Grace Lutheran Church has maintained a faithful and meaningful partnership with Lekubu Lutheran Parish in South Africa for many years. This covenant relationship reflects our commitment to sharing Christ’s love across cultures, supporting communities in need, and building lasting friendships through faith.
A central focus of this partnership is the support of the Lekubu Early Learning Centre (Crèche), which serves children from approximately six months to four years of age. Established in 1986, the Crèche provides early childhood education and care for families in the Lekubu community. Through financial support from Grace Lutheran Church, tuition assistance is provided for children attending the center, along with funding for facility improvements, educational materials, plumbing projects, and access to clean water through well development.
The relationship between Grace Lutheran and Lekubu grew significantly in 2013 when twenty-two members of Grace participated in the East Central Synod of Wisconsin’s trip to the Western Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA). During that visit, members experienced the remarkable hospitality, faith, and generosity of the Lekubu community. They also learned about the needs of the Early Learning Centre and were invited to partner in supporting its ministry. At that time, the annual cost to sponsor a child’s education was approximately $125.
Inspired by their experiences, members of Grace Lutheran strengthened their commitment to the partnership and helped support a visit by nine members of Lekubu Parish to Wisconsin in 2016. These exchanges fostered deep friendships, cultural understanding, and a shared appreciation for the global Church.
By 2017, the Early Learning Centre was serving more than 100 children, demonstrating the growing impact of this ministry. Today, Grace Lutheran continues to support the Crèche through child sponsorships, special offerings, prayer, and ongoing communication with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Lekubu Lutheran Parish.
More than a mission project, this partnership is a relationship built on mutual faith, learning, and encouragement. Through shared experiences and a commitment to walking together in Christ, Grace Lutheran and Lekubu Lutheran Parish continue to strengthen one another while serving God’s people across continents.
As a visible reminder of this enduring relationship, Grace Lutheran Church lights a candle on the altar in honor of the people and ministry of Lekubu Lutheran Parish. The candle serves as a symbol of our shared faith, ongoing prayers, and the lasting bond between our congregations across the world.