LPGM Celebrates God's Mothering Presence This Mother's Day

I recently had the privilege of listening to the Rev. Natalia Terfa preach about Jesus’ stated desire to gather Jerusalem’s children “as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,” and our desire to resist being gathered there.

Pastor Natalia spoke movingly about watching live streams of two bald eagles named Jackie and Shadow in Big Bear Valley, California. She compared Jackie’s fierce, protective love of her brood to Jesus’ love for us, despite the fact that the foxes of the world are prowling.

“In a time when fear and deceit were synonymous with power, Jesus speaks something different," preached Natalia. "He inserts hope into the political climate of the day. He preaches a word of healing and protection to people who were anxious and so hungry to be heard and seen and cared for. Jesus preached to people who needed real hope.”

I love thinking about the mothering protection that God offers to us. Too often throughout the history of the Christian church, we’ve relied too strongly on male images of God, and ignored the rich array of female, maternal metaphors used in Scripture.

These images aren't mere poetic devices—they reveal essential truths about God's character. The God who creates, nurtures, protects, and comforts embodies the qualities we associate with motherhood. 

LPGM Signs Onto Letter Urging Against U.S. Embassy Closures

Earlier this month, LPGM and 20 other non-profit and faith-based organizations signed a letter urging U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to maintain United States embassies Central African Republic, South Sudan, the Republic of Congo, Eritrea, the Gambia, and Lesotho.

This letter responded to a reported proposal to close several U.S. embassies in Africa.

LPGM is particularly invested in keeping the embassy open in Bangui, Central African Republic, as we have had a longtime partnership with the with Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (ELC-CAR).

In CAR, years of political instability and violence have led to a breakdown in the rule of law, a lack of access to basic services, and significant displacement of populations. As a result, poverty is widespread, and only about a quarter of adult women able to read and write.

LPGM and ELC-CAR currently have a joint literacy initiative for women and girls. After a successful pilot year, the program is entering its second year.

Closing the embassy would be disruptive to the lives of women and girls learning to read in CAR, as embassies in volatile countries support fragile peace processes and political transitions, promote democratic governance, rule of law, and human rights.

Zion Celebrates PEI Partnership with LPGM 

On April 30, longtime LPGM friends Verne and Bonnie Winter hosted a special lunch at their church, Zion Lutheran (Anoka, Minn.), to celebrate the church's sponsorship of students through Project Education India (PEI).

Zion Lutheran Church and its foundation have partnered with LPGM since 2012, and Zion's Sunday School and several church members currently sponsor students through LPGM.

Friends gathered for sub sandwiches, chips, and cake, and Laura Feile and Bethany Krepela from LPGM staff shared program updates. One of these friends was Stan Peichel, pictured above proudly showing off a progress report for Subhashini, the student he and his wife, Sandy, sponsor through LPGM.

After the event, Ann Campbell, Zion’s Director of Children’s Ministry, gave a tour of the children’s ministry hallway, adorned with decorations, updates, and correspondence between Zion children and the church’s three sponsored students. Learn more about how you or your church can sponsor a student.

LPGM Attends Synod Assemblies

In May, the 2025 Minneapolis and Saint Paul Area Synod Assemblies provided opportunities for LPGM to engage with church leaders from Twin Cities-area ELCA congregations.

As the highest legislative authority of the synod, voting members gather annually to worship, connect, and take care of synod business. 

“While LPGM was born in the Twin Cities 30 years ago, there are still many local Lutheran churches and members who have never been introduced to us,” shares Bethany Krepela, LPGM Development Director. “Tabling at events like these is a wonderful opportunity for us to share our story and invite them to join us in our mission.”  

LPGM staff and board members staffed the displays. Visitors stopped by to ask questions, sign up for LPGM’s mailing list, and to take information to share with their congregations. LPGM also offered raffle prizes, and Arlene (pictured above), a member of Roseville Lutheran, won the raffle at the St Paul Area Synod Assembly!  

Mwangaza Peace Summit Brings "Unstoppable Energy" to Manyara Secondary School

Mwangaza's Peace Clubs bring secondary school students (ages 12-18) together weekly to learn about nonviolence.

Four times per year, Peace Club members from various schools come together for Peace Summits. “Peace Summits are a place where students who were voiceless or marginalized can find their voices,” reflected Program Coordinator Richard Mwambo. “Students can do well in their exams, but their talents aren’t nurtured. Peace Summits are critical for students who are not considered by the teachers as ‘smart’ to showcase their true self.”

This past month, Manyara Secondary School hosted a Peace Summit. Students performed Chuga Dance (a vibrant dance from Arusha), staged comedic skits, shared original artwork, raised their voices in song, and participated in a fashion show with handmade accessories.

Johnson Laizer, Mwangaza's communications staff, added, "The Peace Summit was alive with talent, unity, and unstoppable energy!"

Mwangaza Parents Training Sparks Powerful Conversations

Mwangaza's goal is to create more emotionally and physically safe schools for all people to thrive, and while they primarily work towards this goal by teaching students and teachers about nonviolent communication, it's important to get parents involved too.

On April 28, Mwangaza staff members conducted a parent's training at Sanya Juu Secondary.

The goals of the training were to share examples of healthy communication, teach about child development, and explore alternative parenting and discipline methods.

After learning new concepts from Mwangaza staff, parents paired up to reflect and share ideas on guiding their children towards safe and successful futures.

According to Johnson Laizer, Mwangaza's communications staff, "We believe when parents come together, powerful conversations happen."

Trainings like this shape communities in which every child can grow safely and confidently.

ALC Training Boosts Knowledge and Morale

Arcot Lutheran Church (ALC) boarding home staff spent April 28-30 at Gurukul Theological College in Chennai for a multi-day group training session.

ALC Bishop Peter Paul Thomas started the program with a rousing speech on the importance of quality childcare and quality education.

Through interactive lectures, group discussions, and skits, boarding home staff then learned about nutrition guidelines, proper food sanitation, child development, international standards on children's rights, and resources for teenage struggles.

LPGM-India's Program Manager Elangovan Mu See shared, "Our mission is 'access to quality education.' A vision that goes hand in hand with ensuring healthy food and fostering an enthusiastic environment. These foundational elements are essential for nurturing the holistic growth of children, enabling them to learn, thrive, and dream bigger."

As this ministry can be challenging at times, there was also an emphasis on rediscovering and renewing meaning in this work through prayers, devotions, and discussions.

Elangovan reflected, "The devotion and love we carry in our hearts while performing our work for the children. It reminds us that these acts of service bring profound rewards from above, beyond material measures like salaries."

Boarding Home Alumna Thrives in College

Akila is a Tribal (indigenous) student from the Kalrayan Hills. Thanks to her LPGM sponsor, she was able to stay in school.

Today Akila is working towards a bachelor's degree in audiology and speech-language pathology (BASLP) at the National Institute Empowerment of People with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMED).

In this video, she shares a glimpse of her college campus with you.



She is attending college thanks to your gifts to LPGM's Extended Study Program. Your support means the world to her!

"Spring Refresh" Bring Joy to Students

Last year, we shared the need for crucial maintenance and repair at our partner's boarding homes in India. These projects had unfortunately gone unaddressed due to a lack of funds.

We called on you to help fund these urgent projects, including fresh paint, new toilet doors, roof repairs, and more through a "spring refresh" initiative.

Thanks to your gifts totaling over $40,000, students are enjoying their refreshed campuses. In this video, Harini gives a brief tour of the updates at Melpattambakkam Boarding Home.