On Thanksgiving Day, members of New Life, Lake Zurich, Ill., drove a couple of passenger vans to Great Lakes Naval Station to pick up 28 naval recruits. These young people, nearing the end of boot camp, were “adopted” by the congregation for the holiday through the naval station’s “Adopt-a-Sailor” program.

The recruits were treated to a Thanksgiving meal, games, the opportunity to call home, bowling, and pizza. Members of the congregation coordinated and served the meal, organized the activities, and transported the young sailors to and from base.

New Life has been participating in this program for many years after a member and Navy veteran suggested it. The congregation is able to continue showing Christ’s love through this act of hospitality with the help of a Community Care and Compassion matching grant from WELS Christian Aid and Relief.

The Community Care and Compassion matching grants were developed by WELS Christian Aid and Relief “to help and encourage self-supporting congregations in reaching out to their community with the compassion of Christ,” explains Daniel Sims, director of Christian Aid and Relief. Congregations can request up to $4,000 in matching funds to assist with efforts that help people in the community with physical, psychological, or emotional needs. A congregation can receive one grant per year for either a one-time project or ongoing service.

Sims says the goal is for congregation members to be out in the community serving their neighbors. Take Peace in Loves Park, Ill. Since 2023, members of Peace have been serving breakfast once a month at a community organization that helps people experiencing homelessness in nearby Rockford. The grant request from Peace listed three objectives: 1) Be a blessing to the people in the community, 2) Give members an opportunity to serve their neighbors, and 3) Proclaim the good news of Jesus at every opportunity.

For Christmas this year, the church also handed out sweatshirts to those who received the breakfast. In addition to being practical and warm, the sweatshirts featured a gospel message: “Jesus—The Way, The Truth, The Life.”

Learn more about the matching grant program at wels.net/relief. Discover more about WELS Christian Aid and Relief in this month’s WELS Connection.

Author: FIC
Volume 112, Number 01
Issue: January 2025