The Future is Now in partnership with Fan into Flame
Our Goal
In celebration of 125 years of blessings, the Michigan District established the following three initiatives which are the basis of the campaign:
- Intentional Mission Development: $5,000,000
- Recruiting, Supporting and Deploying Professional Church Worker Students: $5,000,000
- Partnering with LCMS World Mission in Fan into Flame, the capital campaign in support of the Ablaze! movement: $3,000,000
The Future is Now in partnership with Fan into Flame provides a unique opportunity for the congregations and members of the Michigan District to bestow a wonderful thank offering for the blessings received from our Lord. Each of us should rise to these continuing challenges, and make a difference for the future that can only happen through shared purpose and common goals.
Intentional Mission Development - Objective I
The need is great for intentional mission development in Michigan. There are many areas in the state in which 50% or more of the people are unchurched. This represents about 6 million people. It is in these areas that the district seeks to begin new missions. Since 1985, there have been over 40 successful mission starts reporting many stories of how the Holy Spirit touched the hearts of new believers. Currently, there are two to three new intentional mission developments started by the district each year through congregational giving. Maintaining and increasing this level of mission starts is difficult with decreased funding levels. As such, the district's ability to continue this trend is in jeopardy. Through this campaign, the Michigan District seeks to raise $5,000,000 to begin 10 additional mission starts over the next five years including one urban mission start, and place funds into the Michigan District Endowment Fund for Mission Development.
Professional Church Worker Support - Objective II
The Michigan District has a wonderful history of men and women who have answered the call into the ministry. In 2008, over 148 Michigan District professional church work students attended our seminaries, universities, and colleges. Yet the need for professional church workers at this time in the history of the church cannot be overstated. With the anticipated shortfall of workers due to the additional outreach opportunities of synod-wide mission development and retirements, the Michigan District is encouraging more men and women to enter into fulltime ministry. In past years, the financial support to assist those who have answered the call has been far below the cost of tuition and expenses. The campaign seeks to address these financial issues by raising $5,000,000 to substantially increase the financial support offered to professional church work students and to fortify the Michigan District Endowment for Professional Church Workers.
Fan into Flame - Objective III
The third initiative of the campaign is a joint effort between the Michigan District and LCMS World Mission to raise money for international ministries. In light of the fact that two
out of every three people in the world today have no relationship with Christ, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and its 30 partner and sister churches worldwide have initiated the Ablaze! movement to reach 100 million people with the Gospel by the year 2017. By resolution at the 2004 Synod Convention, LCMS members, pastors, congregations, and allied organizations endorsed Ablaze! to deliver hope and spiritual renewal by communicating the saving message of the Gospel.
Fan into Flame is the capital fundraising campaign endorsed by the 2004 Synodical Convention that will secure $100,000,000 in new money (over and above current LCMS World Mission budget) to help reach the Ablaze! goals. The first major campaign of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 25 years, Fan into Flame will touch all districts and congregations, helping LCMS Lutherans take a quantum leap in their ability to minister to the lost.
Our comprehensive program will not only allow the District to secure funds in support of its ministry needs, but it will afford all Michigan District members the opportunity to fund ministries here at home, across the country and around the world through one gift through this collaborative program.
Through this joint effort, we hope to:
- Add Missionaries in the field
- Provide funding for new ministry starts, leadership training centers, and new schools
- Build new seminary facilities
- Respond to opportunities and emergencies
World events are opening doors to the Gospel at a rapid pace in places where it has been hindered by political, social, and geographic limitations. Our intention is to supply LCMS World Mission with funding support for their global outreach efforts through our joint campaign. The Michigan District is honored to be able to help reach the lost throughout the world as we work to share the gospel with the lost throughout our District.
For more information on The Future is Now in partnership with Fan into Flame, or to secure a speaker for your congregation or church group please contact Ray Zavada, Vice President of Development for the Michigan District. Mr, Zavada may be reached at 888.225.2111 (toll free) or at ray.zavada@michigandistrict.org. To make a contribution, please contact Ray Zavada, or mail your tax deductible donation to Michigan District-LCMS, 3773 Geddes Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
You may also click on the "Donate Now" button below to make an online gift.
Our prayer is that each individual, congregation, or church group who is part of the Michigan District will help make a difference for the future of our church in Michigan that can only happen through shared purpose, common goals and commitment to growing Christ’s Kingdom.
Contact Information
Ray Zavada, Vice President of Development
Michigan District LCMS
3773 Geddes Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
888.225.2111, extension 264
ray.zavada@michigandistrict.org
Congregation Resources
The campaign video is available to Michigan District congregations on DVD. Please contact Ray as listed above to have the video sent to your congregation.
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