For a study guide see page 23.
Lutherans help change the world through the $15 million ELCA Malaria Campaign
Global efforts to
expectant mothers and babies. Five years ago, a child under 5 died from malaria
every 45 seconds. Today one dies every 60 seconds—an improvement, but there is much more to do.
From slogan to pew Many campaigns to change the world never get beyond the bumper sticker stage. Not the ELCA Malaria Cam- paign. From the start, the campaign has been enthu- siastically supported and implemented by committed Lutherans. Andrea DeGroot Nesdahl, former bishop of the
South Dakota Synod, laid the groundwork. As the cam- paign’s first coordinator, she pitched every bishop and many key church leaders for their support. Teir early pledges—ranging from $1,000 to $150,000— were significant. So was their willingness to make malaria a synod priority. Eleven “pilot” synods began rolling out the
campaign even before print materials were ready. Momentum built as synods set fundrais- ing goals and designated coordinators to get things moving in congregations. A national volunteer board of “wonderful people we found along the way” gave generously and joined the chorus telling the story of malaria, said Jessica Hacker, ELCA Malaria Campaign coordinator. Te malaria story has been downright
inescapable in synods like Northeastern Iowa, where assistant to the bishop Mark A. Ander- son visited all 185 congregations to secure their support. “Because of his commitment, every congre-
gation [contributed], helping the synod reach its $250,000 goal nearly twice over,” Hacker said. Allison Beebe, ELCA Malaria Campaign assistant, added, “Pastors and laypeople, youth
March 2015 17
groups and Sunday schoolers, wom- en’s circles and men’s fellowships have been essential to the success of this campaign. Guided by the Holy Spirit, and responding to the call to walk with our neighbors in Christ, mak- ing malaria history has captured the hearts and imagi- nations of faithful Lutherans across the country.” For nearly five years those Lutherans have papered
fight malaria have slashed the death rate from malaria in Africa in half.
their churches with pipe cleaner mosquitoes, draped sanctuaries in nets, and come up with dozens of clever ways to bring malaria to life in their congregations. And then they passed the plate. Malaria has also mobilized ELCA colleges, universi- ties and campus ministries.
18 A nurse in Malawi teaches families about the schedule for taking malaria medicine.
ELCA/LAURY RINKER
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