A mother's heart for mission

by Anne Marie Cox | January 29, 2025

Krisanne Myers, a team member on the St Francis of Assisi mission trip to South Africa, knows she’ll be back in September. 

Only then, she won’t be just a team member. She’ll be leading a mission trip from Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, partnering with Blessman International.

“I am very passionate about mission trips,” said the mother of six children. “I’m very passionate about making it not just something somebody goes on. I want it to change something in their life.”

She has a curriculum for those who go on any of the 18 mission trips her church offers annually. 

Her trip with the St Francis group was a scouting mission for her trip later this year. But it was also an opportunity to experience Catholic Mass.

“I’m not Catholic. I really like to learn and I love theology,” she said. The journey in South Africa gave her an opportunity to ask about various Catholic traditions, prayers, and customs. 

It also gave her a chance to step back from leadership. 

“I’m used to leading trips, so it was exciting to come and say ‘ok God, what do you want? What can I learn just by stepping back?’”

Krisanne hopes the team members go home with a deep desire to do something for the needy.

“Giving money is great, but actually meeting the people you’re serving, meeting the partners who are serving, and offering encouragement is important.

“Even if you just go out and encourage them, that’s huge. So, go out and do something.”