Global Ministries
The Global Ministries Team is focused on global outreach to alleviate world hunger and poverty. There are many ways to get involved, and some of our key activities are listed below.
Common Hope “Walk for Hope” — Sunday, September 24th | 10:30 am
Common Hope is an organization working in Guatemala to end generational poverty through a model that utilizes education as a solution. Each year Common Hope sponsors a walk to raise funds. We have chosen Sunday morning, September 24th to support Common Hope. All participants are invited to join us for a combination social gathering and fundraiser for Common Hope. Participation in the fundraiser is not a requirement to participate. The walk will start and end at HSLC. Routes will be identified to Juanita Beach and Juanita Bay. The routes are 1.5 and 3 miles long respectively.
Participants are encouraged to socialize before and after the walk. Following the walk, a complimentary light lunch will be available, and everyone is encouraged to gather for conversation. Advance registration is not required. A team page has been established for donations and can be found at give.commonhope.org/holyspiritlutheran.
This year's "Walk For Hope" will raise funds and awareness for critical services such as preventative health screenings, dental clinics, and wellness education so that students can stay in school and earn their diploma! Last year’s "Walk for Hope" event raised over $60,000 for Common Hope’s programs in Guatemala, and we couldn’t have done it without you. We’re so thankful for your support over the years that has helped make the "Walk for Hope" a success and We hope you will walk with us at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church on Sunday, September 24th!
Questions? Contact Doug Jacobson at ddjacobson@frontier.com.
Common Hope - Mission to Guatemala
Common Hope works to end the cycle of poverty for children in Guatemala through a holistic, relationship-based model. While education is at the heart of their work, they believe a comprehensive approach is critical for children and families to reach their full potential. Holy Spirit went to Guatemala in February 2020, and the team was completely immersed in these activities, including building a home for a family, filling food bags, visiting families with social workers, and interacting with students and Common Hope staff. In addition to the country’s beautiful landscapes, we encountered a people who find joy in life’s simple pleasures. More than half of Guatemalans live below the poverty line and 25% live in extreme poverty earning less than $2/day. There is limited access to health care and major causes of death still include treatable illnesses and diseases. Holy Spirit's travellers observed inadequate housing conditions, homes without roofs or sufficient living space, crafted from scrap metal and dirt floors, and without potable water or sanitation systems. A group went to Guatemala again in February of 2023. Check out the video below for a recording of their presentation in March 2022. For more information, contact Doug Jacobson at ddjacobson@frontier.com.
Journey with a Village
The Global Ministries Team completed a partnership with Agros International to sponsor the village Luz del Mañana ("Light of Tomorrow") in Nicaragua. Agros International is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty for rural families in Central America and Mexico by enabling landless communities to achieve land ownership and economic stability. Although our contributions to this village are now complete, we continue to support the great work of Agros International.
Microloans through Kiva
HSLC and some of its members are active in supporting microloans to the poor through Kiva. If you want to learn more about microfinance and microloans, please see the Kiva website. We have given out over 100 Kiva loans!
ELCA Global Mission Activities
Want to learn more about the many global mission activities underway in the ELCA? Check out the ELCA global mission page. There are great summaries of all the current activities.
Suggested Reading on Global Ministry
When Helping Hurts - Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert
Creating a World Without Poverty - Muhammad Yunus
The End of Poverty - Jeffrey D. Sachs
A Long Way Gone - Ishmael Beah
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World - John Woods
Walking With the Poor - Bryant Myers
Foreign to Familiar - Sarah Lanier
The Hole in Our Gospel - Richard Stearns