October 2024
The LCMS Northern Illinois District Board of Directors meets regularly to attend to many tasks in support of the congregations, schools, ministries, and people of the NID. As part of its responsibility in support of the mission and ministry of the District and in order to maintain good stewardship of District resources, the Board regularly sets aside time for discussion and deliberation of submissions for funding known as Mission Target Grants.
Mission Target Grant requests may be submitted by NID congregations, schools, preschools, circuits, associations, and Recognized Service Organizations. Gathered proposals are reviewed and considered for approval twice each year by the Mission Target Grant Committee. The Board of Directors then gives final approval for grant funding.
The types of proposals sought include innovative projects designed to connect with the surrounding community so that relationships develop and the potential for ministry occurs or consideration for specialized training for groups or individuals which will equip them to better serve in the NID and the Synod, among other requests. All projects are to provide a clear witness to the Gospel and intend to lead, God willing, to new ways of incorporating Word+Wellness+Witness. In short, the Mission Target Grants are intended to help provide support to ministries which are seeking to expand their Gospel impact in the surrounding community.
A New Mission Target Grant was approved at the recent Board of Directors meeting held on October 19, 2024.
Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Winfield, Illinois primarily serves individuals and families in Winfield, West Chicago, Warrenville, and unincorporated Wheaton. Rev. Jesus Morales has served Christ Our Savior since 2022. Current statistics state that 38% of the population in this area of the NID are Hispanic or Spanish-speaking. Christ Our Savior applied for a Mission Target Grant in order to assist in their desire to reach this considerable number of people with the love of Christ.
The proposal for the grant money included purchasing Spanish worship materials and marketing communications. They also hoped to contract with some people to help with their Spanish worship services.
The Mission Target Grant Committee and the Board of Directors are excited about the possibilities of Hispanic outreach in the suburbs. This proposal was approved in order to support this endeavor with good stewardship of resources available to the District. Plans involve purchasing Spanish hymnals, offering a stipend for a music leader so that worship can be conducted with excellence, providing funds so that the congregation can put some welcome bags together, and allowing additional support to cover visits and meals with prospective families to better enable Pastor Morales to make personal contact. One-on-one relationship can be very effective in sharing the love of Christ with our neighbors.
Pastor Morales shared, “I am very excited to see what the Good Lord does through all of us in this effort to reach our community.”
If you’d like to join in the efforts in financially supporting ongoing and future Mission Target Grants, you may donate here.
Thank you to the Mission Target Grant Committee and the Board of Directors for their continued work in support of the LCMS Northern Illinois District. Thank you also to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church for their dedication to serving the people of their community.
