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The Thirty-Sixth
Convention of Iowa District West adopted a budget of
$2,555,000 for 2007. For the 2008 budget, the Board of
Directors approved a budget of $2,709,714, of which
$2,000,000 is unrestricted support from congregations.
Your congregation’s continued, generous, and growing
support of your District’s work is important. The
blessings of your support include:
ETHNIC MINISTRY
Pastors Henry Witte and Dan Vogel lead our mission efforts
in Hispanic communities in Storm Lake, Denison, and
Sioux City. They serve as our resource to this mission field throughout
the District. Similar mission initiative has reached
Sudanese and Laotian communities in the District. Bessie Fick and the staff of Memorial, Ames share Christ
with international students from all corners of the
world. Your partnerships continue and expand this
ministry.
DEAF
MISSIONS
Rev. Dennis Konkel and Deacon Patrick Sell travel
thousands of miles each month and lead worship and Bible
study groups in many communities throughout the
District. Pat Monroe shares Christ with children at the
Iowa School for the Deaf. In many cases the only
connection that deaf individuals have with the church is
with our District missionaries. Because of their
isolation many deaf individuals have not been introduced
to their Savior. Your contribution takes us into this
harvest field.
CHURCH PLANTS
Statistics show that in most communities more than 50%
of the population is functionally un-churched. A
Lutheran church in the community provides a mission
station to the community. Partnerships with
congregations and communities presently give attention
to the mission fields of Waukee, Johnston, Sibley and
Sheldon. Partnerships between Iowa District West and
with local congregations can explore mission sites and
plant more churches in the future. The mission field in Iowa
is wide open.
WALKING AND SERVING TOGETHER – LCMS
With the 6000 congregations of the LCMS we fund two
seminaries, send missionaries throughout the world, and
offer a variety of resources to strengthen and expand
our local ministries (worship, education, stewardship,
youth and other resources). Iowa District West
continues to be a leader in financial support of our
work as a Synod. Forty percent of your District
financial support is forwarded to mission and ministry
initiatives beyond our District borders.
HUMAN CARE
When a congregation member is hospitalized in an urban
area, a District chaplain ministers immediately to the
patient and family. In addition District human care
develops resources and responses to the elderly, nursing
homes, singles, rural congregations and other settings
and situations where we demonstrate Christ’s love by
caring for one another. The ongoing generous (dollar
and labor) response to Katrina victims is administered
through District human care initiatives.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
District Christian education programs minister to
children and families offering resources for
professional and volunteer teachers. District Christian
education is also mission minded as ten Christian day
schools and fifty early childhood ministries share
Jesus’ love daily with children. Weekly Bible study
inserts direct worshippers to God’s Word. Camp VBS has
enhanced vacation Bible school programs. Seasonal
family devotional resources are being developed. Iowa
District West says “Yes” to children!
SERVANTS TO CONGREGATIONS AND WORKERS
The District President is “pastor” to church workers and
congregations. His office provides counsel to calling
congregations, Godly counsel in conflict, and support to
church workers. The President represents your District
interests as a member of the Council of Presidents. The
District staff provides programs, technology, business
and other resources. Each day dozens of telephone calls
and hundreds of emails receive attention from the Fort
Dodge office. While a minor budget item, the staff is a
major source of support.
YOUTH MINISTRY
Youth are the church of the future. Youth are the
church now. Youth ministry continues as a District
priority offering resources and encouragement for local
youth ministry. Youth are connected to Christ through
youth gatherings, camp events, and leadership training
events. Youth on college campuses are nurtured through
campus ministries. Youth entering church careers are
blessed with generous District financial assistance.
You support the youth of the District with your
contributions to Iowa District West.
STEWARDSHIP
Everything we have is a gift from God! The District
Gift Planning Counselor assists congregations in
establishing endowments and assists individuals in
managing gifts for present and future blessing in the
congregation and beyond. District Lutheran Church
Extension Fund leadership assists with building the
kingdom structurally and spiritually. Treasurers’
workshops and other events assist leaders in wise
management of congregation resources. A District
Stewardship Committee provides stewardship education
resources.
HARVEST OF JOY
The District theme is a result of a Board of Directors
planning process. Similar planning processes (Values,
Vision, Mission; Natural Church Development) have
assisted many congregations to envision God’s plan for
the future. District staff responds to
congregation and worker needs so that their work might
be joyful and the harvest of souls might be gathered.
The District mission is “connecting, resourcing, and
partnering with the member congregations for the
extension of the Gospel through the District and into
the world.” Your ministry is strengthened in
partnership with and support of Iowa District West. |
