February 2026
The partnership between the Belize Mission Society and the LCMS Northern Illinois District has existed for several years, but was formalized in 2022 when the Belize Mission Society was adopted as the international mission focus at the District’s triennial convention.
For the last five years, the LCMS Northern Illinois District has had the blessing to support various projects in Belize. From the feeding programs, student scholarships, and the Mercy House in Seine Bight, to the new playground for the children of the
community where Jesus is the center, joy has been shared.
Congregations and individuals throughout the NID continue to support the Belize Mission Society with financial contributions, and opportunities exist each year to participate in mission trips to visit and serve in Seine Bight. Trips are planned through various congregations and through the District. This year’s District-sponsored mission trip is scheduled for June 13-20, 2026. The overall hope is to have 25 people participate in this year’s mission trip (If interested in more information or to claim a spot, please contact Ellen.)
NIDnew.org was recently able to speak with Naomi Buss (4th grade teacher and Immanuel Lutheran School in Crystal Lake, IL) and Rev. Micheal Brown (pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Barrington, Illinois). They have each participated in several missions trips to Seine Bight, and we wanted to chat with them a bit about their experiences serving in Belize and further discuss the importance of this relationship between the NID and the Belize Mission Society.
Pastor Brown has traveled to Belize five times and has been involved with the Belize Mission Society since 2017. “During these visits, I have led and served alongside mission teams participating in a wide range of ministries. These have included in-home medical visits; construction projects at Christ Lutheran Church, Mercy House, and private residences in the village of Seine Bight; and the recent construction and dedication of a community playground. Our teams have also been deeply involved in relational and faith-based ministries, including daily men’s and women’s Bible studies, tutoring and classroom support at the school, offering in-service training for teachers at the school, in-class VBS-style sessions that included crafts, music, and Bible teaching, and walking alongside local leaders as partners in ministry rather than simply visitors.”
Naomi has been to the village of Seine Bight eleven times, most recently in November 2025 to help install a playground at the village school. She shared “The relationship between the Northern Illinois District and the Belize Mission Society is essential. It connects children in Illinois with children who share many similarities in Belize. The Hearts for Jesus program gives students the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of students and their families. It also helps them understand that Jesus’ love crosses oceans and reflects the words of Scripture: ‘Let the little children come to me.’ (Matthew 19:14)”
Pastor Brown added, “Through the Northern Illinois District’s support of the Belize Mission Society, particularly through the Hearts for Jesus program, we are helping meet both physical and spiritual needs in a very tangible way. The program provides daily meals for approximately 80 children, ensuring they are nourished and able to focus on learning. In addition, the scholarship component opens doors for students to continue their education beyond eighth grade—an opportunity many families could not otherwise afford. By enabling these students to attend high school located 45-60 miles away, the program helps them develop and use their God-given gifts, equipping them for future vocations in service to their families, church, and community.”
This year’s specific Hearts for Jesus focus begins with a mission to renew and strengthen the Vacation Bible School program in Seine Bight, Belize — helping share the Living Hope we have in Jesus! Mission work in Belize was first begun through VBS and it is time to update the materials. This year’s project is the gift of a new Vacation Bible School curriculum to be written for the children and adults in Seine Bight.
Naomi shared the importance of the VBS program in Belize, “The Vacation Bible School in Seine Bight is a cornerstone of the
Belize Mission Society. For decades, children have learned about Jesus and seen faith lived out by those who serve in the community Like many long-standing programs, it now needs refreshing in order to continue engaging and reaching people effectively.
“Vacation Bible School is often thought of as something just for children, and while that is true, its impact reaches far beyond them. Many adults still remember the songs and stories they learned years ago. Throughout the year, children regularly ask, ‘Is it Bible School yet?’ This simple question shows how much the community looks forward to it and values what it offers.”
The LCMS Northern Illinois District gives thanks for the opportunity to share the love of Christ with our brothers and sister in Seine Bight. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Hearts for Jesus program!
For more information about the Belize Mission Society, please visit here. To make a secure online donation to the Hearts for Jesus program, please visit here.
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