President's Letter
The world is changing quickly. God is doing a new thing. And there are new opportunities and challenges for the church. This unprecedented time has necessitated new thinking, new approaches and a new focus on providing pragmatic support for our members, ministries and communities. Congregations are reaching out to even more worshippers in a virtual realm—and discovering new ways to invite more community members into their physical spaces. Outdoor ministries are being reinvented for spiritual renewal in a high-tech, plugged-in world. Access to community care services for both seniors and children is being expanded using virtual and hybrid strategies. I applaud the resilience, adaptability and innovation that church leaders have demonstrated. I am observing, with much hopefulness, as our leaders continue to pave the way for the future church.
The Mission Investment Fund, too, is anticipating the future church and strengthening our capacity to serve the church in all its lived expressions. As a financial services ministry of the ELCA, MIF’s approach is forward thinking, outward looking. We engage in our work to set the stage for the best of what is to come—thriving outreach, deepening relationships, engaging faith. We are energized as we accompany congregations and ministries performing this transformational work.
Our 2021 Annual Report showcases congregations that were intentional about listening for God’s new thing, considering their futures and responding in a dynamic way.
Living into its powerful strategic plan, Zion Lutheran Church in Loveland, Colorado, opened to its community as never before. “Our building is a gift from God, and it’s meant to be shared,” the congregation’s pastor says. So an upgraded kitchen became an incubator for healthy cooking, and a new fellowship hall became the rehearsal space for a local youth orchestra.
A generation ago, Lutheran pastors in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, envisioned a mission-start congregation to serve an expanding section of town. They came together as a community of 65 believers, calling themselves Spirit of Joy. Today, that start-up has swelled to 1,000 members—growth spurred by fostering relationships. As the congregation expanded its physical footprint to accommodate the larger membership, they built “for those who are not here yet,” the pastor proclaims.
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, a vibrant, established congregation in Minneapolis, also felt the call to proclaim the Word of God in a new place. Mount Olivet took the initiative to open a second campus where the population was headed some 20 miles westward. Outreach is vital to the congregation; this new location is outfitted with the next generation in mind, replete with a youth center, classrooms, rehearsal halls.
MIF was honored to assist in these dynamic projects and many others throughout the past year. Our offerings in investment and loan products are robust, and we have great capacity. Our long tradition of strength and stability continues, and it is the hallmark of our commitment to you, our investors and borrowers.
As we develop our strategic plan for the next four years, we are examining how we can best serve and actively accompany the church in the coming years. We understand that your expectations are changing for the Mission Investment Fund; you are looking for us to provide financial service and support that make a difference not only for you and your church, but also for the communities where you live and serve. I believe the future of MIF depends on us successfully delivering on both.
Thank you for choosing the Mission Investment Fund as your financial provider.
Gratefully,
Eva M. Roby
President and CEO
June 2022
