Season of Global Awareness: Epiphany Season

It was such a great privilege to be invited to several of our Area 5 Congregations to make my presentation about ELCROS and Gloria Dei’s Global Mission St.Marie’s Orphan School, Ussurisk, Russia.

I visited Resurrection in Haysville on January 9th. The congregation and Pastor Leaf were so welcoming and warm. The pot luck dinner delicious and the response to my story was wonderful. It was my first time to visit their new church and their sanctuary is beautiful. They are praying for our mission in Russia. They are truly my brothers in sisters in mission.

Then on January 27th I was invited to visit the Sunday School Children at Lord of Life. The kids were great, listened with their hearts and are now busy making cards and letters to send to the girls at St. Marie’s. We stayed for worship service and it was a great joy to commune with my new friends at Lord of Life.

One of the gifts that God gave me during my Russian trip was a larger vision of church. It is such a great joy. One Church, One Baptism, One Body! I am looking forward to visiting all of our Area 5 Churches before years end.

Blessings and peace,

Jackie Volbrecht

Area 5 Companion Team Representative