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Haiti:
Alaska:
Liberia:
Local St. Louis:
Mission De Mexico:
India:
St. Mark's Lutheran Church realizes that a
Christian congregation does not exist for itself, but for those who do not
yet have a living and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Therefore, St. Mark's continually seeks to extend itself into
relationships with people of other cultures. Under "World Outreach
Ministries", the mission team of
St. Mark's congregation is currently pursuing long-term mission opportunities
locally and around the world.
Local St. Louis:
St. Mark's
has developed an ongoing partnership even closer to home giving us even more
opportunities to share Jesus' love in practical ways. We are embarking
upon a partnership with Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Louis City. We
have already had a work crew downtown helping with some demolition, and our Youth Ministry participated in a "Wacky Olympics" with the youth of Bethlehem
and other churches. If you would like to be a part of mission they are
always open to helping hands. You can visit their church and their "Better
Living Communities"
by clicking here.
You will be taken to their web site.
We also have an ongoing mission partnership with an "Inner
City" ministry directed by Mr. Otis Woodard. Both the Church and School
collect toys, sweaters, coats, etc, and give regular monetary offering for his
support. Many more opportunities will become available in the
near future for us to share ministry and grow in our relationships with each
other and the Lord.
The children of our church and community
are invited to attend St. Mark's Day school and Preschool. A
complete education is offered in a Christian environment. To
find out more about our preschool and day school, visit our
Day
School Information Page.
Each summer St. Mark's offers a Vacation
Bible School where children of all ages have an opportunity to learn
about Jesus in an uplifting and joyous setting. VBS generally
meets for one week in the mornings during the month of
June. Over 250 children attended VBS during the June 2007
program. This attendance places St. Mark's high in
attendance of all LCMS Vacation Bible Schools. The 2008 VBS is
scheduled for June 9 - June 13, 9:00 a.m. - noon. See you
there.
Haiti:
The children of St.
Mark's Sunday School are helping Christians in Haiti complete a new orphanage,
House of Hope. The orphanage reaches out to orphans in Haiti with the love
of Jesus by giving them food, shelter and training for an occupation.
Alaska Mission:
Over the years, St. Mark's has seen the light of our Lord Jesus Christ
brighten and lift the darkness in Hooper Bay, Alaska. Ministry to the people
in this Yupik Eskimo native village has been ongoing since 2002. Travel
teams have visited the village six times to develop ongoing relationships
that are sustained through e-mails, letters, and phone contacts. We have
interacted with the people through Bible studies, family events, children's
events - including games and puppet shows, and in just hanging out and
spending time getting to know them.
One of the ongoing ministries involves collecting and shipping Christian
music CD's to the pastor of the Covenant Church for use in youth outreach.
If you have new or used Christian music CD's please put them in the
designated donation box outside the church office. On our most recent 2005
trip, we organized a used clothing sale with items that Ron and Joanne
Haynes had collected through their volunteer work at Agape House. The most
expensive items were sold for just a few dollars. We achieved our goal of
making enough money to pay for shipping costs, so that this ministry will be
self-sustaining. We will periodically ship clothing and the natives will
sell it.
In July 2006, there was a terrible fire in the village that destroyed the
school, a store and many homes. Any donations of money to help these already
poor people can be directed to St Marks and earmarked for Hooper Bay. We
have boots to send and books that can be used to replenish their school
library. These things would be sent as a gift to help in time of need and we
should not expect them to raise money for shipping. Shipping is expensive so
any money received now can be used for shipping and any extra will be sent
directly to Hooper Bay to be used where needed.
Everything we do is with the goal of building relationships and being a
Christian witness.. Please pray for the people of Hooper Bay. God is at
work, and it's exciting to see.
Liberia:
The Sunday School children sponsor
Pastor Daniel who is the leader of about 70 other pastors in
Liberia. Muslims are hard at work in the rural areas where
Pastor Daniel works. The Muslims are providing health and care
and education to those who convert from Christianity to Islam.
Therefore the number of Christians in Liberia has dwindled from 90%
of the population to 20%. Pastor Daniel's wife has been
killed, and his children are in the care of extended family, and he
is recovering from injuries received when soldiers entered a room
full of pastors, called them "subversives", and began
shooting. Pray for the recovery of Pastor Daniel and for
Christianity to spread in Monrovia, Liberia.
Mission De Mexico.
In July of 2007 twenty-six teens
and 6 adults traveled to Anapora, a remote suburb of Juarez , Mexico . We
went to help a small church and Christian school to reach out to the
community with the love of Jesus.
We were able to serve the community in many ways while we were there, but we
were also blessed. We were touched by the passionate faith of the local
Christians. The simple yet profound faith of those working every day to
bring Jesus' love to the community in a context were poverty is normal
changed our hearts. I hope we will never be the same.
Since our return Anapora has had severe flooding. Many families that pour
themselves into the church and school have lost possessions in the flood.
We are now organizing a relief effort to make sure the school will be able
to open on time and assist the church workers. If you desire to support the
ongoing work in Anapora please contact Pastor Bob
by phone or e-mail.
India:
St. Mark's
partners with thee United Evangelical Mission International (UEMI) to bring
the message of Jesus' love to the people of India. UEMI is a Mission
organization in India staffed by Indian leaders and supported by an American
Board of Directors and American Christian Churches.
God has blessed this partnership abundantly as His work is accomplished in
these areas:
Community transformation Center (CTC) - a two year on the site training
specifically designed to train lay people in evangelism and church planting.
The training includes 1 month of classroom learning and 3 months of
practical work in the field. CTC is unique because the missionary is
chosen from the community and then sent back to transfer his own people;
this cuts through barriers of live style, caste, language, culture, and
race. Children's Homes - nearly 500
children are presently being cared for in these facilities. Their
physical, emotional, spiritual needs are provided in these settings.
Most of the children experience this care from Jesus love and become
followers of Him as their Savior.
Talitha Cumi Wormen's Shelter provides care and job training for two years
for up to 30 women. These women have been abused and/or abounded by
their husbands and are unable to to provide for themselves. Talitha
Cumi provides food, lodging and spiritual nurture in Jesus' as well as
job training. For additional
information on this mission you may go to their web site:
www.uemi.org
St. Mark's provided support for these exciting,
UEMI ministries and sends people annually to encourage them. If you
are interested in going on one of these Mission trips, contact Pastor John
Jameson, he will put you in contact with a member of the UEMI board. If you
would like to learn how to provide support for their ministries, contact
Pastor John or visit UEMI web site. |
