Lutheran Malaria Initiative

“Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

— Matt. 25:40

Every 45 seconds, a child in Africa dies from malaria. Nearly one million people die each year from the malaria, and most of them are children and pregnant woman. It doesn’t have to be this way. Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease that cries out for a compassionate response.

As Lutherans, we have a historic, confessional and evangelistic opportunity to make a difference, turn the tide on malaria deaths. Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI) is an unprecedented campaign of the Synod which is working together with Lutheran World Relief and the United Nations Foundation in a global effort to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.

The initiative’s goals are to increase awareness of malaria and raise $45 million to help fight the disease. At our last Synodical convention, more than 97 percent of the voting delegates moved to encourage the LCMS through its agencies, congregations, schools, universities and seminaries to support LMI. As of now, nearly $2 million has already been contributed.

After an exhaustive search by a U.N. commission of all the governmental and social agencies around the world who could have been asked to participate in this project, why was the LCMS their top choice?

Two reasons: First - a financial one. Of all the various relief agencies around the world, the administrative costs for LCMS World Relief and Human Care are extremely low. Money contributed to LCMS World Relief goes to the projects its collected for with very little syphoned off for administrative purposes.

Second -The United Nations study showed that Lutherans (because of the vast numbers of Lutherans in Africa - another remarkable story in itself) are better equipped to distribute to those in need than any other agency or government in the world.

LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison took part in the September launch of LMI and said he is “grateful for all those who plan to join in the future . . . We are working with our Lutheran partners who are best positioned to help those affected by the ravages of malaria. This initiative will vastly increase the capacity of our partner churches to deliver care, education and prevention of malaria where they live, and while doing so, demonstrate the mercy of Christ.” If you are looking at this newsletter on-line and would like to watch a series of videos addressing the opening of the LMI, click HERE and scroll down to the videos. President Harrison’s address is in the second video. (If you are reading a paper version of this newsletter and have internet access, you can type in the following address into your browser: http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=760.)

When Faith Lutheran Church rolls out our participation in the LMI, consider a contribution. A gift of only $10 can buy netting which will protect a family for up to three years. (As malaria carrying mosquitos tend to sting between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am, netting is extremely effective) You are able to make a big difference in the lives of many people.

Yours in Christ, Pastor Hodel