Lutheran immigration and refugee service (lirs)

The Latvian Evangelical Church in America (LELBA) works with the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) in assisting people who have chosen to flee from their homelands.  Lutheran churches in the United States of America have been helping refugees since 1939.  After the Second World War, LIRS cared for many Latvians seeking asylum in the USA.  Today, LIRS together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) continue to assist refugees from all over the world.  LELBA's LIRS ministry is a spokesman for LIRS operations, campaigns for funds for LIRS and has a voice in the LIRS board of directors.