On June 26, 2025 a group of 18 people from Our Savior, Lansing (OSL) went to Middelburg, South Africa, in an “ambassadors” mission trip to forge deeper relationships, provide encouragement and support to all our ministry partners, and bless everyone that God placed in our path. We worked closely with Caring Friends, the outreach ministry team from St. Peter Confessional Lutheran Church in Middelburg, which was founded by the late Rev. Mandla Khumalo.
Caring Friends helped us with the service projects, which included a 2-day VBS at St. Peter, participating in a feeding program in Doornkop, a village outside Middelburg, and a day of service projects at St. Peter Christian College that included gardening, packing pads, and building prayer boxes. We delivered theological books to the pastors at St. Peter and to a FELSISA pastor by way of the Theological Seminary in Pretoria.
Key Outcomes
On the Michigan side, this trip brought together our church and school, as members and students contributed towards the trip in the months leading up to it. It was our school’s third trimester chapel offering, as our school has developed a close relationship with St. Peter in Middelburg. We now have seven teachers/staff that have personally been to Middelburg. It has given our school a broader sense of the body of Christ and instilled a mission spirit. Our teachers have already incorporated things we saw on our trip into their school year here at Our Savior.
On the South African side, we observed the amazing progress that has taken place over the years (we do this trip every two years). Although they still face many challenges and struggles, there have been wonderful steps forward in ministry that we observed. So much of this is because of
the partnership between Middelburg and Michigan. The “Middelburg Model” is becoming exemplary for other places in Africa.
- OSL team members served side by side with Caring Friends, encouraging and blessing this important outreach team from St. Peter. There is a mutual exchange of faith and learning as we build up the Kingdom together. We delivered valuable books and ministry supplies. We held a “Jesus Party” everywhere we went.
- COFA MI Advisory Team members were able to visit firsthand and see updates on the progress at the school, Amajuba children’s home, the church plant in Doornkop, and the seminary in Pretoria, with insightful conversations.
- OSL Teachers and Pastor participated in part of the professional development day for teachers at St. Peter Christian College and presented on faith integration in the classroom and smart board utilization.
- Bonds of faith, hope, and love were strengthened with the Khumalo family, Caring Friends, Mama Grace, and the pastors and members of St. Peter Confessional Lutheran Church.
The team raised significant funds to donate food to Mama Grace’s feeding program, VBS supplies which we left behind, a donation for the seminary, meals for Caring Friends on the days we worked with them, and scholarships for St. Peter Christian College. The balls, games, bubble machine, Bible character costumes, and theological books were all left in the hands of ministry partners who could utilize them. We were able to be generous on every occasion.
Planning Future Mission Trips
Our Savior has had a connection to the ministries in Middelburg since 1989. The first trip was in 2006. We currently try to go every two years with a team of 12-15 people. The next trip target date is 2027.
This is the largest team (18) that Our Savior has taken to South Africa. In March 2024, our friends in Middelburg handled a group of 30 visitors from Michigan, and the logistics went rather smoothly. Having local drivers such as Nati and Rodney is helpful. The comfortable housing at Del Roza Guest House allows our team to be refreshed and rested each morning. Working alongside Caring Friends ensures that we are assisting Africans doing ministry, rather than setting our own agenda. There are plenty of opportunities for teams to be involved in the future. These include:
- Visiting and encouraging the satellite churches / preaching stations – Witbank, Doornkop, Ekangala, Siyabuswa.
- Caring Friends Eyeglass Clinics – these are organized mostly through MOST Ministries.
- Mama Grace Feeding Program – located in Dornkoop, about 30 minutes from Middelburg
- Teacher training at St. Peter Christian College
- Pastor training at St. Peter Confessional Lutheran Church
- VBS at St. Peter Christian College or at any satellite congregation
- Service projects (gardening, painting, repairs, light construction) – always alongside African partners
- Visit at Amajuba – always a highlight to play with these kids and create a warm, happy memory. Care Village is another orphanage in Middelburg that would welcome visitors.
- Seminary in Pretoria – they are in need of books and funds for building projects
Our church has 35 years of experience with South African missions. I’d be glad to be a resource for anyone interested in partnering with the churches of the Confessional Lutheran Synod in South Africa or the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Our Savior could put together a “trip kit” for anyone interested in doing their own trip to Middelburg. It would list the contacts that need to be made, transportation, housing, food options, and estimated costs for everything.
The Michigan Advisory Board for COFA continues the momentum to inform and involve Michigan LCMS churches in the ongoing mission work carried out by our ministry partners. www.africaoutreach.org.
Churches in Michigan could “adopt” a satellite church / preaching station, as each of them could use some capital investment. They are in impoverished areas that cannot provide much financial support, but they bring spiritual capital and an evangelistic spirit. Capital investments could include a church building, a well, an early childhood center called a “creche,” or community center.
Special Acknowledgements
The team received financial donations and support from several sources, including the students at OSL, donations from family, friends, and the congregation, a Thrivent Action Grant ($250), a CEF grant ($6,000), and a Michigan District Igniter Grant ($10,000).
To learn more about Michigan District grants and apply for one, go to Michigan District Grants – Michigan District, LCMS
Photos courtesy of Our Savior, Lansing
