For Immediate Release
Contact: Vicki Biggs
Director, Integrated Communications
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
www.lcms.org
314-996-1236
314-556-3829 (cell)
ST. LOUIS, April 22, 2013—In observation of World Malaria Day, Thursday, April 25, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) through the Lutheran Malaria Initiative is encouraging its members and all concerned individuals to remember those suffering from malaria by praying a special prayer.
One child in Africa dies every 60 seconds from malaria. In a single 24-hour period – one day – 1,440 children in Africa will succumb to this disease. World Malaria Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage people to join in the worldwide effort to end malaria deaths in Africa.
“You can help make a big difference for the people of Africa who are suffering from malaria,” said LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison. “Please join us in prayer April 25 at 2:40 p.m. local time – 14:40 on a 24-hour clock – to lift up all those who are facing the devastating effects of malaria.”
The special World Malaria Day prayer from the Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI) and other resources can be found at www.lcms.org/lmi.
LMI is a partnership of Lutheran World Relief and the LCMS to mobilize U.S. Lutherans in the global effort to eliminate malaria deaths in Africa. In an expression of the Christian faith and God’s love for all, LMI educates Lutherans about malaria, advocates for global health initiatives and raises funds to help combat the disease. LMI has been made possible through support from the United Nations Foundation.
About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a biblical, confessional, witness-oriented Christian denomination with 2.3 million members in 6,200 congregations. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church carries out its mission worldwide to make known the love of Jesus Christ. Learn more at www.lcms.org.
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