How To Blow Through $300,000 from Thrivent

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation approves grants totaling $310,000 to WELS
MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 14, 2003)

-- The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation has approved 11 grants totaling $310,000 to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), Milwaukee, Wis. The grants support the following WELS projects:
* New Directions in Stewardship ($65,000). This grant supports the enhancement of the resources and implementation of stewardship education at the congregational level.
* English Language Outreach Model ($50,000). This grant supports onsite training for English as a Second Language (ESL) program to be used as a model for congregational mission and outreach.
* World Missions Promotion Program ($50,000). This grant supports implementation of the new WELS Mission Partners Program.
* Pilot Program for Master of Education Degree Program ($45,000). This grant supports the development of graduate-level course curriculum to address the leadership training needs of WELS teachers and administrators.
* Facing Freedom ($25,000). This grant supports the development of resources for the WELS prison ministry that will assist prison chaplains and the newly released prisoners.
* Providing Cultural Diversity at Martin Luther College ($24,000). This grant supports cultural diversity training seminars and immersion experiences for faculty and students so they are more effective in their ministry to minority cultures.
* WhatAboutJesus.Com Web Site ($20,500). This grant supports the effectiveness of the Witness Web site through professional consultation and the development of new materials.
* Parish Care Committee Training ($10,000). This grant provides resources and training for lay leaders in the congregational support of their called workers and families.
* WELS 2003 National Convention ($10,000). This grant provided funding to support the synod’s 2003 national convention, held July 28-31, 2003, at Luther Preparatory School, New Ulm, Minn.
* Babies, Bottles and Baptism ($4,400). This grant supports a pilot program advertising local congregations by promoting baptism through fliers distributed in sports bottles targeting new parents in the community.
* Mental Health Sensitivity Training at WELS Schools ($6,100). This grant supports mental health training seminars for college students and staff.

“The task of developing and enhancing ministries and outreach by the Church is never finished,” said Jim Yagow, vice president of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation Grants Committee. “Thrivent Financial is pleased to support these Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod initiatives, and we believe they represent tremendous opportunities to expand the ministries and growth of WELS.” The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod is an association of 1,239 congregations in the United States, Canada, Antigua and St. Lucia. The Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation is a private foundation funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. As a 501(c)(3) organization with its own board of trustees, the foundation is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary and education purposes and makes grants and gifts to 501(c)(3) exempt organizations. The Foundation does not provide grants to individuals. To learn more about the Foundation and its programs, visit: www.thrivent.com/fraternal/foundation.

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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "How To Blow Through $300,000 from Thrivent":

All I see are pet projects and ego trips for some very needy leaders.