The Problem
At Grace Lutheran Church, the confirmation program was thriving—but once students finished eighth grade, they disappeared. Youth Director Sarah had watched it happen year after year. The issue wasn’t lack of faith; it was lack of connection.
No gatherings. No trips. No mentorship. No reason to stay involved.
Sarah proposed a new high school ministry: weekly gatherings, retreats, mission trips, and mentorship. The church loved the idea—until they saw the $8,000 price tag. With the budget already stretched thin, it seemed impossible.
The Solution & The Forgotten Fund
Then someone asked…
“Don’t we have that endowment?”
A decade earlier, member Helen Bergstrom had left $20,000 to the church in her will, instructing that it be used to “help the church continue its ministry for generations to come.” That gift, managed by Lutheran Legacy Foundation, had quietly grown to $45,000. Its annual 5% distribution—$2,250—wasn’t enough to fund the entire ministry, but it was enough to get started.
The council approved using the endowment’s distribution to launch a youth ministry. That small amount became a catalyst: families stepped up to fund the rest. Within weeks, the full $8,000 was secured, and the ministry launched that fall.
The Results & Ripple Effect
Five years later, Grace Lutheran’s youth program is thriving with 25 active students—an extraordinary number for a congregation of 180. The endowment, now over $60,000, continues to provide annual support.
A Renewed Vision for the Future
Using the endowment for youth ministry didn’t just fund one program—it reminded the congregation what endowments are for.
As members saw the impact of Helen’s gift, enthusiasm for the endowment grew. New gifts to the endowment began to flow in. The women’s group committed a portion of fundraiser proceeds. Families added the fund to their estate plans.
What started as a forgotten $20,000 gift became a growing tool for future ministry. The congregation began to dream:
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Could the endowment one day fund college scholarships?
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Support mission trips or community outreach?
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Provide seed money for new ministries yet to come?
The youth ministry didn’t just reconnect teenagers—it reawakened a spirit of long-term stewardship across the entire church.
Helen’s Legacy Lives On
Helen never met the students whose lives her gift would shape. Yet her generosity continues to nurture faith, connection, and ministry year after year.
What made it work?
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Someone remembered the endowment.
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It served as seed money, not the full budget.
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It funded ongoing ministry, not one-time expenses.
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The congregation stayed engaged and inspired.
Now It’s Your Turn
Grace Lutheran started with just $20,000. Today, that legacy continues to fuel ministry.
If your congregation has—or is considering—an endowment, ask:
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What ministry could it help bring to life?
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How can annual distributions support lasting impact?
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Who might want to leave a legacy like Helen’s?
Lutheran Legacy Foundation helps churches and donors create endowment funds that make ministry possible for generations to come. Turning “almost didn’t happen” into “thriving reality” — that’s the power of endowment giving.
