Shining God’s Light for All to See
Our mission to share faith, show love, and shine God’s light is informed by Jesus command to “love one another.” We share, show, and shine our love for one another through our ministry and outreach.
Newport lutheran Church
outreach & Community Ministry
Newport Lutheran Church’s partnership with Kimala, Tanzania
Newport Lutheran Church has a companion relationship with Kimala, a village in Tanzania, Africa. Prayer, Presence, and Projects are the foundations of this relationship, but we have discovered so much more through our three visits there.
Prayer is the first building block and is taken seriously. They pray for us and we pray for them.
Presence is an opportunity to visit and see first-hand the love they have for the Lord and for one another. They open their hearts, hands, and homes to make us feel welcome. Newport has visited three times and is planning to visit again in 2021.
Projects is one of the ways we can assist them in their ministry. Our funding has helped to provide scholarships, a home for one of the evangelists, a meeting place for the church leadership, solar power for the main church building, and laptops to facilitate better communication.
We are currently assisting in a water project. Due to the altitude and other factors, a well is not the best option, so the church in Kimala is working with the local government to develop a water system to help the entire village. The members of the Lutheran Church in Kimala have been providing the labor to dig the trenches for the pipes – over a mile’s worth.
They also are raising funds, along with other in the area, to pay for this project. Hopefully when we visit in 2021 it will be completed.
collections for shoes, food, and other items
Newport Lutheran Church strives to engage with the community in many ways. We have an ongoing collection of new shoes, socks, and underwear for local children. These items are primarily distributed through schools and social workers, although some families come to the church to pick them up.
What’s more, we have an ongoing collection of food and paper items for Friends in Need Foodshelf. In addition to these items we collect gifts for families in need at Christmas through the Share the Joy program, mittens, hats, and gloves for Union Gospel Mission and its affiliates, and other special collections as needed.
A quilting group meets twice a month to make quilts. These quilts are then donated to Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran Social Services.
Other community engagement
Four times a year, Newport Lutheran Church hosts a blood drive. We have saved over 5,000 lives and still going strong!
On the 2nd Saturday of each month we host a monthly community meal. It is an opportunity for food and fellowship. A goodwill offering is collected, but the meal is offered for free.
Newport Lutheran Church realizes there are many organizations that need funds as well as donations, so each month we have a different mission emphasis. Included are Friends in Need Foodshelf, Youth Service Bureau, ELCA World Hunger, Tubman Family Alliance, and others.
Twice a year there is opportunity to participate in cleaning up the roads through the state Adopt-A-Highway program.
We also host the annual Night to Unite, participate in Relay for Life, host an Easter Egg Hunt, Trunk or Treat, and game nights.
There are many ways for you to get involved based on your interest and abilities. Come and be a part of something bigger and spread the light of Christ!
