The LCMS 1 John 3 Initiative Million Dollar Life Match
On December 1, President Harrison announced the LCMS 1 John 3 Initiative Million Dollar Life Match! “In 2022 the LCMS will offer $1 Million in matching grants to LCMS congregations for their local beginning of life, pro-life mercy efforts as they provide spiritual, emotional and physical care to strengthen families across the United States. The 1 John 3 Million Dollar Life Match seeks to strengthen congregations in their ability to serve their neighbors through their own congregational mercy projects or as they work with other agencies, including LCMS Recognized Service Organizations, pregnancy and family resource organizations or Christian adoption agencies.”
The program offers a total of $1 million in matching grants — ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 each — to LCMS congregations. Grants will be given out in three phases during 2022 and 2023.
Eligible projects might include:
· Partner with an LCMS Recognized Service Organization
· Start a congregational mercy project for mothers, babies and families
· Participate in the work of a local Christian pregnancy resource center
· Get involved with a Christian adoption or foster care organization
· Collaborate with nearby LCMS congregations to start a pro-life project
Resources for congregations — media kit
Resources are available to help your congregation build excitement around starting a new pro-life mercy project or expanding an existing one and to promote your work in the community.
The LCMS 1 John 3 Initiative Million Dollar Life Match website will be updated with details as they become available. Check it out now for a link to a bulletin insert and other resources.
These resources will help you (1) Think through ways to start or expand its local, beginning-of-life mercy efforts, and (2) Share those efforts with the community.
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (ESV, 1 John 3:16-18)
Deaconess Sara Smith
District Life Coordinator Rocky Mountain District, LCMS
DistrictLifeCoordinator@gmail.com