Girls (not so much a guy thing) in the junior high youth group at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois, have been using their shoes this summer to start conversations.
Painting Shoes for Witness, Invitation

Girls (not so much a guy thing) in the junior high youth group at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois, have been using their shoes this summer to start conversations.
On shoe distribution day at Friends in Christ Lutheran Church, Morris, Illinois, a 7-year-old girl is admiring the sneakers she’s just put on her feet. The volunteer working with her asks how they feel, and the little girl smiles but then hesitates, looking up at the volunteer with wide eyes and a dubious expression.
A Weekly Bible study group is providing an opportunity for moms to network while gaining support, encouragement and equipping from God’s Word for their vocation as parent.
One of the latest New Starts…New Believers grants has been supplying district churches and schools with soccer balls that are an easy-to-use and easy-for-kids-to-remember witness tool.
Several Chicago congregations are trying an approach that’s new for them to strengthen their motivation and capacity for connecting with and meeting new people in their communities.
Living Christ Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, Illinois, has wrapped up another successful year of Pause 2 Play and is keeping the momentum going with monthly summer events.
Block parties at three participating LUKE (Lutheran Urban Kingdom Expansion) congregations in Chicago kicked off the new school year.
St. Paul Lutheran Church and School (836 N. Menard, Chicago) has a 130-year history of spiritual and educational development, and it has been a challenge to keep their doors open.
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving, set aside to harness the power of social media for good. Our New Starts…New Believers project for #GivingTuesday 2016 is from Crosspoint Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Illinois.