After a life of being forced to flee the dangers of home during wartime and living as a refugee in Ethiopia where he for remained for 15 years, eventually moving to St. Louis and getting connected with area ministries including CFNA, this year, On April 26, Lewi accepted a call from St. Trinity Lutheran Church to serve as a pastor and missionary among New Americans in the St. Louis area and beyond!

The International Institute of St. Louis recognized CFNA as an organization who has worked to support immigrants and refugees being resettled in our city by awarding CFNA the Multiculturalism Advocate Award!

CFNA recently had opportunities to display a daily reminder of Christ's love for the refugee in their homes through special booths provided at multiple events, providing many with the opportunity to see and support our cross cultural ministry.

As Christians, we believe in the God who dwelt with man to show all how to use their hands, feet, eyes, and mouths in service to their neighbor and toward one another. In this special day of restoration provided by Christians seeking to serve refugees, relationships began that extend beyond a single day. Volunteers realized small but meaningful ways they could serve this refugee community.

This new skill of driving will not only provide them with independence, it also enables them to better serve the members of their family, and their respective communities as well. With approximately 400 students participating in our classes and behind-the-wheel instruction so far, this successful program (provided free of charge!) has brought students from more than a dozen birth nations including Afghanistan, Haiti, India, Congo, and more.

One golfer, Jerry Wendt, who has participated in the event since its inception, said: “We support what CFNA has done and continues to do in service to the opportunity to reach out to people who need to be supported in a myriad of ways while being focused on sharing the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Including students from 15 birth nations including Nepal, Bhutan, Kenya, Congo, Egypt, Guatemala, Korea, Albania and more, Word of Life Lutheran School was voted as the #1 Private School in St. Louis!is growing. None of this would be possible without the partnership of numerous congregations and organizations like Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) and the enduring presence of Christ among us. 

Joy was brought to all as 20 New American youth from Messiah Lutheran and their families helped our New American friends experience their first-ever game of bowling! Fashionable shoes were tied, digital scorecards completed, and pins were struck with a shared sense of accomplishment.

“America and CFNA are special to me and my family.  They have given me an education and new friends, and have provided us with a new home,” says Rhoda Mapenzi, a high school student who came to the USA from Uganda with her family when she was 6 years old.

During the past several months a stream of refugees has arrived in St. Louis from countries where there are few if any Christians.  Many of these people, who know little about Christ’s love for them, are living in the shadows of the steeples of our own churches. Christian Friends of New Americans seeks to bridge this gap through a ministry of Community Engagement.

CFNA’s Adopt a Student program has always been a partnership between CFNA and other organizations and individuals. The Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis was the first partner, along with the initial schools that scholars attended, and Concordia Kirkwood. Since 2007, we have added a substantial number of individual donors who contribute annually. In addition, other churches and, occasionally, Lutheran schools in the metropolitan area have made a commitment. 

Empowering young Christian leaders of tomorrow is a mission goal for CFNA. Providing a platform of real-life experience for the engagement of American and New American youths for the purpose of service, witness and the development of leadership skills highlights the value of its Summer Internship program as CFNA was blessed with the service of three young men; Joel Hoehner, Charles Nshimiyimana and Micheal Shukuru.

Mission Possible! What started as indifference gave way to curiosity and then to increasing interest as the importance of these lessons became apparent. By the time a return trip home was being readied, numerous invitations to return and teach more classes were received!

Bike Path: After attending a two-hour session every Saturday morning continuously for six weeks. students were able to earn their own bikes, having learned how to operate, ride and maintain them. The students’ parents were entirely supportive of this, as the bikes would be a welcome addition to each refugee family’s meager resources.

Phoibe Nyrumbe writes, “Education literally came knocking at my door, through a man who has become a friend, Pastor Stanish. He introduced my family to CFNA. This opened doors which enabled me to meet people who are in the same circumstances as me and gave my family hope and relief knowing that we are not alone.”