Dear friends in Christ,
As we watch the news and hear reports of natural disasters and humanitarian crises around the world, our hearts break. Just this past week, a powerful earthquake struck the border region of Myanmar and Thailand, leaving devastation in its wake. Thousands have died or are injured, and many more are without homes, access to clean water, or basic medical care. And yet, at the very moment when swift, coordinated global response is most needed, the United States—once a beacon of leadership in humanitarian aid—has grown alarmingly quiet.
The current administration’s systematic dismantling of USAID and other longstanding humanitarian programs has left a vacuum where leadership once stood. These are not just bureaucratic shifts or policy differences; they are moral failures. By cutting funds, shuttering offices, and sidelining the expertise of seasoned diplomats and relief workers, our government has weakened our nation’s ability to respond with compassion and efficiency when disaster strikes. America was once a proud leader in humanitarian assistance. No more.
In the face of these reckless and cruel decisions by our government, we, as people of faith, are called to step forward. For eighty years, Lutheran World Relief has exemplified the very best of what it means to serve the world in Christ’s name. Founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the suffering of displaced people in Europe, LWR has since built a legacy of trust, resilience, and faith-driven action. In refugee camps, disaster zones, and food-insecure regions, LWR has been a steady and reliable presence—offering help, hope, and healing.
This year, as we celebrate Lutheran World Relief’s 80th anniversary, we do so not with nostalgia, but with renewed resolve. The mission is as urgent today as it was in 1945. Where governments fall short, the church must rise. Where policy fails, discipleship begins. Supporting LWR is not just a charitable act; it is a Gospel imperative. When we give, when we advocate, when we pray, we are joining Christ in his mission to bring good news to the poor and bind up the brokenhearted.
Let us be clear: this is not a time for the church to shrink back or wring its hands in despair. It is a time to bear bold witness to God’s love for the world by doubling down on our commitment to global neighbors in need. Our congregation can and must be part of the solution. We may not be able to change national policy overnight, but we can still choose to live generously and faithfully in the face of injustice.
As I mentioned this past Sunday, as a church we have decided to contribute the goodwill offerings from our four mid-week Lenten services to LWR. This is a good start. But I know we can do more over the course of this year. I invite you to recommit yourselves to the work of compassion. Let us honor our legacy by investing in the future. And let us remember that when we serve the vulnerable, we serve Christ himself.
In hope and solidarity,
Pastor Luther
Please watch the following video from Lutheran World Relief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6O3KPuK9GA