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!
Kingdom Expansion Together Grant
The Kingdom Expansion Together Fund has been established by the LCMS Northern Illinois District’s Board of Directors (BOD) in order to reinvest stewardship gifts and offerings entrusted to the LCMS Northern Illinois District (NID) back into churches, schools, and ministries of the NID, as well as the NID itself, with the focus of reaching new people with the Gospel of Christ. Grant proposals may be submitted by NID congregations, schools, preschools, circuits, Recognized Service Organizations, associations, and the NID office.
While the focus of the Kingdom Expansion Together Fund is outreach, it is designed to cover a variety of mission areas for our churches, schools, and ministries.
Grant proposals should be submitted to the office of Mission and Ministry. Contact Rev. Kris Whitby, Assistant to the President – Mission and Ministry, at kriswhitby@nidlcms.org with questions.
Download the Kingdom Expansion Together Grant guidelines and application.
Endowment Grant
- 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 intercultural 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.
