RESOLUTIONS OF 2022-2024 MISSION GRANT PROPOSALS

RESOLUTIONS OF 2022-2024 MISSION GRANT PROPOSALS
 Chosen for Ballot of LWML Michigan Convention July 7-9, 2022
                     (listed in order of receipt and as approved and endorsed)

1.    Acts 2 Enterprise: Enriching Lives of Children and Families in Michigan’s Urban Communities -
     $25,000.00.
     WHEREAS, Acts 2 Enterprise mission and ministries delivers health, hope, and healing to the
     cities of Detroit, Flint, Pontic, and Benton Harbor, all cities facing significant societal challenges
     as Jesus saw the city as a strategic epicenter for a worldwide movement when he told his
     disciples to “remain in the city ‘til you have received power from on high” (Luke 24:49); and
     WHEREAS, a lack of quality housing, depressed economy, high unemployment rates, social
     problems magnified by an elevated poverty rate, underperforming schools, and high rates of
     violence that has these urban centers consistently ranked as some of the country’s most
     dangerous cities, have created an environment of overwhelming adversity, injustice,
     hopelessness, and uncertain futures for many; and
     WHEREAS, the LCMS presence has continually decreased for the past 60 years in Detroit, and
     other urban centers in Michigan, and though many attempts have been made to try to improve
     the lives of the people of these communities, it is going to take something more than the efforts
     of several dedicated churches to make an impact; it is going to take all of us working together to
     create hopeful, healthy, enriching environments for urban children, families, and communities;
     and
     WHEREAS, Acts 2 Enterprise ministry is addressing the desperate need of revitalization in
     several Michigan cities through a Christ-centered presence in the community in areas such as:
     Leadership Development, Entrepreneur Development, Community Relationship Building,
     Computer Literacy, Job Partnerships, Parenting Classes, Educational Programs, Employability
     Readiness Programs, Sports Camps/VBS, Health Teams, and Community Beautification;
     therefore be it
     RESOLVED, that the Michigan District LWML, assembled in convention in Frankenmuth,
     Michigan, July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $25,000.00 to enable the ministries of Acts 2
     Enterprise to continue to have a strong focus on, and to make a concerted, long-term impact in,
     the Detroit, Flint, Pontiac, and Benton Harbor communities, enriching, evangelizing, and
     discipling in these cities to strengthen the faith of the faithful and to reach the lost with the
     Good News of Jesus Christ, while addressing numerous and important societal needs.

2. God’s Word for Teenagers Around the World - $16,500.00.
   Whereas, the Holy Spirit at Pentecost gave Jesus’ disciples the gift of speaking many tongues, so
   that all God’s children might hear His call (Acts 2:1-41); and

Whereas, included in God’s family are teenager, who, because they’re not children and not yet
    adults, often slip between the cracks when providing resources to share the Gospel; and
    Whereas, missionaries and churches in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia have
    asked the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for a Bible storybook that’s especially well suited to
    teaching the Lutheran faith to teens; and
    Whereas, Lutheran books in these languages are also needed for sharing the Good News with
    immigrant families here in Michigan, giving LCMS congregations the resources they need to
    establish relationships with immigrants in their communities; and
    Whereas, the Lutheran Heritage Foundation has 30 years’ experience translating and publishing
    the books of our Lutheran faith, including a new Bible storybook for teens called God’s Word for
    You; let it be
    Resolved, that the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League – Michigan District in convention vote
    the sum of $16,500.00 for the Lutheran Heritage Foundation to translate and publish God’s
    Word for You, giving church leaders and missionaries the materials they need to introduce
    teenagers to the Savior, Jesus Christ.

3. Gifts for All God’s Children Year-Round Program Replication to Additional Churches -
   $25,000.00.
   Whereas, Matthew 19:14 tells us that Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not
   hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Then, too, He said, “Go,
   therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
   the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”;
   and
   Whereas, church involvement and engagement, especially along children and families, has ben
   declining throughout the decades, leaving once-thriving congregations faltering and church
   buildings abandoned and in disrepair, which was further exacerbated by the recent pandemic,
   and created a need for virtual programming and online resources within churches; and
   Whereas, it is critical for children and families, especially within urban, low-income
   communities, to be invited into a loving and supportive church environment to hear the Gospel
   message, become involved and engaged, commit their lives to Christ, and become disciples of
   the Great Commission themselves; and
   Whereas, Gifts for all God’s Children, in coordination with participating Detroit LCMS churches,
   will equip these congregations with programming resources to help engage children and families
   with congregations to meet basic needs, engage in Christian fellowship and learning activities,
   provide opportunities to hear the Gospel message and become a disciple of Christ, and help
   these churches become more sustainable assets to the community; therefore be it
   Resolved, that the LWML, Michigan District, assembled in convention in Frankenmuth,
   Michigan, July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $25,000.00 to enable Gifts for All God’s Children’s
   programming to expand to five additional church sites with the City of Detroit and to serve more
   at-risk children and families, while teaching the Gospel message in a loving and supportive
   environment.

4. “Shepherding the Sheep” Congregational Grant of MOST Ministries - $25,000.00.

Whereas, Jesus says to his disciples: “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must
     bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John
     10:16); and
     Whereas, there is an on-going urgent need to take the Good News of salvation to people living
     in darkness and of bringing them into the fold for Christ; and
     Whereas, pastors who have taken congregational teams on mission trips have testified to the
     many benefits that are received by individual team members, their congregations, and the
     larger Body of Christ by engaging in evangelistic outreach together; and
     Whereas, church workers in the mission field have reported that MOST Ministries’ acts of mercy
     provide fertile ground for their evangelism outreach; and
     Whereas, MOST Ministries works closely with mission teams to facilitate a short-term mission
     that provides opportunity for bold witness and acts of mercy; therefore
     Be it Resolved that the LWML Michigan District, assembled in convention in Frankenmuth,
     Michigan, July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $25,000.00 to enable five (5) Michigan District
     congregational teams (pastor and four (4) members of the congregation he serves) to build up
     the Body of Christ as they make bold witness to the Good News and Jesus’ love through acts of
     mercy.

5.    Sharing the Light of Christ’s Love - $25,000.00.
     Whereas, in John 9:5, Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world”; and
     Whereas, the mission of Lutheran Braille Workers is to provide the message of salvation
     through faith in Jesus Christ to people who are blind or visually impaired throughout the world
     for free, and
     Whereas, there are almost 241 million people worldwide who are blind or visually impaired and
     unchurched (equivalent to the 5th most-populated country in the world), yet Lutheran Braille
     Workers is the only Lutheran organization that intentionally serves this population both in the
     United States and across all continents, and Lutheran Braille Workers is the world’s largest non-
     producer of Braille, specialized large print, and audio Christian materials; and
     Whereas, Lutheran Braille Workers has over 3,000 volunteers throughout 115 Ministry
     Production Centers and 50 Ministry Outreach Centers in the United States who are dedicated to
     sharing the Gospel with people who are blind or visually impaired, and assist in the production
     of over 200,000 volumes of material annually; and
     Whereas, through gaining access to scriptures in a format they can read or hear, hundreds of
     thousands of people living in physical and spiritual darkness are able to know the true Light of
     Jesus in their lives through Braille, specialized large print, and audio Christian materials; so be it
     Resolved, that the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Michigan District, in convention adopt
     as one of the mission grants for the 2022-2024 biennium for Lutheran Braille Workers in the
     sum of $25,000.00 to fund the production of over 5,000 Braille, specialized large print, or audio
     volumes.

6. Multi-Ethic and Multi-Generational Church, Cross Point Church, LCMS, Ministry and Missions
   Cost (through POBLO International) - $25,000.00.
   Whereas, Romans 10:14 declares: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed
   in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear

without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?” And
    Matthew 28:19 mandates: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…” (NIV); and
    Whereas, the demographic faces of the U.S. and Michigan have drastically changed, with people
    living longer lives, which means there is more multigenerational overlap. Additionally, at an
    even greater rate than before there are many more ethnic and international peoples of different
    cultures and backgrounds who are living in Michigan and have come to know Jesus, but are in
    need of finding a welcoming and culturally diverse church home in which they can feel
    comfortable sharing in worship and building the bonds of fellowship with their fellow laborers in
    Christ. Of this same international group are the non-Christian and unchurched who are in need
    of being brought to Christ through the sharing of the Gospel in a way that is culturally relevant
    to them; and
    Whereas, guiding this ministry vision will require pastoral leadership with the right experience
    and training. The $25,000.00 grant will support the Church planter/pastor role and provide for
    his position cost, as well as seed money to jumpstart the Word and sacrament ministry in the
    Macomb County area in Michigan. This will enable the Gospel-centered and Bible-based
    foundations of Cross Point Church to take root, guided by a leader of good reputation, full of the
    Holy Spirit and wisdom, appointed over this assignment. This church planting pastoral role will
    preach, teach, offer wisdom and counsel, make strong and growing disciples in Christ, as well as
    help strategically plan unique ways for successful and ongoing outreach within the community it
    serves and beyond; and
    Whereas, Cross Point Church is a Gospel centered Bible-based church that is leading nations to
    Christ and Christ to nations, that people may grow inward, flow outward; that people grow their
    relationship to become disciples of Jesus and carry the love of Christ to others; so be it
    Resolved, that the LWML, Michigan District, assembled in convention at Frankenmuth,
    Michigan, July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $25,000.00 to enable funding for Multi-Ethnic and
    Multi-Generational Church, Cross Point Church, LCMS, ministry and missions cost.

7. Clark Park Street Ministry in Southwest Detroit - $5,000.00.
   Whereas, we desire to continue sharing the comfort of the Gospel and the love of Christ with
   those who are homeless and addicted, living in the park a few miles away from our church
   (Family of God). There is already an established congregation that gathers on Sundays in the
   park that we wish to grow. Christ our Lord commands in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples
   of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; our Lord in Luke 14
   commands us to search out the lost, going to the streets, lanes, highways, and hedges,
   compelling people to come to the Great Banquet; our Lord in Matthew 25 also commands us to
   clothe the naked, visit the sick, feed the hungry, and give drink to the thirsty; and
   Whereas, a used trailer will help us to transport and store essential components of this ministry,
   including, but not limited to, a military tent, canned food, assortments of clothing, tables, and
   chairs, in order to conduct a worship service for those who gather in the park. Worship is
   conducted at 3:00 P.M. every Sunday, but is constrained by our inability to transport all of our
   needs effectively; and
   Whereas, a 16 to 20-foot trailer would allow for us to have a mobile church that could be set up
   even beyond the confines of Clark Park in the future; and

Whereas, the use of a trailer will expand and add flexibility to our growing presence in an area
    that is desperately underserved; be it
    Resolved, that the LWML Michigan District, assembled in convention at Frankenmuth, Michigan,
    July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $5,000.00 to enable the purchase of a used trailer to assist
    Family of God Lutheran Church with ministry to the homeless in Clark Park, Detroit.

8. “I Was Naked and You Clothed Me” – Orphan Grain Train – Michigan - $18,000.00.
   Whereas, our Lord Jesus tenderly moves those who believe in Him to express His love and care
   for distressed people in need by stating, “For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty,
   and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked, and you clothed me…”
   (Matthew 25:35-36a); and
   Whereas, Orphan Grain Train – Michigan for two years has brought the name and loving
   character of Jesus Christ to those in need, wherever in the world they may be, through
   distribution of food, clothing, quilts, medical supplies, and other Christ-inspired material relief;
   and
   Whereas, funding especially for the transport of relief supplies and humanitarian goods is
   essential to carrying out the compassionate aims of Orphan Grain Train; and
   Whereas, international shipping costs constitute the principle expense for Orphan Grain Train –
   Michigan, such shipping costs varying widely based both on global distances and the stability or
   instability of regions where relief is desperately needed; and
   Whereas, the average cost of shipping internationally a 40-foot (2,660 cubic ft.) high-cube
   container is $9,000.00; and
   Whereas, Orphan Grain Train – Michigan over the immediate past two years has shipped relief
   in Christ’s Name to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; to Casa de Refugio (House of Refuge) La Chorrera,
   Panama; to Bible Mission International, Moldova; and the Women for Justice Tbilisi, Republic of
   Georgia; and
   Whereas, throughout the Orphan Grain Train network of 29 branches no distribution occurs
   without the fixed prerequisite that the Gospel of Christ Jesus be shared with those in need along
   with the dispersal of clothing, medical equipment, and other supplies; and
   Whereas, Orphan Grain Train – Michigan, in cooperation with Lutheran Heritage Foundation,
   currently is endeavoring to mount a shipment of theological literature for sharing God’s Word,
   ecclesiastic supplies, and the humanitarian relief Orphan Grain Train supplies to the Evangelical
   Lutheran Church of South Sudan/Sudan (ELCSS/S) in the knowledge that shipping costs will be
   the singular expense; and
   Whereas, domestic disaster relief is also a primary matter for Orphan Grain Train’s involvement
   and constitutes approximately half the response from throughout the Christian volunteer
   network of Orphan Grain Train; and
   Whereas, our Lord Jesus Christ by His indissoluble Word has promised, “I will not leave you as
   orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18), thereby assuring those He loves, not only of His
   presence with them, but also of His divine concern for their material as well as spiritual welfare;
   therefore be it
   Resolved, that the LWML Michigan District, assembled in convention at Frankenmuth, Michigan,
   July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $18,000.00 (representing the average cost for two international
   shipments) to aid Orphan Grain Train – Michigan to continue distribution of Christ-enabled relief

during the coming biennium – funds being divided to facilitate at least two international
     shipments.

9.    Scholarships for Deaf Students - $25,000.00.
     Whereas, Scripture says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when
     he is old, he will not depart from it.” St. Martin Lutheran School for the Deaf exists to give the
     best education in ASL and English and to teach the faith of the Evangelical Lutheran Church to
     future generations; and
     Whereas, the cost of a Christian Education can take a toll on a family’s finances in general, but
     with deaf student’s education, there is often a need for additional support from time to time to
     ensure that the student is not uprooted and stays grounded in the Lutheran faith through their
     education; and
     Whereas, ninety-eight (98) percent of deaf people and their families do not believe in Jesus.
     The scholarships to help the deaf students continue their learning in a Christian school will
     enable these children to grow in the faith and to go into the world sharing the good news of
     Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; and
     Whereas, most often, the cost of tuition is the deciding factor in whether or not a child has the
     opportunity to receive a Christian education. St. Martin Lutheran School for the Deaf is the only
     Lutheran Deaf school in Michigan. Some parents drive great distances for their child to attend
     St. Martin. A scholarship fund would assist the families and deaf students to continue to grow in
     faith and as leaders in the church. As they are trained, they will not depart from what they have
     learned in Christ Jesus; therefore, be it
     Resolved, that the LWML, Michigan District, assembled in convention at Frankenmuth,
     Michigan, July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $25,000.00 to enable and assist families with deaf
     children to receive a Christian education by offering tuition assistance through scholarships.

10. A Rising Need, A Spiritual Opportunity - $20,000.00
    Whereas, In Luke 18:16, Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to
    me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these,” and
    Whereas, national statistics indicate that one in five children in the United States has a learning
    need, and
    Whereas, Lutheran schools in Michigan and across the country are seeing a sharp increase in
    learning loss and the need for special education services, and
    Whereas, Lutheran Special Education Ministries (LSEM) – a special needs educational expert – is
    currently experiencing an unprecedented growth by serving children in 33 new partnership
    schools and in 25 growing partnership schools, our services growing 47.1 % over a single year;
    therefore be it
    Resolved, that the LWML, Michigan District, assembled in convention in Frankenmuth,
    Michigan, July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $20,000.00 to enable LSEM to provide educational
    and spiritual support to children who are experiencing learning loss and have learning needs in
    Lutheran schools.

11. 15-Passenger Van Outreach for St. Paul Community Lutheran Church - $25,000.00

Whereas, St. Paul Community Lutheran Church (Pontiac) is seeking to obtain a 15-passenger van
    for transporting our congregants and community neighbors to and from church activities, as
    well as assisting our Parish Nurse in her duties, therefore meeting the people where they are
    with the gospel that changes lives (Matthew 28:19-20); and
    Whereas, many of our members and neighbors do not have reliable transportation or are
    elderly and need assistance to get to and from church and church-sponsored events, a 15-
    passenger van is necessary; and
    Whereas, a 15-passenger van would fulfill the need to assist our members and provide a much-
    needed vehicle when our Parish Nurse assists those needing help getting to and from
    appointments and when activities outside the church require a multi-passenger van; and
    Whereas, the people of St. Paul Community Lutheran Church, being a mission church
    community, are unable to finance fully the cost of a 15-passenger van that would provide much-
    needed transportation to and from church and church-sponsored activities; therefore be it
    Resolved, that the LWML, Michigan District, assembled in convention at Frankenmuth,
    Michigan, July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $25,000.00 to enable the purchase of a 15-passenger
    van for providing transportation to and from church and all outside church activities, including
    assisting the Parish Nurse in her duties.

12. Expanding Christ’s Love with the Aging and Unchurched in Michigan through Weekly
    Television on Worship Anew - $25,000.00
    Whereas, the great commission moves us in Mark 16:15 to “Go into all the world and proclaim
    the Gospel to the whole creation,” and
    Whereas, Worship Anew is taking God’s Word to a growing population of the aging,
    unchurched, and all those in desperate need of hearing the Gospel, and
    Whereas, Worship Anew seeks to expand the sharing of Christ’s love through television ministry
    in Michigan and the rest of the world, and
    Whereas, Worship Anew will reach thousands each week in Michigan with the bold
    proclamation of our Lutheran doctrine through the use of broadcast television, therefore be it
    Resolved, that the LWML, Michigan District, assembled in convention at Frankenmuth,
    Michigan, July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $25,000.00 to enable the proclamation of God’s Word
    through television broadcast ministry of Worship Anew in the Michigan District and throughout
    the world.

13. Scholarships for Female Students Studying to be a Deaconess or a Professional Church Worker
    -- $20,000.00
    Whereas, our Lord has called workers into the harvest field to share the good news of salvation
    to all we come in contact with, “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into
    His harvest field” (Mathew 9:38); and
    Whereas, the need for deaconesses and other professional church workers in the LCMS is great
    and growing daily, “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37); and
    Whereas, the financial obligation for these women to receive the training necessary in the
    Concordia University and Seminary system is sometimes cost prohibitive and a strain on their
    ability to attend a Concordia University or Seminary; and

Whereas, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Michigan District, by providing this grant
    would help to be able to answer the call from the Lord, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for
    us?” (Isaiah 6:8), by saying, “Here I am, send me,” enabling them to use their gifts in ministry to
    the people of the world. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
    Resolved, that the LWML Michigan District, assembled in convention in Frankenmuth, Michigan,
    July 7-9, 2022, grant the sum of $20,000.00 to enable women in the Michigan District to use
    their gifts in service to the LCMS in professional church work.

14. Financial Assistance for Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Food and
    Clothing Co-op to Purchase Food -- $10,000.00
    Whereas, Christ in His Holy Word commands us to go and teach all nations about Him and what
    He has done for us (Matthew 28:19), and
    Whereas, individuals from around this country and the world come to Concordia Theological
    Seminary to prepare to serve God’s people here in the United States, as well as in mission work
    around the world, and
    Whereas, when these students make the decision to leave their jobs and come to the seminary
    with their families, they no loner have the same financial flow of funds that they had before, but
    continue to have the same financial needs, and
    Whereas, spouses in many student families do find employment in Fort Wayne, but most are
    marginalized because the employers know that they will be here only for a short time, throwing
    families into difficult financial positions, and
    Whereas, the seminary seeks to reduce this financial burden by providing students access to a
    Food Co-op, which currently supplies between 80% and 90% of all families’ food and household
    needs each month at no cost to the student, relying upon donations from individuals,
    congregations, and organizations; therefore be it
    Resolved, that the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Michigan District, assembled in
    Convention in Frankenmuth, Michigan, in July, 2022, grant the sum of $10,000.00 for the
    purchase of perishable items for the food and clothing co-op of Concordia Theological Seminary,
    Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the 2022-2024 biennium.