Longtime missionaries to Africa spell out experiences in Hampshire
Submitted by Zion UMC
Two well-known United Methodist missionaries to Africa, who are now on furlough, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 30, at Zion United Methodist Church, 157 W. Jefferson Ave., Hampshire. The public is invited. Bring the whole family. A nursery will be available.
Lowell and Claudia Wertz will display African artifacts, and share a video and experiences from their 33 years of serving Joy in the Harvest in Africa. They have been missionaries to Africa since 1980, having served in both Congo and Tanzania. Originally from Indiana, the couple have been married 40 years, with two married children and two grandchildren.
Lowell serves as a District Superintendent for the United Methodist Church for the Kigoma and Kasulu Districts in Tanzania. Together, with his wife Claudia, their work with Joy in the Harvest includes many ministries to the poor including a destitute camp caring for 42 handicapped Africans, a feeding program that served more than 52,000 meals in 2011, a community center that seats 500, a computer training school which has graduated 1,500 students, a school for African women, a guesthouse, as well as evangelism and church planting. Their goal for 2014 is to start the first Christian recording studio and radio station, Radio JOY, in western Tanzania.
Tanzania is an extremely poor nation. Per capital income is only $246 per year. The city of Kigoma is the second poorest in Tanzania. Kigoma is known for its witchcraft and is located close to three major war zones of the last decade. It is a place of great need both physically and spiritually. The Wertz’s aim is to provide expertise and resources needed by the church in Africa for making Christian disciples.
A freewill offering will be accepted to support their work.
Prior to the presentation, the couple will be guests at a potluck dinner, hosted by the Zion United Methodist Women, at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to the meal. If you are able, bring a dish to pass. For more information, visit zionunitedmethodistchurchofhampshire.com or call the Rev. Diana K. Otterbacher at (847) 683-2430. For information on Joy in the Harvest, visit joyintheharvest.com.