The Southern District's projects include the following mission endeavors:

    * Launching Large Mission Planting Project ($1,000,000)

          (Launch three new congregations who are "created to give birth" to other mission starts)

    * Open Arms ($100,000)

          (Market surveys to choose geographic area that optimal places to start daycare centers)

    * LINC New Orleans ($200,000)

          (Identify and equip leaders of diverse cultures to connect people to God)

    * Ethnic Ministries ($75,000)

          (Support theological training for Hispanic, Asian, and African immigrant leaders)

    * Transformation for Mission - Congregational Revitalization ($100,000)

          (Year-long transformation process for congregations experiencing plateaued or declining attendance)

    * Lutheran Schools Mission ($150,000)

          (Grants to develop innovative ways to reach out with the Gospel to students and families)

    * Concordia College's Man Center - Selma, AL ($150,000)

          (Create the "Man Center" - a place that will equip students to become strong Christian family and community role models)

To read more about the Southern District case statement and the overall cause of the Fan into Flame initiative, click on this link:  Southern District Case Statement

To fully fund our mission plan, $1,775,000 in new resources is required. Fifteen percent (15%) of net unrestricted gifts offered by members of the Southern District through congregation appeals will be allocated to the mission plan as seed money. Additionally, campaign leaders will be seeking individual major gift commitments to fund these specific strategies to bring the Good News of Jesus to those who have not yet heard His saving love. Of course, this campaign alone will not fully support these projects. However, we see Fan into Flame as the beginning of a new district priority; our dedication to these initiatives will not die with the end of the campaign.

Consider this appeal as your personal invitation to covenant with us in this historic effort, which, with the Spirit’s blessing, will bring the Gospel to millions and, in the process, revitalize our church body.

Congregation Participation Options - Who?

          RECRUIT - Find a few leaders for your congregation's appeal

          EDUCATE - Ensure that your members are knowledgeable about Ablaze! and Fan into Flame

          INVITE - Ask members to support this local and global effort for God's mission by making a pledge

Congregation Participation Options - How?

          Personal Contacts

          Cottage / Group Gatherings

          Fan into Flame Commitment Sundays

          Tithe from a Capital Campaign

          Budget line Item

Choosing a Plan for Your Congregation

The congregation has the flexibility to choose the gift gathering plan option that will best work in their setting.  Take time to explore the different plans outlined in this document:  Quick Reference to Gathering Plan Options.

A Prayer for Fan into Flame

Lord Jesus Christ, You have made us a missionary people by calling us out of darkness into Your marvelous light and declaring us to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

We ask You to bless the Ablaze! movement in our church body and among our national and international partners. Bless our vision to reach 100 million people throughout the world by the year 2017 with the Good News of God's love and forgiveness. Grant Your Holy Spirit to every member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod that each of us may share with courage and caring the message of forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.

We ask You to bless our Synod's Fan into Flame Campaign and its vision to raise $100 million to support the Ablaze! effort. Grant Your Holy Spirit to every LCMS member and our partners around the world that each one of us may give of our financial resources with wisdom and joy, so that no opportunity be missed to share Your saving grace in our churches, communities, and the world.

Strengthen us in our resolve to use every opportunity to share the Gospel. Bless the gifts we offer and use them to carry the Good News to places we cannot go. Use us and our gifts in Your service that Your Kingdom may grow and many may be saved.

In Your precious and powerful name we pray. Amen.