Summer 2026 - Mission Highlights
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, calls us believers to live openly and visibly, reflecting God’s love and truth so that others can see and be drawn to Him. Our good works, though not salvific, should be displayed for the benefit of all and not hidden away. Such visibility is not for our personal gain, but to glorify God and point others to Him. Here at Central Ohio Lutheran Immigrant Mission (COLIM), as Christ’s witness, we reach out to Somali Muslims and other immigrants in the central Ohio area, serving others, daily expressing the Lord’s compassion, generosity, mercy, forgiveness, peace and love so that such people can notice and are drawn to God’s love in Christ. Just as light dispels shadows, we strive that our witness in Word and deed might bring clarity, hope, and eternal salvation to those who do not know Jesus. Jesus, the light of the World, continues to shine through our Gospel proclamation among Somali Muslims, serving Ebenezer Congregation and nurturing Kunama Lutherans here in central Ohio.
Sharing God’s Love - Evangelizing Somali Muslims
As COLIM plants the seeds of generosity among Somali Muslims, and as we water those seeds of love with prayer and build authentic relationships for the sake of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit is opening the hearts of Somali Muslims to trust in Jesus as the Lord and Savior. Christian compassion goes a long way. Those families who see us truly love them are open to hear our message about Christ’s saving death and resurrection, rescinding their Quranic rejection of the crucified Christ. This Summer, three Somali Muslim families are open to pastoral visits and prayers offered in Jesus’ name. Meanwhile, in one of those families, a young adult woman is willing and ready to be baptized soon. Thanks be to God!
Kunama Lutherans
As Lutheran congregations we cooperate on specific events such as confirmation classes, the Lord’s Supper, youth fellowship, VBS, shared pastoral service and other outreach ministry projects as needed. It is a blessing to partner with our Kunama Lutheran brothers and sisters in Christ through sharing the facility the Lord has entrusted to us. This summer, I learned from Kunama Lutheran leaders that they wanted a young couple’s marriage proposal to be a part of a Church service. It was a good thing to bless the engaged couple in our Church setting as a sacred and meaningful place to begin a chaste commitment towards their wedding day.
Ebenezer Congregation
What a week we had at Ebenezer VBS this Summer! Ebenezer VBS, July 13-17, drew about 70 children. The VBS topic was “Surprise Party” a curriculum centered on the theme of unexpected grace found in the book of Luke, where Jesus’ shares about parties always carrying a surprise: grace for those who are overlooked, rejected, or “undeserving.” Ebenezer teenagers served as teachers with skits, crafts, singing and reading texts. Rev. Larry Kudart and his wife Sandy helped with VBS the first two days. Thank you, Pastor Kudart and Sandy!
During VBS week, Ebenezer held parenting workshops that help them safeguard their children from social media influences and worldly temptations emphasizing the importance of daily family devotions and setting godly examples. Parents are reminded about using Luther’s catechism as an important tool to steward and pass Christian values to the next generation. Blessed with baptism too.
May God Richly Bless You
In Christ’s Mission,
Rev. Dr. Berhanu Arsse
Pastor – Ebenezer E.E. Church – LCMS & Missionary with COLIM
Thanksgiving Report and Prayer Requests
We thank God for your support to COLIM in reaching Somali Muslims and other people with the Gospel of Jesus here in central Ohio. Your continued partnership is vital to keep COLIM shining the light of Jesus among Somali Muslims in Word and deed.
Please pray for Somali Christians as they need our love in action, care and continued encouragement.
Please continue to pray for the Lord to provide “tent-making” vocations for Somali Christians.
Please pray for the Lord’s continued blessing upon the outreach efforts of COLIM, to see more Muslims believe in Jesus, get baptized and become disciples.