The Manawatu Lutheran Parish has a long history of supporting mission and outreach within our local community. Our involvement in overseas mission through LCA International Mission began 20 years ago, with support for mission outreach in Indonesia and Malaysia. For the past 12 years, our overseas mission focus has been the Evangelical Lutheran Church in […]

The Manawatu Lutheran Parish has a long history of supporting mission and outreach within our local community. Our involvement in overseas mission through LCA International Mission began 20 years ago, with support for mission outreach in Indonesia and Malaysia.

For the past 12 years, our overseas mission focus has been the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia’s Pertubuhan Rumah Kebajikan Chrestus (Rumah Chrestus) in Selangor. Rumah Chrestus provides care for orphaned, abused, neglected and underprivileged children aged between 2 and 18. It offers a safe home, education and practical training, helping equip these children with the skills and opportunities to build a more secure and independent future.

Currently, six boys, aged between 8 and 17, are living at Rumah Chrestus. Each has a different story and has come into the care of the home for a range of reasons, including abandonment, abuse, family hardship and a lack of relatives able to provide care. Some have experienced significant instability in their young lives, while others come from families facing considerable challenges. Two of the boys are brothers who have experienced abandonment and abuse.

Yet these children are not defined by their circumstances. They are young people with their own interests, personalities and dreams for the future. They enjoy reading, drawing, playing indoor games, participating in sport, fishing and spending time outdoors.

Through Rumah Chrestus, they receive care and support in a safe environment, with access to education, practical skills development and opportunities to learn about Jesus.

Each October, our Parish holds a special appeal to support Rumah Chrestus. This year’s appeal has raised an impressive total of more than NZ$9,000, reflecting the generosity and ongoing commitment of our congregation.

The appeal began with a quiz night and mini auction on Saturday, 10 October, followed by a mission-focused worship service on Sunday. We were pleased to welcome Erin Kerber, Program Officer for LCA International Mission, who joined us for both occasions.

Around 45 people gathered for the Saturday evening quiz, forming teams of four and putting their knowledge to the test across four rounds of general knowledge questions. There were plenty of opportunities for friendly competition, including some rather obscure sporting questions that challenged even the most knowledgeable participants!

The evening also included a mini auction, expertly led by Atlas Wood, whose auctioneering skills encouraged a few extra bids and stretched the generosity of those present. Together, the quiz and auction raised approximately $2,000 towards the appeal.

It was a wonderful evening of fellowship, laughter and generosity, bringing people together in support of the important work of Rumah Chrestus.

On Sunday, Erin shared a message centered on Jesus’ call to his disciples: ‘Go and make disciples’ (Matthew 28:19). She encouraged us to consider the many different ways we can participate in God’s mission, both overseas and closer to home.

Erin highlighted several ways we can become involved in the work of LCA International Mission and its partner churches, including:

• Equipping church leaders: Helping provide training and resources for pastors and church leaders in Papua New Guinea.
• Praying for our partners: Using the LCA International Mission prayer calendar to learn about the ministries, opportunities and challenges facing our partner churches and to uphold them in prayer.
• Supporting through Stamps for Mission: Donating used postage stamps to help raise funds for mission.
• Volunteering overseas: Sharing our skills and experience with one of our partner churches. Whether our background is in teaching, nursing, administration, youth ministry, farming or even accounting, there may be opportunities to serve.
• Supporting through Soul Food: Purchasing the LCA International Mission recipe book, which raises funds for a feeding ministry in Cambodia.
• Participating in Cultivate: Young adults aged 18–26 can join this program, which this year brings together participants from Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. It provides opportunities to learn from Christians in different cultures, explore what it means to follow Jesus and grow in confidence in sharing their faith.

Erin also reminded us that mission doesn’t always require travelling overseas. There are opportunities to share God’s love through the everyday relationships and encounters that are already part of our lives.

It might mean caring for grandchildren, visiting a neighbour, encouraging a friend, serving in a Bible study, helping at a children’s holiday program, chatting with someone at a men’s breakfast or women’s lunch, or sitting alongside someone in a retirement village.

These ordinary moments can become opportunities to live out the love of Jesus. Through our actions, we can reflect his kindness, patience, generosity and hope, and, when the opportunity arises, gently and lovingly share who Jesus is and why he makes a difference in our lives.

Erin left us with some powerful reminders:
You may never cross an ocean, but you are invited to cross a street.
You may never preach in Southeast Asia, but you can encourage a young person who is trying to work out what faith means for them.
You may never learn another language, but your life can still speak of the love, patience, generosity and hope of Christ.
You may not be sent far, but you are still sent.

She encouraged us to think about the people God has already placed in our lives. Perhaps it’s someone who is hurting or carrying grief. Perhaps it’s someone we’ve known for years but have never really spoken to about Jesus, or someone who once worshipped regularly but has gradually drifted away.

Who might God be inviting us to notice, encourage or walk alongside?

For our Parish, our partnership with Rumah Chrestus is one way we can respond to that invitation. We feel privileged to support the work of the home and the care it provides for children who need a safe and supportive place to grow. We are grateful for the people who dedicate themselves to caring for these boys, supporting their education and helping them build a future filled with hope and opportunity.

Our ongoing support is also a reminder that mission is something we share. Through our giving, prayers and encouragement, we can stand alongside our brothers and sisters in Malaysia as they continue this important work.

Erin’s message reminded us that God’s mission takes many forms. Whether through supporting a children’s home in Malaysia or caring for someone in our own community, we are all invited to share the love of Jesus wherever he has placed us.

If you, your school or your congregation, would like to know how you can connect to the mission of God through a LCA International Mission partnership, you are invited to phone Erin on (08) 8267 7300 or email erin.kerber@lca.org.au. For more information, go to www.lcamission.org.au/join-gods-mission/start-a-partnership/

Read more stories about congregational partnerships at www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/local-partners/congregations/