MEET THE MISSION TEAM

Our mission to Point of Grace Academy in Kisumu, Kenya is only a couple of weeks away! Now is a good time to introduce the team being sent from Grace Lutheran in Nashua. Pastor David Stecker and his wife Carla are also joining us on our inaugural mission!

Pastor Ruwisch is very excited to visit Kenya and to serve the Point of Grace ministry there. He has gone on three mission trips to Guatemala previously – once as a participant and twice as a leader and guide. The son of a Coast Guard family, Pastor Ruwisch grew up all over, particularly up and down the East Coast. He calls Virginia home, having graduated from the University of Virginia in 2008 with a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature, after which he earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Pastor Ruwisch is particularly interested in the Mission of God – both locally and internationally. He is very passionate about preaching and teaching. Pastor Ruwisch married his wife Jennifer in August 2014. They have been blessed by three children – Caroline, Iva, and Anastasia. Pastor Ruwisch was installed as Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church on January 29, 2017.

David Morin is 31 and a software engineer. He will serve as one of the mission team’s Coordinator.   In his own words, “The main reason I wanted to join this mission team really stems from my experience on the last trip to Point of Grace (POGA) in 2021. It was without a doubt the most moving experience in my life, and observing the self-sacrifice of the Meekers and all they have done and continue to do for POGA since it’s inception, I felt a strong desire to do everything I could possibly do with the blessings God has given to me to continue to support them. I am hopeful that individually and as a team we will be able to serve to the fullest capacity through God’s will and grace. I am also excited to see the rest of the team in their individual transformations through the same moving experience I felt two years ago. It truly is a blessing to get this opportunity again! To see the impact that Grace Lutheran in Nashua can have on the other side of world in Kenya, on these children that come from such a broken start to life, is truly remarkable and indicative of God’s love for each of us in action. Through His grace, and Jesus’s death on the cross, these children are given the foundation that every child needs that they would not otherwise have, and the hope and purpose in life that none of us would otherwise have, rich or poor. What an honor it is on behalf of the congregation and your unconditional support for POGA to be able to carry out this mission, and all praise be to God for the blessings we are given for this purpose to share!”

Douglas Wright is 61 years old and is an HVAC contractor and small business owner. He has 4 grown children, including a set of triplets. He loves reading, doing charity work, paddle boarding, sitting on the beach, and spending time outdoors. He wants to go to Kenya to meet the children he and his wife sponsor, get to know the Point of Grace Academy and Kenyan culture. He is looking forward to helping POGA fix up their school buildings. Doug is the Construction Team leader for the mission and one of the Bloggers.

Rachel Walters, 51, is married to her loving husband, George, and has two wonderful sons, Evan (20) and Eric (18).  She is a homemaker who loves birdwatching, knitting, fishing, and singing.  She joined Grace Lutheran Church’s mission team to POGA in Kenya because she wants to share the good news of Jesus Christ while uplifting and encouraging others in need.  She wants to support and grow her church’s world mission efforts so that we may live out Jesus’ love. Rachel will serve as the mission team’s Musical Director and Medical Coordinator.

Michelle Wright is 60 and a retired Special Education Teacher.  I have always had a desire to contribute, work with, and help people, especially children, in a meaningful way.  I think this mission trip will provide a unique opportunity to share love, knowledge, and faith with the children at Point of Grace Academy.   Michelle will serve as one of the Bloggers for the mission trip.

Sara Morin is 24 years old and works as a construction project engineer. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors walking or biking, and reading. Her drive to become a member of Grace’s mission team came after her older brother, David Morin, visited Point of Grace in 2021 and shared testimonials of the students’ positive attitudes and unwavering faith in Jesus. She is excited for the opportunity to further serve Christ through the mission trip. Sara is the mission team’s Videographer.

Dan Wilkie is 69 years old and a retired manufacturing manager. Dan will serve as the team’s Treasurer. Dan has been a member of Grace Lutheran Church for 25 years. He wants to check out Africa, meet the little dude he’s been sponsoring, help spread the word of God, and help out the mission in any way he can.

Pastor David Stecker is one of the Team Leaders for our mission trip. “As we embark on this first Grace Lutheran Team Mission trip to Point of Grace, I am excited to see how we have come together in fellowship between our two congregations!  I am also looking forward to watching each team member grow in God’s saving grace through this intense experience and life changing journey!  It is my prayer that this will be the beginning of a wonderful relationship between Grace Lutheran Church and the entire mission at POGA where it becomes part of the fabric of what you do as a congregation.

The opportunity to share the Gospel in Word and Deed is tremendous as the children at Point of Grace are continually cared for and rescued from poverty, bringing them to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

My major role when taking a team from Emanuel Lutheran is to be spiritual leader and get us home safely.  In other words, be their pastor and help in the nurturing of their faith as we go through the experience together.  Since Pastor Ruwisch is on the team that role will primarily be his.  My main responsibility for this trip is to convey the program developed over the years from mission trips we have taken in the past and convey what we have learned to this first team at Grace!  Throughout our time together, we will learn and understand the three-point objective of the trip. 1- Become servants to the mission at Point of Grace, 2-Grow in Christ both individually and as a group. 3-Bring the mission home to Grace Lutheran and inspire involvement in the sponsorship program, future teams, and other ways to help Point of Grace and the wonderful children they serve.

Thank you Grace Lutheran Church for being part of this outreach!  I am so excited that we are partners in this mission proclaiming Christ!”

Carla Stecker is one of the Team Coordinators.   I have been given the incredible opportunity to prepare each team for Kenya.  From airline tickets, Visa’s, vaccination schedules , organizing VBS projects and Packing.  The list goes on!  The success lies in the details .  Once at Point of Grace, I keep the team focused with communication and ease of operation, not to mention participating in all the tasks and responsibilities of our team.  Thank you, Grace Lutheran church, for the privilege to serve your congregation as you begin this new relationship with Point of Grace.  To God be the Glory!