Founding LIMM

Lutherans in Medical Missions (LIMM) was incorporated in the State of Missouri as a not-for-profit corporation on December 7, 1994. In January 1996, LIMM received Internal Revenue Service tax exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization. In August 1996, LIMM was granted Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. We have maintained RSO status since then.

LIMM hired its first staff person, the Executive Director, in February 1998. In November 1999, LIMM hired a Program Coordinator. These remain the only salaried positions.

LIMM was created to help meet the needs of medical professionals desiring to use their skills as a witness for Christ in Lutheran medical ministry across the world. The founders were health care professionals, church leaders, and others concerned with the lack of medical opportunities for service in LCMS mission work. It was their desire to re-energize the medical mission ministry of the LCMS, which was so very active in earlier decades.

Connecting & Assisting

For years, LIMM’s primary task involved connecting and financially assisting medical professionals who had a desire to serve on short term mission teams.  Physicians, nurses, and those in related health care disciplines traveled to distant lands, setting up clinics, teaching national physicians, providing assessments, and aiding in disaster areas, always sharing the good news of the Gospel.  LIMM continues to be involved in such activities, and currently partners with LCMS Mercy Medical Teams (MMT) and Community Health Education (CHE) trips, providing leaders and helping equip team members when requested.

LIMM’s Vision & Growth

The vision of using CHE (Community Health Education) projects to demonstrate Witness, Mercy, and Life Together began to take root on LCMS mission fields at the beginning of this century. CHE is intended to empower individuals and communities in creating healthier, happier, and more productive lives. In 2003, LIMM began sending health care professionals to countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, Thailand, The Republic of Georgia, West Africa, and the Philippines. Together with LCMS called workers, these professionals taught and trained national Lutheran men and women, as well as others, how to teach and train their neighbors.

Recent Outreach & Support

Within the past five years, we have supported CHE Health and Wellness projects in Central America, Southeast and Central Asia (including Turkey), Africa, the Philippines, and the United States. In 2018, LIMM provided grants totaling approximately $25,000 to:

  • Sarah Kanoy, RN for medical supplies/equipment needed in her work as an LCMS career medical missionary in West Africa
  • LCMS Mercy Medical Teams for Molly Christensen, RN to take part in a Medical Mercy Team trip to Madagascar. Molly is now a career medical missionary with LCMS, in French Speaking Africa
  • LCMS RSO Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) for continuation of CHE activities.
  • Sharon Thomas, RN for continuation of CHE activities in Belize
  • Stephanie Schulte, RN for a Wound Certification Course, in preparation for ministry as a career LCMS medical missionary in West Africa
  • LCMS Mercy Medical Teams Scholarships for students and others with a heart for medical mission ministry, but who are unable to afford the cost of a trip
  • Jesus our Savior Lutheran Church and School, Winnebago, Nebraska, for the “Spirit Led, Spirit Fed and Spirit Driven Family Life Ministry Pilot Program” on the Winnebago Indian Reservation.
  • Elizabeth Natura, Parish Nurse in Papua New Guinea, for  repair of damages to the first aid station used by Elizabeth and her colleagues.
  • Molly Christensen and Michelle Kuddes, LCMS career missionaries to West Africa, for a CHE  workshop.
  • Lutheran Parish Nurses International (LPNI) for Travel Grants to Parish Nurses from medically underserved areas that otherwise would not be able to participate.
  • Concordia Welfare& Education Foundation (CWEF) for Drinking water and other Community Health Projects