Greetings. I'm Dick Magnus, executive director for the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit. We appreciate your visit to our web site. And we particularly appreciate your partnership as we seek to Make Christ Known across this country. Let me take just a couple of moments to share with you what we are about....

Our mission? To plant new and support existing congregations in order to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

You've probably heard that 120,000,000 people in this country are without a Christian faith community. That the U.S. is the world's fourth (some say third) largest mission field. Some communities with as many as 75 - 90% unchurched.

Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit Priority: Multiply the number of new starts
Because the best way to reach these people is through starting new congregations, that's the priority of this division. That's where most of our energy and our dollars will be focused — to start new ministries in communities that are growing ... to start new congregations in ethnic communities ... and to start new ministries in areas of the country where the ELCA has not previously been present.

We push forward with the "2000 congregations" project — starting 2000 new congregations within the next 20 years.

Some of you have already gotten on-board. Some of your congregations are providing all or part of the funds necessary to place a mission developer in a new site, or are using your resources – facilities, staff, and members — to start a new ministry as a satellite of your own congregation.

The Division for Outreach will also work for the renewal of congregations
Many of our established congregations are struggling. Our Urban Team, our Small Town and Rural Team, and our deployed staff assist synods and congregations in their intentional efforts at renewal. Our goal is to help congregations be transformed into vibrant centers of Christian mission and faith that make a difference in the lives of people and the communities they serve.

A study of our redeveloping congregations receiving grants indicates that most were not changed over the last five years – the same problems -- the same culture -- remained at the end. Therefore, grants and staff support will continue to be available for congregations willing to make the major changes required for renewal. But, we are not interested in or able to finance business as usual.

The Division for Outreach will develop and implement ethnic strategies
In changing communities, we work with our partners in the Commission for Multi cultural Ministries to help congregations develop strategies to invite Africans and African Americans, Latinos, Asians and Pacific Islanders, American Indian and Alaska Natives, Arab and Middle Eastern peoples into our life and worship.

The Division for Outreach will plan for outreach with people living in poverty
Another concern is for persons living in poverty. As a middle-class church, we really don't know how to minister to and with those who struggle just to live from day-to-day. As we search for ways to start and maintain ministries in low-income communities, we look for direction — from God, from individuals, and from churches that have learned how to accompany, to incorporate, and to utilize the gifts of the economically impoverished.

To accomplish all of these goals requires trained leaders and significant resources. To find the best possible leaders, especially those of color and language other than English, we work with the Division for Ministry, seminaries, synods, and candidacy committees. We invite your assistance in identifying and recruiting spirit-filled, capable persons who can start new and renew established ministries and help more people become a part of God's mission.

God's mission is calling us forth into exciting possibilities in sharing the joy of our faith in Jesus Christ. We covet your strong partnership.

Back to Opportunities, Resources, and Multimedia