Speaking As Lutherans Together
Companion Synod Mission Trip
for the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the ELCA
and District V of the HKBP in Indonesia
Main Goal:
Gospel-driven companionship in accompaniment with District V of the HKBP (i.e., the Batak Lutheran Church: the largest Lutheran Church in Asia)
Other Goals:
- Provide short-term mission and learning opportunities for adults from the I-K Synod and District V of the HKBP
- Improve conversational English skills of HKBP leaders
- Reflect upon the role of women in the church and society
Travel: By group (no exceptions) to Medan from Indianapolis; 32-36 hours by plane from Indianapolis and 4-6 hours by tour bus to the SALT venue hotel on Lake Toba.
Lodging: Venue for the seminar will be the Sopo Toba resort on the shores of Lake Toba, the Batak Lutheran heartland. The Indiana-Kentucky Synod has already used this fine, Lutheran-owned hotel. The 3-star facility is clean, modern and professionally staffed and maintained.
Because of the elevation of the Lake Toba region (3,500 feet), temperatures are a moderate range of between 65-70 degrees at night with highs during the day of around 85-90 degrees with fresh mountain breezes.
Proposed dates: July 16-31, 2008 (dates may change slightly).
Pre-planning sessions: May and June, 2008 TBA.
The visit to the HKBP will consist of several days of getting acquainted with our partner synod, followed by the actual 5-day SALT seminar.
Following the completion of the course, there will be several days of planned travel within North Sumatra to visit other friends and ministries of the HKBP.
Food: Local food includes rice with chicken, pork, fish, vegetables and exotic tropical fruits. Individuals with dietary restrictions (e.g. diabetics, vegans, etc.) may find challenges. Expect lots of rice and meat!
Cost: Participants are responsible for raising their own funds associated with the trip.
Estimated Budget:
Airfare: $1,800
Local transportation: $200
Room & Board: $525 (based on $35/day)
Incidentals: $200
Facility costs subsidy for HKBP participants: $500
Total: $3,225
Payment Schedule: $100 non-refundable payment due at time of application, 50% due by date of ticketing (mid-May) and the remainder due prior to departure. No exceptions.
Additional travel insurance will be available at a nominal fee.
Cultural and ESL training will be provided for the team. Plan to commit to two days for this training prior to departure.
General Qualifications:
- Christian faith and a commitment to the mission of the Church
- Openness to culturally diverse expressions of the Christian faith
- Respect for people of different religions
- Well-developed inter-personal skills that demonstrate understanding and compassion
- Demonstrated ability to carry out the responsibilities and the ability to adapt to different standards and practices.
- Ability to work within the framework of local administration
- Adaptable and flexible, a sense of humor, good physical and emotional health
- Live and serve in a way which reflects the vision and expectations of the ELCA and the Indiana-Kentucky Synod
Specific Qualifications:
- B. A. preferred but not required
- Experience with international travel is desirable but not required.
- Fluency in English.
- Teaching and/or ESL (English as a Second Language) experience is helpful.
- Women are especially encouraged to apply although men are welcome.
- Willingness to share your experience with the I-K Synod through presentations in your home parish and possibly others.
- Unfortunately, children cannot be accommodated in the SALT mission trip.
Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA
911 E. 86th Street, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Application Deadline: March 25, 2008
See the blog from our last SALT mission trip: 
Indiana-Kentucky Synod Global Mission Team leaders will provide experienced leadership