Global Ministries Team
OUR MISSION: The Global Ministries Team for Ascension Lutheran Church creates opportunities for people of all ages to ENGAGE, SUPPORT and LEARN to serve our neighbor globally and locally. Our involvement is based on the premise of actively caring for God’s creation, and reconciling people to each other and to God.
HOW DO WE REALIZE OUR MISSION? The Global Ministries Team looks for opportunities, inspired by Biblical mandates, and in response to God’s grace, to put our faith into action. We achieve our mission by serving others in need in our world, and God’s creation, through care, advocacy, education, reconciliation and solidarity.
Through this website you will find opportunities to ENGAGE and SUPPORT globally and locally through our engagement, advocacy and financial involvement.
You will also find links to many places where you can LEARN more about the global efforts being accomplished on our behalf through non- profit, faith- based organizations, internationally and locally.
Global Ministries Bulletin Board
The Global Ministries Team was pleased to get uplifting Easter updates from two of our ELCA Missionaries. Rev. Kristin Engstrom in Zambia, and Rev. Christie Manisto in Cairo, Egypt. Jesus is Risen indeed!
Message from Pastor Kristin Engstrom in Zambia
Happy Easter dear siblings in Christ,
Here in Zambia, I gathered with five congregations in the Lusaka city area for Easter weekend celebrations. There were workshops, shared meals, worship, singing, and on Easter morning, we even marched on the side of the highway in front of the church to share the good news that Jesus is risen! Yesu, a uka!
In more good news, I have attached my April 2023 Newsletter to this email. The Newsletter is also available to view and download on my blog:
alongwithpastorkristin.
blogspot.com. Please share the Newsletter with your congregation and anyone who might be interested.
Message from Pastor Christie Manisto, StARS, Cairo, Egypt
We had something pretty amazing happen here at church on Easter…
(A baby born during Easter service? click to read more)
ENGAGE
Sharing Our Time & Talents
Global Missions: Acts 1:8
- Accompaniment Trips – Peru, Mexico, Israel/Palestine
- ELCA Missionary Accompaniment
- Gifts of Hope
- Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM)
Hunger & Health: Matthew 25:35-36
- Bread for the World
- ELCA World Hunger
- Lutheran World Relief including Kits and Quilts
Justice & Advocacy: Psalm 33:5
- Ecumenical Collaboration for Asylum Seekers (ECAS)
- Fair Trade, Equal Exchange
- Jubilee USA
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS)
- Matthew 25:35 Outreach Ministry;
–Conejo Valley Refugee Welcome Team;
— Women’s Interfaith Network
Peacemaking: Matthew 5:9
Creation Care: Genesis 2:15, Psalm 24
- Ascension Lutheran Garden Team
- Ascension Green Faith Team Team
- Lutherans Restoring Creation- California
- Southwest California Synod Green Faith Team
Education: Matthew 11:29, Isaiah 1:17
- Adult & Youth Education classes with congregation, school & community on Global issues and involvements. (Isaiah 1:17)
- Conejo Elementary School Tutoring (Matthew 11:29)
SUPPORT
Sharing Our Financial Gifts
Global Mission
- ELCA Missionary Accompaniment Support
- Gifts of Hope
- Southwest CA Companion Synod-El Salvador
- Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM)

Hunger & Health
- Bread for the World
- ELCA World Hunger including God’s Global Barnyard
- Lutheran Disaster Response
- Lutheran World Relief
Justice & Advocacy
- Faith in Action International-PICO Rwanda, and Pastor John Rutsindintwaran
- Jubilee USA Network
- Matthew 25:35 Outreach Ministry Fund

Creation Care
Center for Climate, Justice and Faith, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
ELCA Accompaniment
LEARN
Gathering and Sharing Information
(NOTE: This section includes links/descriptions to various ELCA ministries, synodical teams, and other faith- based organizations the Global Ministries Team connects with.)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
- -Advocacy
- -Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- -Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
- -God’s Work. Our Hands.
- -Lutheran Disaster Response
- -Lutheran Office of Public Policy
- -Middle East Connections
- -Peace Not Walls
- -World Hunger
ELCA Partners and Connections:
- -African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA)
- -Jubilee USA Network
- -Lutheran Peace Fellowship
- -Lutherans Restoring Creation
- -Lutheran World Federation
Southwest CA Synod of the ELCA:
- SWCA Synod
- Companion synods, Hong Kong & El Salvador
- Green Faith Team
- Global Mission Team
- -Justice Team
- -New City Parish

Other Faith Based Non-profit Organizations