Our congregation has a long history of reaching out to different countries to help our brothers and sisters in Christ. We continue with that calling today, and look forward to work as both disciples helping those in need and apostles in spreading the Word of our Lord. The congregation allocates benevolence funds to Global Missions directly out of the general giving from our members and with special requests for selected ministry projects. The congregation provides support for missionaries around the World through the ELCA, and direct support to selected overseas ministries. Some highlights of Global Missions activities include:

Singapore - Dan and Karen Bloomquist are current members of SHLC and retired from a long term mission assignment in Singapore. They spent 15 years in Singapore under the Division for Global Mission, ELCA. Dan taught at the two international, interdenominational seminaries training pastors and missionaries from twenty different countries, while Karen led Bible studies, organized confirmation programs, and other evangelism activities. Prior to that, they were at the Lutheran Church in Guyana, South America for 3 years as pastor at a large church, managed two elementary schools and was evangelism chair of the national church.

Bolivia - Habitat for Humanity - Three members traveled with Habitat to work on a house near La Paz, Bolivia. The team included Ben Mulder, Pr. Steve Olson and Jerry Heck. Working at almost 10,000 feet elevation presented special challenges to our members.

Eritrea - Missionary Support - Berhane Elias and his family worshiped with SHLC for several years until Berhani felt called to return to his homeland and teach the Word to all who would listen. SHLC provided financial support during his stay with SHLC in Sammamish, funds while working as an ELCA missionary, and a pickup truck to help him move around the very rugged and mountainous terrain in Eritrea. The Elias family is currently back in the U.S. but will return to Africa to continue their work.

China - In 2007, our youth group led by Pastors Peter and Jane Shen and  Youth Director Andy Hermanson, traveled to Chengdu and Nanchong, China. The group worshiped at Nanchong
church, helped with a week-long Bible camp for local elementary students, toured a hospital and met fellow Christians on their trip. SHLC has also provided some support after a tragic earthquake in the region.

Tanzania - Pr. John put out a call to the Congregation in 2007 to see if there was interest within the membership to take up the challenge of forming a long-term ministry in Tanzania, Africa. A team was formed to prayerfully consider how to establish a long term ministry that SHLC could support. After some prayerful consideration the team held a fundraiser auction which raised $40,000 toward a trip and mission activities in Tanzania. Tanzania is interesting to Lutherans in that out of the country's population of 40+ million people, over 10% are Lutherans. ELCT is one of the largest denominations in the entire continent of Africa.

In August 2008, eight members traveled to Tanzania to observe and consider different active missions. The team visited and funds were given to the Faraja Trust which provides food and support to people with HIV; the Maasae Girls Lutheran Secondary School in Monduli; the Mwangaza orphanage in Songea; and to the Lutheran Diocese in Morogoro for their top project which is the construction of a new Lutheran secondary school for math and science. After returning to the US, the team considered which of the missions would be best for a long term global commitment for the congregation. The team recommended to the congregation that we support the creation of the new secondary school in Morogoro: Eben Ezer Lutheran Junior Seminary for Science and Math. Bishop Mameo holds the school out as a top priority to support evangelism to the entire community in the region. Certainly, SHLC will support other programs, projects, and activities in the world in addition to forming a lasting bond with the Diocese in Morogoro.

Songea Sister Church - On April 11, 2010, members of Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church voted to establish a Sister Church Relationship (SCR) with Songea Lutheran Parish in the remote, poor south of Tanzania, East Africa. When an SCR is established, two congregations in very different parts of the world agree to work together, learn from and assist one another over a period of years. Many mutually beneficial opportunities arise to strengthen and deepen discipleship, advance the spread of the Gospel, work beside people striving to improve their lives, and care for those in need. (More...)