7851 W. 119th Street Overland Park, KS 66213 P: 913-491-8022
Global Outreach



“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere-- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."     Acts 1:8

Companion Congregation
Holy Cross has developed a close relationship with St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Magadan, Russia. Individuals from Holy Cross visited St. Mark’s to meet the people and learn of life in Russian Far East in September 2002 and August 2005.  In May 2003 the people of Holy Cross helped St. Mark’s purchase a flat for their place of worship. Alla Vysokova, the preacher of St. Mark’s visited Holy Cross in July 2004 and August 2006. We continue to learn from St. Mark’s through correspondence with members, and plan to send a group from Holy Cross to Magadan in 2008. For more information contact Tricia Hinton, 913-814-0333.

Companion Synod
The Central States Synod (Missouri & Kansas) of the ELCA is a companion in ministry to two Synods outside North America--the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea-Kotte District (ELCPNG) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia and Other States (ELCROS). The focus for the ELCROS relationship is congregations in eastern Russia. An emphasis is on developing deep relationships among the people in this synod with the Companion synods. These relationships are developed through periodic visits and exchanges between the church bodies, ministry projects, exchange of communications (both traditional and e-mail), and the annual celebration of these relationships in the Epiphany season. For more information contact the church office, 913-491-8022.

Stand with Africa
Stand With Africa efforts assist communities and churches in Africa in their work to overcome HIV/AIDS, banish hunger, and build peace. Stand With Africa donations given through the ELCA are allocated to Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran World Federation, and ELCA companion churches in Africa. No administrative costs are taken from these funds.

In 2001, Stand With Africa began as a three-year campaign of the ELCA World Hunger Program, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod World Relief and Lutheran World Relief. Stand With Africa now continues as an ongoing emphasis within ELCA World Hunger. You and your congregation are invited to support Stand With Africa with "second mile" giving--over and above regular World Hunger Appeal contributions.

Lutheran World Relief
Every day in 35 countries, Lutheran World Relief (LWR) works to combat the causes of poverty and the dignity it robs from people’s lives. LWR advocates for fair trade that helps farming families earn a better income. LWR teaches people to better care for themselves, their communities, and the environment, and teaches people how to be less vulnerable to natural disasters. LWR advocates with and for them for policy changes that more fairly represents them. LWR counsels them after manmade and natural disasters, and helps them recover with material aid. LWR does all of this exclusively with partners from the communities it serves. Their partners help LWR remain incredibly efficient and effective, and let LWR help people help themselves…for a day when they won’t need LWR at all.

World Hunger Appeal
The World Hunger Appeal is how the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) addresses chronic hunger and poverty around the corner and around the world. The ELCA World Hunger Appeal improves the lives of people in need in the United States and around the world by: providing immediate relief for people affected by chronic hunger and poverty; assisting whole communities through long-term, sustainable development to help alleviate chronic hunger and poverty, advocating for justice by changing laws and systems, educating members of the ELCA in awareness of issues relating to hunger, poverty and justice. All money raised by the World Hunger Appeal comes through specially designated offerings and donations from ELCA members, congregations, and friends. The World Hunger Program receives no benevolence (general budget money from general ELCA member offerings). Fundraising efforts are directed by the World Hunger Appeal, but the ELCA's daily world hunger ministry is based in congregations, where most of the fundraising takes place.