One of the most heartwarming and encouraging things to come down the pike for many years is the grassroots effort in support of LCMS World Mission that was started by an e-mail message from Paul Koehler of Omaha, Nebraska. The effort began after the Board for Mission Services released nearly one-third of its St. Louis staff...the second such "in-house" cut within a year...and eliminated 28 overseas missionary positions. If you didn't read the original Reporter story by Paula Schlueter Ross, you can find it here: Read the story now!
Since the article was published, individuals have shared it with others; churches have published it in their bulletins and the movement has blossomed. Gifts from $1.00 to $800.00 have come in from individuals and congregations have sent as much as $7,000! As of March 25, the total has reached $48,192.00, not counting gifts that were not specifically earmarked for the grassroots effort.
Equally, and in some cases more heartwarming are the notes and stories that have accompanied some of the gifts. For the next few weeks, we will report the progress and share some of the stories here in our "Stories to Inspire."
The family of one LCMS military chaplain who had just been called to active duty sent a gift in his honor and with a prayer for peace. More than one family sent an amount for each person in the household plus an equal amount for each pet! Some have sent gifts representing an amount for every person in their extended families...up to 32 members!
One inspiring letter said: "We don't fall for charity scams, but we trust the LCMS. Our family tithes to the LCMS congregation we attend and to which we belong, so we know our money goes toward many ministries, including the Synod missions, but we liked this challenge and were led to respond!"
A woman received the e-mail, sent a gift and said she would share the story with her women's guild. The group voted to send a gift. When the treasurer sent the check, she added a generous gift of her own! That is exactly how grassroots efforts work.
For the next four weeks and until further notice, all gifts to the project "Where LCMS World Mission needs it most" on the Giving Catalog will be counted toward the grassroots effort. You can click on the words Giving Catalog and make your gift right now!