Bringing Safe Water to Rock Point: How You Can Make a Difference This Lent
The Grand Canyon Synod is once again joining all five Region 2 ELCA synods for the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge—a call to deepen our faith through daily spiritual practices while supporting a vital Indigenous ministry. This year, our challenge focuses on the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission (NELM) in Rock Point, AZ, where safe drinking water is a critical need.
For over 70 years, NELM has been a beacon of faith and service in the remote Navajo Nation, offering Christian education, healthcare, and access to clean water. Currently, more than half of the households in Rock Point lack safe drinking water. The mission has long provided water from its well, but the water is not potable. NELM’s goal is to install a drinking water system that meets national and Navajo EPA standards.
How to Participate in the 40-40-40 Lenten Challenge
During Lent, we invite you to commit to three of the four Lenten practices:
Daily Devotion – Engage with daily reflections from ELCA pastors.
Daily Diligence – Learn about water justice, conservation, and play in water mindfully.
Daily Dedication – Participate in Bible study, community service, or advocacy for water access.
Daily Donation – Give $1 a day (or more) to Lutheran Disaster Response, directly supporting NELM’s water project.
Bragging Rights & Impact
As part of the challenge, synods are competing for the highest number of participants. Last year, the Grand Canyon Synod took the lead—let’s do it again! More importantly, this challenge embodies our call to love and serve our neighbors. As ELCA Director for Indigenous Ministries, Vance Blackfox, reminds us:
“The people of Rock Point are not mouths to feed; they are people to know, lives to celebrate, and our siblings in Christ.”
Join us in making a lasting impact on this community. Sign up, get your congregation involved, and help bring life-giving water to Rock Point.
Register & Access Resources: www.lentenchallenge.org
Support NELM: Donate through Lutheran Disaster Response
