2026 Convention Home Page

2026 Proposed Mission Grants

Grant name and Summary	Amount Requested
Care Packages: Nurturing Whole-Person Care Phil’s Friends, Crown Point, Indiana     The goal of this grant is to support 40 cancer patients for one year. They will receive a free, personalized Care Package that includes a Bible as a witness for Jesus, 12 monthly Scripture-filled Cards of Hope, and ongoing prayer support. This organization is an RSO and was on the ballot last biennium but not funded.	$5,000
Changed Lives, Shared Word: Restoring the Bible Printing Fund Lutheran Bible Translators, Concordia, Missouri The goal of this grant is to replenish their Bible Printing Fund. The dedication of two new complete Bibles in 2025 depleted the fund. They are anticipating 5-7 new dedications in 2027. This fund supports the printing and delivery of completed translations of Scripture to the unreached so that they may hear/read God’s Word in their language, transforming lives. This organization is an RSO.​	$5,000
CTSFW Food Co-op for Seminary Students Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana ​The goal of this grant is to purchase new freezers and coolers for the Food and Clothing Co-op as it moves to a better location on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary. The Co-op plays a key role in helping students feed and clothe their families during their seminary years. This organization was funded in 2020-2022 and 2024-2026 for groceries.	​$5,000
Equipping Church Workers to Bless International Students International Student Ministry, St. Louis, Missouri ​The goal of this grant is to help pay for pastors and vicars to attend the ISM Equipping Conference in 2027 and 2028. Pastors and vicars serving near large universities will be educated for cross-cultural ministry to increase their ability to engage well and adjust their Bible teaching to meet the needs of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and others who have never hear or read God’s Word. This is an RSO.	​$5,000
Feet on the Ground MOST Ministries, Ann Arbor, Michigan ​The goal of this grant, ‘Training Servant Leaders for Mission,’ is to provide financial support for willing volunteers who want to serve as team leaders on MOST Ministry mission trips. Skilled team leaders are key to the success of mission teams. The leader prepares the mission team, travels with them, oversees the entire project, manages any unexpected situations, and brings them home safely. This organization is an RSO and was funded in 2020-2022 and 2022-2024 for different projects, but not this past biennium.	$4,000
Grace Lutheran High School Theatre Program Pocatello, Idaho ​The goal of this grant is to purchase supplies needed for theatre productions, including sets, costumes, and props. The theater program at Grace is small but growing. Theatre is such a unique experience for students and an incredible way for young people to grow in confidence, express creativity, and learn to work together as a team. The purpose of the school is to bring students into a life-saving relationship with Jesus and participating in theater is a wonderful way to grow in one’s own God-given abilities and in relationship with each other.	$5,000
HOPE for Suicide Awareness, Intervention, Postvention Training Lutherans for Life – Word of Hope, Nevada, Iowa The goal of this grant is to cover costs for professional production and editing of filmed interviews, educational videos, and skits used for training for suicide awareness, intervention, and postvention. This program trains both laypeople and church communities to offer spiritual care and Christ’s hope to individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts or related crises. This program has a uniquely Lutheran and Gospel-centered perspective. They have goals of outreach and accessibility throughout Utah and Idaho. This organization is an RSO.	$5,000
FC Training Workshop – Reaching the Unbelieving and Unchurched and Refugee and Immigrant Communities with the Gospel Message POBLO International, Clinton Township, Michigan ​The goal of this grant is to provide a workshop to train the congregational leadership and laity of the Utah-Idaho District on how to effectively reach refugees and immigrants with the Gospel Message in Salt Lake City, Utah, using the International Friendship Center as a vehicle for outreach. The funds would be used for travel expenses, training materials and supplies, Bibles and Gospel tracts in appropriate foreign languages. Sharing the Gospel to the world by proclaiming the message of Hope, Love, Salvation and Grace to the international citizens living in the U.S. This organization has been endorsed by Pres. Davis from the Michigan District.	$3,500
LAMP 2026 Spring Fling LAMP Ministries Inc., New Haven, Michigan ​The goal of this grant is to provide financial support for missionary transportation to the Spring Fling. This is an important trip to build relationships with local leaders in British Columbia, Canada, who are primarily women. There is time for teaching and fellowship through a tea social, community meal, and youth activities. These types of activities are crucial for discussing mission goals for long-term ministry with the Lutheran Church Canada and First Nations. LAMP is an RSO of LCMS and was on the ballot last biennium for a different project but not selected for funding.	$2,000
Project 72: Jesus Sent Them Two by Two (East Africa) Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Macomb, Michigan LHF exists to fill one goal: To share the living Word of God in every country, in the people’s own languages, that all may come to know Christ. Sixteen Project 72 seminars are planned for 2026 and 2027. The proposed mission grant would provide for approximately three training sessions in East Africa, travel expenses for two teachers, and teaching supplies. Each session will have about 15 students who will then return to their congregations to teach others. This model will have an exponential impact in sharing the Gospel. Thanks be to God, Lutheran Churches are exploding with growth in East Africa! Training for pastors and deaconesses is needed to tend these growing flocks with solid, Lutheran teaching. LHF is an RSO.	$5,000
Prayer and Service Deaconess Ministry Lutheran Latino Ministries, Mt. Angel, Oregon ​The goal of this grant is to financially support the Lutheran Latino Ministries’ deaconess and deaconess intern. The target group is Hispanic/Latino people within LCMS congregations. The deaconesses have the unique ability to carry out their ministry in both Spanish and English. This is the key to building relationships with people and bringing them to Christ. Deaconess Marta and Intern Hana contact Latino people door-to-door in the neighborhood and provide events to build fellowship and help them understand that the church is a friendly place to experience the love of Jesus. They teach bilingual Sunday School, assist pastor with confirmation, plan and carry out Family Nights, visit families, and serve the sick and hospitalized through prayer and spiritual encouragement. This organization is an RSO.	$6,500
Reaching Forward with the Gospel Bethesda Lutheran Disability Ministries, Whitehall, Wisconsin The goal of this grant is the development of gospel materials and resources to assist congregations and volunteers to enhance outreach and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the life of their congregation. More specifically, the grant will support our “Reaching Forward” initiative, expanding BLDM’s outreach to 20-30 new congregations with inclusive resource kits, mentor training, and family outreach materials, and promoting Disability Awareness Sunday across the LCMS. BLDM is an RSO.	$5,000
Sharing Our Savior Forged by Fire Services, Mandeville, Louisiana ​The goal of this grant is to help cover operating expenses that include fresh food ingredients, supplies, spiritual materials, and ongoing maintenance of the mobile kitchen. Forged by Fire Services is dedicated to sharing the mercy and love of Jesus Christ through their meal ministry and spiritual care outreach: serving individuals and families recovering from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other crises and bringing comfort, nourishment, and the hope of the Gospel. This organization is an RSO and they were funded with a grant in the 2024-2026 biennium for the same project.	$2,500
Step Into Learning – Classroom Enhancement Project Xrossway Kidz World, Kimberly, Idaho ​The goal of this grant is to enhance the toddler classroom with a new diaper changing station, toddler-sized sensory table, and light discovery center. This is to create a safer, more developmentally-appropriate and engaging learning environment for the toddlers. Many of the families served are unchurched. The early learning program is a connection to the Gospel. Daily Bible stories, prayer, and loving care rooted in Christ make our toddler classroom more than just a classroom—it’s a place of ministry. Kidz World was on the ballot last biennium for a different project that was not funded.	$1,764
Stories@Sunset Immanuel Lutheran Church, Twin Falls, Idaho ​The goal of this grant is to show young children the love of Jesus through books, to encourage children to read, and to make our church and school a more familiar place to the members of the community. In the summer, families are invited to come to the school parking lot in the evening, stay in their car, and listen over a local radio station while a volunteer reads a book to them. Following the reading, families are invited to get out of their car and the kids are invited to pick out a book to take home and enjoy. The Pastor, Deaconess, and Board of Education members greet the families and encourage fellowship together. The grant funds would be used to purchase children’s books.	$2,500
Teaching Life Skills for Lifelong Success Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Minot, North Dakota ​The goal of this grant is to purchase washers and dryers for the living areas of the Boys and Girls Ranch, supporting kids’ learning of essential independent living skills. Many of the children served come from unstable environments and have experienced abuse, neglect and/or trauma. Teaching Ranch kids practical life skills like cooking basic meals, cleaning up after themselves, and doing their own laundry has a profound impact on their success in independent living. This RSO was on the ballot last biennium for a different project that was not funded.	$3,000
Playground Expansion TLC Preschool & Kindergarten, Rupert, Idaho ​The enrollment in preschool and kindergarten has tripled since last year. This demands increased space for safe outdoor activities. The funds would be used to expand the playground area. Specifically, paying for fencing, a concrete pad, and rubber bark. The emphasis is to enhance the developmental environment and opportunities for preschool and kindergarten. This organization was funded last biennium for a different project.	$5,000
Transforming Lives in India through God’s Word, Malayalam Translation of The Lutheran Study Bible, India Bible Study Translation Project (IBS), Greenfield, Minnesota The goal of this grant is to equip pastors and believers to better understand God’s Word in their own heart language. The IBS-Malayalam will provide a proven resource Bible to help believers establish and grow their faith based on the Word of God. The grant funds would be used to support costs of layout and editing ‘The Lutheran Bible Study’ in the Malayalam language. There are very few study Bibles in Indian languages, and none from a Lutheran perspective, capable of transforming lives and spiritual growth. ​This organization is an RSO	$5,000
Trinity HOPE Haitian Feeding Program, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee ​Trinity HOPE is not just a feeding ministry. It’s a tool for evangelism, community transformation, and church growth. As children receive physical nourishment, they also encounter the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many go home and share what they have learned and become witnesses to their families and communities. The meals are prepared on-site and served hot to all students and staff. The goal of this grant is to continue to nourish both bodies and souls for the glory of God. The grant will be assigned to one Lutheran School in Haiti to fund the feeding program for the school year: purchase foods from local vendors, visits from directors, program auditing, and accountability. This organization is not an RSO; the Mid-South District LCMS President gave a letter of endorsement	$3,000
Worship Anew: Expansion of the Gospel to Aging Adults in the U-I District Worship Anew, Fort Wayne, Indiana The goal of this ministry is to equip LCMS congregations and have 25% of the 59 LCMS churches in the Utah-Idaho District respond, request a sample box, and subscribe to the Broadcaster magazine. These resources target aging adults who are desperately seeking the Gospel because of loneliness, isolation, and physical ailments to help them live a full and abundant life in Jesus Christ. ​Besides a weekly worship program, Worship Anew has developed resources for aging adults. Daily devotions written for seniors come in large print and include a scripture verse, a reflection on the verse, a prayer and an action item to inspire their walk with the Lord. The Broadcaster magazine speaks to current needs of aging adults and provides Bible study and articles built for their stage of life. ​Grant funds would be used to share these resources with churches throughout the Utah-Idaho District, providing information about Worship Anew, posters, bulletin inserts, information about Care Ministry, and copies of the magazine and devotionals. This organization is an RSO;1 they were funded last biennium for local broadcasting	$5,000