Luther League members gear up for mission work

Bryce Kelly, Mt. Pleasant News

SWEDESBURG ? Members of Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church?s (SELC) Luther League aren?t just talking about changing the world, they are making the necessary plans to do it with upcoming mission trips across the country, but they need some local support.

Currently, the group of roughly 15 to 20 youth attending the Swedesburg church are gearing up both spiritually and financially to travel across the country to various locations throughout the year to bring aid to various non-profit organizations and people groups. Homelessness, human trafficking and environmental stewardship are among the various issues students will be addressing during their trips, and they say they hope to make a positive impact on others as they step outside of Henry County.

?It?s a way for young people to learn, but also be witness for Christ and helpers in their communities and their world,? said SELC pastor, Mark Youngquist, of the church?s Luther League. ?That?s what Luther League was when it formed and that?s really what it is still today.?

Both Ralph and Cherry Sandeen are among a group of parishioners who have been attending Swedesburg church for many years. The parents of three children, all of which are members of Luther League, Ralph and Cherry have been acting as chaperones for the group for several years.

?We love being involved in our kids? activities, but really, this group has even taught us a lot,? says Cherry. ?And the fact that these kids are willing to step out of their comfort zones and help other people, specifically people they don?t even know, is really amazing to us.?

Formed in 1927, Luther League is an official youth organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Swedesburg Lutheran Church. At its core, the group seeks to encourage and enable youth and young adults to grow in Christ, and bring others to the Lord. Any youth entering junior high school through college who wants to be active in their SELC churches is able to join Luther League.

Locally, the Swedesburg Luther League meets at least once a month for fellowship and Bible study. In addition, the group will also meet throughout the year for various group service projects, or in most recent cases, for fundraising efforts to help fund mission trips.

?Being involved in this group is morally rewarding, and I would put it higher on my priority list than almost anything else I do,? says Hallie Sandeen, a Mt. Pleasant High School sophomore and current Luther League member.

Her older brother Nick, a senior in high school, says he agrees with his sister, adding that being involved with the church organization is unlike any other extra curricular school activity he currently associates himself with.

?This group is really fulfilling to me. I know what we do here means something that?s bigger than me,? he says. ?It feels good to know I am a part of something that makes a positive impact on somebody else?s life.?

Sabrina Moody, a student at Winfield-Mt. Union, also says she stays active in the group because she can see the long-term rewards of Luther League, and says it?s nice to get to know other local teens that don?t go to her school.

?Being involved in fine arts or sports in school eventually passes, but your religion and your faith stays with you forever,? she says. ?What we do to grow in our faith isn?t temporary.?

To help raise money for the group to go on their upcoming mission trips, various fundraisers are currently taking place, including the sale of homemade lasagna and/or chicken casseroles, pop can collections and midweek meals at the church?s Fellowship Hall. Orders for the lasagna and casseroles can be placed with any Swedesburg Luther League member, or by calling the church at 319-254-2216. Orders must be placed by Saturday, March 11. Meals will be made and delivered on Saturday, March 18. Pop cans may also be donated to Luther League members or dropped off at the church.

?In addition to fundraising, I think a lot of people can simply pray for these young people,? said Pastor Youngquist of the group?s needs with regard to their upcoming mission work. ?I think praying for safety, and ultimately, praying for this group to learn and make a positive impact where we are headed would be great.?