As some of
you may know, our ministry with ELCA has recently taken a new turn. After
serving as ELCA’s East Africa Regional Representatives for four and a half
years, we were asked to consider a move to Zambia, to assist the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Zambia (ELCZa) with their educational and leadership
development needs.
To make a
long story short, we accepted the invitation and have recently arrived in
Lusaka, a beautiful city not far from the iconic Victoria Falls. Lusaka is also
the headquarters of the ELCZa. This small church, established in 1983, has
endured many struggles throughout its history, but now is on firmer footing,
having just elected a new lead pastor (similar to a presiding bishop) and
leadership team. ELCA Global Mission has been searching for someone with the
right skills to accompany this church for over three years now, ever since the
former missionary had returned to the U.S. Joe and I bring twelve years of
experience living and serving in Africa to this position, and the ELCZa has
welcomed us with open arms. We hope that our knowledge and experience may
assist this church as they seek to strengthen their impact in Zambia.
We have been warmly welcomed by the
church leadership and local pastors here in Lusaka. We have visited three
nearby congregations and hope to visit the more far-flung parishes during the
coming months. Stay tuned for more news.
Our e-mail addresses have not changed, so feel free to contact us at Deborah.Troester@elca.org or Joe.Troester@elca.org.
Photo 1: Rev. Deborah preaching at the Garden House Congregation. Her
sermon is being translated into Nyanja by Rev. Matilda Banda, the General
Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia (ELCZa).
Photo 2: Rev. Deborah and the management team of the ELCZa. From left to
right: Finance Chair David Mangenda, General Secretary Rev. Matilda Banda,
Treasurer Bernard Mapulanga (in back), Lead Pastor Rev. Geoffrey Njapau, Rev.
Deborah Troester, Assistant General Secretary Dr. Evans Lombé.
ELCA Global Mission Support and Contact Information
In
all of this, we thank God for you—for your prayers and for your financial
support. We couldn’t do it without you! If you wish to support us, you can give
through your local congregation or through our new ELCA Missionary Sponsorship Page.
Joe and
Deborah are ELCA missionaries living in Lusaka, Zambia, where they are serving with
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia. Their daughter, Christa, is a junior
at the University of Southern California.
