This seminar will focus on Nate Zimdars’ year of service as an Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Young Adult in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteer in Senegal – a country in West Africa. Senegal is home to over 30 languages, many ethnic groups, and is 95% Islamic. While living in Senegal, Nate was able to experience what it was like to live in a developing country that was previously colonized by the French and is still experiencing the aftereffects of colonialism. During his year of service he worked on a dairy cooperative milking cows by hand and pasteurizing the milk to sell in the community. In addition to his work on the diary cooperative, Nate taught English at a local Catholic private school. Nate will also discuss other Global Minestry work of the ELCA.

Nate Zimdars is a native of Ripon. He received his Associates Degree from UW-Fond du Lac in 2014 and transferred to UW-Madison majoring in History and Political Science. Nate served in Senegal from 2016 – 2017. He is currently working for the ELCA’s Mission Achievement unit where he has the opportunity to travel across the country speaking to congregations and individuals about his year of service in Senegal and various global ministry projects of the ELCA in an effort to build partnerships and increase financial support for these projects. He is active in the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Ripon FFA Alumni.