MADAGASCAR MERCY EXPEDITION 2009

Comment by john t. pless on December 4, 2008 at 6:26pm

The fourth Mercy Mission Expedition to Madagascar sponsored by LCMS World Relief and Human Care is scheduled for February 26- March 7, 2009. Six ministerial students from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne will accompany Prof. John T. Pless to the African island/nation of Madagascar for visits to hospitals, orphanages, schools, and churches of the Malagasy Lutheran Church in order to better understand how the proclamation of the Gospel leads to works of mercy. Students selected to participate in the 2009 trip are: Jonathan Lorenz (Calvary Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, IN), Evan Goeglein (Grace Lutheran Church, McPherson, KS), Ryan Ogrodowicz (Zion Lutheran Church, Tomball, TX), Mark Steiner (Lutheran Church of the Reformation, St. Louis, M0), Christopher Hull (Timothy Lutheran Church, Woodstock, GA), and Geoff Boyle (Redeemer Lutheran Church, Birmingham, MI).

Prof. Pless, who has accompanied three other groups to Madagascar, commented that “these students will see first hand the lives of faithful Lutheran people intent on confessing Christ Jesus and embodying His merciful compassion to the poor, the destitute and the abandoned. They will see courageous Lutherans who live in the freedom of the forgiveness of sins and so give of their lives to care for others.” He added that “the Malagasy Lutheran church has a rich and impressive history dating back to the arrival of the first Norwegian missionaries in the 1860’s. Since that time the Malagasy Lutheran Church has grown into a vibrant church of approximately four million members. Our Malagasy brothers and sisters want to be faithful Lutherans, holding fast to God’s Word and reaching out to the hurting neighbor in mercy.” To better comprehend the place of mercy in the corporate life of the church, the students are reading Christ, Have Mercy: How to Put Your Faith into Action by Matthew Harrison prior to the trip.

The students are eager to take fully advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about mercy and human care in Madagascar. Christopher Hull said “ I expect to see faith in action in Madagascar. I hope that the experience will give me an opportunity to share the gospel of Christ, and my Lutheran heritage. I pray that God will allow me to learn how the Gospel can be proclaimed in a society like Madagascar and therefore give me a better understanding of how the Gospel interacts with culture.” Ryan Ogrodowicz commented “This is a great opportunity to see evangelization working in a foreign nation and I thank God for this blessed opportunity that I feel will only benefit my training in becoming a pastor.”

After returning to the States in March, each of the students has agreed to make at least ten presentations to congregations or other church groups. Funds raised through these presentations will be used by LCMS World Relief and Human Care to assist a project selected by the students in Madagascar.

Comment by Rev. Shane R. Cota on December 4, 2008 at 7:48pm

You should open it up to a group of pastors (your former students) sometime! I would love to go!

Comment by Darth Swede on December 5, 2008 at 6:48am

Can't go but Mrs. Swede and I are always interested in missions.

Comment by Ronald E. Jones on December 5, 2008 at 12:12pm

Rev. Pless, Is this a mission opportunity for any LCMS member or is this limited to ordained pastors? How much would this mission trip cost? When would you need a firm commitment? Your Humble Servant in Christ, Ronald E. Jones

Comment by Brent W. Kuhlman on December 5, 2008 at 12:16pm

John:

May the Lord bless the trip as He uses you and your students to help our brothers and sisters in Madagascar.

Peace.

Brent

Comment by john t. pless on December 5, 2008 at 1:17pm

Ron-

This trip is only for six CTS students who are selected via and application process.

Comment by Armin Wenz on December 12, 2008 at 7:52am

Since I am no student (technically speaking) I cannot come along, but I sincerely whish you a blessed trip. Some day it would be an idea to make such expeditions as joint efforts together with students from Europe or even Germany. There are a few parishes in our church (SELK) who are in touch with Lutherans from Madagascar.

Armin

Comment by Rev. David R. Emmons on December 14, 2008 at 12:36pm

I would love to go, but can't until they fill the vacancy that I am filling--2 other congregations.

Comment by Ravelonjato on January 1, 2009 at 10:50pm

John, thank you for what you are doing for my country. If you need my help please let me know... I want to do something too but don't know how, and what can I do. Thank you for bringing the treasure of real Lutheranism to my country, I am happy that confessional Lutherans are interested in helping our church there.

Comment by Ravelonjato on February 2, 2009 at 9:07pm

Bad News in Madagascar. Please pray for my country that peace and democracy will return sooner.

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