Name: The Foreign Mission of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America
Tax Status: 501c3 Under ALCA All donations are tax exempt.
Mission Statement: (Short Form)
The Mission of the Foreign Mission of the Apostolic Lutheran Church is to be obedient to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ when he said in Mark 16:15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Going forth with The Word of God by His Grace is the reason the Foreign Mission exists. In the Gospel of John Chapter 20, verse 21-23 Jesus says: Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you….
We hold that the Holy Bible is the inerrant Word of God and is the standard to which all oracles of faith and conduct are to be in subjection. Jesus Christ in the chief cornerstone of our faith.
It is with this message that we desire to go forth as Jesus said in Mark 28:18-20 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Cost what it may cost, this is our mission.
Foreign Mission Structure:
Nine Foreign Mission Board Members: The Foreign Mission board is one of the mission boards formed under the Central Board which represents what is commonly known as the Federation but is actually the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. This group consists of almost 60 churches in the USA.
One Full time Administrator: John Ruotsala
Reporting: Administrator Reports to FMB constantly.
The FMB reports to the Central Board through various communication.
Foreign Mission Operating Procedures: (very brief)
The FMB wants that all the people in the ALCA would know and understand that this is their foreign mission. The FM Administrator has been asked by the Foreign Mission Board to visit all of the ALCA congregations, plus other churches that have interested Christians that are willing to support the work of the FM.
The Foreign Mission does the following as part of operations:
• Work in fellowship with over 1100 churches around the world. The membership in these churches is believed to be around 140,000 not counting outreach.
• Train indigenous pastors in numerous countries.
• Financially support indigenous pastors
• Plan and execute mission trips around the world
• Supplies and sends a whole variety of Christian literature. Millions of copies have been distributed including 4 million of the Follow Jesus Prevent Aids booklet alone.
• Facilitate, assist, and preach at, but do not own orphanages.
• Offer Sermons via phone, internet, CD, and other methods around the world.
• Help distribute Proclaimers (the Bible on Solar and Crank Devices.) to the impoverished unlearned around the world. (in native language)
• Supports Children’s feeding programs
• Outreach into remote and impoverished villages. 10’s of thousands reached this way.
• Much more to list, (see a call to service later in this submission) however:
• Most importantly: Preach! We are endeavoring to be obedient to our Lord when He said; Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every Creature!
More information is available at:
• http://www.themissionsite.com/ Main Foreign Mission website.
• http://www.foreignmissionnewsblog.blogspot.com/ (or get there with the green button on themissionsite.com)
• http://foreignmission.blogspot.com/ (or get there by the orange button on website)
• http://foreignmissionstore.blogspot.com/ Here you can buy many gift items while at the same time supporting the FM!
• Youtube channel (on website, center, top of homepage)
• Where He Leads Me newsletter (available on website, or have it mailed to your church or home)
• CD’s of Mission work
• By emailing or calling the administrator. Contact info below.
Note: some of the below may be a repeat of above, but I wanted to include this entire article since it is pertinent to our current discussion.
CALL TO SERVICE
The Foreign Mission Board (FMB) of the ALC would like to inform you of the many things that the Lord is allowing your Foreign Mission to do in His vineyard around the world. The goal and mission of the Foreign Mission of the ALC is to endeavor to be obedient to the words of our Lord when He said: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15) Thus, we are sending this call to encourage you to help us in the Lord’s work.
Each person has talents, skills, and a certain level of resources that are given by God. The work that we are engaged in is not the Mission Board’s work or the mission of a few people, it is the mission of all of God’s children. We need your help with both your talents and financial gifts in order to accomplish this mission. In order to spread the word about our Foreign Mission work more effectively, the Foreign Mission Board is continuing to expand its communication with the various congregations. This is being done, for example, through the installation of church liaisons, church visits by the Foreign Mission Administrator, and installation of associate members of the Foreign Mission Board.
Primarily because of the severe downturn in our economy, we are making a plea to please consider supporting the Foreign Mission work of the ALC, if you are not already doing so. We all are subject to the same Lord who has instructed this work to be done. The Lord did not say to spread His Holy Word only in times of abundance. If each of us would “pitch in” even in a small way, this work could continue and be expanded as the Lord so wills.
Current Foreign Mission Programs
• Preaching the Gospel (mission trips); includes outreach into villages and remote areas, teaching at orphanages and Mission Hospital (India) Training of indigenous pastors
• Monthly support for indigenous pastors in many countries
• Supporting a full-time missionary (Dennis Hilman); supporting a full-time administrator
• Telephone sermons to pastors in foreign countries via Skype or telephone
• Distribution of Where He Leads Foreign Mission Newsletter (by mail and email). Currently distribute 2300 copies
• Distribution of Proclaimers (New Testament on solar and crank device in local languages)
• Weekly spiritual blog and email to foreign countries
• Publish and distribute Follow Jesus, Prevent AIDS booklet (published more than 4 1/2 million copies thus far for 12 countries – has reached an estimated 40 million people; currently funded by special donations or grants)
• Construction of church buildings (usually by special donations)
• Mission Training Seminars in USA
• Group Mission Trips (Guatemala in June, for example)
The Foreign Mission works in fellowship with over 1100 churches (more than 140,000 members) in foreign countries.
Ways to Support the Foreign Mission
• General Monetary Donations. (By check, cash, or online with Paypal, credit card, at www.themissionsite.com.) Also pay through PaySimple by automatic checkbook deductions with email notices. The physical donation mailing address is below.
• 12-Month Pledge of $10 a month minimum. Pledge packets are available. (Your church Foreign Mission Liaison can provide you with one, or contact the Foreign Mission Administrator. If all ALC members gave only $10 per month, we could double the spreading of God’s Holy Word.)
• Encourage your church to take regular collections to benefit the Foreign Mission effort.
If you desire to help in a more individual or personal way, here are some ways that you can do this:
• Earmarked donations (not preferred, but accepted)
• Indigenous pastors support program ($30 per month per pastor)*
• Bibles ($3 each, 10 Bibles minimum)*
• Bicycles for pastors ($75 each – many pastors have more than one church)*
• Hymnals and other books (price varies)
• Endowment Funds (The principle is never spent. Large minimums apply. Contact the administrator for more information.) Memorial donations
*Names, pictures, and other information will be provided upon request.
In an effort to save money and make your tax deduction easier, we have decided to send out receipts only one time each year (in January).
Other Important FM Facts
• The FM welcomes active participation from all sincere Christians.
• Encourages communication on all issues (direct to administrator first)
• Engages equally with all ALCA churches that have an interest in FM work.
• Encourages former ALCA members to remain involved in FM work and support.
• Invites all to training seminars
• Desires to have an open dialogue with both church boards, mission boards, central board, foreign church boards and associations, and Christians in general.
Contact Information:
Administrator: John Ruotsala
• Phone 603-878-9878
• Email foreignmission@comcast.net or jthree16@comcast.net
• Address: 63 Poor Farm Road, New Ipswich, NH 03071
• www.themissionsite.com
Donations Address:
• The Foreign Mission 1601 NW 4th Avenue Battle Ground, WA 98604
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