spreading god's love Near and Far

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

One of the core values of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) is that we are a “Mission-Driven” church body. Your Mission & Outreach Committee seeks to incorporate this core value into the daily life and ministry of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church–Vilmar. We wish to thank you for your continued support for our mission projects in our congregation, as we look for ways to minister God's word to others.

Below you will find a variety of organizations Vilmar has supported in the past. To stay up-to-date with all of the church’s projects, follow us on Facebook.

Click on a month below to view the project your Mission and Outreach team has chosen to feature in 2024.

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October

Thank You

Thank you to everyone for your continued support of Vilmar’s mission projects in 2023 – whether you made financial contributions, purchased supplies, attended a mission event, or simply offered prayers for the organizations – THANK YOU! Your generosity allowed us to bless many different organizations locally, nationally, and internationally. Our church is truly mission-driven because of everyone’s support, and we look forward to the great things that Vilmar can do in the future.

Click on a month below to view the mission projects.

Vilmar’s 2023 Mission Partners

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

Vilmar’s 2022 Mission Partners

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

Vilmar’s 2021 Mission Partners

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

Vilmar’s 2020 Mission Partners

December | November | October | September | August | July | June | May | April | March | February | January

Vilmar’s 2019 Mission Partners

December | November | October | September | August | July | June | May | April | March | February

NALC Disaster Relief

Vilmar donated the following items for NALC Disaster Relief on Saturday, Sept. 21: 25 flood buckets, 45 Bibles, 14 devotional books, 100 quilts, 2 flannel sheet sets, 6 blankets, 2 mops, 2 brooms/dustpans, 2 rakes, 7 pkgs diapers (child and adult), 6 pkgs feminine hygiene products, 5 health kits, 41 elementary school kits, 5 high school kits, 4 kitchen kits, 4 pkgs masks, and 2 pkgs gloves. The items are ready to be distributed to families in need when natural disasters strike. Thank you the Luther League kids for packing the kits, and thank you to everyone for your generous donations for this mission project!

Wilder Park Service Project

On Saturday, Aug. 24, Vilmar volunteers worked at weed whipping around park benches and large border stones, and washing and rinsing the park benches around both ponds and the church benches too. Thank you to everyone for the help with this service project! For more photos, visit our Facebook page!

Boyden Mission Trip

From left: Pastor Keen, Jen Seehusen, Cody Seehusen, JayLynn Seehusen, Monica Edeker, and Jason Edeker worked in Hawarden to assist homeowner, John (right), whose home had been impacted by the spring flood. For more information or details, you can watch our recent mission presentation on Vilmar’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsVilmar/videos/794207949576951

Avoca Mission Trip

The first Vilmar group went to Avoca, Iowa, to help a family from Trinity Lutheran who were in the basement of their house as the storm ripped off all the siding, tore off the home’s roof and ripped up their floors. The group cleaned out the basement, pulled off slick brick siding, moved tubs, cut fallen trees – all totaling four loaded dumpsters about 12x6-feet big. The family was very appreciative. They have three children and another due soon. The hospitality of the church was wonderful. They provided meals and the fellowship hall to sleep in. Both Compline and Matins services were done together, too. It was a rewarding experience.

2024 Scholarship Recipients

The Mission and Outreach Committee of St. John’s has made it a priority to live out one of the core values of the NALC by being a “mission-driven” church. As part of an outreach project to the local communities, every year the church awards a one-time, $500 scholarship to one boy and one girl from the graduating class of North Butler High School. 

Pictured are this year’s recipients, Carter O’Dowd (center) and Mollie Buss (right), with Pastor Keen (left) during the awards ceremony at North Butler Middle School auditorium on Wednesday, May 15.

Feed My Starving Children

Vilmar members helped pack meals the Butler County Feed My Starving Children event at Bethel Reformed on Saturday, March 23.

Christmas Caroling

St. John’s – Vilmar sent out 20 carolers on Sunday, Dec. 10. What a joy to see so many come out and sing for the Christmas season for our Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you to everyone who joined in, sang, drove us around, and provided the supper afterward. Thank you to the youth group and leaders who provided gifts for all the Vilmar members we sang to. The Christmas Carolers are pictured above singing at the Allison Care Center. In the back, from left to right: Barb Wagner, Ron Salge, Jeff Seehusen, Pam Roose, Jim Wubbena, Carol Seehusen, Diane Hummel, Diane Salge, Pastor Keen, Margaret DeBower, Merlette Cassmann, Meredith Steere, Linda Steere, Betty Rewerts, Charlene Hubbard, Ken DeBower, Dave Hubbard, Kurt Roose, and Jane Thompson. – Jane Thompson, Senior Choir Director

Meal Packing Event

Some Vilmar members enjoyed an afternoon at Algona UMC packing meals on Sunday, Nov. 12. The rice and bean meals kits were supplied by The Outreach Program out of Union, Iowa, and will be given to GoServ Global’s mission work in Haiti. Pictured from left to right are: Margaret DeBower, Barb Meyer, Pastor Keen, Jason Edeker, Kimberley Edeker, Monica Edeker, Jeremy Edeker, Jim Wubbena, and Ken DeBower.

GodSpeed Equine Barn Warming Event

The Vilmar group enjoyed an evening at GodSpeed Equine’s barn warming event near Dallas Center recently. Two years ago some of our members helped build fences at the ranch. Last night we were able to see the progress since then – they have completed their barn, put up an indoor and outdoor arena, and have been serving many youth in the communities since then. Their next project will be to put up another building for offices, storage, caretaker quarters, bathrooms, etc.
The night started with a presentation of colors on horseback by some of the kids in the program, a meal, silent auction, and a program detailing the history and future for the organization. There was a live band, and lots of faith, fellowship, good food, and fun! 

GodSpeed Equine is a faith-based equine therapy program that helps local, at-risk youth grow, heal, and find hope using horses and the love of Jesus. The program is a self-discovery process for students, which leads to personal transformation. The 6-week character-building program consists of two sessions per week. Participants engage in Christian devotions, journaling, basic horsemanship, feeding, grooming, saddling, and riding; a coach/mentor helps them process and overcome challenges. The program is free of charge. They will soon be expanding their program to provide faith-based equine therapy for veterans, first responders, and woman and children coming out of human trafficking.

Special Hope Network Presentation

On Sunday, July 9 Jessica (Cramer) Mwanza, a Speech Language Pathologist who works with Special Hope Network in Zambia, Africa, presented a mission presentation at Vilmar.
Special Hope Network is a faith based Christian organization caring for children with intellectual disabilities in Zambia. The network exists to bring glory to God by creating a world where all kids are valued. They impact communities by improving care for these kids. This starts by equipping families and caregivers to provide these children with a loving home, holistic health care, and exceptional education and therapies. 
Jessica is the granddaughter of Lois Stauffer of Allison. She is pictured with her husband, Grandson Mwanza.

Memorial Day Service

Thank you to the Allison AmVets for leading the Memorial Day Service at the South Vilmar Cemetery on Monday, May 29.

2023 Scholarship Recipients

The Mission and Outreach Committee of St. John’s has made it a priority to live out one of the core values of the NALC by being a “mission-driven” church. As part of an outreach project to the local communities, every year the church awards a one-time, $500 scholarship to one boy and one girl from the graduating class of North Butler High School. All students may apply, as the scholarship is not awarded based on GPA, nor is it limited to only St. John’s members. The students are selected based on their application responses. 

Pictured are this year’s recipients, Ethan Litterer (left) and Kiya Johnson (right), during the awards ceremony at North Butler Middle School auditorium on Wednesday, May 17. Julie Eberline (center) presented the award for our church this year. Thank you.

Disaster Relief Collection

Thank you to everyone who donated to our March mission project - NALC Disaster Relief's flood bucket collection. We have 20 buckets filled with supplies and ready to be delivered! These buckets will go to aid people in need around the U.S. We never know when a natural disaster will happen, but we are happy to be a part of the recovery process when it does strike by providing these buckets in the name of Jesus Christ.

We are ALWAYS collecting items for flood buckets, health care kits, school kits, kitchen kits, Bibles, devotional books, gift cards, miscellaneous cleaning supplies, as well as quilts and blankets from our sewing group. More information can be found at https://thenalc.org.

Operation Christmas Child

Thank You to everyone who helped fill shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child this year! We packed and sent 83 boxes. We appreciate everyone’s gift donations, financial support, and prayers as the organization works to bring the Gospel to children and communities around the world with these gifts and the message of Jesus Christ.

Relay For Life of Butler County

Butler County Relay For Life will be held Friday, July 8 from 6-10:30 p.m., at the Butler County Fairgrounds in Allison. Survivors need to register by June 30 to guarantee a shirt. Register online at www.relayforlife.org/butlercountyia. The ever-popular silent auction will be back again this year, and St. John’s has donated a children’s Bible basket, and a teen’s Bible bag.

Sunday of Hope 2022

On Sunday, June 12 during the morning worship service, we honored, remembered, and prayed for those and their families who have been impacted by cancer. The narthex and sanctuary were decorated with luminaries from Margaret DeBower’s and Jennifer Seehusen’s Relay For Life teams, and each name was read. This is always a special Sunday for our Vilmar Family. Thank you to Margaret for writing and reading the commemoration for us, and thank you to everyone who helped set-up/take down the luminaries.

Memorial Day Service

Thank you to the Allison AmVets for leading the Memorial Day Service at the South Vilmar Cemetery on Monday, May 29.

Food Bank Collection

Thanks to everyone who supported our mission efforts for the Allison and Greene Food Banks during the month of August. The food was divided between the two and delivered earlier in September. The church also gave $500 to each food pantry. Thanks for your continued to support of our monthly mission projects at Vilmar.

Balcony Quilt Completed

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:10-11
In an attempt to help absorb some of the echo in the sanctuary, the Church Council asked Vilmar’s Sewing Ministry group if they would stitch together a special project for the church. The ladies created a 5-piece cross and stained glass quilt that spans the length of the back wall of the balcony. The center panel is made up of small, detailed pieces which form a large cross in the middle, contrasted with light and dark squares. On either side of the cross, there are two more panels that have a stained glass design of bright, bold, rich colors framed in black.
The council would like to extend a special thank you to the skilled sewers involved in making this quilt come to life: Margaret DeBower, Betty Rewerts, Ann Brocka, Tammy Fleshner, and Brenda Boden. We would also like to thank Ron Salge and Jim Wubbena for designing the brackets and getting the quilt panels hung up this past week. Thanks to each one of you for giving of your time and talents to complete this project. We appreciate your willingness to serve the church with your gifts.
Be sure to look up at the balcony when we resume in-person worship to see the vibrancy and beauty of the quilts for yourself, and don’t forget to thank all those involved in helping put this project together.
–Vilmar’s Church Council

Mission Trip to Juarez, Mexico

Jason Edeker, and his girlfriend, Karly Nederhoff, participated in a mission trip to Juarez, Mexico, from July 13-19, 2019. The mission team, which consisted of 21 members from around the midwest, worked through Emmanuel Covenant Church, at Emmanuel Children’s Home.
The home was founded by Josue Lopez in 1962. Since then, they have been providing a safe shelter, nourishment, education, medical care, creative outlets, and spiritual guidance to the underprivileged children of Juarez. The home has some similarities to an orphanage, however the kids aren’t orphans.
A majority of the kids who stay at the home come from struggling single-parent families. Some of the parents work multiple shifts in a single day–every day–and still only bring home $6, which is not enough to provide for their children. Since they can’t afford to feed or school their kids, and they can’t look after them during the week while they are working, they send them to the Children’s Home.
The kids arrive at the home on Sunday nights. They spend the weekdays in a safe environment and receive the food and nourishment they need to grow and learn. The children also participate in school, Bible School, and worship services. They return to their families on Friday nights and spend the weekend with them.
The Children’s Home hires local people to work at the home and school throughout the year. During the summer, three different mission groups spend five days each helping at the home with various projects, assisting with Bible School activities, and spending time worshiping with the kids.
Many of the children have sponsors from the U.S. as well, to help with the financial responsibilities for housing and staffing the home.
The following is a recap from Jason and Karly from the five days their group spent with the children:
Day 1: In the morning our group hiked a mountain near the children’s home. Next, we toured the home and school. At the end of the day we were able to meet the children staying there.
Day 2: In the morning we created “activity stations” for the children, such as coloring, ring toss, an obstacle course, and tie-dye. Each day we read Bible verses with the children–in Spanish. In the afternoon, we choreographed a dance for the children, played kickball, and made peace bracelets.
Day 3: In the morning we watched the older boys participate in a PE class where they learned how to play tennis. We also attended a church service in Juarez. Next, we split into activity stations again–playing hot potato, matching, and Twister. In the afternoon, we practiced our dance, made bookmarks with Bible verses, and played volleyball.
Day 4: In the morning, we played volleyball, practiced our dance, and did STEM activities–creating boats using Play-Doh and popsicle sticks and making cup towers. In the afternoon, we took the children off-site to Fiesta Park, where we roller-skated, rode a mechanical bull, drove bumper cars, and climbed a high-ropes course.
Day 5: In the morning the children played American football, basketball, and frisbee. In the afternoon we had a party. The children performed their dance, wore their tie-dye shirts, made photo frames, and played games like Twister, Jenga, and Uno. They won prizes of freeze pops, stickers, and sunglasses. At the end of the day, we said our goodbyes to the children and prepared to head home.
Thank you again for all the prayers and support that allowed us to participate in this amazing mission trip.

Feed My Starving Children MobilePack Event

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church – Vilmar held a Feed My Starving Children MobilePack Event on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 28 and 29, 2018. A total of 101,088 meals were packed and later shipped to Guatemala. Roughly 410 volunteers, ages 5-90, from 11+ congregations including individuals from all over the state, joined together in one great mission. This video doesn't even begin to scratch the surface at showing all the time and energy that was put into making this event possible. We have enjoyed the countless, heart-warming stories from all the different volunteers who took the time to be a part of this amazing mission with us, and we cannot thank you enough. Until all are fed...

Soldier Boxes

At the beginning of the 2017-18 school year, the Confirmation and Little Lutheran students began a mission project of sending boxes to Vilmar's military men and women. The congregation’s support was amazing, and we would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who supplied items or gave monetary donations. A total of 19 boxes were sent to six of Vilmar’s soldiers. We received many thank yous from them for the boxes; some even expressed that they were so happy to share all the contents with their company, and how it lifted them up with the unexpected gifts. This project wouldn’t have been possible without all your contributions.

Short-term Mission Trips

Over the past few years, Vilmar has been supporting mission trips to Les Cayes, Haiti with GoServ Global.On each of the trips, the groups work at the orphanages and villages in many different ways. A big project for most of the trips is to complete a Safe T Home, work on welding projects, provide help with farm work, and give love and interaction to the orphans.
• In October of 2012, six members of Vilmar (Mark Walker, Jason Edeker, Warren Van Dyke, Robert Dralle, Tim Stoner, and Ken DeBower) embarked on a journey to the island.
• In June of 2014, Jason Edeker joined a neighboring church in Nora Springs on their trip to Les Cayes.
• In April of 2015, six members (Mark Walker, Patty Walker, Jason Edeker, Robert Dralle, Margaret DeBower, and Jenise Westendorf) traveled to the island.
• In January of 2017, Jason Edeker made his way back to the island. His mission was to help with clean-up and re-construction from destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew in the fall of 2016.
• In January of 2019, Jason Edeker took his fifth trip to Haiti.

Videos from each trip are displayed below.

Ron Salge also went on a mission trip to a northern region in Haiti, with a church from Hampton. They did a lot of manual concrete work and provided love and support to the orphans in that village.