The Mid-South District encourages innovative and creative new ministry initiatives of its existing congregations and schools through the GROW Grants program. Since the program was introduced in 2022, over $156,000 in GROW Grants has been awarded to Mid-South congregations, helping them establish exciting new ministry programs focused on reaching new hearts for Jesus.
Two of the recent grant recipients were presented “giant checks” for the funds that will help them establish and build their unique new ministry programs. On December 22, 2024, Grace Celebration Lutheran Church in Cordova, TN received a $15,000 GROW Grant for its impactful ministry reaching local public-school students. The ministry, called LifeWise Academy, provides students with weekly instruction that connects Biblical truth with practical application in their daily lives and interactions with others. The district GROW Grant was presented to Grace’s pastor, Rev. Terry Tieman and his wife, Becky Tieman, a teacher who is very involved in the new ministry. Mid-South District President, Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola and Michelle Fischer, the district’s Education Executive, presented the grant funds and congratulated the congregation on their great work through the LifeWise Academy ministry.
On January 5, 2025, President Paavola was on hand to present Rev. Timothy Henning and the members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mena, AR with a $15,000 GROW Grant for the congregation’s new Gospel Connections and Engagement Program. This multi-faceted ministry includes:
- a new community youth ministry called Way Seekers
- expanded weekday Bible study and discussion groups
- home fellowship gatherings called Life Groups
- a community door-to-door prayer & service outreach effort
Several members of Trinity’s Way Seekers community youth ministry were also in attendance for the presentation of the GROW Grant. The funds will go a long way in establishing Trinity’s bold new Gospel Connections and Engagement Program.
If your congregation has a great ministry idea to share the Gospel within your community, consider applying for a GROW Grant. Visit the Mid-South District website today for details on GROW Grants and how to apply: https://mid-southlcms.org/grow-grants/
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