Domestic Missions
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Salam Christian Fellowship Celebrates Five Years in Ministry |
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To celebrate its fifth year of its mission to Muslims and Arabs, Salam Christian Fellowship hosted a Middle Eastern Food Extravaganza on the campus of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Batavia, Illinois. After a sumptuous meal of Middle East cuisine, guests had the opportunity to witness through personal testimonies the power of God’s saving grace at work changing lives. Guest who attended came from congregations in Illinois, Michigan Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas. Twenty five Lutheran congregations were represented, one Christian congregation and some representatives of Wheaton College. Represented also were the following Lutheran ministry entities: Lutheran Church Charities, LWML Central Illinois District, The Northern Illinois District-LCMS and the West Mission Lutheran Fellowship.
With humility and giving all glory to God Pastor Hicham Chehab and five members of Salam Christian Fellowship shared how Jesus saved them. For some it was through the words and friendship with a Christian that God had put in their lives. To some Jesus first appeared to them in a dream and led them to Hicham and Mona Chehab or other fellow Muslims who are now believers in Jesus who could explain the scriptures to them. And yet for another, like Shaker, it was through a miraculous healing where Jesus appeared to him after unsuccessful cancer surgery and treatment that left him disabled and in constant pain.
Through its members and supporters of Salam Christian Fellowship, God is bringing many Middle Eastern Muslims and Arabs to the saving grace of Jesus Christ through evangelism in a caring fellowship. Pastors and leaders of the churches and ministry supporters voiced that the focus of the Salam Christian Fellowship is to develop a word and sacrament ministry among Muslims that is based on the word of God offered in a spirit of love and humility while meeting their spiritual and temporal needs in a Biblical way. Most Muslim immigrants are refugees who have nothing when they arrive in Chicago. The Salam Fellowship is a new “community” the Chicago land area that provides them with support and encouragement from people who show them the true love and grace of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
As part of the Lord’s Kingdom God has opened wide the door for us to share in this ministry to many who do know Jesus. Salam Christian Fellowship provides fellow believers a variety of opportunities to share in the ministry by:
- By being part of the daily prayer support system
- Driving members to appointments and fellowship functions
- Teaching adult or children’s Bible Studies
- Assisting with Saturday Fellowship services
- Providing job training and search support
- Collecting or moving furniture and household items
- Assisting with cultural assimilation
For others who may not be able to assist in the ministry in a physical way it is possible be part of the ministry. They can be stewards of the Lords financial resources to support the operating expenses for Salam. Gifts of any amount will help these people make the transition to life in the US and a new life in the grace of Jesus Christ. Financial resources help to provide food for the Fellowship gathering after each of the two Saturday weekly worship services or for:
- Medications
- Special Travel
- Monthly Food Stipends
- Clothing
- Greeting Gifts
- Rental Assistance
- Doctors and medical expenses
- Used Furnishings
- Gas for Salam cars
For all who gathered to rejoice in the work the Lord is doing through Salam Christian Fellowship it was truly an evening of inspiration and celebration here and above. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 18:49 |
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LCC and MOST Ministries Met to Partner and Advance Ministry |
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This past week Tim Hetzner, Tim Kurth, and Rich Martin from LCC met with Carly Stevens, Director of MOST Ministries, and past Directors Don and Gayle Sommerfeld, to discuss ways to support one another in ministry and short term missions. MOST Ministries is committed to impacting the world for Jesus Christ through short term missions by "Empowering the Found in Reaching the Lost." They are also an RSO (Recognized Service Organization) of the LCMS.
www.mostministries.org. |
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Last Updated on Thursday, 14 April 2011 19:10 |
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The Christ of Christmas Brings Arab Christians of Several Lands and American Christians Together in Worship and Christmas Dinner |
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 This past Saturday, Christmas Day, 10 LCC volunteers and LCC Staff Member Dianna Bonfield assisted Pastor Hicham Chehab in hosting a traditional American Christmas Dinner for members of Salam Christian Fellowship at Peace Lutheran Church in Lombard.
At 11 am, Peace held a bilingual Arabic /English Christmas Day worship service. Following the service, Arab worshipers and some members of Peace sat down to a typical Christmas Day dinner. The menu consisted of roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, corn, green bean casserole, and a fruit salad. Dessert consisted of brownies, pies, and cookies. LCC volunteers Linda Colberg, Tammy Rak, Gayle Sommerfeld and Dianna Bonfield prepared the turkeys, stuffing and desserts. Others volunteers from the Helm Family, Sommerfeld family, Irene Ontiveras and Kendalle Tanner help setup, decorate, prepare other parts of the meal, serve, and clean up.
 For the 180 people from Peace and other churches, those from Salam Christian Fellowship who worshiped together, and to the 80 people who stayed for dinner, it was a very special and unique Christmas day; worshipping, sharing Christmas dinner together, and meeting brothers and sisters in Christ from other cultures and countries yet adopted into one family because of Jesus who made us one.
Pictured (top photo):
From Left to Right front row: Pastor Hicham Chehab, Ms. Tammy Rak, Miss Rebecca Helm, Irene Ontiveras
2nd Row L to R Miss Sarah Helm, Ms Linda Colberg, Mr. Don Sommerfeld and Mrs. Gayle Sommerfeld
3rd Row L to R Mr. David Helm, Andrew Helm, & Kendalle Tanner |
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A Way of Forgiveness |
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by Adriane Dorr, The Lutheran Witness, September 2010
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From studying lslam to studying
Lutheranism, from being a sniper to being a
pastor, Rev. Hicham Chehab bears witness
to the fact that our Lord has a good
plan and a good purpose for each life
China is ours. India is ours. Islam is our religlon.
The world is our homeland. . . . We prefer death to
humiliation. Sweet is death in the cause of Allah.
Chanting these words, 13-year-old Muslim militia-man-in-training
Hicham Chehab had a one-track mind: practice
revenge and retaliation toward anyone who was Christian.
Converting to Lutheranism was the farthest thing from his
mind. That he would one day become an LCMS pastor was unthinkable...
Click here to read the rest of the article (PDF)...
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Last Updated on Sunday, 17 October 2010 19:41 |
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LCC and UKANDU Came and Did! And Made an Impact on Chicago and Vacinity! |
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 200 youth and adults from five different states came to the Chicago area last week on a mission of hope and encouragement to Chicago area churches, schools, and individuals. One student shared, "I came here thinking that I could help out the people of Chicago, which I did. But I wasn't expecting to get so close to God myself, as I did this week."
The theme of the week long mission trip was "Follow Me - What does it really mean to follow Jesus?" As the participants focused on the Word of God regarding the call of Jesus to follow Him, they worked side by side with others living out their faith. They shared the Love and Compassion of Jesus Christ through service, prayer and sharing words of hope and encouragement. Another student shared, "I came into this trip not knowing what to expect. My faith has struggled a lot but I know this week my faith has been strengthened and I desire to put God first."
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Last Updated on Thursday, 19 August 2010 10:24 |
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Read more...
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LCC AND UKANDU Summer Youth Missions in Chicago |
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"FOLLOW ME" June 20-26, 2010
 UKANDU Inner-City Chicago Mission Trip celebrates its 8th year serving the Chicago area Lutheran Churches and School. Under the leadership of Pete Imlah (LCC's Director of Mission and Outreach) over 180 high school youth and adults from nine churches and five different states will be coming to Chicago June 20th for a week long mission of hope and encouragement. Eight years ago UKANDU had a goal of coming alongside Inner-City Chicago Churches and School to help and encourage pastors and teachers who are making a difference in tough areas. They wanted to do things that parishes hadn't been able to do for themselves due to lack of resources and/or manpower. Last summer a new twist was added which had UKANDU participants doing an ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) in the neighborhoods they are serving. This was an effort to help the local churches reach out in their neighborhoods to point people to Jesus Christ. This was a great success and will be an even great emphasis this summer.
 This summer UKANDU will be housed at Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park and then traveling to over 20 different location each day during the week. UKANDU teams will be participating in things like hosting 7 different Vacation Bible Schools, paint classrooms and hallways, build a church nursery, landscaping, build a playground, and working inside the homes of United Cerebral Palsy clients. The theme of this year's mission trip is "Follow Me". Each morning, noon and evening participants will be challenged to dig deeper into the call of Jesus to His followers to follow Him.
 Pete Imlah is always looking for new opportunities for UKANDU to serve. If your inner-city congregation, school, or ministry has a need or if you would like to participate in this summer please contact Pete at (866) 455-6466 or
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.
To help with food and material costs, you can donate by clicking here.
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UKANDU has Come and Done Again! |
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215 Youth, Adults and Volunteers from 12 churches in 7 states have returned again this year for a week of Servant Work in Chicago. 27 work teams spent the week teaching VBS, cleaning, painting, running Art Camps, doing home repairs, recycling computers, construction, landscaping and community outreach for 19 Chicago area Lutheran Churches, Schools and Ministries.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 June 2009 15:35 |
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Serving God with your ability to speak English |
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Cross Cultural Conversations Ministry
 There
is a growing number of people moving into our neighborhoods who do not speak
English, but would like to!
There are so many different ways that individuals and congregations with a
variety of gifts and blessings can meet these needs!
God has brought each of these international neighbors to our doorstep, and many
feel the need to learn and improve their English skills. This newsletter will
focus on how congregations and individuals can help our international neighbors
work on their English abilities. . .
Click
Here to Learn More...
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A Christian missionary, who grew up a Muslim extremist |
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Given his background and upbringing, Hicham Chehab makes an unlikely missionary.
A Muslim in Lebanon during the Civil War between Christians and Muslims, his first experiences with Christianity were violent and threatening. He was attacked, and his brother was killed, by Christians.
Trained by a Muslim extremist group, he was taught how to use rocket launchers, mortars and rifles, and was told, "If you want to shoot straight, imagine that there is a Christian in your sights." Eventually, he participated in the Civil War as a sniper.
Today, he is a missionary at Salam Church, located at Peace Lutheran Church in Lombard. The Lutheran Arabic Church,...
Click here to read the article from the NW Daily Hearld
(Donate Now)
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Last Updated on Thursday, 19 November 2009 14:58 |
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Care Available for Visitors to Mayo Clinic |
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 Will you or someone in your congregation be receiving care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota? Trinity Lutheran Church of Rochester offers their TLCare ministry to out of town medical guests. We strive to serve people in many ways such as prayer support, a homemade meal, a visit from one of our caring members, free parking in our lot, a comfortable place to go between appointments, and more. An apartment (no cost) within walking distance of the Mayo Clinic is also available on a first-come, first-served basis for LCMS congregation members. For further information or to let us know how we can serve you, please contact Jennifer at
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(507-292-0439) or Pastor Otte (photo) at
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(507-289-1531).
Visit their web site at:
http://www.trinitylutheranchurch.org |
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Last Updated on Friday, 23 April 2010 09:38 |
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Parish Nursing Ministry
Promoting Wholeness in Christ—body, mind and spirit.
…and he sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:2
Parish Nursing is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing specialties in nursing. The Parish Nurse does not offer hands on treatment but practices in 5 roles: Health Educator, Personal Health Counselor, Referral Source, Facilitator, Integrator of Faith and Health.
Click here to learn more...
El Comedor Popular Soup Kitchen
Operating for the last 14 years in the Pilsen Neighborhood in Chicago's Near West Side, El Comedor Popular has been feeding and clothing the homeless and needy. It is run by the members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Chicago and with the support of Lutheran Church Charities.
Click here to learn more...
Ethnic Ministries Network of LCMS-NID
The Ethnic Ministries Network is a Cross Cultural movement in partnership with the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
It is our intent to provide a "connector" for District Ministries to reach Unchurched Immigrants in the communities that are served.
Various groups are coming together through this site to communicate with one another, share ideas, and edify those who are involved with the missions in this area.
Click Here to visit www.EthnicMinistries.org
Prison Ministry
A Northern Illinois District ministry tradition since the 1930's
The Northern Illinois District has been a Lutheran presence at the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet for many years now. Deaconess Lori Wilbert is following in the rich mission tradition of our Lutheran Church, Missouri-Synod, bringing the hope of the gospel to those in need behind the wall.
Click here to learn more...
POBLO - Chicago
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK LUTHERAN OUTREACH - CHICAGO
Hicham Chehab, Missionary
Through the work of Hicham Chehab, in partnership with the Northern Illinois District LCMS and in cooperation with Trinity Lutheran Church, Roselle, Illinois, the International Ministry of PEOPLE OF THE BOOK LUTHERAN OUTREACH (POBLO) is going forward in the Chicagoland area.
Deaf Ministry
There are 28 million Americans who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Our mission is to share the Gospel with the deaf and hard of hearing by providing resources and educational signing products.
As Jesus commissioned us to care for one another and to preach His word, so we at Silent Word commit ourselves to help the hard-of-hearing have more fulfilling worship experiences.
Click here to learn more...
Asirvadh Children's Home in India
A large number of underprivileged women and children in India are in desperate need of hope for life. A lady named Jeyanthi Asheervath recognized this great need and had a vision for the betterment of humanity and this much-needed hope to those marginalized in Indian Society. To recognize this vision, Jeyanthi established the foundations for a functional familial system in a Christ-centered atmosphere and founded Asirvadh Children's Home (Ahsram).
Click here to learn more...
Palestinian Christians
Christians are being persecuted from both the Arab and Israeli sides in the current war raging in the Middle East. "They figure they will be all dead in a year," Tim Hetzner, President of LCC said upon his return from visiting the area in September 2003. "Their only hope is [support from] each other and knowing where they will go when they die."
Click here to learn more...
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 July 2009 08:58 |
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Henryville Team leader Ed Boerman and LERT members from Trinity Lisle traveled back to Henryville, Indiana on Friday, October 19 for a weekend of service. They helped with home construction as volunteers rush to finish homes for families displaced by the March 2 tornado before cold weather sets in. Teams are still being welcomed in Henryville.