As we follow the news in the Middle East, St. Jacob’s has been very aware of the unrest in Cairo, 
Egypt, not the least is due to our missionary family, the Johnsons, who were serving there. When Americans were evacuated last February, the Johnson family reluctantly left. In April Pastor Peter Johnson return to his parish, but his wife and three young sons remained in Minnesota. Upon much reflection, discussion and prayer, the Johnsons concluded that this is not the best of times to have a young, American family in Egypt, nor did they believe that they should be living on two separate continents for an indefinite amount of time. As of December 1st, Pr. Johnson has rejoined his family in the US.
However, global mission continues, and St. Jacob’s is now sponsoring The Rev. Mark and Linda Nygard. Mark is the coordinator of graduate studies at the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary (ETSC) in Cairo, Egypt. He organizes coursework, facilitates the invitations of visiting professors, mentors students, advises thesis writing and teaches a course in the church history master’s program. Pastor Nygard has a B.A. in chemistry, math and German from Minot State University (Minot, ND). He received his M.Div. and M.Th. from Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul, MN, as well as his PhD in Systematic Theology. He also has a M.R.S in Islam from the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. His hobbies include hiking, bird-watching, astronomy and music. Mark’s wife, Linda, has a BA in German and French from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND. Her hobbies are reading, walking and piano. The Nygards were both “farm kids” in North Dakota. They have served for many years on overseas assignments. They have three adult children and five grandchildren. Their mailing address is: Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, 8 El-Sakka El Beda St., Abbasia, Cairo, EGYPT 11381.
Remember that you can contribute directly to supporting our missionary family by marking "missionary support" on your giving envelope.
