Collaboration with South Carolina Lutherans

           How do you know when something is a “God thing?”  Answer:  when it advances the Kingdom, blesses people in unexpected ways, and comes about in ways only God can make happen.  Such is the collaboration between Operation Inasmuch, Inc. and the SC Synod ELCA Lutheran Churches.  This collaboration is aimed at a statewide, simultaneous Operation Inasmuch involving the majority of the 160 congregations in the Synod on May 2, 2009.
            The one Lutheran Pastor in SC who led his congregation—Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Columbia, SC—to do Operation Inasmuch (they not only did OIAM but involved other churches in their area of Columbia) became the Bishop of the SC Synod in 2008.  He came into that office with one agenda:  to encourage, equip and empower Lutherans across SC to impact their community using OIAM.  He invited David Crocker and OIAM, Inc. to work with his organization to prepare for this significant event.  A date was set, training sessions across the state were scheduled, and, as of this newsletter, 40 congregations have been trained for the May 2 date with 2 more training sessions scheduled for mid-January.
            One unique aspect of this collaboration is that it includes Thrivent Financial Services (www.Thrivent.com), the non-profit agency that provides insurance and retirement services for Lutheran congregations nationally.  For several years Thrivent has been making funds available to Lutheran congregations to do community ministry in conjunction with Join Hands Day—a national day of volunteering for many fraternal organizations across the country.  Thrivent is throwing their funding support behind the statewide effort among SC Lutherans for Operation Inasmuch by providing a copy of Operation Inasmuch: Mobilizing Believers Beyond the Walls of the Church and a T-shirt to each church participating in the training events conducted by David Crocker in various locations around SC.
            Ginny Hultquist, Manager of Lutheran Community Services at Thrivent says:  “We are thrilled to partner with Operation Inasmuch, Inc. and the SC Synod to help make Bishop Yoos’ dream of mobilizing Lutherans in effective ministry in their own community become a reality.”  She plans to tell the story of this collaboration to other regions of Thrivent’s organization beginning with the strong response by Lutheran churches to get involved and a full report after May 2. 
            David Crocker says of the training sessions conducted so far:  “These have been some of the most enthusiastic sessions I’ve ever conducted.  In both locations local leaders had to keep bringing in chairs and tables to accommodate all who came.  The atmosphere was electric!”
            To find out more about your organization or community can collaborate with Operation Inasmuch, Inc. to mobilize a multi-church event, contact David at 865-765-1971 or dccrocker50@aol.com.

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