On a mercy mission to Madagascar, held Feb. 23-March 3, copies of several books authored by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, faculty members were donated to the Malagasy Lutheran Church’s regional seminary in Antsirabe. They include “That I May Be His Own” by Dr. Charles Arand; “Teaching God’s Children His Teaching” by Dr. Robert Kolb; “Fundamental Greek Grammar” by Dr. James Voelz; and “Just Words” by Dr. Jack Preus, former Concordia Seminary professor, now president of Concordia University—Irvine.

The donation of books was a response to the Malagasy seminary’s need for more adequate library resources. Through these valuable new resources, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) hopes to strengthen the understanding of the Lutheran Confessions, and aid in the training of future pastors and the teaching of the theology of the Small Catechism in the Malagasy Lutheran Church.

“The Malagasy Lutheran Church is looking to the LCMS and its seminaries to provide theological education and integrity,” commented Dr. Albert Collver, executive pastoral assistant for LCMS World Relief and Human Care. “In exchange, they show us how, through acts of mercy and human care—a theology in action of word and deed—how the Gospel is proclaimed in difficult situations.”

The mercy mission was sponsored by LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Six seminarians and a professor from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., traveled to Madagascar and were accompanied for a portion of the trip by LCMS World Relief and Human Care staff members Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director, and Dr. Albert Collver, executive pastoral assistant.

“LCMS World Relief and Human Care began the mercy mission to Madagascar as a pilot project with Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.,” said Harrison. “It was established to provide an opportunity for students to see Lutheran theology in action, confessing Jesus Christ and expressing compassion to people with profound needs and challenges.”

“The Lutheran church in Madagascar is very interested in having further contact with the LCMS seminaries’ faculties and students,” said Collver. “We at LCMS World Relief and Human Care anticipate partnering with both seminaries, especially expanding the program to include Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 2008.

For more information, visit the LCMS Web site at www.lcms.org or contact Albert Collver at albert.collver@lcms.org.