ELCA Malaria Campaign
Lutheran Malaria Initiative is Now ELCA Malaria Campaign
The ELCA, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the LWR had been approached by the United Nations Foundation and offered a grant of $5 million to develop a movement to prevent and treat, increase awareness and educate those at risk for malaria. As part of the grant, the ELCA agreement was to raise $30 million out of a total Lutheran Malaria Initiative goal of $70 million by 2013.
The new ELCA initiative, The ELCA Malaria Campaign (www.elca.org/malaria), will carry forward much of the work that the ELCA had been doing under the rubric of the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. The ELCA Malaria Campaign will direct all of its funds to our companion churches in Africa (90%) and to our fund-raising efforts (10%). The ELCA Malaria Campaign has a goal of $15 million and will continue to work closely with ELCA World Hunger, to underscore the global health connections between malaria containment and ministry with those living with HIV and AIDS.
Why The Change To The ELCA Malaria Campaign?
In recent months, mission support and other funding to the ELCA has declined significantly. Many synods and congregations are also struggling to deal with hard financial realities. In light of this difficult economic situation, ELCA leadership has determined that a $30 million campaign around malaria, which was to be tested in the current biennium, is not feasible at this time. Therefore, the ELCA churchwide organization withdrew its grant proposal to the United Nations Foundation, ending the ELCA’s involvement in the project called the Lutheran Malaria Initiative.
The ‘call to action’ for the ELCA Malaria Campaign is “Preventable. Treatable. Possible.” (Malaria is preventable, malaria is treatable and a healthier future is possible through the ELCA Malaria Campaign).
What About Efforts In The Southern Ohio Synod?
- Southern Ohio Synod is and has been a Pilot Synod; we have been ‘building the bridge as we cross it.’ Part of the reality of being a testing ground is to be flexible and respond to change, while keeping the end goal of the effort against malaria in focus.
- We will continue to sell and wear the LMI-SOS tee shirts already printed. They are now a collector’s item!
- We encourage congregations to continue to creatively participate in this effort, now called ELCA Malaria Campaign; to increase awareness, educate and raise funds for malaria containment.
Southern Ohio Synod Goals
- Our LMI-SOS goal is to raise $10 per baptized member, or approximately $900,000.
- To have every congregation participate in some way, at least with prayers.
What Do We Do Now?
- Continue your planned fundraising and awareness-raising efforts.
- Watch the synod website, weekly e-bulletin, and Facebook page for new information and updated materials.
- Don’t stop fighting the good fight. A child is still dying every 45 seconds from malaria. We have the resources to make a difference.
- Together we will put an end to malaria deaths; “Preventable. Treatable. Possible.”
Please take some time to look at the resources and links on this page. Be creative with ministries within your congregation or community. Join the synod wide events planned for this year. If you would like to volunteer to help plan or work at any of the events, or have any questions please email us at joeneherr@yahoo.com or call Pastor Joene Herr at 937.564.5802.
