Question – Tell me a little bit about LWMS—how was it started?
Answer – The Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society was established about 45 years ago when a group of women decided they wanted to be involved with mission work. The Central Africa Medical Mission was around during that period, but the women felt like there was just so much more to missions that needed to be supported. So they got together and decided the best thing to do was work on increasing interest in and supporting non-budgeted mission needs of the synod.

Question – What are some of the really unique projects LWMS has supported over the years?
Answer – I think the biggest thing is sending women to Africa. A few years ago we had four women travel to Malawi. They presented Bible studies and worked with the missionaries over there.  This year we have the “Sisters Serving Jesus” team, which consists of four women—ages 30-60—who traveled to Nigeria in April. They are part of God’s army, and they went out on the front lines and saw what’s happening in another part of the world. So those two trips are unique.

Question – Aside from the Nigeria trip, are there any other big projects or goals for this year?
Answer – One of the things that I would like us to do is to come up with a mentorship program. We’ve already formed an outreach team to focus on college-age women and the congregations that are not LWMS members. We want to reach out to those groups and say, “You should think about being a part of this.” And we’re not talking major commitments of time—the extent of being part of LWMS can be just praying. You’re praying anyway, so why not pray for the missionaries?

Question – What is the biggest challenge in reaching out to these groups?
Answer – For college-age women, I think the biggest thing that stands in the way is the fact that our founders have gray hair. People think that because they don’t have gray hair it’s not their organization. When I got married, I kept thinking I had to have a baby to become part of the women’s circle or ladies aid at my church. There’s that [mindset] of “when I get old enough, then I’ll do stuff like that,” instead of people realizing that the “go telling” needs to be now. So our image needs some updating.

We’re also trying to reach retired professional women like myself. There are women who are living longer and are trying to figure out what to do with the rest of their lives and how to best serve their Lord. So we want to tap into that group and see what they can do to help our organization along.