Our History

We are a young organization, incorporated as a nonprofit 501C3 in December of 1999. Though young, we have moved forward with enthusiasm, energized by the Spirit to assist in furthering God's Great Commission in Central America.

The vision for the formation of CALMS grew out of discussions between Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (Houston, Texas), the LCMS Board for Mission Services, and Lutheran Hour Ministries. Gloria Dei was looking for opportunities to guide the allocation of a portion of their mission budget into specific programs in which they could actively participate, without negatively impacting their current commitment to support the denominational mission program.

In recent years, the LCMS has encouraged and assisted the establishment of independent mission societies, specifically to meet the growing trend for congregations to become more directly involved in mission opportunities throughout the world. In additional to providing more direct involvement in mission opportunities, mission societies offer the opportunity for congregations to pool their resources. As a result, they have the ability to make a significant impact in the mission work they elect to support.

For more information on the trends in the development of mission societies and partnerships between mission societies and LCMS-World Missions, contact Rev. B. Steve Hughey, CALMS' Executive Director and a leader in the Association of Lutheran Mission Agencies (ALMA) at calmsdirector@charter.net or visit the ALMA Web site at http://www.ALMA-Online.org .