The ELS Board for Home Outreach exists to encourage and equip congregations of the synod in the United States and Canada in the work of outreach and evangelism, providing resources as needed.
The Board provides guidance and assistance for the following mission congregations:
- Divine Mercy Lutheran Church, Weatherford, Texas
- Hope Lutheran Church, Cedar Park/Leander, Texas
- Hope Lutheran Church, Farmington, Minnesota
- King of Grace, Waukon, Iowa
What’s New?
Project Support Application
The Board also provide guidance and assistance to other ELS congregations through Project Support. Click on the link to find out more about this program and how to apply.
“Do You Have a Pastor?”
This is our most recent campaign that highlights how God uses pastors to serve not only our congregations, but also our communities as they share the Gospel of our Savior. Click here to find out more about the campaign and the how you might promote it on your congregation’s social media platforms.
“Everyone Outreach” Workshops
“Everyone Outreach” is a program put on by a WELS group to help congregations develop a culture that is mindful and eager to reach out to the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Board for Home Outreach has received a grant to cover the cost for ELS congregations. Please reach out to our EMC (Evangelism and Missions Coordinator) Rev. Brad Kerkow.
Project Support Application (link to the previous “bho-test-form”)
“Do You Have a Pastor?”
Our pastors are God’s servants sent to serve our congregations and communities. The “Do You Have a Pastor?” campaign highlights a number of the ways that pastors serve. It’s designed to be a non-intrusive way that members can share / invite people they come into contact with to speak to their pastor.
- “Do you have a pastor?” can simply be a question that members learn to ask those they know as various opportunities arise (such as depression, need for pre/marriage counseling, birth of a child, etc.). While the question, “Do you have a church? is also a valid question, the idea of membership might be a big jump for people to consider. Inviting someone to speak to your pastor promotes a relationship with your church through this public servant.
- To help our members in considering this question, we have also created a variety of cards as an item to leave with the person with whom we are talking.
- Smaller 2”x5” cards are available with an area to stick a mailing label with your pastor’s name and contact information (or a QR code).
- For congregations that would plan to canvas neighborhoods, we have larger 4.25”x11” cards for handing out and door hangers for leaving at someone’s home.
- The BHO has also produced a series of 8 short videos (see below) that can be posted to your congregation’s social media platforms. The nine videos feature short interviews with individuals who have appreciated the spiritual care from their own pastor.
- To help you promote this question to those in your ELS congregation and its community, the BHO is offering project grants so that you may boost its promotion on Facebook. We will help you fund half of your promotion up to $500. Have your pastor or evangelism committee contact our EMC (Evangelism and Missions Coordinator) Rev. Brad Kerkow for the link to the videos. There is also a guide linked on the webpage.
“Do You Have a Pastor?” Videos
Videos, descriptions and posting guides are available here.
“Everyone Outreach”
When we consider the privilege of sharing the good news of Jesus’ forgiveness with our family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and acquaintances, it can seem pretty daunting for many Christians. Sometimes congregations are tempted to think of their pastor as THE person who is responsible for sharing the Gospel. The Lord can certainly accomplish a lot through one person. And pastors are uniquely trained and well-practiced in speaking to people about Jesus. But every Christian is given the gift of the Gospel to share. And the Lord can accomplish a lot through many people too.
“Everyone Outreach” is a program of our sister synod (WELS) with the goal of encouraging and supporting congregations to consider their congregational culture and how they (the whole congregation and not just the pastor) may become more mindful and eager to reach out to each other and the community with the Gospel.
It starts off with a one-day workshop led by an “Everyone Outreach” facilitator. The workshop is engaging and informative and allows the congregation to think through its own current culture and how it might grow.
To help and encourage ELS congregations to take part in this program, the Board for Home Outreach has received a grant to cover the cost of the program. In order to receive the grant money, please reach out to our EMC (Evangelism and Missions Coordinator) Rev. Brad Kerkow. He will be able to fill you in on how this will work.
“You are My Guest” Materials