HOLDING UP THE PROPHETS’ HANDS:
USING YOUR THRIVENT BENEFITS TO SOW THE SEEDS OF THE GOSPEL At St. Paul Lutheran High School in Action Team Grant, which Thrivent ofAction Team grant and used the $250 Concordia, Missouri, international stufers to all members as seed money for seed money to purchase food for the dents are learning the Lutheran faith a one-time fundraiser, service activity event. The freewill donation collected through LHF-translated catechisms or educational event that will make a at the dinner is helping LHF to pubthanks to a Thrivent Financial Action positive impact in the community. lish Lutheran books for the people of Team grant. Rev. Benkendorf completed the Ukraine. “We call ourselves a global mission short application for the $250 Action “We have found that Thrivent is in the heart of Missouri,” ready and willing to support explained Clint Colwell, projects, especially those admissions director at that help to deliver the SPLHS. “We have just over Gospel through community 200 students, and 60 of outreach and missions,” them come from 17 different said event organizer Rev. countries.” Steve Bagnall of Good The international stuShepherd Lutheran Church dents come to SPLHS from in Cass City, Mich. a variety of religious back“At our mission rally, grounds, but while at the Thrivent’s $250 gift card school, they are required made all the difference. to take a Lutheran religion With their support, we were class each semester. Many able to offer the meal free have little or no knowledge of charge, so that the entire of the Christian faith. offering could go toward Through a Thrivent Action Team grant, over 300 people learned about the “So to have the 10 delivering the Gospel of JeLHF mission and enjoyed a time of fellowship at a Michigan mission rally. Commandments and their sus Christ to people around meanings in their own heart the world.” language makes the material a little Team gift card, which he then used MORE IDEAS more digestible for these students,” to order more than two dozen books “Thrivent seed money can provide Colwell said. “Then once they gradfrom the LHF website. LHF books - and introduce people to uate and go back home, taking the SPECIAL EVENT SEED MONEY the Savior - in a wide variety of situabooks back to share with family memOther Thrivent members have tions: an event to reach out to immibers is a big deal.” chosen to use their Action Team seed grants in your neighborhood or school, When learning about SPLHS, “I saw money to cover the costs of a special or to provide books to take along on a a real opportunity for these students event, which in turn raises awareness short-term mission trip,” said Rev. Bento have good Lutheran literature in and support of the LHF mission. kendorf. “It’s a wonderful way to reach their own language – both for studyIn November 2018, the Thumb East out with the love of Christ!” ing and for taking home with them,” and West Circuits of the Michigan To learn how you can apply for a said Rev. Rod Benkendorf, LHF develDistrict hosted an educational mission Thrivent Action Team grant, go to www. opment associate. rally, attended by more than 300 peoThrivent. org, or call (800) 847-4836 As a Thrivent member, Rev. Benkenple. A Thrivent member applied for an and say “Thrivent Action Teams.” dorf knew he could apply for a $250
WE’RE NEARLY THERE!
LUTHERAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION 51474 Romeo Plank Rd. ■ Macomb, MI 48042 ■ 1-800-554-0723 ■ info@LHFmissions.org ■ www.LHFmissions.org
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“The Word at Work” is the official publication of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Permission is hereby granted to excerpt from this publication for not-for-profit purposes. The Lutheran Heritage Foundation is a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces confessional Lutheran materials throughout the world so that people can be brought to Christ. LHF is not subsidized by the LCMS or any other church body. It is entirely supported by individual donations and grants. (“Word at Work” staff: Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, executive editor; Jennifer Bagnall, managing editor and graphic design)
