Serve

Accompaniment focuses us on our relationship with our mission partners so that we can engage one another in a true relationship of equality, rather than one being better than the other. In traditional mission work, one group was the stronger who would go to the weaker to do something for them. In contrast, with the accompaniment model, the two groups work alongside each other. For instance, when Ascension goes to serve a meal at Cross Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, our members work with members of Cross. Because we donate to the Cross Food Pantry, the Cross mission to the neighborhood can serve more people. During a mission trip this past summer in El Salvador, Ascension members worked along members of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church. The Mt. Meru Coffee Project is a partnership in that the coffee growers in the Meru Diocese of Tanzania grow the coffee and through churches like Ascension, the coffee is sold at a fair wage price so that the coffee farmers are able to provide for their families.

When we do mission based on accompaniment, we see the Church of Jesus through the eyes of our brothers and sisters in the faith. We are no longer the strong helping the weak. We recognize that we each have gifts to offer one another. The gifts we share may be spiritual gifts, financial gifts, or gifts of prayer. Each gives as God has blessed them, and each receives in Christian love. As we work toward the goal of true accompaniment with our mission partners, we will continue to learn more about each other, share in ministry, and lift one another up in prayer. Stretch your faith and learn more about our partnerships with Cross Milwaukee, the Lutheran Church of El Salvador, and the Meru Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.