With the posting of this month’s newsletter, my annual mission trip to Congo is just a little more than a month away. My mission partner Pastor Stephane Kalonji and I are making plans for the Gospel ministry we will accomplish while we are in the country.
One of the projects we began last summer is the building of the first Lutheran Church Facility in the region of Kasai-Oriental. There are no Lutheran congregations in this region that have a church building or permanent structure in which to hold services or other gatherings.
Through the generosity of several congregations within the NALC and LCMC, we have been able to provide funding for this building project. Land has been purchased and the foundation has been laid for the construction of a multi-use building on the outskirts of Mbuji-Mayi.
There is still a long way to go in completing this building, but with God’s provision it will become a reality and a place where Christians can worship, families can gather, children can learn, and women can learn skills through which they may generate income and provide for their families.
Thank you to all who have supported the Congo Mission with your donations and your prayers. Thank you also to everyone who has adopted a Bible for us to distribute to church leaders and Pastors in Congo who do not have access to Bibles in their tribal languages. It is humbling to know that so many people throughout our congregation, Mission Region, and NALC are prayerfully active in this mission together.
This year’s mission trip commences immediately following worship on July 7 with my travel to Houston, Texas. From There, Pastor Kalonji and I will travel to Congo on July 8-9. My return to Chapin is scheduled for Sunday, July 21. In total, I will be away for 14 days.
Pastor Gary Blobaum will be our Supply Pastor on July 14 and 21. Pastor David Tholstrup will be on call for the congregation in case of emergency pastoral ministry needs. Please pray that we have safe travels and that we accomplish all God has called us to do.
Outreach Archive
Congo Mission Update
Posted June 15, 2024 By adminVBS is Coming
Posted June 13, 2024 By adminLet’s meet at Breaker Rock Beach! VBS begins on Monday, June 24. Dinner will be served at 5:45 and we will enjoy some VBS beach time starting at 6:30 PM.
There will be classes for all ages as we hear God say – “Truth comes from me. My plan for you is even better.
Everyone sins and needs a Savior. Jesus is the only way to get to heaven.” You don’t want to miss the fun and fellowship. Mark your calendars now and join us June 24-27!
Congo Mission Adopt a Bible
Posted May 24, 2024 By adminOne of the joys of my mission work in Congo is sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with so many people who have not had the opportunity to worship or learn of God’s saving grace through reading the Scriptures. Bibles are hard to come by for most people living in the outlying and remote areas surrounding Mbuji-Mayi. For this reason, I am encouraging everyone at St. Jacob’s to participate in this year’s mission in a unique way. I invite you all to “adopt a Bible” that would be provided to church members in Mbuji-Mayi and Merode.
Bibles printed in the tribal languages in Congo are available in Kinshasa (the capitol city), but not in the remote areas in which we serve. Pastor Kalonji hope to fill a suitcase with Bibles to take to the Lutheran congregation in Mbuji-Mayi and have them distributed to families by local pastors. Each Bible printed in the local languages cost about $25 each. If you would like to provide one for a family in Congo, simply add that amount to your church offering and designate the amount given “Congo Mission Bibles” on your envelope where it says “other.”
Thank you so much for your consideration and generosity as we continue to minister to God’s people in such a far-off place. This year’s mission trip is scheduled for July 8-21.
Mercy Bags Ministry
Posted May 15, 2024 By adminYour continued support of the Mercy Bags Ministry is making a difference in our local community. In March, we were able to provide 22 Mercy Bags to We Care for their mobile delivery in Newberry, Whitmire, Prosperity, and Jenkinsville. Please continue to support this ministry through a designated monetary donation, shopping for meal items or helping to pack food for the Mercy Bags after worship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month.
Solid Rock Day Camp
Posted May 5, 2024 By adminThe summer Solid Rock Day Camp will once again be hosted by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church beginning Sunday, June 9th and running through Friday, June 4th. Registration for the camp will be the same as last summer, $100.00 per camper. As we did last year, our Youth Fund will subsidize each camper $50.00 in order to encourage participation and keep costs down. The camp is open to youth members and their friends completing grades K-5. Those interested should contact Pastor David for registration information.
Worship at Generations
Posted May 1, 2024 By adminEvery other Sunday, Pr. David leads worship for the residents of Generations Assisted Care of Chapin. This ministry has made a great difference in the lives of many folks who are not able to attend worship at their home church. The congregation is invited and certainly encouraged to share this experience with our friends just down the road. Our next worship opportunities will be on Sunday, May 12th and May 26th at 1:00 PM. Join us in the lobby at Generations.
Lutheran Women
Posted March 28, 2024 By adminOur annual Easter Egg Hunt was held on Saturday, March 23rd from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.
It was a huge success. Thanks to everyone for preparing the food, helped with crafts and hiding the eggs.
The children had so much fun and the event was enjoyed by all.
Mercy Bags Ministry
Posted February 29, 2024 By adminMercy Bags are packed on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Please come to the Fellowship Hall immediately following worship today to help pack Mercy Bags for We Care.
Mercy Bags
Posted February 16, 2024 By adminMercy Bags are packed on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. Please come to the Fellowship Hall immediately following worship to help pack bags.
The Congregational Care and Discipleship Teams are here for you!
Posted February 16, 2024 By adminOur Congregational Care and Discipleship Team are committed to help and assist our members with any needs that they may have. As Jesus shared in Matthew 25:40, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me”. As disciples and members of the Congregational Care and Discipleship Teams, we are here to serve, to assist, and to care for one another. Have you had these thoughts?
• I wish I had someone to call to pick up and deliver my medication today.
• It would be great to have someone to drive me/us to my/our doctor appointment or to another appointment.
• I need an errand run, who can I call?
• I wish I had someone to talk to.
• I would love to have someone from the church visit me.
You can call the church office at 803-345-2309, Billy, or Lynn! Our church ministry teams are here for you! If you have any special requests/needs, please do not hesitate to ask. We all need help at some time in our lives. We are a phone call or text away. Let us help! Let us serve!
