To Encourage Every Congregation to Adopt a Missionary

WHEREAS, Our Lord has instructed His Church to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has heeded this instruction in part by sending missionaries to many countries in its history; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, the Synod has supported this effort through the Network Supported Missionary (NSM) model, where congregations adopt and support the missionaries of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, This program has been a great success not only in the support of our missionaries, but also in raising the awareness of mission work in our congregations and in joining them and their members in this effort; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of the NSM model is not only financial support, but also the prayers of God’s people for our missionaries; and

WHEREAS, Some congregations do not participate in this effort due to financial limitations, missing out on the joy of supporting a missionary through their prayers and in learning about the work that is going on around the world; and

WHEREAS,Our Lord has given many great and precious promises regarding prayer, and that He is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20); and

WHEREAS, Gifts are of great value, significance, and joy to our Lord Jesus; therefore be it

Resolved, That the SELC District in convention encourage all its congregations to adopt a missionary to support with their prayers and, if possible, with their mission giving; and be it further

Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize the Synod in convention in the same, until each and every congregation in our Synod be connected to and praying for one of our missionaries and financially supporting them as they are able.