Benevolence Ministry
"Benevolence” is a designated percentage of the church budget donated to God’s work outside of the existing outreach programs of St. Andrew’s. Gifts are distributed in the following three geographical areas:
- “Local.” The St. Paul metropolitan area. (i.e. “East Metro.”)
- “National.” The United States.
- “International.” Outside the U.S.
Within these three areas, we considered giving financial gifts to six general areas of ministry: Evangelism; Homelessness; Hunger; Children & Families in Crisis; Adults in Transition or Crisis; and Communities in Crisis. In 2007, $65,000 was deposited in this account and $56,000 was allocated for the Church fiscal year 2008. Therefore, following is a summary of the $121,000 that was distributed during our 2008 church fiscal year:
Grants approved as of September 1, 2008
AFRICA JAM $15,000 approved
Assisting the building of a Youth Center in the impoverished township of Khayelitsha in Cape Town, South Africa.
CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST $5,000 approved
An organization committed to bringing the Gospel to every student and every nation. Currently serving 191 counties throughout the world.
DESANA, INC. $10,800 approved
The goal for Desana is to improve and enrich the lives of children living in poverty. Grant was specifically requested for operating a school in Peru.
ETHEL GORDON COMMUNITY CARE CENTER $2,500 approved
A center serving homeless women and children in the Twin Cities.
FAMILY MEANS $4,000 approved
A program providing education, counseling, support groups and respite care to families who are caring for individuals who are ill, frail or disabled.
FRIENDS IN NEED FOOD SHELF $5,000 approved
Friends in Need Food Shelf serves over 11,000 people a year in South Washington County. They are the only food shelf serving this area for the past 14 years.
HOSANNA LUTHERAN CHURCH $5,000 approved
This is a program set up by Hosanna Lutheran Church to assist the victims of the “Hugo Tornado” in the spring of 2008.
LITTLE BROTHERS-FRIENDS OF THE ELDERLY $2,500 approved
It’s mission is to relieve isolation and loneliness among the elderly by providing counseling, socialization, in-home & nursing care, and transportation
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES $10,000 approved
Funds were granted for the “Center for Changing Lives”, a Lutheran Social Services led project that links affordable family housing to social services and a worshipping community.
OUTREACH – GAS VOUCHERS $1,200 approved
An outreach program of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church that provides gas vouchers to individuals in the community.
ST. PAUL AREA LUTHERAN SYNOD $20,000 approved
The Church Council approved a distribution to our local synod, which is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
ST. PAUL PARTNERS: TANZANIA WATER PROJECT $10,000 approved
The mission is to bring safe drinking water to the people living in rural Tanzania, East Africa.
WORLD ENCOUNTER $15,000 approved
A highly successful program helping women in poverty through micro loans in Tanzania.
YOUNG LIFE – ST. CROIX VALLEY $7,500 approved
Young Life seeks to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with teen moms, young people and abuse/addiction, young people in shelters, and tutoring for youth in low income families.
YOUNG LIFE – WHITE BEAR/ MAHTOMEDI $7,500 approved
Supports an outreach ministry to high school students in the East Metro area who have physical and developmental disabilities.
