wfn.org | ELCA Honors Retiring Missionaries

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 15, 1997

ELCA HONORS RETIRING MISSIONARIES
97-14-038-AH

     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