Since its inception in 1942, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) has empowered women to make significant contributions through active mission ministries and global mission support. Moreover, the organization focuses on serving others, sharing faith and engaging in mission support, underscoring the belief that every woman has the potential to effect meaningful change.

LWML’S History

In 1942, amid the difficulties of World War II, more than 100 women from 15 districts of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod gathered in Chicago, Illinois, to establish the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML). This significant meeting laid the foundation for a group committed to fostering mission work and supporting global missions by gathering funds. They drafted a constitution, coined the organization’s name, initiated projects and set up a publishing committee for books, magazines and programs. They aimed to enhance mission awareness among women and raise funds for global mission work, making LWML an official auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Mission Grants

LWML holds a national convention every two years, where delegates from each district vote on mission grants to support for the next biennium. These projects, originating both within the U.S. and internationally, are selected with a financial goal in mind, aimed to be met over the two years. Moreover, this process ensures LWML’s continued funding and support for a wide range of mission projects around the world, reflecting its commitment to global outreach and support. Here are some examples of the missions that were chosen for the 2023-2025 mission year:

• Feeding Haitian Children Through Gospel and Meals — Trinity HOPE. Since 1999, Trinity Hope has been a pivotal nonprofit dedicated to feeding children, teachers and cooks in Haitian Christian schools. Recognizing that many Haitian children might only eat once a day, Trinity Hope provides a crucial noon meal to help them stay focused and engaged in their education.
• Lutheran Women in Mission Finish the Job — Ministry in Mission. The Ministry in Mission (MNM) grant supported meal programs, elderly care and medicine distribution in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It also coordinated disaster relief following the 2021 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016, addressing immediate needs and aiding recovery efforts in affected areas.
• Water and the Word — Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya. The Water and the Word mission project has implemented water systems like filtration, irrigation and water harvesting near rural Kenyan schools. This initiative addresses the challenge of accessing clean drinking water, a task that often consumes significant time and poses health risks for children. Kenyan students now have access to safe water due to these systems, allowing them to dedicate more time to their education.
• Mites: A Few Coins Can Make a Big Difference. Drawing inspiration from the biblical tale of the widow’s offering, LWML promotes charitable giving through “Mite” boxes, emphasizing that small contributions can collectively make a significant impact. This fundraising approach, pre-dating LWML, demonstrates its effectiveness with 92 Ladies Societies raising $6,651.31 in 1930.

Encouraging Women to Action

LWML members receive a Mites box designed specifically for the organization, they are encouraged to contribute any amount, even small daily pocket change. These boxes, collected within LCMS churches, support national mission grants. The organization provides monthly updates on the Mite offerings through its website. In addition, the LWML created the Young Woman Representative (YWR) program to attract more women. This initiative allows districts to sponsor young women at national conventions, offering them a firsthand experience of the organization’s impact.

Heart to Heart: Sisters of All Nations

The LWML has launched the Heart to Heart program to foster relationships among women from diverse cultural backgrounds, enhancing the diversity in mission work. In addition, this initiative aims to prevent the isolation of women from different cultures or those who speak different languages, fostering stronger fellowship and more effective mission work. Moreover, the Heart to Heart Program includes participants from various countries, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and leveraging varied gifts in serving the organization’s multicultural missions.

Looking Ahead

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) continues to forge pathways of hope and service across the globe, guided by a steadfast commitment to faith-driven action. Through innovative programs like “Heart to Heart” and impactful mission grants, LWML empowers communities from Haiti to Kenya, ensuring that the spirit of giving and service transcends borders and cultural divides.

Furthermore, as the organization looks to the future, its ongoing mission to nurture, support and inspire women in their faith and service endeavors promises to bring about transformative changes, enriching lives and spreading hope wherever there is need.

– Heather Gisi

Heather is based in South Dakota, USA and focuses on The Good News for The Borgen Project.

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