Members and friends of Mount Olive work to be and encounter the presence of Christ beyond our neighborhood through our prayers, hands-on work, advocacy, and monetary support. We value our partnerships with our sisters and brothers around the world.
In 2016 Mount Olive sponsored two Vision Teams that visited one of our partner ministries, Common Hope in Guatemala, to learn from the people of the Antigua area. The teams also assisted the Common Hope staff as they support Guatemalan families in their efforts to improve education, housing, health care, and family development.
As part of a larger Lutheran effort to promote fair wages and environmental sustainability, the Missions Committee sells fair-trade chocolate, tea, and coffee. We also host an annual holiday fair-trade craft sale.
Once a year we sponsor a Taste of a Nation event, celebrating a particular country’s food, music, and culture. The event raises awareness of global problems and features stories of how Christians in particular countries are working to solve them. In 2017 the committee sponsored a Taste of Climate Justice/Care for the Earth event.
Other sponsored education events include missionary visits and adult education hour [internal link] speakers.
Our Newest Connections
Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light
Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light helps us connect to and get more involved in climate justice and care-of-the-earth issues.
The Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria are partner synods. Mount Olive is supporting Dr. Ibrahim Bitrus, now serving as Nigerian theologian in residence in our synod.
Bright Stars of Bethlehem grows hope in Palestine by connecting people in the United States to Diyar Academy for Children and Youth, Dar al-Kalima University, and Ajyal Senior Care Program.
Our Continuing Connections
Bethania Kids is a Christian mission that brings hope and wholeness to poor, disabled, and abandoned children in South India. Mount Olive has been a significant supporter of the mission since its beginning in 1997.
Mount Olive supports the Rev. Dr. Philip Knutson through the ELCA’s Missionary Sponsorship Program. Philip serves as ELCA Global Mission Regional Representative, Southern Africa.
Jerusalem
Through the Lutheran World Federation’s Jerusalem Program, we support Augusta Victoria Hospital and a vocational training program, helping Palestinians get the health care and training they need.
Action for Health in the Americas (AHA) is the North American counterpart of Educación Popular En Salud (EPES), based in Chile. EPES supports sustainable community-based public health initiatives among the poor in Chile. Mount Olive supports both AHA/EPES and an ELCA missionary in Chile, Karen Anderson.
Common Hope’s mission is to promote hope and opportunity in Guatemala, partnering with children, families, and communities to improve their lives through education, health care, and housing.
Lutheran World Relief
Lutheran World Relief is perhaps the longest-supported organization at Mount Olive. LWF provides help around the world in times of crisis, bringing people food, quilts, school kits, and health kits.
Bread for the World works through political systems to advocate for food security around the world. Each year we participate in the Offering of Letters to our United States representatives and senators.
