Missions

$8,500 (over five years)

Building on an interest of several men in their congregation and reaching out to their unchurched friends, Faith continues to expand their interest group of smoked meat.  They have served at a variety of occasions ranging from VBS celebrations to appreciation dinners for veterans, first responders and others.  Relationships are being built, the community served and Christ is being shared.

For more information contact Faith Lutheran Church, 515-993-3848, office@faithadel.com.

$1,800 (matching funds)

Millennials (“thirty-somethings”) are in abundant numbers in the community of Spirit Lake, but not in the churches.  This effort is part of an overall strategy to develop Immanuel’s “Campus Ministry” to millennials in the hopes of changing that reality.  Having called an Associate Pastor whose primary focus will be this task and building on previous steps, Immanuel has entered into a partnership with the local Y.  It is here where Pastor Jording has met many millennials, built relationships, and will now  invite them into ongoing spiritual conversations and Bible study “to help them find hope and meaning in their lives in Jesus.”

For more information contact Immanuel Lutheran Church, 712-336-1010, lcmslakes@gmail.com. 

$1,100

Like many of our congregations, Immanuel & Zion are located in small towns with a declining Christian presence.  By offering opportunities for the community children and intentionally charging their members to reach out to invite and bring their neighbors, the seeds of God’s Word will be shared.  These funds will assist with the initial purchase of the necessary AV equipment.

For more information contact Rev. Steve Strucker, 515-320-2014, skafarms@ncn.net. 

$15,000 (matching funds)

As with many of our congregations, First English has seen a decline in preschool enrollment as a result of free all day public preschool.  Rather than despair or give up (especially since almost 25% of their students are unchurched), they are responding proactively and will offer all-day preschool beginning next fall, which will also serve as a feeder for Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran School.  Not content to merely host students in their facility, they intend to develop relationships to provide a vehicle for sharing Christ.

For more information contact First English Lutheran Church, 712-262-5598, felcoffice@smunet.net. 

$4,000 (over two years)

Hope recognizes that they are situated in the middle of a mission field, surrounded by families with young children, the majority of whom are unchurched.  While their preschool did see three children baptized, they are facing an increasing challenge due to free preschool offered by the public school – a fact that is attractive to blue-collar families.  These funds will allow them to offer tuition assistance, which will enable more children to attend, hear of their Savior, and experience His love from members of the congregation through intentional connections.

For more information contact Hope Lutheran Church, 515-265-2057, churchoffice@hopelutheran-dsm.org.

$3,000

Shepherd of the Valley has established a partnership with the YMCA Supportive Housing Facility which allows them to weekly serve the residents and address their physical needs.  Love and service lead to relationships, which lead to discipling, which hopefully leads to a missional community in which the participants are encouraging one another in making disciples for Jesus Christ.

For more information contact Shepherd of The Valley Lutheran Church, 515-225-1623, eugene@sotv-wdm.org.

$500

Although Redeemer has been in existence for over sixty years, many in the community are not aware of its presence.  By serving one of the community barbecues in the summer and helping with the congregate meals, they hope to raise the awareness of Redeemer and intend to intentionally seek to make connections and build relationships that will lead to opportunities for witness.

For more information contact Redeemer Lutheran Church, 712-276-1125, redeemerchurchsc@gmail.com.

$1,500

This effort began with God touching the hearts of several parents within Our Savior who recognized the many youth in the community without faith or a positive influence in their lives.  Rather than just a traditional Bible study, this effort will intentionally encourage the building of relationships among the youth to support one another in developing as disciples of Jesus Christ and being involved in their community through leadership and service.

For more information contact Our Savior Lutheran Church, 712-263-3282, osluth@monarchtech.net

$3,750

Almost 100 single moms and their children were honored and loved last year on the Saturday before Mother’s Day.  Expanding the effort this year, Gloria Dei intends to love and serve single moms the way Jesus would while also teaching their members to give sacrificially expecting nothing in return.  As one single mom shared, “My favorite part was being able to sit down with a volunteer from the church who had been a single mom, sharing my concerns and having her pray with me.”

For more information contact Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 515-276-1700, jenny.lappin@gdlc.church.

$1,050 (over three years)

Imagine walking into your local coffee shop at 6:30 in the morning and seeing a large group of high school youth enjoying a beverage and discussing life situations.  That’s what is happening through this effort.  It allows for open and honest questions and conversation and prayer for one another.  It is hoped that this pattern of discipleship—friends, honesty, grace, truth, and prayer—will result in more individuals coming to faith, just as did the first young woman with whom it all started!  Now they’re moving to nearby Holstein where most of the youth attend school, making it more convenient to invite their friends and also a little easier with a later start time!

For more information contact St. Paul Lutheran Church, 712-275-4299, schallerlutheranchurch@gmail.com.

$2,000

All it took was the youth of St. Paul hearing at a youth gathering, “If you don’t think there are people going to bed hungry in your community every night . . . you are wrong!”  The Holy Spirit moved in their hearts and they set out to serve and love their community.  God provided citizens (not members) to get involved and soon a cooled and heated shipping container was provided and was stocked with food.  The demand has been greater than anticipated, but as Christ’s love is being shown through service, the outcome might be more people receiving the true Bread of Life!

For more information contact St. Paul Lutheran Church, 712-275-4299, schallerlutheranchurch@gmail.com. 

$1,000

This effort continues St. Paul’s philosophy of ministry engaging community members, serving them according to their present needs, and retaining them in a relationship for the sake of the Gospel.  This two-week program will proclaim the truths of God’s Word within the context of scientific study in regard to creation, and touch youth with the truth and love of Jesus Christ.  By collaborating with more churches and developing business partnerships, they are able to keep the event free of charge.

For more information contact St. Paul’s: 712-322-4729, nathansherrill1978@gmail.com. 

$1,000

Although Redeemer has been in existence for over 60 years, many in the community are not aware of its presence.  By serving a community barbecue and blitzing the area with media messages, they will raise awareness of Redeemer and intentionally seek to make connections and build relationships that will lead to opportunities for witness.

For more information contact Redeemer Lutheran Church, 641-322-3498, revritter75@gmail.com. 

$500

Recognizing a need in this rapidly growing area just outside of Des Moines, Faith desires to expand their preschool ministry by offering a transitional kindergarten program.  By identifying and taking intentional steps, they intend to connect more children to Jesus and to the congregation.

For more information contact Faith Lutheran Church, 515-993-3848, office@faithadel.com.

$2,000 (over two years)

This effort continues St. Paul’s philosophy of ministry of engaging community members, serving them according to their present needs, and retaining them in a relationship for the sake of the Gospel.  This two-week program will proclaim the truths of God’s Word in regard to creation while reaching youth with the truth and love of Jesus Christ.  By collaborating with more churches and developing business partnerships, they are able to keep the event free of charge.

For more information contact St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 712-322-7243, pastorsherrill@splc.omhcoxmail.com.

$8,500 (over two years)

Although much of the community is under the age of 40, Christ Our Savior has discovered that there is very little offered for seniors.  Couple this with the asset of their facility, passionate members and a partnership with the Norwalk Parks & Rec Department and it provides the perfect recipe for providing a place for seniors to gather, eat, enjoy fellowship and be shown the love of Christ through health checks, fitness classes and the like.  Once again, connections are made, relationships are formed, and God’s Word is shared that disciples might be made.

For more information contact Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 515-897-4183, cosnorwalk@msn.com.

$500

Just as God’s grace is free, the members of St. John’s want to demonstrate God’s grace and offer a free fish fry for their community.  Not only will they have the opportunity to share the reason for doing this – that Christ wants us to love one another as He loves us – but also helps to dispel the perception in Battle Creek that the Church is only interested in money.

For more information contact St. John’s Lutheran Church, 712-365-4477, stjohns_bc@yahoo.com.

$3,500

In an effort to best leverage the asset of their facility to connect with their community and recognizing that 77% of the community is under the age of 40, Christ Our Savior is planning to open their gym following middle school and high school events.  While feeding the youth literally, they also intend to feed them spiritually with prayer and showing God’s love and grace in a safe and monitored environment.  Once again, love is being shown, relationships are being formed, and Christ is being shared.

For more information contact Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 515-897-4183, cosnorwalk@msn.com.

$500

Remember receiving a care package from home when you were at school?  It connected you with home and reminded you that you were loved.  The same principle applies in Bethel’s intention of sharing care packages with individuals in the community who have been hospitalized, had a baby, are ill, depressed or lonely.  As members deliver the packages, it makes a connection with the congregation and sends the message they are loved—by the members and the Savior!

For more information contact Bethel Lutheran Church 712-446-3630, bethel@midlands.net.

$400

In an attempt to strengthen the awareness and perception of Our Saviour Lutheran Church with the neighborhood, members are planning an intensive effort to personally invite all of their neighbors to a carnival and ice cream social to be held at the church.  It is hoped that through this event and ongoing efforts, relationships will be established that last a lifetime and lead to multiple opportunities to witness of Jesus Christ.

For more information contact Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 515.244.9347, church@oursaviour-lutheran.org.

$1,750 (over three years)

Trinity is like many congregations within a city.  Most of their members no longer live in the neighborhood but drive in from the suburbs. In an attempt to begin to connect with their immediate neighbors, they have been offering an evening VBS (including a meal) to allow for socializing. Many congregations offer VBS, but what makes this unique for Trinity in their mission field is that there is only one congregation offering a daytime VBS within a one-mile radius of their congregation.

For more information contact Trinity Lutheran Church, 515-720-7937, pastorbilltrinitydsm@gmail.com.

$5,000 (over three years)

St. Matthew is located in the second poorest county in Iowa and has developed a strong relationship with the local school.  What began as a desire of a women’s Bible study group to provide winter wear for a needy family, soon developed into the discovery of a greater need.  Their hope is to provide winter wear for at least 40 children this year and to be more intentional about individual contact.  Third year of a three-year grant.

For more information contact St. Matthew Lutheran Church: 712-881-2243 or stmatthewmap@longlines.com.

$7,500

Gloria Dei has identified an apartment complex where almost 200 refugees from Myanmar live and where they feel led to “go out into the community with the light and love of Christ.” Their efforts in reaching out to “the least of these” are varied, from mentoring and teaching life skills to hosting a VBS and having a Big Brother program.  However, the goal is the same:  “to be the hands and feet of our Lord” by coming alongside and loving their neighbor.

For more information contact Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 515-276-1700, karen.kennedy@gdlc.church.

$7,000 (over two years)

Hope recognizes the ever-growing number of individuals on the east side of Des Moines who do not know the English language.  Partnering with the Rev. Lincon & Noemi Guerra and the Hispanic ministry in West Des Moines, they began offering ESL classes, along with a meal and children’s activities.  This year their enrollment has more than doubled, giving evidence of the vast mission field!  As they shared in their application, “through consistent time together, we aim to love their families well and share Jesus.”  Their prayer is to see this ministry be a springboard to becoming a multi-ethnic congregation.

For more information contact Hope Lutheran Church, 515-265-2057, churchoffice@hopelutheran-dsm.org.

$1,500

Recognizing that many parents of Chinese international students are living in Ames in order to care for their grandchildren and that while much is offered in the community for the parents, there is nothing for the grandparents.  Memorial intends to utilize leaders active in their international program to teach ESL, build relationships with the grandparents, and link them with Memorial’s programs and members, all while providing a positive witness for the congregation and Jesus Christ.

For more information contact Memorial Lutheran Church, 515.292.5005, ism.mlchurch@gmail.com.

$9,000 (over three years)

By offering a Spanish curriculum for all grades taught by Deaconess Noemi Guerra, Mt. Olive will not only better equip their students for life in a multi-cultural world, but also equip them for reaching across cultures with the Gospel.  Plans are also being made to involve the students in partnering with our ministry to the Hispanics in Des Moines.  Third year of a three-year grant.

For more information contact Mt. Olive Lutheran School: 515-277-0247 or mtoliveadmin@mchsi.com.

$14,000 (over three years)

Recognizing the mission field of over 4,000 international students and over 700 visiting scholars at ISU, Memorial has taken steps to expand their ministry to them.  This will allow them to broaden ministry opportunities involving more volunteers but also frees the Coordinator to focus on Bible studies and leadership development.  The third year of a three-year grant.

For more information contact Memorial Lutheran Church: 515-292-5005 or mlcamesia@aol.com.

$3,000

One of the key arms for mission and ministry at Messiah is the Loving Arms Children’s Center.  And one of the key means of communication today is technology, one of the mission targets for IDW.  Unfortunately, the website for Loving Arms is dated and broken.  By supporting their efforts to create a new website, these funds will enable Messiah to better communicate and connect the families with the daycare and congregation.

For more information contact Messiah Lutheran Church, 515-270-0150, jenn.grundmeier@lovingarms.us.

$2,500

With five radio stations in the Lakes community reaching 90% of the population, Immanuel intends to flood the airwaves with the Good News of Jesus Christ and information about Immanuel and its ministries.  The messages will be followed by specific acts of outreach into the community, stemming from their involvement in Transforming Churches Network’s Seasons of Discovery.

For more information contact Immanuel Lutheran Church, 712-336-1010, lcmslakes@gmail.com.

$500

Targeting the over 150 inactive members of their congregation, St. Paul intends to connect with these individuals through existing relationships.  Through sincere active listening, small gifts of love and other efforts, they will demonstrate the love of Christ in an attempt to better understand and address their situation.

For more information contact St. Paul Lutheran Church:  515-232-5838 or office@saintpaulames.org