This month we want to tell you more about the “Propelling the Gospel” program of Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP) Ministry, Inc., recipients of a $65,000 grant from Lutheran Women in Mission (LWM) in the 2021–2023 biennium.

Currently there are nearly one million indigenous people who live in isolated areas of northern Canada. These areas can only be reached by aircraft or seasonal roads. The number of local clergy and missionaries has declined dramatically and there is currently an entire generation of children and youth who have not been taught the Holy Scriptures and the hope that is theirs through Jesus.

LAMP Ministry focuses on taking the Gospel to the people. Each year since it began in 1970, hundreds of volunteer missionaries from the United States have traveled to remote areas to teach Vacation Bible School (VBS) to thousands of children using transportation provided by LAMP. The LWML has been an ongoing help to this ministry.

LAMP ministry uses small airplanes to get missionaries to these remote places. They depend on two aircraft to accomplish their mission. While the aircraft are older models—1977 and 1979—they are still extremely sound and dependable. The airplanes are required to have yearly inspections to make sure they are properly maintained and have received all the updates and requirements needed to keep them airworthy.

However, technology is ever-changing and the world of aviation has seen numerous advancements in avionics. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have become a standard and the newer Wide Area Augmented System (WAAS) and the recent completion of the Aireon space-based air-traffic surveillance system have increased the safety and efficiency of avionic components. These types of avionics are now necessary components for the pilots who fly out of the United States and into Canada.

With this grant the two airplanes used by LAMP Ministry will be upgraded and modernized to help ensure the safety of the pilots, missionaries and volunteers who propel the Good News to people living in remote areas of North America.

To learn more about LAMP Ministry, visit their website, lampministry.org.

Lutheran Women in Mission (LWM) is the official women’s auxiliary of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Since 1942, LWM 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 Lutheran Women in Mission (Mission Guild) meets the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM in Room 301. All ladies of the congregation are invited to attend.