CHICAGO — The number of new missionaries is on the rise for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), according to an ELCA News Service release.
"We're very grateful that, in the past two years, we've seen an increase in the number of people who have responded to the call to serve in global mission," said the Rev. Stephen J. Nelson, director for international personnel, ELCA Division for Global Mission.
"In the time period from January to August 2002, we placed 98 new mission personnel in service. From January to August 2004, we placed 141." The total number of ELCA mission personnel is about 320, he said.
Nelson credited multiple factors for the increase in missionaries, including a new global awareness sparked by the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.
In addition, the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission program, established in 1999, provides a one-year international service opportunity that has incorporated many new participants.
"Of the 141 [Lutherans]that began service the first eight months of this year, 79 were under the age of 30," Nelson said. Of the 79, "41 of them are currently serving in the church's Young Adults in Global Mission program," he said.
Established in 1999 with 10 participants, Young Adults in Global Mission mobilized 41 young adults this year to volunteer in Argentina, Egypt, Germany, Kenya, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Service in each area is designed to build leadership skills, spiritual growth, global awareness and understanding.
"This is a program we're quite excited about," said Nelson. "The church needs leaders who are globally formed and informed, and who are adept and at ease in other cultures and languages. The church is providing young adults with a significant cross-cultural experience in a formative time in their lives. Their faith is tested in an interfaith context, and they mature in their understanding of God and God's place for them in the world."
Nelson also attributed some of the interest in global missions to high schools and colleges that are placing greater emphasis on international experiences and service. And said that retired people have also been attracted to serve in global missions in recent years.
