The Western North Dakota Synod Ministry Trust Fund

"A Sower went out to sow. . .and some produced abundantly . . ." --Mark 4

God's Abundance . . .

In one tiny seed. God has stored the miracle of abundance. Planted in good soil, nourished by water and sunlight one seed can produce hundreds. God provides miracles of abundance.

Recognizing that the Western North Dakota Synod has been blessed with a living endowment of faithful members with rich gifts and varied talents, the Western North Dakota Synod Ministry Trust Fund was established to enable the further growth and strengthening of ministry and stewardship opportunities in our synod and on behalf of the larger Church. The Ministry Trust Funds consists of two separate endowment funds the Ministry Endowment Fund and the Mission Endowment Fund, the functions of each are outlined below.

Ministry Endowment Fund

We sow the Good News of Jesus Christ through the worship services, outreach in Jesus' name, and by serving our neighbor. To maintain healthy congregations we need pastors willing to serve. On average seminarians now graduate with $40,000 in debt, some with twice that amount. Funding educational debt makes it more likely that leaders will be able to serve in synods like ours where salaries are low.

The Ministry Endowment Fund provides

1. scholarships to seminary students from Western North Dakota whose goal is to enter rostered ministry in the ELCA
2. Debt relief to pastors who are called to serve congregations and ministries of the Western North Dakota synod.

Mission Endowment Fund

The Mission Endowment Fund was established in 2010 to provide for mission opportunities in congregations and ministries of the Western North Dakota Synod and ministries associated with the Western North Dakota Synod. As principal is built up, congregations and other ministries of the synod will be able to apply for grants generated by the fund's income to provide seed money for mission initiatives that will serve others in local communities and around the world.

Seeds of Faith

God has abundantly provided. we now have an opportunity through the Wester North Dakota Ministry Trust Fund to share what God has given, so that the Good News of Jesus Christ will continue to be sown on the prairies.

Are you interested in sowing a few seeds for the future?

The Western North Dakota Ministry Trust Fund Committee is seeking partners to grow the fund. Earnings will help provide for faithful ministry in our synod for years to come.

Please designate your gift for either the Ministry Endowment Fund or the Mission Endowment Fund and send to PO Box 370, Bismarck, ND 58502. Gifts may also be given in memory of or in honor of loved ones, special events or celebrations.