 |
| Ed and Sally Luebben. |
A good friend helped me set up this blog today to begin a conversation about being a missionary architect. Almost exactly a year ago, I began dialoging with Helps International Ministries (HIM) about serving the Lord through architecture. The idea of serving our Lord through the practice of architecture is not necessarily new, but is not an idea I had ever really given much thought to, until last October that is.
HIM’s mission is to provide helps to missionaries and Christ centered ministries throughout the world. One of these helps is providing architecture. Long story short, after a year of prayer, reading, prayer, visiting, and more prayer, it seemed time to start moving where the Lord seemed to clearly be directing.
So, what does it mean to be a missionary architect? It means being able to use the training and skills of a lifetime to help the homeless, the hungry, the sick, the destitute by designing clinics, schools, shelters, orphanages, and similar buildings. Oh yes, it means I need a team of prayer, and yes, financial supporters before I will be able to serve full time. Please do keep this in your prayers. To find out more about HIM check out their link on this blog page.
Thank you for checking out this blog, as our journey down this new path is just beginning… should be a glorious ride.
In His Grip,
Ed Luebben, AIA
P.S. FYI: I picked up the “in His grip” salutation from a good friend, Henry, who very unexpectedly went to be with our Lord a few weeks ago. Miss you Henry, will see you before too long.
Hi Ed, Thanks for your blog. My wife and I are planning to go longterm to SE Asia to Muslims. We are both retired. BS Arch 1980 Lawrence Technological Univ. Michigan. I am looking foward to reading your blog and become inspired in some possibilities. Joe.
ReplyDeleteHi Joe (and wife); I appreciate your looking this up and posting. I only apologize that I didn't notice your comment earlier. I received my BS Arch from Ohio State in 1981, and moved back to Columbus in 1977 after finishing high school in South Bend, IN; so sounds like we were in similar necks of the woods back in "the day". As some of my blogs may indicate, serving with HIM will not send me to another country permanently, at least not at this time, but may involve trips to a variety of places within and outside of the states. SE Asia to the Muslims; I'd like to keep in touch, and for my wife and I to keep you two in our prayers. My e-mail is luebben6@aol.com. God Bless you
DeleteHi Ed,
ReplyDeleteI'm finishing my last year of architecture at University of Tennessee. Over the past several years in college, God has really challenged me in my spiritual growth. Some of the greatest experiences I've had were the mission trips I went on in Honduras and Haiti.
My question for you is what advice would you give to someone like me who is about to enter the field of architecture and is passionate about doing work like what you're doing?
God Bless,
Ben Cross
Hi Ben,
ReplyDeleteI apologize for not responding to your question earlier. There have only been a few comments over the past year, so I don't check for these as I ought to.
Advice - that is a good question. From a practical standpoint, getting that license is very helpful, and ultimately a NCARB certification would be good as well. These are sort of the completion of the architectural training process; and can offer you more opportunities to serve, particularly on mission and ministry related projects within the States.
Typically you need quite a few years of internship prior to obtaining license and NCARB; but in the meantime, there is no reason you couldn't begin keeping an ear out for ministry or mission projects in your own circle or community. If you need a licensed architect to assist, we could work that out via e-mail and such, and together we could serve the Lord in using our architectural training for His glory.
If you are willing to raise your own support, I would think you could potentially work for an organization like HIM and have this apply towards your internship requirements. Dale Slusser is in charge of the architectural and design group at HIM, whose website is www.helpsmission.org, in case you want to contact him regarding this.
Most folks have loans and such to pay off, and need to work somewhere to get these under control, so if this is your case, do seek a job under the supervision of a licensed architect. This does not preclude you serving the Lord with your architectural gifts...pray, pray, pray, and keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities where you can help. If you hear or see of something where you might need a licensed architect to come along side to to assist - let me know, either I, or some of the architects at HIM could work with you to see these projects through.
It is so encouraging to receive posts like yours. Feel free to e-mail me at luebben6@aol.com and let's stay in touch.
God Bless you,
Ed Luebben
It is so encouraging hearing about those who are in the profession with such desires as I have. I am a newly registered architect in Australia graduating about 5 years ago.
ReplyDeleteGod has been increasing my desire to serve in the mission field as an architect (at home in my neighbourhood and workplace and overseas). I have been on a couple of short term mission trips to Asia but not Architectural based.
I am looking for opportunities to be able to connect with an organisation who aims at sharing the gospel and serving and loving people with my profession.
Jess
Hi Jess,
DeleteYour note is encouraging to me. I'll be glad to share more about HIM's architectural ministry, if interested send me an e-mail at luebben6@aol.com. HIM does have an architect in southeast Asia that I could try to connect you with.
Hello. I find encouragement in your testimony Ben. Ever since i started to study my career as an architect, a friend, my wife and I have felt the lords calling to deposit our capacities and profesional skills in his hands. We recently graduated from the University Of Baja California in Mexico, and are starting a project of a house model that will fit the needs of the least benefitted families in Ensenada, it is still in the proces of planning and perfectioning but its gonig. We will present the finished project to the School and the City Hall to try and get financial support. We are also looking for ways to recieve donations from companies giving them tax deductible receipts in order to support the ministry. It was a blessing to see that there is more movement of proffesionals in the serving of our God. If you have any advice or know any where we could find support please let us know, we will greatly appreciate it. Thank you and God bless.
ReplyDeleteHi Jorge, thank you for your encouraging words. It is equally encouraging to me to read of young architects desiring to use their skills to serve our Lord. I would enjoy seeing your project as well - perhaps you could email pdf copies of the plans to my email, which is luebben6@aol.com. Regarding tips for raising support: my wife and I have been sending out newsletters to about 200 folks for about two years - we send them out bi-monthly, and try to keep them real brief, with a lot of photos. I have had a few opportunities to share at my church, and soon at one of our former churches from where we moved 8 years ago. However, we have not been successful in raising much support - but enough to cover travel expenses and for this we are very grateful. Perhaps send me an email sometime and we can carry on this dialogue. God bless you as well.
ReplyDeleteI am Brazilian, study architecture and urbanism in the Mackenzie Presbyterian University in Sao Paulo, in fact I'm currently doing a course in Polytechnic University of Madrid, in Madrid - Spain. I am Christian and currently participate in movements Christians in Brazil.
ReplyDeleteYour idea of working as an architect for ministries missions touched me very much, and I identified too.
I felt in my heart to leave my contacts here, because I want to help you in any way. I'm stating as an intern to do what is needed and help you on projects.
Email: yohannah.oliveira @ gmail.com
Phone: +34 72 77 32 210
facebook : https://www.facebook.com/yohannah.oliveira
Praise the Lord, Ed! I came across your blog as I was doing a google search and was surprised to find this page. I myself am currently in school studying architecture (as well as attending bible college) because I want to do what you do. I wasn't really sure if a missionary architect was something people actually do though because like you said in your blog, its not very well known. But I did hear about it very briefly in a preaching just 1 time and so its great to hear about it again. I hope one day the Lord guides me to be a missionary architect as well. I feel it will be very rewarding.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your encouraging comment. It is truly rewarding, and I am so grateful that the Lord has opened this opportunity to serve in an area where I've been trained. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteWe are starting a ministry to hispanics in Salem, Ohio. A building has been bought in downtown Salem but needs to be refurbished.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if there is an architect out there who might be willing to donate their time to help us with our design plans.
Thanks for reading this and passing it on.
Sincerely,
Jenifer Trigg
330-402-9312
We are in the beginning stages of a new ministry to Hispanic people living in Salem Ohio. A building has been purchased in the downtown area but it is in need of refurbishing. Our goal is to have a center to meet the needs of the Hispanic people through various ministries and to start a Hispanic Church on the Second Floor.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if there is an architect out there who would be willing to donate their time to help us with the design plans. If the Lord leads you, please call me at 330-402-9312.
Thanks so much.
Hi Jenny - just checking in on the blog. Unfortunately I usually only check once or twice a month (need to get better about that). I will give you a call soon to discuss further.
ReplyDeleteEvening Ed,
ReplyDelete- I will soon be entering college as a freshman, and over the past few years and two short term missions trips, I have come to realize my passion for being the light of God where it is needed. As well as helping those in need. I have recently discovered my talent for architecture and am planning on majoring in the feild, as well as a minor in construction management. I was hoping you could recommend a good christian college in which to attend. As well as what courses to take for preparation in the missions field.
I can feel The Lord leading me into this area in life, however I am very uncertain about how to get started. Any tips and advice would be much appreciated.
Your brother in christ, Eric
Hi Eric - appreciate your interest. I'll be glad to share what I can. Perhaps you can email me at luebben6@aol.com and we can continue this conversation. FYI, I went to two state colleges many moons ago (Ohio State & Washington State) - good educations but definitely no Christian influence. But I'd be glad to share more thoughts and tips via email. Thanks again for the post
ReplyDeleteHi Ed,
ReplyDeleteI am currently an undergrad student half on the line of wanting to become an architect and half off. I am a Community Development major and I was planning on pursuing a master's degree Architecture. I love it, have a passion for it, but my passion for God is bigger. And I've had a hard time seeing how I could do missional work - more-so internationally - with a degree that prepares me for working within the States.
I had similar thoughts as you did, to become an architect, get affiliated with non-profits and organizations that would allow me to build churches, hospitals, schools and orphanages (eventually run one). However, I have no guidance as to if this is possible. I don't want to rush into get an education or my architecture license without having a driving motive to do so.
I would love to hear back from you to hear how things are going at HIM, for advice or for anything you would like to tell me.
Thank you,
Sharon
Sharon-
DeleteI am so glad to here that there are emerging architects out there with passion for Missions and Architecture. Just as an FYI, California Baptist University has an School of Architecture dedicated to Christian Missions (in its fullest definition). Attending a school like this will help you to develop both skill sets and apply your profession to missions from the start.
http://cbucavad.com/architecture/
Hi Sharon,
DeleteI tried replying to your inquiry back in May of last year...but see that in my lack of technical skills, you may not have received that response. Following is what the note I thought I sent your way last year
"Thank you for posting the comment and asking the questions. I need to remember to check my blog more often and apologize that it has been a couple weeks. Regarding serving in architecture....I never gave mission work a thought when pursing my architecture degree. In fact, as a 12 year old (or around that age), I remember saying to the Lord that I would be wanted to serve Him, but didn't want to serve outside of our country, especially not in places like Africa. I write this as I prepare to return to Africa in a couple months :). God, indeed, has a sense of humor. I'd love to address more specific questions you might have; perhaps you can email me at luebben6@aol.com. In the meantime, I'm praying now that the Lord will give you clarity of direction."
I see that a recent reply has also been sent your way from California Baptist University...this sounds intriguing and worth checking into. God bless you. If you have more questions, feel free to email me at luebben6@aol.com
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting the comment and asking the questions. I need to remember to check my blog more often and apologize that it has been a couple weeks. Regarding serving in architecture....I never gave mission work a thought when pursing my architecture degree. In fact, as a 12 year old (or around that age), I remember saying to the Lord that I would be wanted to serve Him, but didn't want to serve outside of our country, especially not in places like Africa. I write this as I prepare to return to Africa in a couple months :). God, indeed, has a sense of humor. I'd love to address more specific questions you might have; perhaps you can email me at luebben6@aol.com. In the meantime, I'm praying now that the Lord will give you clarity of direction.