Planting Hope
The Planting Hope Campaign expresses our confidence that God is at work in the 106 congregations and mission starts of the Saint Paul Area Synod and God is at work in the East Metro of the Twin Cities, the territory served by our synod. To date, we have raised more than $1.4 million that supports these four activity areas:
- Invite neighbors into life in Christ
- Renew the congregations of the synod
- Raise up the next generations of leaders
- Invest in a transformative project on the East Side of St. Paul
Thanks to the generosity of congregations and major donors, we rejoice in the successful completion of that fourth item…the transformative project on St. Paul’s East Side. At the 2023 Synod Assembly, we presented a $1 million check to Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Those funds were designated for the renovation of Grace Lutheran Church in St. Paul to house LSS’ Early Learning Center – East Side. This therapeutic preschool is a life-changing resource, now open for children and their families on the East Side of St. Paul!
Raise Up the Next Generations of Leaders
This synod is also well on its way toward the third initiative… investing in the future of the church by investing in young adults who will serve as future leaders of the church, both as rostered ministers as well as engaged lay leaders. We have already achieved funding for five summers of paid internships for young adults. We’ve enjoyed two rounds of interns already and look forward to future summers that provide young people with meaningful work experience at congregations and non-profits along with opportunities to learn, serve and reflect.
Our attention is now focused on two additional initiatives related to raising up the next generations of leaders:
- Funding global travel experiences for young adults
- Relieving a portion of our pastors’ and deacons’ seminary debt
Please prayerfully consider how you may support these efforts.
Renew the Congregations of the Synod
Another area of emphasis will be continuing to renew the congregations of the synod. This will happen by funding congregational vitality programs, which help lay leaders and rostered ministers assess their congregation’s health and consider how God is calling them into their future. From vision/mission/goal setting retreats to stewardship training and spiritual gifts workshops, the synod’s Vitality Team walks alongside your congregation to help you listen, collaborate, innovate, equip and adapt.
Invite Others into Life in Christ
The final focus of the campaign during 2025 will be on inviting others into life in Christ. We’ve done so much already through The Planting Hope Campaign. We hope you’ll stay with us (or hop on board) as we shift to our fundraising efforts as The Planting MORE Hope Campaign. Stay tuned!
How to Invest in Planting More Hope
Congregations of the synod are the primary funding mechanism for the Planting More Hope Campaign. Individual donors are encouraged to pass their contributions through their congregation. If so some reason that isn’t possible, individual donations are welcome.
If your congregation has already contributed to Planting Hope, thank you. Whether you had a stand-alone funding drive, rolled Planting Hope into your own capital campaign, you simply designated mission funds or had another process for gathering contributions, we are so grateful. Now we ask: is it possible for you to give more? Contact the synod office at 651-224-4313 to discuss what resources will help you this time.
If your congregation has not yet contributed to Planting Hope, it’s not too late to invest in the common work in the synod. We look forward to another year of added support for congregational vitality and increased investment in the lives of young adults. Contact the synod office at 651-224-4313 to get started.
Congregational Resources
A variety of resources are available for congregations to download related to The Planting [More] Hope Campaign, including bulletin inserts, a flyer, videos and intent forms.
