MinistryFOCUS announces 2025 grants; all-time total surpasses $1 million
Now introducing a new financial assistance program to help Lutheran educators
Church Worker Grants
On January 25, 2025, MinistryFOCUS announced it had awarded its 2025 grants, to 79 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod church workers in 27 districts, including 56 pastors, 16 teachers, 3 deaconesses, 3 directors of Christian education and 1 director of parish musician.
Since 2015, MinistryFOCUS now has awarded 392 grants, totaling $1.1 million.These grants alleviate debt so professional church workers can focus less time on money and more on ministry that strengthens faith and brings more people to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Praise God!
Help Lutheran educators focus on teaching God’s truth
Designed to assist in alleviating the financial burden incurred by our teachers—student debt, salaries and benefits less than their public institution peers—your participation in the National Lutheran Schools Week offering will help give teachers financial peace of mind, allowing them to focus on strengthening faith and sharing the love of Jesus with their students.
Church Worker Grants
On January 31, 2024, MinistryFOCUS proudly awarded $165,000 in grants to 55 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod church workers in 19 states. Each $3,000 grant will provide financial assistance to relieve the burdensome debt of pastors and other called workers.
Since 2015, MinistryFOCUS has awarded 313 grants totaling $810,000 to pastors, Lutheran school teachers, directors of Christian outreach (DCO), directors of Christian education (DCE), and missionaries. These grants alleviate debt so professional church workers can focus less time on money and more on ministry that strengthens faith and brings more people to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Praise God!
It makes a difference
Who We Are
MinistryFOCUS is a volunteer non-profit Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod that believes that the realities of educational debt negatively and irreparably harm ministries and congregations. So, we raise money and award grants to help reduce and eliminate financial burden, allowing ministry leaders to … well, focus on ministry.
I want to help
Donations made in 2025 will go to funding 2026 grants. Donate now through December 31, 2025, to determine how much funding will be available to help servants of Christ focus more on ministry in 2026. Every amount helps, and we make donating easy.
I need help
If you currently are a rostered church worker of the LCMS and are burdened with educational and other debt, see our easy and confidential application process. Applications for 2026 will be available in November 2025 and due by December 31, 2025.