Serve Around the World | Southwood Lutheran Church

Areas We Serve

Encouraged by the bishops of the Nebraska ELCA and the Northern Diocese of the ELC-Tanzania, Southwood Lutheran began its sister church relationship with Uswaa Lutheran Parish in 2003. Together, Southwood and Uswaa have worked to build a second church (Nkira Avaanga), establish a pharmacy and improve education and employment opportunities in the rural area on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Learn more about Tanzania

The church in La Ceibita, Honduras was built in 2005 by a team of volunteers from Southwood Lutheran and the Heart to Honduras organization. In 2006, the churches began a sister church relationship. As our relationship has grown, so has the church and its ministry to the community of La Ceibita. Together the churches have worked to build homes, provide dental and medical care, and improve educational opportunities for the rural area.

Learn More about Honduras

How We Serve

Short-Term Mission Teams

Short-Term Mission Teams visit our sister churches in Honduras and Tanzania every year. Each team has its own focus and purpose.

Teams to Honduras have provided dental/medical care, planted gardens, and led education seminars for local teachers. Bible school and soccer games with local children are always a highlight for teams.

Honduras Teams also visit Proniño, the children's home directed by Southwood member, Haley Janssen.

Teams to Tanzania have visited schools, orphanages and hospitals. Sunday School seminars and meeting with Scholarship Students are typical activities. Teams are most impacted by the home visits with local church members.

Whether we are in Tanzania or Honduras, our focus is our shared love for God and others.

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Piecemakers

Piecemakers is a great way to serve globally without leaving Lincoln!

The Piecemakers ministry gathers twice monthly to make & tie quilts that will be shipped all over the world. Quilts are also given to each new homeowner in Honduras and to homes visited by Southwood team members in Tanzania.

The group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM to tie quilts and enjoy time together in the Southwood lower-level multipurpose room.

Experienced and novice quilters are welcome to join the group anytime! No registration or sign-up is required.

Tanzania Education Scholarship Program

Widespread poverty in rural areas of Tanzania prevents many children from continuing their education beyond primary school. Southwood Lutheran and the Northern Diocese of the ELC-Tanzania work together to provide opportunities in education. Students are supported in secondary and post-secondary education and vocational training. Students and their families are extremely grateful for the opportunities and hope that an education scholarship provides.

Each scholarship provides tuition, room and board, uniforms, supplies and health insurance for a student.

Program donations support scholarships, special programs for students and a Girl’s Health Program.

Learn More About the Scholarship Program

Missionary Support

Southwood supports church member, Haley Janssen, in her work as the director of Proniño, a children’s home in El Progreso, Honduras. Proniño provides a home, education, care and love for 30 children ages 8-18.

Learn more about The Children's Home Project