NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S LWR

The Lutheran World Relief (LWR) of yore that was a bold effort of Lutherans to put their faith into action around the world has morphed into a government contract conglomerate whose primary client is the US government and its policies. LWR has become a Lutheran-in-name-only, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) government contractor which operates under the auspices of CORUS INTERNATIONAL as one its nonprofit and for-profit subsidiaries.

One of the North American Lutheran Church’s (NALC) requirements for endorsing independent ministries is that they have an evangelical focus, which means they will share the name of Jesus to advance the Kingdom of God. Earlier this year, the Great Commission Society reviewed LWR recommending to the Executive Council to withdraw NALC endorsement of LWR.

Surrendering The Name of Christ:

While LWR says not using the name of Jesus allows them to get into places where that would not be allowed, there are plenty of places where they do work where other Christian agencies are able to be explicit about Christ. LWR does not function as a Christian aid society, but rather as a USAID foreign aid contractor focused on carrying out its work “in compliance with the US government regulations”. As many service ministries understand, they cannot receive US government funds and still evangelize. You surrender the name of Christ and any explicit work to advance his kingdom when you take government funds.

LWR belongs to Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) made up of government agencies and NGOs (non-governmental organizations), working to advance US government and UN interests. The Global Resilience Partnership, which is funded by the US govt, other government agencies and the UN, promotes a progressive globalist vision of the world.  On the GRP website, LWR communicates clearly to US agencies, the UN, and other secular NGO’s that it will be trusted secular partner: “LWR works with people based on need, regardless of race, religion or nationality and we do not evangelize.”  

Since Corus operates as a foreign aid NGO working with the US and other governments they have no interest in advancing the Gospel of Christ, but they are very much involved in advancing a globalist humanist kingdom on earth. CORUS is committed to the secular cultural agenda of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DEI) which is rooted in political critical theory as well as climate change. LWR does not recruit for people of faith but employees who are good at implementing government contracts and following federal government policies.

Pushing Abortion:

A hidden concern is that CORUS and their IMA World Health subsidiary in encouraging health access and reproductive rights seeks to advance abortion around the globe, as per US government policy. The corporation has funded groups that push for abortion. One report on their website laments an effort they supported was “not enough to liberalize abortion laws in Latin America” and points to the influence of religion as an obstacle. This pro-abortion stance comes from the same board that oversees LWR.

LC-MS Left Long Ago:

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS) parted ways with LWR in the early 2000’s because of the increasing influence of government policy on LWR. The LCMS created their own relief effort which is officially named “LCMS World Relief and Human Care”, but internally and in donation drives is referred to as “Lutheran World Relief”. These references may create confusion for outsiders, but officials with the LC-MS are adamant that no official relationship exists with LWR.

Where To Give?

At the NALC Convocation in Oklahoma City in August 2023, during the discussion on the budget the assembly voted to no longer send money to the LWR. Some are concerned that if we do not contribute to LWR, where can our efforts be redirected?  While LWR will not miss the NALC or our donations compared to the $120 million in government funds CORUS receives, our donations could have a huge impact on smaller missional agencies the NALC endorses. 

If you are concerned about feeding the poor you can contact Pastor George Black (NALC-Auburn, CA) who works with Food For the Poor. Your congregation can give its quilts and donations to the NALC Disaster Response which unabashedly shares the love of Jesus and bibles with victims of disasters. You could send your money to the Malawi Orphan Care Project, SON Network or one of the other NALC endorsed ministry partners.

For St. John’s, NALC- Fort Wayne, after examining LWR we redirected the benevolence line item to a ministry of the Uganda Lutheran Church. This ministry was seeking to help feed the poor on a local level by building a chicken farm. As this congregation got excited about helping directly with the chicken farm our initial gift of $800 grew to $4200. This direct world relief has encouraged our people to look for other ways we can share the name of Christ and help the needy.

May the LORD bless our NALC and LCMC congregations as we seek to be Mission Driven by sharing the name of Christ in word and deed.