The leaders of our church are answering God’s call in extraordinary ways, rising to new challenges in this pandemic to serve the body of Christ and our neighbors. As Rostered Ministers Appreciation Day approaches this Sunday, Oct. 11, you can take this opportunity to express your heartfelt thanks — and to double your impact.

The ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship program makes it possible for future leaders of our church to pursue their call to ministry. You can recognize your pastor or deacon by making a gift in their honor to the ELCA Fund for Leaders. Thanks to generous donors, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar until we reach $5,000.

Such a gift is a beautiful way to show appreciation for your rostered minister’s leadership while investing in the next generation of our church’s leaders. Your gift of $150 can cover the cost of one week of tuition for a seminary course. When you make this gift, you can let your rostered minister know you’ve given in their honor by mailing, emailing or downloading one of the cards available at checkout. (You can also give a gift of any amount here and note the rostered minister your gift is honoring.)

Through this match, you’ll double your impact to support future pastors and deacons at a critical moment in their lives and in our church. When leaders receive an ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship, they’re released from financial burdens, able to pursue their call without breaking the bank. This academic year, the ELCA Fund for Leaders is supporting a total of 297 seminary students, including 50 new full-tuition, mission developer and federal chaplaincy scholarship recipients.

Double your impact and give a gift to the ELCA Fund for Leaders in honor of your rostered minister today.

Every contribution helps make seminary more affordable for these driven leaders so they can serve as the church needs and the Holy Spirit leads. Thank you so much for your generous support!