To Strengthen and Support Key International Mission Initiatives

WHEREAS, The Office of International Mission (OIM), under the objectives of Synod (Constitution Article III), this past quadrennium’s mission emphasis (Making Disciples for Life), and seven mission priorities adopted and affirmed by the Synod in convention (2019 Resolution 4-03A, “To Commend to Synod Priorities for Mission and Ministry Emphasis for the 2019–2022 Triennium”), the supervision of the Synod President and Chief Mission Officer, and the oversight and policies of the Board for International Mission (BIM), has continued to carry out its work under the tri fold framework of spreading the Gospel, planting Lutheran churches, and showing mercy; and

WHEREAS, Since the 2019 convention, the Synod has been blessed with pleasing progress and outcomes realized by the OIM in close collaboration with the Synod’s international church partners, congregations and congregation members, contributors, districts, universities and seminaries, auxiliaries, recognized service organizations (RSO), and synodwide corporate entities, all working to advance key international mission initiatives both ongoing and new; and

WHEREAS, Such pleasing progress and outcomes with respect to these key international mission initiatives have been frequently recorded and joyously reported through various Synod publications (including Reporter, The Lutheran Witness, and Lutherans Engage the World) and media produced and disseminated through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Communications department, Synod board and committee meetings and minutes, and the Office of the President; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God, commend, and direct the BIM and OIM over the coming triennium to continue to establish and refine policies, strategic and operational plans, and budgets and further develop, expand, and strengthen implementation of the Synod’sinternational mission work inclusive of, but not limited to, the following categories:

• international pastoral and dia con al formation and continuing education for partner church workers,including international seminaries, other theological education and pastor and church worker conferences;

• church planting, including collaboration with international church partners;

• the Alliance Missionary Project, deploying roster ed church workers called and sent by international church partners, with administrative and financial support and supervisory coordination provided by the OIM;

• network supported missionary funding and other direct support for missionaries called bythe BIM and deployed and supervised by the OIM;

• collaboration in partnership and engagement in international mission efforts with direct involvement of the Synod congregations, congregation members and church workers (i.e., using the successful FORO model used within the OIM’s Latin America-Caribbean Region);

• short-term volunteer mission teams;

• Ministry to the Armed Forces;

• mercy initiatives, including international disaster response, in close proximity to Word and Sacrament ministry; and

• missionary recruitment;

and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod direct district officers, leadership, and staff to give intentional priority and advocacy for district support (i.e., in the distribution of literature or other media, provision of opportunities for presentations to individuals or groups, gifts, volunteer or compensated labor) for international mission work under the aforementioned categories; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod encourage congregations and congregation members, contributors, universities, and seminaries, auxiliaries, RSOs and synodwide corporate entities to give intentional priority and advocacy for their support (i.e., in the distribution of literature or other media, provision of opportunities for presentations to individuals or groups, gifts, volunteer or compensated labor) for international mission work under the aforementioned categories.