Outreach Ministry

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe

Founded in 1903 through the Church of Sweden Mission, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe has ministered to its 200,000 members in a country plagued with an 80% unemployment rate, 72% of its people living below the poverty line, and the worst inflation rate in the world, 7634.8%. 

The church manages four mission hospitals delivering essential medical and patient care services in areas remote from large government hospitals.   Shortages of key medical personnel are compounded by the desire to live in larger urban areas with opportunities for professional development and a better quality of life.  With the assistance of the ELCA Global Mission and Church of Sweden in 2006, seven doctors and two Nurse Tutors were recruited after the introduction of an incentive program.

Here are a few examples of ongoing projects:

CELL PHONES! A number of people are dropping their “land line” phones and using their cell phones exclusively. If you have made this decision, please let the church office know your cell number. There is no directory assistance to help us find your cell number. Thanks!

Thank You! The Lutheran Campus Ministry Garage Sale netted about $3000.00 thanks to the efforts of many people from St. Paul’s. Numerous people donated items, St. Paul’s Men’s Club gave a generous gift from the profits of their chicken barbecue and many people volunteered their time setting up, pricing, and helping during the sale. Bill Dannebrock and Ron Macfarlane coordinated the sale and wish to thank the following members of St. Paul’s for their efforts in making this sale a success. Jack Ampuja Pastor Hoffman Al Bingham Ken Mann Rick Bosch Barbara Menth Bob Brown Dave Metz Ben Brown LoisO’Brian Elizabeth Brown Neil O’Brian Bertha Efstation Dave Wolf Lin Gamin Dorothy Wolff Marcia Gunther Confirmation Class:Angela Beahan Evan Bennett Melissa Goodman Britton Mann Eric Niblock Emilie Piette Molly Walker Eric Weisansal

Thanksgiving Dinner! Don’t have family to share Thanksgiving with? Wanna share it with your St. Paul’s Family?? We’re going to get together at 2:00 on Thanksgiving Day for a traditional turkey dinner in the Parish Hall, hosted by Rick and Gayle Bosch. Admission is some sort of non-perishable food for the Food Pantry and a smile. There’s no other cost, but reservations are a MUST! Call the Church Office (835-0407) or sign up on the board in the Narthex Hallway. Y’all Come!!

Operation Christmas Child a simple gift. a simple message. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14 We have an opportunity at St. Paul’s to continue a wonderful tradition this Christmas Season. It is an opportunity to bring a smile to a child and to God. It is a chance for us to live out Mt. 19:14 in a real and life changing way. Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through simple, gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. The vision for us here at St. Paul’s is to fill 100 shoe boxes for children in need.

Resurrection Health Center The dinners that Paul & Christine Storfer and Vern Stein and Kathryn Francis sponsored for the Health Center, plus matching funds from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, netted $13, 520 for the purchase of medicines for the Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic at the Health Center!! Sincere thanks to all who attended and supported the dinners. This money means the Clinic will be able to provide medicine without cost to the poorest patients.