"Cheers to new beginnings" read the cake that the LPGM  board and staff shared at the beginning of their annual retreat on April 17 & 18. The message symbolizes the various transitions LPGM has been undergoing - moving to our new home at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities - Mpls Campus, merging with Friends of Mwangaza, saying goodbye to outgoing board members, and welcoming new board members.

It was a fitting way to kick off the retreat, also nourished by a dinner from Joy Catering, an East African, woman-owned business that connects our Tanzanian partners, Eripoto for Girls and Women, and Mwangaza Education for Partnership, and recommended by our Tanzanian board member, Ashi Lema.  

LPGM staff and board members gathered again on Saturday morning to begin the working portion of the board retreat.

We thank outgoing board members for commitment and service

We formally recognized and thanked outgoing board members Petra Vanderford, Joanna Suresh, Dr. Jeff Henning-Smith, and Dr. L. DeAne Lagerquist, for their commitment and service to LPGM. They each brought incredible gifts and commitment to their roles, and helped shape the mission and vision for this organization in ways that will be felt for years to come!

We welcome new board members

Incoming board members were Kurt Kreienbrink, and three former board members of Friends of Mwangaza - Chloe Ahlf, Dr. Laura Wangsness Willemsen, and Susan Kroger.

Welcome Kurt, Chloe, Laura, and Susan!

The Rev. Sara Spohr, pastor at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church in Minneapolis was elected as chair-elect of the board, and Heidi Busch was elected as program committee chair.

The board looks back at the past year, and ahead at what's to come

Current board chair Kathleen Hokemeir-Seim brought everyone together to review the results of board self-evaluation and survey. Board members overwhelmingly reported enjoying LPGM's mission and work, the opportunity to learn from an intercultural and international perspective, and the chance to collaborate with LPGM staff and global partners. 

They shared their desire to have more time to dive deeper into projects, clearer long-term goals and checkpoints, and actionable tasks to complete in-between meetings. 

The Rev. Dan Ruth gave an executive director report and spoke about how reconciliation is central to LPGM's vision.

Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry envisions a world where relationships transform boundaries and where all people have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

In order to create "a world where relationships transform boundaries," we must rely on reconciliation to foster renewed relationships built on deep listening and truth-telling. He emphasized the role of truth-telling in the reconciliation process, specifically mentioning the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions of post-Apartheid South Africa. Part of LPGM's mission and role in society is listening to the voices of the students and partners we walk alongside, and bearing witness to the ways God is active in their lives.

Dan then shifted to talk about future strategies to untangle money and power from the global relationships fostered by LPGM. He brought up the importance of avoiding the traps of paternalism and the white savior complex when entering into relationships with our global partners and the people they serve.

He spoke about prayer, presence, and projects as a framework for entering into relationships, with an emphasis on mutuality, reciprocity, and showing up for one another. 

Board members emphasized the need for concrete data to track our impact, the importance of continuing to share LPGM's story, as well as direct invitations to partner with us.

Nourished by Latin American food

After a morning of robust learning and discussion, the group paused for lunch from Chimborazo, a local Ecuadorian restaurant.

After a nourishing and productive lunch hour - and a quick group photo - the group reassembled for the final session of the day.

During this break-out session, board members visited with their respective committees. Committees often meet via Zoom, so this session provided a special opportunity to connect in person and to accomplish concrete tasks.

LPGM's committees include the Program Committee, Congregational Engagement Committee, Transformational Travel Committee, Finance Committee, Executive Committee, and Development Committee. 

Interested in joining a committee? We're looking for new volunteers! Email dan@lutheranpartners.org to learn more. 

A number of committees worked on long-term goals and planning. The group then came back together to report out what they discussed and accomplished together. The retreat wrapped around 3:00 p.m., and the group dispersed - optimistic and ready for another impactful year. 

Sharing Our Gratitude

Thank you to all board members who came from far and wide to attend the retreat. We are energized by the discussions and plans that were generated by this important time together. Board and committee leadership is essential to the success of LPGM.

Thank you (English) | Nandree (Tamil) | Gracias (Spanish)
Asante (Swahili) | Bantioux (Q'eqchi') | Singila mingi (Sango) 

We are thankful for the gifts, partnership, and prayerful support of LPGM friends. We're also thankful for the small local businesses owned and operated by immigrants, who provided the nourishing food for our meeting.

How to Get Involved

To learn how you might get involved in the ministry of LPGM, whether as an ambassador to your church or local civic group, as a member of a committee, or as a member of the board, contact Dan at dan@lutheranpartners.org or at 612-806-0730.