Branding Update

While we continue to live out our Lutheran identity, vision and mission, we realized that our visual identity needed an update that reflects what we're up to in 2026 and beyond.

We hope that this branding update helps even more people recognize the powerful work that you enable and reflects the deeply held values that drive our mission.

Oak Hill Church VBS Raises Over $300 for Mobile Computer Lab

During summer 2025, Oak Hill Church-CLB (Bloomington, Minn.) chose the Mobile Computer Lab in India as the recipient of its VBS offering collection. By bringing in spare change, VBS children raised $313.27!

"On behalf of LPGM and our Lutheran partners in India, we thank you for your gifts of change and dollar bills this week," shared Bethany Krepela, LPGM Development Director. "You have helped upgrade technology for the Mobile Computer Lab. You are a blessing to village students and their communities by opening doors to technology and hearing about Jesus!"

The Mobile Computer Lab is part of the English+ program, bringing computer skills to village children at Arcot Lutheran Church (ALC) elementary schools in Tamil Nadu, India.

Without this program, young students would not have access to computers during their school days, putting them behind their more privileged peers when competing for future jobs. The computers are also used to enhance English language learning, which is the primary goal of the English+ program.

Please reach out to Bethany Krepela, LPGM development director, at bethany@lutheranpartners.org or 612.806.0733 to learn more about setting up a fundraiser for LPGM at your congregation.

Transcending Language Barriers through Song in Guatemala



By the Rev. Sara Spohr, LPGM board member and traveler

One afternoon at the Community Cloud Forest Conservation (CCFC) Center in Guatemala, my niece Karina (15) and I trekked out into the farm to plant trees with Elida and Deysi, leaders in the Women in Agroecology Leadership for Conservation (WALC) program. There was definitely a language barrier, so the outing began mostly in silence, figuring out how to communicate the logistical needs of the tree planting.  

Eventually we found a rhythm and Elida began to hum a song. Deysi joined in. Karina perked up, because she’s a singer too. Soon, tree planting became secondary to the music and laughter. I was simply a witness to the joy. I happily recorded a video of the moment.

Twenty Years Later: Lessons from my “Holy” Surreal Trip to India



By Petra Vanderford, LPGM board member

As I was sitting in a church pew during an ordinary night of confirmation, someone began passing out half-sheets of paper with an announcement on them. "Looking for youth interested in traveling to India this summer!" I brought the paper home, not really sure why I was interested. My mom responded, "If you feel like this is something that God is calling you to do, we support you. We’ll make it work." 

So, there I was – a shy teenager, signing up to travel half-way across the world for who knows what reason. I mean, I was sure we’d participate in a good amount of manual labor, and I enjoyed helping people in whatever way was needed. But as some may know, a trip like this often impacts you more than any impact you could have on a community.