Mites and Missions | Christ Lutheran Church

At the heart of LWML is its focus on missions. Each biennium, a mission grant goal is set by the voting assembly. The goal is funded by supporters through monetary gifts placed into LWML Mite Boxes as a thank offering to God and with a prayer for our worldwide missions. Contributions collected by local societies, or at zone or district events, are sent to the district treasurer. The monies are divided 75% for the district mission goal and 25% for the LWML mission goal. In its first 65 years, over $85 million have been given to support missions all over the world.

2023–2025 MISSION GRANT NO. 5
DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, TYLER, TEXAS | $50,000
Serving Those Affected by Natural Disasters
The Disaster Response Team at Trinity Lutheran Church in Tyler, Texas, was established in 2017. They have approximately forty men and women from Trinity Lutheran Church on their team. Members of other LCMS congregations from the Texas District and other districts come and join them as they set up base camps to respond to natural disasters. They participate in the LCMS training, Lutheran Early Response Training (LERT). Natural disasters (hurricanes, tornados, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes) occur without warning. People are often unaware and ill prepared to respond to the disaster in a timely fashion. Natural disasters cause loss of lives, damage to property, roads, bridges, buildings, and powerlines. There is a lack of food and water. All these conditions can cause injuries and affect the health of those impacted by the disaster. In order to respond to a natural disaster, it is important to have equipment and trailers to haul the equipment. It is important to maintain the tools and equipment as well as purchase new updated equipment. When the team responds, some members stay for the duration and others rotate out on a weekly basis. The team equipment is also used by response teams from other areas as they work together to help the suffering community. Re-flecting on the words of St. Paul, If one member suffers, all suffer together (1 Corinthians 12:26), the Disaster Response Team re-sponds to clean up the damage caused by the natural disaster, and they reach out to listen to the victim’s stories and feelings of despair and hopelessness. They share Jesus’ love, compassion, and concern. Victims hear the Words of Jesus that bring hope, healing, and comfort during their time of despair. In this time of suffering, they are directed to Christ. This mission grant will help maintain current equipment and purchase needed equipment to help the team as they respond to natural disasters and bring comfort, peace, and healing to the troubled hearts of victims of natural disasters.

The Mite Box:

Based on the biblical account of the window's mite (Luke 21:1-4), the Mite Box is intended for regular contributions of "mites" - offerings given above and beyond the support given to congregation and the LCMS. Mite Box contributions amount to millions of dollars that fund district and national mission grands and implement the LWML program.

The LWML Mite Box is a simple box used to receive my gifts of gratitude beyond the regular offerings. The Mite Box is used because it is convenient. It is also personal and individual, with symbolism to remind us of Christ's sacrifice for us and a world that needs our love. And while each of our boxes isn't enough to build a chapel or provide Bibles for new Christians in other countries, the combined boxes of the over 250,000 members of the LWML can indeed make a difference in the world.

Mission Grants: