ALWS Leaders Visit to AFA Founders: August and Betty Fricke
Asia Focus Australia (AFA) and Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) have a mutual goal in helping those who are marginalised and in desperate need of assistance. However, it has not always been the closest of relationships. As a means of rectifying this, and to show respect and appreciation for the work of Pastor August and Betty Fricke, and the AFA committee and donors; the ALWS Executive Director, Michael Stolz, arranged a visit to the Frickes soon after taking up his role. He was accompanied on the visit by ALWS Community Engagement Officer, Aaron Glover, and AFA Committee Member, Ralph Schier. This was an informal meeting over morning tea at the Fricke’s home in Gympie and an opportunity for each organisation to better understand the role of the other. It was felt that if there are similarities, there may be benefits in working more closely together.
(Top) Ralph Schier, Michael Stoltz, Aaron Glover. (Bottom) Pr August & Betty Fricke
Both organisations are Australian-registered not-for-profit charities. It was recognised that AFA provides aid to some of the same countries as ALWS, albeit on a smaller scale and at more of a ‘grass roots’ level, without official backing or accreditation from either the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) or the Australian Government.
AFA aims to spread God’s word and provide aid and education primarily through projects set up and managed by local churches and Christian leaders in Asian and African countries. Although ALWS and AFA share similar goals, there are marked differences in the formal charter, governance, operating methods and scope of each entity. Consequently, it became obvious that there are no obvious gains to be made for the organisations to operate more closely together.
Michael expressed his admiration and congratulations for what AFA and the Frickes have achieved and encouraged AFA to continue doing God’s work as we are. Because he saw more similarity between AFA and the LCANZ International Mission, he suggested that there may be benefit in these two organisations collaborating.
Ralph Schier