Dedi Pardosi (HKBP, Indonesia)
• Tofler Sijabat (HKBP, Indonesia)
• Rev Fabien Macumi (Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, Burundi)
• Rev Sanael Emoi (ELCPNG)
• Xavier Palattao (Philippines, serving with ELCPNG)
• Rev Rizaldy Marron (Lutheran Church in the Philippines)

Although Garuna and GCU cover the cost of tuition, LCA International Mission’s support with data access ensures that students can reliably join their online classes.

The impact of the program is evident in the testimonies of the students themselves, many of whom describe it as transformative for their ministry and personal faith.

Papua New Guinean pastor Sanael Emoi speaks of the life-changing influence of courses in Christian doctrine, ethics, communication, interpretation of Scripture and pastoral counselling. He describes how learning new digital tools has helped him share the gospel more effectively within and beyond his own community. He also values the opportunity to connect deeply with professors and classmates, saying, “Even though we are in different countries, we learn together,” and expressing hope that one day the university will offer a doctorate so that graduates can continue their studies.

From Burundi, Rev Fabien Macumi gives thanks for the pastoral formation he received, especially in hermeneutics, expository preaching and pastoral care. These skills, he says, are essential in a growing church where he regularly supports people carrying deep wounds. He describes the church as a “spiritual hospital,” and credits the program for equipping him to bring biblical healing and guidance to those he serves.

Filipino pastor Rizaldy Marron notes that the gospel-shaped approach to preaching and pastoral care has strengthened his ministry both as a congregational pastor and as a teacher. He speaks warmly of the support of his professors and of the joy of learning alongside classmates from across the world.

Through the partnership between the Garuna Foundation, GCU and LCA International Mission, church leaders across the world are being equipped to proclaim Christ with clarity, confidence and compassion. It is capacity-building for the sake of the gospel and a beautiful expression of the body of Christ working together across nations, cultures and time zones.

If you would like to know more about opportunities to personally support a scholarship recipient in your congregation during their stay in Australia, or ways in which you can financially and prayerfully support LCA International Mission’s scholarship program, you are invited to phone LCA International Mission on (08) 8267 7316 or email lcaim@lca.org.au

Read more stories about LCA International Mission scholarship recipients at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/scholarships/