Financial partnership from the 295 Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod congregations in Iowa significantly provides for the LFS ministry. In 1990, some congregations began to allocate 3% of their budget to go toward the LFS ministry. At the 2000 Iowa District West and East Conventions, the congregations passed a resolution encouraging each congregation to annually place LFS in its budget. As a congregation, please continue supporting this Christ-centered ministry through lifting up those we serve in your prayers and by providing for them through your congregation's budget.

The Lutheran Women's Missionary Leagues (LWML) across Iowa, also have been very supportive of furthering the mission of the LFS ministry. These ladies have worked hard to find creative and fun ways to raise money and spread the message about the help LFS can provide families in their areas.

Other ways congregations, organizations, youth groups and Sunday Schools can show their support for the LFS ministry are through organizing special fund raisers. In most cases, these groups can have their gifts matched through the Thrivent Care Abounds in Communities program. To learn more about the Thrivent opportunities, visit the Thrivent web site ( http://www.thrivent.com/fraternal/index.html) or contact the LFS Development team at (515) 573-3138.

God be praised for the commitment by these churches to see this important ministry grow and expand to serve an even greater number of people in Iowa!