ELCA Honors Retiring Missionaries

     CHICAGO (ELCA)  --  Since 1996 the Division for Global Mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has acknowledged the retirement of missionaries with long records of service.  The Rev. Bonnie L. Jensen, executive director of the division, said, "The whole church, here at home and around the world, lifts its voice in thanksgiving to God and in gratitude to these men and women who have spent a lifetime in service to Christ."
     Jensen added, "Their pioneering efforts and their love for the people they served witness to their vision, their adventuresome spirit and personal sacrifice.  Yet they would be the first to tell us that their lives were rich and full of the grace of God and the fellowship of Christian friends."
     The Rev. Earl and Nijiko Bergh left Nagano, Japan, where Bergh served as a pastor for 39 years.  The Rev. Kenneth and Eloise Dale also served in Japan for 45 years; Pastor Dale was a professor at Lutheran Seminary, Tokyo.  He is the founder of a center for personal growth and counseling.  The Berghs and Dales have relocated to Claremont, Calif.
     The Rev. Andrew and Masae Ellis will remain in Kumamoto, Japan.  During 45 years of service Pastor Ellis provided pastoral support to rural congregations and administered a Lutheran high school and college.
     The Rev. David and Eunice Simonson worked in Tanzania for 41 years and continue there as volunteers in Arusha.  Pastor Simonson was most recently involved in building the Maasai Girls School and other projects for the Arusha Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania.  Eunice Simonson is a nurse.
     Lois Swanson, Proctor, Minn., worked for 38 years in administration for the Tanzanian church, most recently as executive secretary for the bishop in the Central Diocese.
     The Rev. John and Elizabeth Nelson, Salina, Kans., were developers of new congregations in Singapore and Malaysia for 41 years.  Marliss Schroeder, Brownsville, Ore., worked in Papua New Guinea as an administrator and teacher in the women's program at the Lutheran Leadership College.  Schroeder retires after 34 years of service.
     The Rev. Everett and Ardyth Savage, Lynnwood, Wash., served in Taiwan for 39 years.  Savage was a parish pastor and administrator of a Lutheran hospital. They worked to develop ecumenical programs for drug/alcohol rehabilitation.  The Rev. Ronald and Ruth Nelson, Hettinger, N.D., worked for 37 years in Cameroon in the area of evangelism among the Fulani people.
     Patricia Bentsen, Blair, Neb., resigned in 1996 after 29 years serving as a nurse in Madagascar, most recently involved in a tuberculosis project.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html