Global

SWAP (Sharing with Appalachian People)

Each summer young people and adults from Good Shepherd travel to Harlan County, Kentucky, for a week-long service experience with SWAP, repairing and renovating people’s homes. In the process, they form enduring relationships and in turn are forever changed by this experience. Here’s one story ».  Contact Pastor Jon Lund to learn more about future plans.

In Ethiopia

In 2005 Good Shepherd began a relationship with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. Our three main projects in Ethiopia are scholarships for girls through REAL, a program to assist children orphaned because of HIV/AIDS in Nekemte, and an agricultural program in the Yubdo District in the far west to assist farmers in clean water, reforestation, land reclamation and diversification, medical officers and nurses.Through those projects, we were led by the Spirit to an ever-developing partnership with the church in Aira, a small town in western Ethiopia.  Good Shepherd has established a companion relationship with the congregation there, Lalo Aira Congregation.

We have also worked to support the church-owned hospital, Aira Hospital by sending a sea-container full of medical equipment and supplies. In addition, we are in conversation with the seminary there, Onesimus Nesib Seminary, as they train pastors and evangelists, and with the Nursing College, as they train nurses.  Groups from Good Shepherd traveled to Ethiopia in 2006 and 2007 and February 2011. Learn more about the 2011 trip at their blog ».

Ministry with Ethiopia has enriched our community and our life as a congregation. Would you like to join us?  Please see this brochure for more information.

Haiti Ministry Team

In May of 2010 the Haiti Ministry Team held a fundraiser to support the ministries of Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti, a Lutheran church in Haiti. Benjamin Splichal Larson, a seminarian with Minnesota ties, was serving there when he was killed in the devastating earthquake last January. The following is from a thank you note sent by his family after receiving the money collected from Good Shepherd at the fundraiser.

Dear Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd,
Thank you so much for your effort to raise money to support our sisters and brothers in Christ in Eglise Lutherienne d’Haiti. It means so much to me and our family that you would raise the money in honor of Ben. The Haitians will continue to need our prayers, support, and accompaniment for years to come. Thank you for answering the cry of those in need and for giving us all strength to continue our grief journey.
Yours in Christ,
Renee Splichal Larson

In Uruguay

Nuestro Salvador is a Lutheran congregation in Montevideo, Uruguay, with whom Good Shepherd has been in a companion relationship since 2006. Compañeros in Christ, a ministry team at Good Shepherd, continues the conversation with Nuestro Salvador about how that partnership will develop. Groups from Good Shepherd traveled to Uruguay in 2007 and 2008 and a group from Nuestro Salvador visited us in 2009. We look forward to another trip to Uruguay soon.

Missionary support

Good Shepherd supports the ministry of Dr. Kristopher and Rebecca Hartwig in Tanzania. Both Kristopher and Rebecca are providing leadership in hospice and palliative care for those suffering with HIV/AIDS through the network of Lutheran hospitals in Tanzania.

Scholarships for global students

Good Shepherd supports pastors and lay persons from companion churches overseas who are studying at ELCA seminaries in the U.S. Each student will return to their countries with enriched skills for service in the church.

ELCA World Hunger

ELCA World Hunger provides food, supports programs to alleviate hunger in the long term (for example, agricultural education and programs, micro-loans), advocates for changing laws and systems, and educates about hunger issues. ELCA World Hunger partners with other organizations, including Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran World Federation, Church World Service, World Council of Churches and Bread for the World. Approximately 72% of funds goes to international projects, 10% goes to relieve hunger in the U.S, with the balance used for education and advocacy. Learn more >>