The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) commitment to supporting people who live with chronic hunger and poverty around the corner and around the world is carried out by ELCA World Hunger through relief, development, education, and advocacy.  ELCA World Hunger improves the lives of people in need in the United States and around the world by:

• providing immediate relief for people affected by chronic hunger and poverty;
• assisting whole communities through long-term, sustainable development to help alleviate chronic hunger and poverty
• advocating for justice by changing laws and systems
• educating members of the ELCA in awareness of issues relating to hunger, poverty and justice

To find out more about World Hunger and what how you can participate, see www.elca.org/hunger/

Christ the Savior hosts two blood drives a year to help meet the need for donated blood.

Compassion International is a Christian child development organization formed in 1952.  The organization exists as an advocate for children, releasing them from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enabling them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.  Founded by Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean war orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training.  Today Compassion helps more than 691,188 children in more than 20 countries.

CTS Sunday school offerings collected in Children’s Ministry, as well as youth collections are used to support several Compassion International children.  Children’s Ministry annually conducts a drive to collect money to buy a cow, which has provided sustenance to a number of families in other parts of the world.  You too can sponsor a child through Compassion International, visit www.compassion.com for more information.

Lutheran Outdoor Ministries: camps, retreats, training events	207,000
Growing New Congregations – outreach, mission starts, training	136,000
Congregational Support – resources, programs, handbooks, pulpit supply	274,000
Leadership Support – Interim Ministry training, Pastor care for ministerial families	248,000
Development of New Leaders – Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Internships, recruitment	414,000
Mission Partnerships across the country and world – World Hunger, Prison ministry, Global mission, Campus ministries	1,450,000

Fishers Ministerial Association is a cooperative support and service association of Fishers congregations as represented by their pastors.

Friendship Bible study is hosted at the church weekly during the school year.   A special study and worship time for those who are mentally challenged, CTS volunteers assist and join others. 

CTS has financially supported Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide, for several years.  In 2005, through an effort by the Men’s Ministry, CTS has committed to building a Habitat home in Noblesville in partnership with several other churches.  Corporate donations of money and materials are being sought to raise 25% of the funds required to build a home.  Construction is anticipated to start in September 2005.    Individuals who wish to participate in building the home, made a contribution or donate materials can call the church office, 842-5649.  More information about Habitat can be found at www.habitat.org.

The purpose of the Hamilton County Great Banquet is to know Jesus Chris as Lord and Savior and to make Him known.  The objective is for individuals to know Jesus Christ better, or for the first time, through the experiences of a seventy two hour weekend as well as to continue the weekend experience by serving Christ in their church, homes, and workplaces.  Members of the Hamilton County Great Banquet are encouraged and instructed to model a Christ filled life, demonstrating more of Him and less of themselves.

Since 1997, this independent Ecumenical Christian ministry here in Hamilton County has had over 1400 men, woman and youth attend great banquet weekends.  Six Great Banquet meetings are held at CTS each year, with an additional 2 held at Cicero Christian Church.  More information can be obtained at www.hcgb.org.

Lutheran Child & Family Services (LCFS) of Indian/Kentucky has offered programs of care and counsel to children and families for more than 100 years.  Among these services as The Sharing Place which provides free food and clothing to families referred to the program, and Lutherwood, which is a residential treatment center for children who are recovering from the effects of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment.  CTS supports these programs through donations of food and other items and volunteer involvement as well as through financial gifts.  More information is available at http://www.lutheranfamily.org/.

Lutheran Disabilities Ministry provides many programs for those with mental disabilities.  The most visible program is Handycamp, which is a 5-day summer Bible camp experience for adults who have a mental impairment.  This camp experience is unique because it matches each camper in a one-on-one Christian relationship with a volunteer companion.  CTS volunteers serve as camper companions and the church has served as a ‘campsite’ for several camps sessions for several years.  Additional information is available at www.ldminc.org.

CTS financially supports Missionary Dan Rusch who is located in the Philippines.  Donations sent by the church are applied to education for his children.

Individuals contribute to the Persons in Need fund, which is a ministry run through the church.  Persons in Need funds are distributed to persons who need assistance in paying for basic items, such as food, shelter/utilities, medical care.  Requests for assistance are processed confidentially with the Senior Pastor, and many persons have been helped through this vital ministry. 

A group of CTS women make quilts, which are giving as expressions of love and caring to persons who are in need of comfort.  Donations of 100% cotton fabrics are welcomed and can be dropped off at the church office.

Several CTS members have graduated from Seminary and were partially supported during their seminary education by the church.  This is a vital way in which we can invest in the future of God’s church.

A mission team from CTS went to the Dominican Republic in 2004, and again in 2006 through New Missions ministry.  For information on New Missions please visit newmissions.org. 

CTS volunteers to serve meals at Wheeler Mission on a once a month basis.  A description of the ministry from their website: Founded in 1893, Wheeler Mission Ministries is the oldest ministry of its kind in Indiana It is a nondenominational Christian social services organization that provides goods and services to the homeless, poor, and needy of central Indiana.

Services are provided without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, or religion. Although Wheeler Mission is not a church, it does cooperate with many different churches that are concerned about poverty and homelessness in the inner city. The Mission has five locations, dozens of ministries, a budget of $3.5 million, and about 75 employees, making Wheeler one of the largest and most diverse ministries of its kind in the state.  Read more at www.reentrymediaoutreach.org/sp_faith_wmm.htm

A team of youth and adults built homes in Reynosa, Mexico on a mission trip July 2005.  To view pictures of their ministry trip, click here!

This is a new ELCA church located on the northwest side of Marion county (Pike township). Their mission is to reach, teach and preach the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone, especially to the unchurched.  This church is looking for mission partners who can assist them in this journey.  More information can be found at www.lambofgodchurch79.org