Everett pastor called to help poor in India

Published 11:02 pm Friday, September 12, 2008

EVERETT — Newlywed pastor Stephen Odegaard of Everett’s Calvary Lutheran Church soon will help dig wells in India and provide food, clothing and other aid to the poor in Third World countries.

In August, Odegaard was elected a director of Alpha Omega Compassion, a new nonprofit mission organization based in Minnesota, created to help churches primarily in India.

Odegaard has been the pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Everett for the past five years, he said. Prior to that, he was a pastor in North Dakota for 15 years. Odegaard’s previous wife of 40 years died. He married Peggy Schuman on June 8.

So how did Odegaard get a post on a Minnesota-based nonprofit?

“For 15 years I was secretary of the World Mission Commission for the Association of Free Lutherans,” said Odegaard. “One of the men who is a founder of the nonprofit asked me to serve on the board.”

Alpha Omega Compassion was organized to support Lutheran-related churches in the Third World, primarily in India, said Odegaard.

The mission also plans to support the AFLC-USA and its World Missions Commission in supporting pastors who work abroad, the nonprofit said in a press release.

“The nonprofit’s mission work is to provide orphanage help for young people who don’t have a place to live,” said Odegaard. “Our goal is to encourage the churches in India to take a more active role in prayer and support, and we’ll do all we can to help them.”

The organization plans to begin its work by spreading the word about the needs in India and other places, through members of its Lutheran congregations throughout the world, said Odegaard.

“Contributions will be used largely for food, clothing and water. Finding safe water is one of the most critical needs. We want to dig as many wells as we can,” he said.

Alpha Omega may also help provide medicine, medical professionals, supplies and schools for underprivileged children.

For more information, call 763-557-2996 or e-mail eenderlein@alphaomegacompassion.org, or contact Alpha Omega Compassion, 4600 Hemlock Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55442-2471.

Open House for pregnant teen ministry today

Haven for Life Ministries, a new nonprofit organization created to help pregnant teens, hosts an open house to tour its recently opened Grace Manor from 3 to 7 p.m. today at 609 108th Place SE, Everett. The state recently granted Haven for Life its license for Grace Manor as a home for pregnant teens. The nonprofit’s mission is to provide a home and resources for pregnant teenage girls as an alternative to abortion.

During their stay, Haven of Life volunteers hope to help the teens obtain life skills and to encourage them to continue their academic goals and to “receive the good news of Jesus Christ,” said Grace Lantz, executive director.

The home will be run under the authority and supervision of Bethany Christian Services. Haven For Life Ministries also plans to provide counseling, computer training and life skills training including cooking, meal planning, shopping for meals, personal finances and day-to-day practical assistance in job readiness, birthing classes, pre-natal care, post-natal care, parenting classes and adoption coordination.

For more information, call 425-418-8315 or go to www.havenforlifeministries.org.