Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.
(Jeremiah 17:7-8 NRSVUE)

As LPGM celebrates 30 years in ministry in 2025, we’re deeply grateful for your role in planting seeds of hope, nurturing our mission, and fostering deeply-rooted partnerships. These deep roots have allowed LPGM to serve multitudes of people at the margins, especially women and girls.

Born from the tragic loss of Tim Olson in 1991, LPGM became a 501(c)(3) in 1995. When I recently asked Tim’s parents, LPGM co-founders Gordon and Betty Olson, to reflect on the early years, they said,

“We sensed that God was calling us to find a special niche that would continue Tim’s ministry through partnerships.”

Over the past three decades, God has worked through this ministry to bring hope to people at the margins—crossing boundaries, building relationships, and transforming lives.

“It’s remarkable to reflect on how two parents, in the face of personal tragedy - the loss of their son - chose not vengeance, but compassion,” remarked Elangovan Mu See, India Program Manager and LGPM staff member since 2006. “They transformed grief into a movement of helping hands, reaching out to those who are educationally, socially, and economically marginalized.”

Over the past 30 years, you have taken the Olsons’ vision and infused it with a steadfast commitment to loving your global neighbors in India, Tanzania, Guatemala, the Central African Republic, and beyond. Maasai girls—finding refuge at Eripoto’s safe house after escaping forced early marriage and pregnancy—recently penned these heartfelt words for a group of LPGM travelers:

“You did not come with your own answers. You listened. You chose partnership. You joined hands with the people who know our land, our language, our struggles, and our hopes. You have shown us what true love looks like: a love that commits for the long haul, that asks what is needed, and that gives without expecting anything in return.”

The love of global neighbors that friends like you have shown has raised leaders in the world and transformed communities.

The Rev. Theophilus, former Saron Boarding Home Manager and current chaplain to the Arcot Lutheran Church Bishop, shared during his recent visit to Minnesota,

“LPGM hasn’t just impacted 8,000 children [in India], but 8,000 families. Educating one child ripples into families and communities for generations to come.”

While your love and commitment have not wavered, we still face significant challenges. Our partners rely on your financial support to keep their programs thriving so they can support the students we serve together, but inflation and global crises make fundraising even more difficult.

However, amid uncertainty, we remain hopeful. You’ve taught us that hope isn’t naive optimism—it’s the stubborn insistence that God’s love can birth good from the most broken places.

In fact, Gordon and Betty are in awe of God’s hand in shaping this ministry. They reflected,

“We marvel at God’s providence that turned a modest vision, with no money and few people, into a dynamic ministry that has thrived for 30 years and continues to make its mark on the world.” With God’s help—and your deeply-rooted support, we can weather any storm.

Would you consider investing in deeply-rooted love and hope, and helping LPGM weather future storms, by making a special gift today?

Give today!

Your gift will:

• Shelter Maasai girls in Tanzania escaping gender-based violence.
• Feed Dalit (nee “Untouchable”) children in India and support their education.
• Empower Maya girls in Guatemala through scholarships and life skills.
• Inspire Tanzanian students and teachers to practice non-violence.
• Lift up Central African women and girls by imparting essential literacy skills.
• Sustain the essential operations that make this work possible.

To fully support students’ needs in 2025, we have $300,000 left to raise of our $1.2 million annual budget. This is above and beyond expected sponsorship and other pledged support.

Together, let’s raise $300,000 by the end of the year, so that students at the margins can access the quality education they deserve. Thank you for being part of the LPGM family – deeply-rooted and hopeful for a bright future!

Year-End Match

Exciting news! To mark this milestone, a group of special friends of LPGM have generously contributed to a year-end match of $158,762!

When you give on or by December 31, your gift* will be matched dollar-for-dollar while match dollars last—doubling your impact** for people at the margins around the world and ensuring that their needs are met this year! 

This means that your $100 gift will become $200, and your $1,000 gift will become $2,000!

See below for a list of these generous friends:

*Gifts you have already committed, such as student sponsorship or monthly giving, are not eligible to be matched.

**You can maximize your impact through tax-wise giving—via IRA/QCD, donor-advised funds, or appreciated stock. Please consult with your trusted financial advisor to learn how, and please allow your fund manager ample time to process your request.

Questions? Contact us at 612-823-5058.

Our Commitment to You

For the past 30 years, Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry has maintained the highest level of financial accountability. We stand accountable before you and God to use your gifts wisely and effectively.

We meet the high standards of the Charities Review Council, which you can view at smartgivers.org.

All of our finances are audited annually by an independent CPA firm.

It is not our intention to cause feelings of pressure or obligation to give. You are invited to respond as you are able and called. We depend on, and are grateful for, the financial support of donors like you.

Give today!

Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry is a 501(c)(3) organization. Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 41-1818525.

Your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.