Ministries growing to increase impact
The international Lutheran Church of Zion began as a mission of Benediction Lutheran Church in 2006 and became a chartered congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in 2012 with Rev. Kasongo Gui Kabeo as its pastor. The church has 200 members in its Milwaukee congregation and 150 in a new mission in Appleton. Most members are French-speaking immigrants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When they hear about new immigrants arriving, they are met at the airport, provided short-term housing as well as help with finding a job. Benediction Lutheran Church helps with ESL and the immigration and citizenship processes. In the last few months, it has also served a few of the migrants, whom the government have resettled in Milwaukee. Most of the people served become active members of the congregation. Within a few months they purchased their first car and within a few years a home. Most of the children succeed in school and many attend college.
The church is forming a new mission in Sheboygan and will be sending six men to seminary in fall 2023. The mission of Zion is to tend to the whole person by ministering to their spiritual needs through worship, weekly prayer services, and pastoral counseling. The church ministers to the physical needs of those who come to help them succeed in their new country. Through this work they build a strong fellowship of Christian people.
Primary Focus Area: African Immigrant Program and Pastoral Preparation
Lutheran Affiliation: LCMS
Location: 8475 W Fond Du Lac Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53225
Funding will support:
"Fall school back pack, supply, and uniform drive - We give items to about 150 children. While we have generous partners, the list of children whom we serve continues to grow.
Support for our Appleton mission - That mission is growing rapidly. Because of that we would like to hire the pastor full-time, but need some more funds to do so.
Food Pantry - We have a weekly food pantry to serve the newest arrivals. We could use a refrigerator and help with purchasing food that is somewhat familiar to new immigrants. (They don't know most of the foods that are offered at food pantries.)
Expansion - Our ministries continue to expand, not only in Wisconsin, but people have also contacted us to help start ministries in Michigan, S. Dakota, Quebec, the Congo, and Uganda. Startup funds to begin some of these new ministries in Wisconsin and beyond, including some travel expenses, would be a big help." (Submitted by International Lutheran Church of Zion)