The LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund is entering its second year, with projects from its first two funding rounds now underway across the church. Established in 2024, the fund provides grants that help congregations, schools and agencies develop new ways to share the gospel and serve their communities.
Jodi Brook, who oversees the Local Mission Fund, said the first round of funding demonstrated the creativity and commitment to mission that exists across the church.
She said the fund’s impact has extended beyond financial support, with recipients reporting that the process has ‘encouraged collaboration, strengthened local partnerships and helped their congregations be more intentional about mission’.
Projects supported through the fund have reflected a wide range of mission opportunities, including youth ministry, cross-cultural outreach, learning initiatives and new expressions of church.
At Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Aberfoyle Park, South Australia, funding has supported the creation of a campus missional engagement leader role, helping strengthen connections between the congregation and Our Saviour Lutheran School.
Congregation member Julie Slaghekke said the role had grown out of a vision to see the congregation and school ‘not as two separate ministries, but as one campus with a shared mission’. She said the congregation was already encouraged by the opportunities emerging through stronger relationships with the school.
At Wodonga Lutheran Parish, Victoria, funding has helped strengthen ministry partnerships with co-located Victory Lutheran College. Ministry Coordinator Lisa Enever said family chapel attendance had increased, with many college families, parish members and new young families attending regularly. Regular class visits, family chapel and shared events had helped more students see the parish as ‘their church’, she said.
Building on its existing ministries, Zion Lutheran Church in Glynde, South Australia, is developing the Glynde Cross-Cultural Ministry Centre, a three-year multicultural ministry project.
Chairperson Tim Eckert said Local Mission Fund support had strengthened the congregation’s cross-cultural ministry and created new opportunities for connection and discipleship.
‘Individuals who first connected through English classes or family programs are volunteering, participating in worship, joining Bible studies and contributing their gifts within the life of the church community,’ he said. ‘New friendships have formed across cultures, barriers have been broken down, and our congregation is increasingly reflecting the diversity of the community we serve.’
Expressions of interest for the 2027 Local Mission Fund close on 20 August. The fund provides seed grants of up to $10,000 and major project grants of up to $100,000. Find out more at www.lca.org.au/local-mission-fund
