ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 1, 2007  

Lutheran Uses Athletic, Musical Abilities to Raise Money for Ending Hunger
07-137-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- On June 24, Kris Litman swam 2.4 miles,
rode his bicycle 112 miles and ran 26.2 miles, consecutively,
with a distinct mission in mind -- "to raise money for the World
Hunger Appeal" of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA), said Litman, 27.  With the help of others, Litman raised
$31,000 for the ELCA World Hunger Appeal in 2007.
     "I've always felt that the needs of (people who are) hungry
are something that Jesus calls us to attend to," said Litman.
There's "something in our American culture that shelters us from
the facts about hunger; it's removed from our eyes.  So, I wanted
to raise money for the appeal and make known what the appeal is
designed to do."
     Funds garnered from the annual ELCA World Hunger Appeal are
distributed to churches and organizations across the United
States and overseas that support the relief of chronic hunger and
poverty around the world.
     Litman swam, biked and ran in the "Ironman Triathlon" in
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in 14 hours and 30 minutes -- under the
17-hour triathlon limit.
     By the time of the triathlon, Litman had raised $29,000 and
an extra $2,000 for the appeal through the Janus Charity
Challenge.  Janus, a financial organization that co-sponsors
ironman events, awarded the ELCA World Hunger Appeal $2,000 when
Litman placed fifth in the challenge to raise the largest dollar
amount for a charity.
     "I can't take credit" for raising the money, said Litman.
"Many people and congregations (shared) a tremendous amount of
support."
     Litman said the purpose of initiating a fundraising effort
was to serve as "a catalyst for people to hear about the ELCA
World Hunger Appeal" and "show that you can do it, too.  I hope
that congregations and others would do their own fundraising
ventures for the appeal."
     The Rev. Martin D. Wells, bishop, ELCA Eastern Washington-
Idaho Synod, Spokane, Wash., issued "a challenge to pastors to
raise money for the appeal.  In turn the pastors challenged
congregations to participate and contribute.  About $14,000 was
raised from (Lutherans) in that synod alone," said Litman.
     Litman and his friend, Nick Jenkins, earned money for the
appeal by performing acoustic music for "congregations in North
and South Carolina and Tennessee that would host us.  In our
performances, we talked about the ELCA World Hunger Appeal," said
Litman.
     Jenkins and Litman became friends when they were students at
Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, N.C.  Lenoir-Rhyne is one of 28
colleges and universities of the ELCA.
     Now a student at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio,
Litman is spending the rest of the summer learning Greek.  He
hopes to begin a career in parish ministry and remain "open to
where the Spirit leads me."  Trinity is one of eight seminaries
of the ELCA.
     "Before I came to seminary, I served as director of youth
and family ministries at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd,"
Mount Holly, N.C., said Litman.  "The one thing I've always
taught young people is that everyone has gifts given to them by
God.  We should try to find ways to use those gifts to benefit
God's kingdom.
     "I know I have some music and athletic ability, and I wanted
to use these gifts to benefit God's ministry in the world.  I
just hope others will become motivated to use their God-given
gifts for the ministry of God," he said.
- - -
     Information about ELCA World Hunger is at
http://www.ELCA.org/hunger on the ELCA Web site.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
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