March 2017
LCEF Urges Churches to ‘Pray Big, Think Big, Do Big’
The Kaleidoscope Fund offers opportunities for Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations, districts, and Synod initiatives to access larger grants to begin something new. First offered by Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) in 2016, the Kaleidoscope Fund awarded $683,471 to 11 LCMS projects last November. Several applications from within the LCMS Northern Illinois District were among 89 applications received in 2016. None were awarded for northern Illinois last year, but another opportunity is here.
LCEF has announced they will begin accepting applications for 2017 grants beginning April 1. The application process closes on June 15. District congregations are encouraged to apply again—or for the first time.
The grant focus is on outreach and expansion, education, or rostered church worker wellness. The national LCEF office says it is seeking applicants eager to “pray big, think big and do big for maximum Gospel impact in your community.” The minimum grant request for consideration is $25,000; there is no maximum.
LCEF has the option and opportunity to give back for ministry expansion when it is blessed with good financial performance. That is what it has chosen to do through the Kaleidoscope Fund last year and again in 2017. LCEF serves the churches, schools, ministries and workers of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod with investment opportunities, ministry loans, and support services to strengthen the church for ministry.
To learn more about the Kaleidoscope Fund application process, contact NID’s LCEF vice president Vanda Toner at 708-223-3117 or vanda.toner@lcef.org.