Health, Hope & Happenings
E-Newsletter

Welcome to the first issue of Wheat Ridge Ministries E-Newsletter!

Welcome to Issue #1 of the Wheat Ridge Ministries' E-Newsletter! We plan to share this monthly resource with you to keep you updated on the health, hope and hooray events and directions of our ministry together. Feel free to contact us with your ideas, questions, and suggestions.

Thanks for your strong partnership ... in the name of the healing Christ!

Rich Bimler, President

Wheat Ridge in Action -- The Harambee Project

Thanks to the generous prayers and financial support from our donors, Wheat Ridge Ministries continues to seed exciting new ministries around the world.

Parents and children from inter-racial families face many challenges related to cultural understanding, racism and acceptance. On the near west side of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Redeemer Lutheran Church, through its "Redeemer Center for Life," is bringing health and hope in the name of Christ to the large number of inter-racial families in its neighborhood through The Harambee Project. Through a variety of fellowship, education and faith nurturing activities for parents and children, these families are able to share common joys, concerns and challenges and build community in the midst of diversity. Learn more

Grants Available to Lutheran Congregations for Support Services to Refugees and Immigrants

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), in partnership with Wheat Ridge Ministries, is offering financial assistance to Lutheran congregations to encourage the development of support services for immigrants and refugees. Learn more

Cow Crazy "Care of Widows, Cows for Kids" Project

Wheat Ridge Ministries Heart for Jesus project, "Care of Widows, Cows for Kids," continues going strong! This project identifies widows with young children in highly poverty-stricken situations in India and provides a cow for the purpose of producing income for the family. To date, over 345 schools and congregations have participated in the project with many more currently participating. As of January 1st, nearly $243,000 has been received from schools, congregations and individuals. Learn more

Just a reminder -- Major Grant Deadline Approaching

The deadline for submitting a major grant request to Wheat Ridge Ministries is February 1. Major grants, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, are awarded to health-related ministries sponsored by congregations or agencies. Learn more

Healthy Teams Project

As one component of its "Care and Development of Church Leaders" initiative, Wheat Ridge Ministries continues to sponsor Healthy Teams Workshops for church leaders around the country. To date, over 400 people have attended workshops that have been held in locations ranging from Buffalo, New York, to Oakland, California. Participants, who attend with others from their ministry team, are introduced to eight elements of effective teams. A unique element of the workshop is the six follow-up modules which are sent to teams on a monthly basis for six months following the workshops. Learn more

Match Your Next Gift to Wheat Ridge!

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has earmarked $20 million in 2004 for its GivingPlus Program. Using those funds, Thrivent will contribute 50 cents for every dollar that a Thrivent policy holder donates to Wheat Ridge Ministries. Policy holders are allowed one matching gift (ranging from $50 to $400) through the GivingPlus Program per year to Wheat Ridge. For more information or to obtain a GivingPlus Application form, please call us at 800.762.6748.

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