Using Your Thrivent Benefits to Sow the Seeds of the Gospel

At St. Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia, Missouri, international students are learning the Lutheran faith through LHF-translated catechisms - thanks to a Thrivent Financial Action Team grant.

“We call ourselves a global mission in the heart of Missouri,” explained Clint Colwell, admissions director at SPLHS. “We have just over 200 students, and 60 of them come from 17 different countries.”

The international students come to SPLHS from a variety of religious backgrounds, but while at the school, they are required to take a Lutheran religion class each semester. Many have little or no knowledge of the Christian faith.

“So to have the 10 Commandments and their meanings in their own heart language makes the material a little more digestible for these students,” Colwell said. “Then once they graduate and go back home, taking the books back to share with family members is a big deal.”

When learning about SPLHS, “I saw a real opportunity for these students to have good Lutheran literature in their own language – both for studying and for taking home with them,” said Rev. Rod Benkendorf, LHF development associate.

As a Thrivent member, Rev. Benkendorf knew he could apply for a $250 Action Team Grant, which Thrivent offers to all members as seed money for a one-time fundraiser, service activity or educational event that will make a positive impact in the community.

Rev. Benkendorf completed the short application for the $250 Action Team gift card, which he then used to order more than two dozen books from the LHF website.

SPECIAL EVENT SEED MONEY

Other Thrivent members have chosen to use their Action Team seed money to cover the costs of a special event, which in turn raises awareness and support of the LHF mission.

In November 2018, the Thumb East and West Circuits of the Michigan District hosted an educational mission rally, attended by more than 300 people. A Thrivent member applied for an Action Team grant and used the $250 seed money to purchase food for the event. The freewill donation collected at the dinner is helping LHF to publish Lutheran books for the people of Ukraine.

Through a Thrivent Action Team grant, over 300 people learned about the LHF mission and enjoyed a time of fellowship at a Michigan mission rally.

“We have found that Thrivent is ready and willing to support projects, especially those that help to deliver the Gospel through community outreach and missions,” said event organizer Rev. Steve Bagnall of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Cass City, Mich.

“At our mission rally, Thrivent’s $250 gift card made all the difference. With their support, we were able to offer the meal free of charge, so that the entire offering could go toward delivering the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people around the world.”

MORE IDEAS

“Thrivent seed money can provide LHF books - and introduce people to the Savior - in a wide variety of situations: an event to reach out to immigrants in your neighborhood or school, or to provide books to take along on a short-term mission trip,” said Rev. Benkendorf. “It’s a wonderful way to reach out with the love of Christ!”

To learn how you can apply for a Thrivent Action Team grant, go to www. Thrivent. org, or call (800) 847-4836 and say “Thrivent Action Teams.”