Every other month our CLC Board of Missions updates us with recent news from various mission fields.
The goal of our domestic mission program is to assist in spreading the Gospel by offering direction, encouragement, and financial support to preaching stations and congregations that are not be able to support a full-time ministry on their own, and that show the potential to eventually become self-sustaining. Currently, we support one subsidized congregation, but we also work in other ways to support mission work across the CLC.
In recent years, the Committee on Domestic Fields has developed resources and seminars to help congregations with local outreach efforts. For many years, the Traveling Vacation Bible School program has helped congregations promote and run VBS programs in their communities. Each year, the Board of Missions also allocates funds through the Mission Development Fund (MDF) to support local mission outreach when congregations need extra assistance. Immanuel Lutheran in Winter Haven, FL, where I serve, recently received an MDF grant to help launch Learning with Littles, a program designed to reach families with young children in our community.
Learning with Littles is a free educational playgroup for caregivers and children ages birth to six, offering them a chance to learn and play together. The group meets at Immanuel on the second and fourth Fridays of each month for an hour filled with Bible stories, educational activities, and free playtime. This program also allows families to see our school and get to know church members who volunteer.
While our school has a spacious outdoor area and playground, most equipment is suited for older children. With the help of the MDF grant, Immanuel was able to purchase equipment for younger children, such as a portable playhouse, mini trampoline, toddler slide, and baby swings. We also purchased outdoor blankets and a portable speaker to make the sessions more comfortable. Funds are also used to advertise for the playgroup.
Our hope is that Learning with Littles will provide opportunities to connect with young families in our community and share God’s Word with them. As we build these relationships, we pray that these families might be led to consider our school and, in time, to join our congregation. We are thankful for the MDF grant that made it possible for us to get this program up and running.
is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Winter Haven, Florida, and a member of the CLC Board of Missions
