Join us as we celebrate 30 years of the Mission Endowment Fund and give thanks for the faithful generosity that has planted seeds of mission, ministry, outreach, and hope throughout our communities and beyond.
Thirty Years. Thousands of Seeds. Countless Lives Touched.
For 30 years, faithful people have scattered seeds and God has provided the growth.
As Jesus teaches in Mark 4:26:
“The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground.”
Now, we invite you to join us for the Seeds That Change fundraising gala as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and invest in the future of God’s mission.
Sponsor a table for your congregation for just $400, or purchase an individual ticket for $60!
Our $30-for-30 Challenge
In celebration of 30 years, our goal is to raise $30,000 for the Mission Endowment Fund.
Can’t attend the gala? You can still be part of the celebration!
A $30 gift is a simple way to plant a seed for the next generation of mission and ministry. When we give together, those individual seeds become a harvest of hope.
“The one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” — 2 Corinthians 9:6
Help us reach our $30,000 goal! Click Here to Donate
“Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” — 1 Corinthians 3:7
Questions about the gala or Mission Endowment Fund?
Contact Jennifer Hachmeister, Executive Director of the MEF, at mef@ntnl.org.
We hope you’ll join us for this special celebration!
Mission Endowment Fund Grant Application Window Opens October 1
The North Texas Northern Louisiana Synod (NTNL) of the ELCA’s Mission Endowment Fund is pleased to announce that the application window for its 2026 Grant Awards will open October 1 and remain open through October 31, 2026.
The Mission Endowment Fund (MEF) exists for the Synod and for God’s work, providing financial support for creative and meaningful ministries throughout the NTNL Synod.
A Simpler Way to Apply
This year, the MEF is offering a downloadable grant application packet that includes both the grant guidelines and application.
The downloadable format allows applicants to:
- Download the complete application packet.
- Review the guidelines at their convenience.
- Work on the application offline.
- Save work as they develop their ministry proposal.
- Upload the completed application when they are ready to submit.
We hope this format provides greater flexibility and makes the application process easier for congregations and ministries.
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help.
The MEF recognizes that every ministry is unique, and we want applicants to feel comfortable asking questions or seeking clarification before submitting an application.
Questions and other inquiries may be submitted to mef@ntnl.org. Please include your question(s), along with your name, congregation or ministry, and additional contact information. A member of the Mission Endowment Fund Grants Committee will review the inquiry and contact you with the appropriate response.
Don’t let a question keep you from applying! If you have an idea for ministry and aren’t sure whether it fits the grant guidelines, reach out. We welcome the opportunity to help you better understand the application process.
Applications Open October 1
Congregations and ministries throughout the NTNL Synod are encouraged to begin thinking about the ways a Mission Endowment Fund grant could help turn a ministry vision into action.
Whether your ministry is building upon an existing program, responding to a new community need, or taking a bold new step in ministry, we invite you to explore the 2026 grant opportunity.
Application Window: October 1–31, 2026
Questions: mef@ntnl.org
The Mission Endowment Fund looks forward to hearing about the ways God is working through the people and ministries of the NT-NL Synod.
For the Synod. By the Synod. For God’s Work.
Application link: ntnl.org/ministries/mef (Available 10/1-31/2026)
August Mission Support Memo
The August 2026 Mission Support Memo spotlights a story by First Lutheran Church in St. Peter, MN. of our Southwestern Minnesota Synod strategically using The Generosity Project to build a culture of intergenerational giving and gratitude that eventually allowed them to retire their mortgage – they call it a “Mortgage Miracle”. Speaking of stewardship, learn about how your congregation can participate in the Fall “Cultivating Generous Congregations” cohort at a great deal. Finally, hear about how the Congregation and Synod Support Team is adapting to new staffing and structure.
Lutheran Men in Mission Ambassador Gram
Find updates about Lutheran Men in Mission and upcoming events here.
Featured Resources for September
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month —a time to raise awareness of this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. September is used to shift public perception, spread hope and share vital information to people affected by suicide. The goal of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and other advocacy groups is to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.
For more information and resources for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ website.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988, go to 988lifeline.org/chat or text NAMI to 741-741
Where in the world is?
NT-NL synod staff are excited to engage in-person on Sundays for worship. As good stewards of time and travel dollars, we will be utilizing online meeting formats in our new hybrid reality when possible. If you would like to schedule a meeting with the bishop or Synod staff please contact them directly.
Bishop Gronberg:
October 3: MEF Seeds that Change Banquet
October 4: Central, Dallas
October 8-10: Wartburg Seminary Board, Dubuque, IA
Pastora Bañales:
September 30: DEM Advisory Team Meeting
September 30: Santa Maria, Irving
Pastor Fitting-Snyder:
September 28-30: First Call Retreat, Episcopal Center, Mustang Island
October 6: Endorsement Panel, Zoom
October 10: NT-NL Candidacy Committee, Zoom
October 11: West Plano Presbyterian, Plano
October 18: St. John’s, Gatesville
October 20: Discernment Cohort, Zoom
October 25: Emmanuel, Dallas
October 29: Theological Review Panel, Zoom
Upcoming Events
With the ever-changing guidelines and recommendations in our world right now, as we maintain physical distance in social solidarity, please keep in mind these events may be moved online, postponed, or cancelled:
- October 10: Public Witness Team Meeting
- October 15: NT-NL Youth Leader Lunch, Rejoice, Coppell
Access our full online Calendar here. Updates made regularly.
Do you have news or announcements to share? Please submit to office@ntnl.org for consideration for upcoming editions of our weekly news.