Since 2019, more than 425 people have volunteered to help at CFNA! On September 15, about 75 of these volunteers were able to join us for a special Volunteer Appreciation event. Volunteer and After School Tutoring leader Amy Zeigler observed that, “There is a certain synergy that happens between these young tutors and the friends with whom they work..."

74 riders and 21 volunteers came out to support the inaugural Cycle for the City charity bike ride held on September 6th!

Approximately 1400 refugees are expected to arrive in St. Louis during the next 12 months. Help us prepare to minister to these refugees upon their arrival so that they might meet Jesus through our hands and feet.

Over the 4 days of this program, the Marquette Recreation Center and Riley Schelp, a previous CFNA intern, provided swimming instruction. It was a great opportunity for our children at CFNA (many who do not know how to swim), to learn how to stay safe in the water and have fun with their friends. Throughout the week many students expressed, “Look, look Lydia! I can swim!!”

What an exciting time of ministry at Epiphany Lutheran Church. In the past few months, six individuals have been baptized into Christ! Praise God! Of those six, three children have ties to the country of Albania. What a joy it is for others to pass through these waters to be forgiven and adopted into God’s family!

We are pleased to welcome Rev. Matt Clark as a Board Member of Christian Friends of New Americans. Rev. Clark serves as the Senior Pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church and Word of Life Lutheran School.

CFNA began with just three ministry partners: By God’s grace, this number has grown to 86; 46 Lutheran congregations and 40 like-minded organizations. Included are seven Lutheran primary and secondary schools, as well as 650 donors and 250 volunteers.

CFNA again participated in Concordia Lutheran Church’s Vacation Bible School, celebrating the theme: “Destination Dig: Unearthing the Truth About Jesus”. The VBS reached 90 participants with 25 of those being New American children from CFNA, “digging deep” with the words of Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

“CFNA is doing really important work for people who otherwise would find it hard to understand things in America. I pray that many more people would be helped by CFNA and that many of those people would also then become involved in helping other New Americans, and helping them to come closer to Jesus.” - Joan Okine

We are pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Douglas Rutt as a Board Member of Christian Friends of New Americans. Dr. Rutt, together with his wife Deborah and family, has long been engaged in mission-related service under the auspices of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Lutheran High School South donated over 25 iMacs and desktops to the Peace Center for distribution to New American families. The computer donations were in popular demand. “Pastor, can you please give me one more iMac for my friend Monila” was Sumitra’s (Nepal) request as she picked up one for her family. She added, “This is a good machine for online study. My young sister will use it, and so will I.”

What impact has CFNA made for the Kingdom of God in the last decade? Join us as we ponder this powerful reality: Since 2010, we have seen more than 250 baptisms and/or confirmations of 217 people! This includes more than 100 Nepali New Americans born in either Bhutan or Nepal.

Our most recent staff recruit, Lydia Knorp will be with CFNA for the summer to assist with programming related to ministry among refugees and immigrants. Her passion for ministry has enabled her to quickly feel at home at CFNA. This has everything to do with serving in the company of kindred souls, those who are equally passionate about the mission. As Lydia put it, “It is incredibly meaningful to work with a team that shares my passion.”

In this informative and practical webinar, hosted by LCMS Urban & Inner-City Mission, CFNA’s Carol Buckman presents what it looks like to reach the heart of the refugee woman! You are invited to watch and see how anyone, and everyone, can play an important part in sharing Christ’s love with refugees!

Spontaneous or Planned…learn ways to share the Gospel in Meaningful Relationships! “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care! Listen to this special podcast where Sarah Seying hosts CFNA’s Carol Buckman on this always-important topic!

Join us in welcoming Gary Uhlemeyer, new board member for CFNA! Gary looks forward to lending his considerable experience to CFNA and its ministry among New Americans.

“Pastor, give me the trash bag…I want to go pick up trash and clean the place,” was Congolese participant– Jacqueline’s request. Volunteers proceeded to move up and down S. Grand Blvd. including the alleys around the Peace Center picking up trash, mowing lawns, and cutting weeds. Volunteers from Extreme Faith, a CFNA partner ministry, joined in the event as well. Extreme Faith leader Kevin Mennel was pleased to be part of it. “Thank you for inviting us to the event…this is why we exist…we love to serve others.”

23 New Americans from five birth nations were vaccinated. Heather and Deborah, registered nurses from SLU Nursing School were glad to help with all necessary arrangements. “It is our mission to help vaccinate as many people as we can in this fight against the pandemic, and we are glad to help your friends here as well.”

CFNA’s service ministries are enhanced enormously by partnerships with like minded organizations. Dr. Heather Wade of St. Louis University’s School of Nursing shares her recent experience through Health and Wellness service through Christian Friends of New Americans.

On May 6, 2021, the St. Louis Community Foundation held its 8th annual Give STL Day, generating $4.8 million for St. Louis regional non-profit organizations. Give STL Day is a 24-hour online day-of-giving event, designed to ignite the spirit of giving across the region. CFNA was one of these organizations who benefited!