"The love of Christ constrains us." Christ's love constrains gift counselors to raise funds for His mission and ministry and it constrains people to give that support. Jesus' Great Commission motivates people not only for cross-cultural mission work, but also to plant churches and tell the Good News in congregations and Districts. David Rohe, Senior Regional Consultant - Congregation Services for Lutheran Church Extension Fund, tells a story about a couple motivated by a particular passage and purpose.
"How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?" (Romans 10:14-15a)
These God-breathed words from St. Paul begin the documents for the most recent gift from Bernard and Norma Patterson. The gift endows mission and outreach in the Synod's Central Illinois District (CID).
When the Pattersons first contacted me in March 1999, they wanted to provide present income for themselves and to support the work of the CID at the time of their deaths. We were able to accomplish both objectives through a Charitable Remainder Unitrust.
We got together again in April 2001 for a periodic review of their plan, to see if revisions or updates needed to be made. Bernie and Norma wanted to do more for the District, so we discussed options. They decided to establish an endowment fund that would provide income specifically for mission outreach in the Central Illinois District.
"This fund will be tremendous!" said Rev. Joel Cluver, District Executive for Evangelism and Missions. He added: "We have many mission opportunities in our District, but don’t always have the money to start them. This will enable us to begin new churches and ministries where needed. And God’s Holy Word won’t return void."
It is amazing how God touches our work! The day after I started the documents for this fund, I visited another couple in the District and explained how the Patterson’s gift would work. These folks said they would like to support that also. I went back to Bernie and Norma and suggested that they make their endowment an open fund to which others in the district could also contribute. They loved the idea. "We just wanted to plant the seed," Said Bernard.
"…And how can they preach unless they are sent?" With this wonderful gift, the Central Illinois District will be able to send preachers of the Gospel to those who do not know our Savior Jesus Christ...yet.