Word for Word 2/12/25
Rev. Laura Gentry
You may have heard the recent accusations made on X (formerly Twitter) that claimed money was being laundered through religious organizations and specifically named the “Lutheran” faith.
As an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), I feel it is important to state that these statements are blatantly false. The ELCA responds to the love of Jesus Christ through compassionate service: feeding people who are hungry, caring for those who are sick, and advocating for justice, peace and the dignity of all people.
The misinformation posted on X casts baseless doubt on the funding that supports Lutheran organizations, such as Lutheran Social Services (LSI) which partners with member organizations to serve 6 million people in 1,400 communities across the United States each year. This life-saving work reaches 1 in 50 Americans including children, youth, families, older adults, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, veterans, refugees, and new Americans. It’s an affiliate of Global Refuge, a nonprofit organization formerly known as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen, president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, explained: “Our work is carried out through legally awarded contracts and grants with local, state, and federal agencies that have entrusted us with these essential services. We are deeply concerned by any effort to misrepresent our work and jeopardize the funding that enables us to fulfill our mission.”
The ELCA remains steadfast in our commitment and work with our many Lutheran partners and expressions of our church. We are also concerned for other faith based communities and organizations who have similarly come under attack. We strongly urge political leaders at all levels of government to use their offices and platforms responsibly. They should consider the impact of misleading statements and conjecture without regard for the impact those statements have on the communities targeted by these messages.
To learn more and advocate for Lutheran organizations doing the work of Christ around the world, please visit the ELCA website at elca.org.
Rev. Laura Gentry
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Lansing
