By Kate Penz, communications specialist

Twelve-year-old Alex Fluegel went up to the front of the sanctuary when the Rev. Pam Stofferahn called for volunteers one Sunday morning. He didn’t know what he was volunteering for, or that it would spark a passion for helping others half a world away.

On January 17, Alex and 24 others at Redeemer, White Bear Lake, stood at the front the sanctuary. Each was handed $100 and asked to invest it in God’s kingdom. They were to report back to the congregation in 90 days about their experience.

It’s called The Kingdom Assignment, a model that uses stewardship principles to encourage others to use their God-given talents, treasures, and time “by advancing God’s Kingdom globally beyond generational, ethnic, and faith boundaries with the love of Jesus Christ,” Kingdom Assignment International website.

Inspiration through email
After many prayers and a few closed doors, Alex was inspired by an email from his great uncle, the Rev. Charles Fluegel, currently interim pastor at Grace Lutheran, Larsen, Wis. and former missionary to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pastor Chuck has dedicated himself to malaria prevention for much of his ministry. He is involved in the East Central Synod of Wisconsin’s Stamp Out Malaria campaign, an effort to improve education, prevention, medication, and access to care in the fight against malaria.

With Pastor Chuck’s email, a door was opened for Alex. He decided to send the $100 from the Kingdom Assignment and $20 of his own money to Stamp Out Malaria.

“Redeemer, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo, Pastor Chuck, and I are working to help the people of the Congo by bringing them water and nutritional food. We are also helping teach people about health and bringing basic medical supplies,” said Alex.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than one in five children dies each year from preventable diseases and malnutrition. Pastor Chuck has advocated extensively for the improvement of children’s health, stressing the importance of clean water, nutritious food, health services, and supplies like mosquito nets to prevent diseases such as malaria. His passion is now shared with Alex.

Taking it further
Alex had completed the Kingdom Assignment: he found a worthy cause and invested the money given to him. He could have stopped there. But, after prayerful consideration, he felt called to take it further. Alex wrote a letter about his Kingdom Assignment project and sent it to family and friends, inviting support with prayers and donations. He also organized a silent auction at Redeemer.

From those efforts, Alex collected an additional $3600 to send to fight malaria in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

‘Called to be where you are’
In May, Alex and Redeemer Lutheran were recognized at the Kingdom Assignment International’s Well Done Awards. Alex and his mom, Andrea Fluegel, flew to California for the awards, a trip made possible through donations.

The weekend was full of speakers with incredible stories, music, and worship. It was an inspirational experience for Alex and Andrea. They listened to stories of ordinary people making a difference in the world. “We were with people from all parts of the country, all denominations, all brothers and sisters doing similar things. You can do God’s work wherever you are at, no matter who you are,” said Andrea, a Luther Seminary student and Saint Paul Area Synod candidate.

Alex said his favorite speaker was Nick Vujicic, president of Life Without Limbs. He was born without arms or legs, and travels the world encouraging others to do God’s work. “If God can use a man without arms and legs to be his hands and feet, then he will certainly use any willing heart!”
While in California, the Fluegel’s stayed at the home of Jerry Wilkinson, retired professional football player in the National Football League and, along with his wife Brenda, one of the Kingdom Assignment’s board of directors. “It was good for Alex to talk to a Christian man who is willing to speak openly about his faith,” said Andrea.

Lessons learned
“This project has been about the greater church,” said Andrea, who is grateful for the support they have received along the way from both Redeemer and Roseville Lutheran, Roseville, where Andrea works. Alex is currently working with the Minneapolis Area Synod, a pilot synod of the Lutheran Malaria Initiative, and the communications staff from the Lutheran Malaria Initiative to create a video to teach pastors about how to get involved in the fight against Malaria.

Andrea is also grateful for the impact the Kingdom Assingment has had on her young son. “I think this experience has done a lot for Alex’s faith. Right now, he is trying to absorb it all and focus on what God is up to. I am curious to see what God is calling him to do.”

From FaithLink, July 2010