Global Mission

Global Mission Team

The Global Mission Team stewards relationships and initiatives with global partners. Working with partners like LIRS, Lutheran Disaster Response and World Hunger, they advocate for synod participation and awareness. The East Central Synod of Wisconsin is in partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa.

Claudette Harring, Co-chair
Ron Kuehl, Co-chair
Karen Torkelson, Secretary
Rev. Peter Mannoja, Companion Synod Chair
Susan Kulkarni, Global Church Chair
Vacancy, Global Service Chair
Deb Martin, World Hunger Chair

Global Mission in Action

The work of the East Central Synod Global Mission is divided into four action teams. These teams focus on our Companion Synod relationship, ELCA Global Church initiatives, Global Service opportunities, and World Hunger. The Global Mission team works to educate, empower, and lift up of the work of the ELCA, our companion synod, and bring about positive change in our local communities.

Young Adults in Global Mission

The ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program invites ELCA young adults ages 21-29 into a transformative, year-long journey in international service. As they offer themselves in service, ELCA young adults are shaped by the witness of our global neighbors. They share in the journeys of companion churches and organizations in one of nine countries around the world.

Learn more

Missionary Service

ELCA global personnel are invited by companion churches or related organizations to serve in specialized assignments, such as pastors, health care professionals, development workers, administrators, seminary teachers, librarians, accountants, and teachers of English, and other subjects.

As you explore and consider global mission service, take some time to learn about the accompaniment approach to global mission that guides the ELCA’s engagement. Ask yourself some frank questions about your qualifications and seek God’s guidance and direction. Current listings are posted on the ELCA Job Board. If you don’t see a good match or a strong possibility now, check back later — and prepare to embark on an exciting, faith-deepening journey.

Learn how to support missionaries and support Young Adults in Global Mission.

Learn more

Global Church

The ELCA has many organizations participating in Global Ministry. Learn more about these ministries and how you can get involved.

ELCA Global Ministries

1. Lutheran World Relief

Through relief and development efforts Lutheran World Relief is sharing the love of Christ around the World. Learn More

2. Lutheran World Federation

The LWF is a global communion of 148 churches in the Lutheran tradition, representing over 75.5 million Christians in 99 countries. We strive to put our faith into action within and beyond the communion, and seek God’s Word and Spirit to guide us. This action takes a variety of forms from theological reflection and dialogue with other churches and faiths, to deepening relationships, sharing about our faith, serving those in need and advocating for a more just, peaceful and reconciled world. Learn More

3. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services

For 80 years, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service has been a champion for migrants and refugees from around the globe. Our legacy of courageous and compassionate service has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people who have sought safety and hope in America’s communities. Our history reflects American Lutherans’ deep immigrant roots and passionate commitment to welcoming newcomers, especially those who are most in need. In partnership with community-based legal and social service providers nationwide, LIRS has helped over 500,000 migrants and refugees rebuild their lives in America. Learn More

World Hunger

More than 820 million people – that’s about 11 percent of people in our world today – are hungry. As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work.

Working with and through our congregations, in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health clinics to micro-loans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Learn More.

ELCA World Hunger vision: A just world where all are fed

Learn more about ELCA World Hunger or make a donation.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ELCAworldhunger
ELCA Advocacy: https://www.elca.org/advocacy
Bread for the World: (hunger advocacy) https://www.bread.org/
Lutheran Office of Public Policy in Wisconsin: https://www.loppw.org/about-us/current-priorities/