Centre of Hope in the Central African Republic
Central African Republic (C.A.R.)
Update
“Greetings from Lutheran Partners in Global
Ministry. Global Health Ministries has received an updated proposal from the
Lutheran
Church
of the
Central African
Republic regarding their AIDS awareness and
treatment program. The program is finally being restarted, thanks to the
generosity of your people! The funds are being sent to C.A.R. this week. This
is a major step forward as we are determined to monitor the project carefully
and keep it going as long as necessary to save lives. It’s now a cooperative
effort between Hope Lutheran Church, Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry, Global
Health Ministry and the Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic –
another example of working together to make something happen that no one
partner can do alone. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!” ~Gordon Olson,
President of Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry
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Old Warehouse Church
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New Centre of Hope Church
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Medicine Delivery to Warehouse in Bouar, C.A.R.
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See "Photo Gallery" under the "Resource" tab above, to see more pictures or click here.
Mission! This word describes God's work in the world. God works through the local church to 1)reach those who are searching 2)to grow faith in the hearts of believers and 3)to establish new faith communities that make a difference in the lives of hurting people. Hope Lutheran is a church with a heart for mission. It's our God-given privilege and responsibility. The people of Hope Lutheran have always recognized this privilege and responded to the call.
In September 2006, Hope Lutheran committed to building a church in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) in partnership with Lutheran Partners in Global Mission. The cost to build the church was estimated at $50,000. Within a month, Hope Lutheran Church exceeded that number by leaps and bounds!
Not only did we transform an old warehouse into a sanctuary (called the Centre of Hope) where 400 people will worship God each week, thanks to the congregation's generosity we were able to help restart the AIDS Awareness and Distribution Program in the basement of the church building.
Here is a portion of Gordon Olson's letter to the people of Hope Lutheran celebrating the dedication of the church we built: "The old warehouse that was only a dead building a year ago has come alive now in a desperately poor city. You, the congregation of Hope Lutheran, have brought hope to these people and you are now connected through our common faith - faith in Jesus Christ whose love brought us all together in common purpose. The amazing thing is that you have not just raised the initial amount needed for renovation - $50,000 - but have exceeded that by more than 50%! More than $75,000 has been sent - enough to restart an AIDS awareness and medicine distribution program that was suspended in 2006 for lack of funds."
This is an amazing story! It is a story of God's people following the call to make a difference in the world. It is a story of HOPE! Thank you to all whose generosity and commitment to the Gospel made this possible.
Hope Lutheran's mission is a global mission. We are making a difference inspired by our faith in Christ. Only God knows what the future has in store for Hope Lutheran Church in terms of continued ministry in the Central African Republic and other places as well, but the possibilities are worth exploring - as God draws us into the future He has in mind for us.
