2024 humanitarian aid grants approved
In May, WELS Christian Aid and Relief announced humanitarian aid grants totaling $490,154 for Fiscal Year 2024-25. WELS Home Missions will receive $64,258 in assistance, and WELS World Missions will receive $425,896.
WELS home and world missionaries develop humanitarian aid projects to reflect Christ’s compassion to the people of their communities and to build relationships that lead to opportunities to share the gospel.
Each year home and world missionaries, in conjunction with their mission boards and administrative teams, submit applications for grants to help them carry out humanitarian aid projects in their mission fields. These grants help to supply basic needs like water for the thirsty, food for the hungry, medical care for the sick and dying, mosquito netting for people who live in areas where malaria is a problem, school supplies for underprivileged children, and many other needs. At a spring meeting, WELS Christian Aid and Relief meets with representatives of WELS Home and World Missions to review these requests and designate funding for approved projects.
While many of the humanitarian aid efforts are ongoing, new projects are approved too. This year, Christian Aid and Relief is providing funding to Cross of Life, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Cross of Life is located across from a motel used by the Canadian government as a shelter for international refugees. Though the government provides some basic supplies, the refugees still need more assistance. This grant will help Cross of Life supply basic needs like clothes, cases of water, and baby supplies like formula and diapers.
Intown, Atlanta, Ga., is also receiving funding for a new effort to provide transportation assistance. One of the greatest needs for low-income families in Atlanta is transportation. Many low-income families struggle to attend worship, Bible study, and other church events. This grant supplies Uber or Lyft rides for these families so they can come to church to worship their Savior and study God’s Word.
Rev. Dan Sims, director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief, says “Most of us in America are spoiled. We flip a switch, and the light comes on. We turn the handle, and the water flows. Many in our world lack the basic needs that we tend to take for granted. Our humanitarian aid grant program allows our home and world missionaries to supply basic needs to people who are struggling and show them the compassion of Christ. This, of course, leads to many conversations about our Savior.”
The following Home Mission congregations are receiving grants:
- Hope, Ontario, Canada
- Living Hope, Commerce City, Colo.
- Christ, Denver, Colo.
- Christ the Rock, Farmington, N.M.
- Cross of Life, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- Intown, Atlanta, Ga.
- Living Hope, Chattanooga, Tenn.
- New Mission, Bentonville, Ark.
- Amazing Grace, Amarillo, Texas
- Christ Our Refuge, Hewitt, Texas
- Christ the Rock, Hutto, Texas
- Abiding Savior, Killeen, Texas
- Divine Peace, Rockwall, Texas
- Our Savior, West San Antonio, Texas
- St. Peter, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Hope, Deerfield, Wis.
- Bethlehem, Richland Center, Wis.
The following World Mission fields are receiving grants:
- Africa—Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, and Uganda
- Asia—Indonesia, Nepal, and Pakistan
- Europe—Albania and England
- Latin America
To learn more about the work of WELS Christian and Relief or to support its ministry, visit wels.net/relief.
