Ministry Support – Northern Illinois District

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Mission Focus

As the District Office, we carry out our mission by upholding three pillars. These pillars direct our work together in the vision laid out for us.

WORD: Helping congregations be more centered on a rich life of Word and Sacrament, with congregational support in transitions, as well as time of joys and sorrows.
WELLNESS: Promoting and encouraging health and vitality in congregations, schools, ministries, professional workers, and lay-leaders.
WITNESS: Encouraging personal witnessing, congregational engagement with their community, support of our NID partnerships and missions, and sharing in a world mission field together.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

Mission Grants

The LCMS Northern Illinois District encourages you to partner with us in Advancing His Kingdom, faithfully serving the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sharing it in our community and the world. You make a difference!

Mission Target Grant

Some of the highlights of the Mission Target Grant include:

It is available to all churches, schools, and RSOs of the NID
It has no cap on the amount that may be requested
Its funding may be utilized over a three-year period
It will have two award periods each year, Spring and Fall, until the fund is fully expended
It may be used to partially fund bringing a new church worker to a ministry

Grant proposals should be submitted to Rev. Kris Whitby, Assistant to the President – Mission and Ministry, at kris.whitby@nidlcms.org. Proposals for each award period will be reviewed by the Mission Target Grant Committee the last Monday of February and August, respectively.

Download the Mission Target Grant guidelines and application (updated 3/16/2023)

Donate to the Mission Target Grant fund to help provide support to ministries who are seeking to expand their Gospel impact in their surrounding community.

Endowment Grant

The Endowment Committee of the LCMS Northern Illinois District (NID) will consider requests for grants for all programs consistent with the goals of the NID. Grants may be submitted by NID congregations, schools, preschools, circuits, associations, and Recognized Service Organizations that are listed in the current Lutheran Annual and incorporating one or more of the following will receive particular attention:

Innovative projects which are designed to connect and engage with people in the surrounding community so that relationships can be developed and the potential for ministry occurs.
Specialized training for groups or individuals which will equip them to better serve in the NID and the Synod, as well as to carry out the first bullet point.
Ministry initiatives which will lead, God willing, to new ways of Word+Wellness+Witness, as ways to help people learn about Jesus.

Download guidelines and application

Partnership Grant

The Partnership Grants are normally in the range of $1,000 to $5,000 though that is flexible. Their purpose is to assist your ministry organization in accomplishing ministry initiatives consistent with the mission and vision of the district: Filled with living hope in Christ, Confessing, Praising, and Advancing His Kingdom. District staff will partner with you throughout the process of planning and implementing your new initiative.

Download guidelines and application Revised 11/15/2023

Discuss mission in your congregation & school:

Please contact a district mission facilitator for the following:

Rev. Kris Whitby – Assistant to the President, Mission and Ministry
Mrs. Lois Stewart, Missions – Advancing His Kingdom in action through church and school

District services to churches include: networking, culture change, mission strategy, building partnerships, outreach development, leader training, mission grants, and professional development.

Find these ministries:

Intercultural Ministry – Email Rev. Kris Whitby to learn how to reach out to our communities which are in transition. See updates on ethnic ministry

Lutheran Women Missionary League (LWML) – The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) is the official women’s auxiliary of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. See updates on LWML ministry.

NID Life Task Force – Email Rev. Cory Estby to learn about task force resources and events to help your church promote God’s gift of life. See updates on area life activities.

NID Parish Nurse Network – Email Pat Couch to learn about educational and networking opportunities for parish nurses and congregational health ministries. See updates on parish nurse activity.

NID Prison Ministry – Visit our webpage about the NID Prison Ministry Email the District Office to leave your contact information for Deaconess Lori Wilbert from Statesville Correctional Center.