Jerusalem Printing Press – Transformation in Jerusalem

In the News: Voices Behind the Wall

This is a segment on the wall in Israel/Palestine which aired on Fox 9 News February 23, 2009.   Pastor Beth Warpmaeker, a LPGM traveler on the April 2008, Holy Land Printing Press trip, is interviewed in this news piece by Trish Van Pilsum.  Also included is video footage that Pastor Warpmaeker took during the trip.

Update: Spring 2008
How can a $35,000 investment in a little print shop in a 12′ X 12′ room in a church basement in Jerusalem make a significant difference in the ministry of the church? Antoinette has been turning out brochures, bulletins, booklets, and even bound books in full color for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy land (ELCJHL) for many years in this tiny shop. Her work has saved thousands of dollars in printing costs for schools, hospitals, churches, and other institutions within the Lutheran church. A group of ten committed people from Minneapolis just returned from Israel on an LPGM trip focused on renovating and upgrading the print shop location in the famous Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in the Old City of Jerusalem. Many people from the U.S. contributed to the project without realizing the amazing result of their gifts. Now this little room with a big job to do has a new computer, printer, monitor, stapler, binder, and collator. In addition, the room was painted and new lighting, ventilation, and electrical circuits were installed. In a few days it was literally transformed into a shop that can perhaps double or triple its output and improve the quality of its work.

But the print shop wasn’t the only thing transformed in this effort. The American group, with the building of new relationships and deeper understandings of the working of God in the lives of people in a very challenging environment, also experienced a transformation. The project is a great example of LPGM’s work in the world–positive face-to-face encounters around an effort that encourages the church and assists in its ministry. Antoinette’s smile and obvious excitement said it all. The day after she received training on the new binding machine she told us she bound 300 paperback books in only an hour. I asked how long it took for the same job a couple of weeks ago when she had to do it book by book by hand. She said she was able to do 60 books in a day–300 in five days. Imagine that it took 40 hours to do what she can now do in one hour! The print shop has been transformed to more efficiently do the work of the church.

Nearly an entire book could be written on the ten-day trip to Israel, but essentially every experience reinforced the importance of the personal encounter, the personal connection, the personal touch, see and feel that is so important to mission. The investment in money is small when we compare it to lives changed and ministry made stronger. What is in the future for LPGM in Israel and the Holy Land? More projects, more trips, more relationships built, more lives transformed, more of Christ’s work being done in this part of the world. Will you join us in this new ministry?

Update: Winter 2008 – Making a Difference in Jerusalem – Printing Room Renovation in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Old Jerusalem
Vital to the future of the Christian presence in Jerusalem and the Holy Land is the witness of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). While the number of Christians in the birthplace of our faith dwindles to less than 1.5% of the population, the churches and schools of the ELCJHL continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in extraordinary conditions and to promote peace and reconciliation among jews, Christians, and Muslims.

Christians in th Holy Land and the ELCJHL need our help. The printing operation for the ELCJHL is in dire need of upgrade. Housed in Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Jerusalem, this print shop does the work of six churches, four schools, and five kindergartens across the region in three different languages (English, Arabic, German). Additionally, it supplies materials on occasion for an environmental center and a boys’ home for separated families. With antiquated equipment and a staff of one, the printing operation is trying to keep up with ever-increasing needs and demand.

For the first time, Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry (LPGM) and ELCA Global Mission (GM) have united in an initiative to keep the written word of Christ abounding throughout the Holy Land. This initiative, with a cost of about $30,000, will upgrade the technology of the existing printing operations to current standards. This will not only allow the existing printing operation to improve its current ministry to the ELCJHL but will increase the availability of printed Christian materials across the region.

If you are interested in this project you may give through our website (Donate Now) or by sending a check directly to our office. Those who are interested in traveling to Jerusalem in the future, please contact our office for more information.