This month we are highlighting the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) mission grant of $50,000 for RECONNECT to the Body of Christ—Circuit 28.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.Luke 10:2

Did you know that the United States is the third-largest mission field in the world? Hard to believe, but unfortunately all too true. But think of the opportunity to share the Gospel right here in our own backyard!

There is no place more in need of missionaries than the Rio Grande Valley of Texas on the Mexican border. In Brownsville, the most economically depressed area in the United States as of 2015, 35% of all households live in poverty. The majority of those living in poverty are Hispanic and unchurched. The congregations of Texas District Circuit 28 have a great desire to work together as one group in training mission workers to share the Word and support this community.

A large part of the problem is that they, like most Americans, do not know their neighbors. We need to reconnect! The goal is to bring the Good News of Jesus through new relationships with students, congregations and the community using the missional training programs provided through this grant. The beauty of this idea is that the churches will share resources—resources like trained church workers in the circuit and existing programs in the local congregations like ESL classes and literacy programs. Through these efforts they will bring people together to establish new relationships and share the love of Jesus.

The grant will provide for startup costs, training materials, scholarships, transportation costs and other expenses to train new leaders to go and make disciples. Praise God!

Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) is the official women’s auxiliary of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, the LWML has focused on affirming each woman’s relationship with Christ, encouraging and equipping women to live out their Christian lives in active mission ministries and by supporting global missions. For more information on each month’s mission focus, visit LWML.org. Saint John’s Mission Guild (LWML) meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM in Room 301. All ladies of the congregation are invited to attend.