Kansas District Missions

Home \| President's Office \| Educational Services \| Missions \| Stewardship \| Caring Ministry \| Business Office \| LCEF Welcome to the Kansas District Mission Web pages. Designed for the Congregations, Schools, and fellow servants of the Lord Jesus and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, we are working to be an excellent resource for gospel mission work from your neighborhoods to the United States to around the world. Because Kansas is 50-60% unchurched, we have work to do every day.

The Time is Now by Rev. Mark Frith The Lord Jesus commands us as His Church to make disciples of all nations. We enjoy and value the opportunity of making disciples of the children born of our Lutheran parents. However, statistics reveal that a large majority of our LCMS congregations baptize and confirm less than three adults per year. In general, it seems we Lutherans really struggle with opening ourselves up for making and building relationships with people who are not already Lutheran. Of course, there are a few Lutherans who are exceptions to that generality. With a growing population of unchurched people in Kansas (and other states) and a diminishing LCMS membership overall, it is becoming more obvious that our disciple-making "behaviors" need to change. St. Paul encouraged Timothy, “to watch your doctrine and life closely…” Wow, do we watch doctrine closely. That is a good thing. Though, how we're doing that today in some ways ought to be challenged. It is the “life” part that is probably weak or needs some challenging. Life is about relationships. First our relationship forded by Christ Jesus. Then, all the relationships we have with others that God has brought into our lives. Because Christ first loved us, it is time for us to renew our going out and start loving “the others” again. We are so accustomed to holding services at the church, putting a sign out in the front yard, calling that a "community welcome invitation," and calling that a fulfilling of the Great Commission. Our behavior needs to change. It is time to become incarnational as Christians. It is time for us to go out and make ourselves available to bless people with the love of Christ. It is time to take Word and Sacrament out to the mission field of our communities.		Challenge Mission Grants Available The past couple of years, the Mission Board has worked on developing a good stewardship of mission dollars. We have encouraged applicants to list their goals for the mission dollars they are seeking. We look for specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and timely goals. These goals related to simply good and excellent working habits for servants involved in special mission endeavors. The ultimate goal of bringing people to faith in Jesus Christ is reserved for the Gospel and Holy Spirit. Our Lord, being an incarnational God, uses us to get involved in people’s lives, befriend them, love them, care for them, show them mercy. As we get involved with them, even in those kinds of mission ways, our Lord goes to work with His powerful Word to render a harvest of disciples. Does your congregation or group have a burning desire to reach a people group in your community that requires some mission funds? If so, apply for a Challenge Mission Grant from the District Office. Please download the Challenge Grant Application Form below, complete the application, and return it to both Rev. Mark Frith (mtfrith@kslcms.org) and Lori Hennessey (lori@kslcms.org). One or both of us will be in communication with you to complete the application process. The Mission Board will determine those receiving Challenge Mission Grants. Challenge Mission Grant Application - Word - PDF Contact Information Rev. Mark Frith Assistant to the President, Missions & Stewardship mtfrith@kslcms.org 785-357-4441 ext. 222 800-357-4421 ext. 222 Marvin Kohlmeier Mission Awareness Coordinator marvink@carsoncomm.com 785-547-6096 Lori Hennessey Administrative Assistant lori@kslcms.org 785-357-4441 ext. 223 800-357-4421 ext. 223