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LCEF has been blessed to be able to offer Outreach Ministry Grants for the past several years to congregations, schools, and other LCMS organizations in Kansas and Oklahoma. Grant applicants are encouraged to target individuals, families, or neighborhoods with inventive ministries designed to draw people into their flock. Matching funds and cooperative efforts with other groups are highly desirable. In June 2019, 27 grants were awarded in amounts ranging from $250 to $1000. The grants supported a variety of projects, including community festivals, neighborhood block parties, VBS programs, and community gardens. |
Jeffrey Maltz |
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Messiah Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City received an outreach grant from LCEF to aid in starting up a Summer Day Camp for ages five through thirteen. Messiah Lutheran Summer Day Camp provides a Christ-centered experience to empower every child to be a lifelong learner and follower of Christ. Summer Day Camps will be a recurring youth mission of Messiah Lutheran Church and School. The camp ran for eight weeks kicking off with Vacation Bible School followed by Sports Fanatic Week, Dinosaur Week, Outdoor Education Week, Junior Chef Week, Creation Week, Amazing Art Week, and Superhero Week. The Summer Day Camp featured faith-centered activities, a safe and healthy environment, trained and qualified staff, weekly field trips, morning and afternoon snacks, outdoor activities and math and reading clubs. |
Residents of the Classen Senior Center, an assisted living facility in Oklahoma City, also benefitted from an LCEF Outreach Ministry Grant. Concordia Life Plan Community’s outreach ministries received an LCEF grant that had a wonderful impact by providing a hygiene pantry for 100 of the residents for an entire year.
“I feel we really enjoy the Hygiene Pantry at Classen Senior Center provided by Concordia. Residents receive “Classen Bucks” which look like a dollar bill and that provides us with access to the Hygiene Pantry. We keep our Classen Bucks in a safe place and get the items we need and the staff are very helpful to make sure every resident has a chance to get personal hygiene items. We can even earn a Classen Buck if we participate in Fire Drills, or participate in Wellness Clinics or Bingo provided by the Concordia nurses. We are very thankful to receive this help from all involved, including the LCEF grant funding, housing managers, and Concordia nurses.” – Ms. Grant, Classen Senior Center Resident
