Crossing Bridges supports local outreach and global mission

Another $60,000 for Bridges to Ending Poverty and $15,000 for Bridges to Iringa was authorized January 2010 to strengthen ministries in the Saint Paul Area Synod and mission abroad with our partner synod in Tanzania.

Bridges to Ending Poverty

Twelve grants with funding requests totaling $94,175 were submitted for consideration for Crossing Bridges grants. Here is a look at the ministries that were recommended and later approved to receive grants, totaling $60,000:

Weaving Communities Together: $1,125
The grant will expand collaboration between the Alley Shoppe and the Minnesota Literacy Council to extend job skill training for adult students that draws upon the traditional weaving art of the Karen community. The Alley Shoppe is an outreach ministry of Arlington Hills Lutheran, St. Paul.

Daily Work: $7,000
The grant sustains service, including support for the executive director, a volunteer from Lutheran Volunteer Corps, college social work interns, and interns from Twin Cities RISE! Daily Work anticipates serving 100 new clients in 2010.

Eagan Resource Center: Garden to Table: $4,825
The grant allows the resource center to expand food shelf offerings by providing fresh produce during the summer months by establishing two gardens on its property, one a community garden to support the fresh produce demand and the other private plots, which will be provided to a family in need with assistance from a volunteer mentor from the faith community.

Love Grows Here Wellness Center: $10,500
The grant will address primary health and wellness needs of the long-term homeless and the poor. The center provides meals, blood pressure checks, and foot care and is served by community partners that include Metropolitan State University, the Police Homeless Outreach Project, and the Dayton’s Bluff Block Nurse Program, Light of the World Lutheran, Farmington. and Christ Lutheran, Lake Elmo.

Young Adults’ Director: $5,850
The grant provides funding assistance for a part-time young adult’s director to build relationships, plan Bible study, and coordinate fellowship for young adults at Hmong Central and for the community.

Humble Walk Summer Homework: $4,900
The grant launches home repair in the West 7th Street neighborhood around Humble Walk, St. Paul, and builds relationship with neighbors, based on the successful model developed by Peace Lutheran, Lauderdale.

Ministry for Chinese and Asian Women: $4,500
The grant to Joy Fellowship, Circle Pines, addresses the needs of women with limited English-speaking skills who live in poverty or are addressing family crises through counseling, visitation, resource support, and assisting with language skills.

Ministry for Low Income Chinese, Korean, and Philippine Immigrants: $4,500
The grant provides ministry to immigrant restaurant workers, unemployed young adults, and college and high school students without homes or transportation.

Healthy Homes, Healthy Community: $6,800
A grant to fund expansion of existing program that has become a biannual, weekend collaboration among Peace Lutheran, Lauderdale, local businesses, and neighborhood volunteers to repair homes that the owners are unable to do so because of limited income. The program strengthens housing stock in the community, improves the health and safety of homeowners, and builds relationships with the church.

Intentional Ministry among Youth and Family Who Live in Poverty: $10,000
The grant supports the continuation of work with at-risk youth, young adults, and families at Pueblo de Fe through leadership development, mentorship, and relationships with other adults.

Bridges to Iringa

The Saint Paul Area Synod executive committee authorized $15,000 in Crossing Bridges funds to be directed to support continued efforts in Iringa:

• Agricultural Institute: $5,000
• Ilula Health Center: $5,000
• Theological Scholarships at Tumaini University-Iringa: $5,000 (More about Tumaini University below.)

Theology students at Tumaini University receiving scholarships through Crossing Bridges

Equipping leaders at Tumaini University

When he was elected bishop of the Iringa Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania in 1987, the Rev. O.W. Mdegella had a vision for an institution of higher learning in southern Tanzania. In 1993, he shared that vision with Arne and Mary Blomquist, members of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran in Shoreview. Under their leadership, the first shovelful of dirt was turned on a 32-acre site. The college, then called Lutheran College-Iringa, enabled the Iringa Diocese to educate and train students for pastoral ministry in a fast-growing church. The first class began in January 1994 with 30 theological students and one multi-purpose building. In 16 years, the progress is truly amazing.

An overview of the university today

• Three-thousand students (55 percent men and 45 percent women)
• Twelve areas of undergraduate study, five areas of post-graduate study
• Two hundred staff, including 98 full-time and eight part-time faculty, plus a few volunteers that teach each semester.
• A $6 million dollar budget for 2010, all funded by student tuition (no government or outside funds other than scholarships)
• Twenty-eight buildings, all but four funded through donations from the Saint Paul Area Synod and other church organizations or individuals.
• Total cost per year of $2,500-$3,000 for all programs except in the theology department, which is $2,200 per year.
• One-hundred-twelve students in the theology program
• Twenty-eight students in the bachelor of divinity program (four years of study, one year of internship), 63 in the diploma of theology program (three years of study, one year of internship), and 21 in the wandering shepherd program (two years of study, return to pastoralist groups)
• Sixty-one theology scholarships provided by congregations or individuals in the Saint Paul Area Synod
• Ten diploma of theology scholarships funded by Crossing Bridges gifts from members and congregations of the Saint Paul Area Synod
  

The theology program
The highest priority of the bishop and leadership of the Iringa Diocese is to provide scholarships for the theology students. Congregations and individuals in the Saint Paul Area Synod can provide scholarships in the following ways:

• $2,200 per year for four years of academic study provides a scholarship for a bachelor of divinity student;
• $800 per year for three years of academic study provides a scholarship for a diploma in theology student;
• $2,100 per year for two years of academic study provides a scholarship for a wandering shepherd student.

“Due to challenging academic standards at Tumaini University-Iringa, graduates have a high degree of success in securing a job upon graduation,” said the Rev. Gary Langness, chair of the companion synod task force for Iringa.

Words of thanksgiving
“I lack good words to express my appreciation, other than saying may God the almighty give you grace and success that you may serve him and that his kingdom may be proclaimed on earth until he comes again.” -Nalogwa Ibrahimu

“I would like to take the chance to give special thanks to all who are sponsoring me and helping me to be here at Tumaini University at Iringa College. Without your help, I know that I would not be here; I have no assistance from anyone… I declare that I will be faithful to my Lord and to those who played part in my life, especially you who allow me to be at this the level in the university. This will make new my family first, my church, and my community. After accomplishing my studies I will be a good pastor willing to help those who are in need.” -Peweni Kikoti

“I am so grateful to say thanks for your passionate heart to support and finance my studies at this level. I pray that God may grant you much more blessing so that the locks open up for others.” -Mary Kakili

Thank you to everyone who has given to Crossing Bridges! You have supported these students and have contributed to the success of Tumaini University-Iringa.