Cayman Island missionaries to visit Arlington Heights church
On Tuesday, June 24, Cayman Island missionaries Rev. Gerald and Heidi Paul will share about their experiences as career missionaries at 5:30 p.m. at Living Christ Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights.
The public is invited to attend a potluck supper followed by what promises to be an interesting presentation and question and answer session. Admission is free and there is ample parking behind the church located at 625 E. Dundee Road.
As a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod pastor and church planter, Gerald works with the church leadership of Safe Harbor Lutheran Church to reach out to the people of the Cayman Islands – both locals and expats – with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Gerald also provides pastoral care in Bermuda and is an adjunct professor at Concordia the Reformer Seminary in the Dominican Republic where he teaches courses online.
Heidi supports these mission efforts through her culinary and creative talents to help create awareness for Safe Harbor in the community. She is also helping with the on-going goal of opening a preschool on the island.
Gerald and Heidi are originally from South Africa. Gerald’s home congregation is the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wittenberg near Piet Retief, Mpumalanga, and Heidi’s is St. John’s Lutheran Parish in Shelly Beach, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Gerald graduated with his Master of Divinity and doctorate in missiology from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN. Heidi earned her teaching degree in South Africa and her master’s degree in early childhood education in Montana. They grew up speaking four languages (German, Afrikaans, English, and Zulu) and are adding Spanish which they started studying in 2021. This greatly benefits their mission work with the multicultural, multilingual population on the island. Gerald served as a parish pastor in South Africa, Wyoming, and Montana prior to serving on Grand Cayman.
Those attending will have an opportunity to learn about the challenges and rewards of missionary life. The event also will provide and opportunity to learn about growing up in South Africa and how the Lord has worked in the lives of Paul and Heidi.
For more information, contact Lynne at the church office at (847) 577-7133 or lclcoffice@aol.com.