Soldiers of the Cross - COVID-19

Soldiers of the Cross Amplified

A collaborative COVID-19 response initiative


“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one
member is honored, all rejoice together” (1 Cor. 12:26).


Workers Aided

Total Amount Approved

Average Grant Amount

967

$1,643,715.34

$1,710.42

Updated Feb. 11, 2022


In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), Lutheran Church Extension Fund, the 35 districts of the LCMS, and other entities provided an opportunity for concerned, caring people to help those serving full- or part-time in LCMS congregations, schools, universities, Recognized Service Organizations and other organizations who have been confronted with ministry-disrupting personal crises.

Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) provided each LCMS district with rapid response funds totaling $1 million and sought to raise an additional $1 million from LCEF investors and others.

The LCMS, through the efforts of LCMS Mission Advancement, sought to raise $1.5 million to supplement an allocated $1.5 million of donations previously given to fund this kind of mercy/humanitarian assistance work.

To date, God’s people have responded to that call by providing $200,000 in additional funds for this effort, and another $300,000 to provide the “after care” services that will be needed by some LCMS clergy when the pandemic is over.

Funding for Soldiers of the Cross grants (and Soldiers Amplified grants) depended entirely on generous designated gifts. (Regular Sunday morning worship offerings are not used to fund these grants.)

Dollars for the Soldiers Amplified grants came from donations directed to LCMS World Relief and Human Care. Some LCMS districts also appeared for donations with the aim of underwriting at least 20 percent of each Soldiers Amplified grant given to workers in crisis.

The LCMS thanks all those who offered prayers and financial support for those in need.


Contribute to Soldiers of the Cross grants

You can help fund 80 percent of each Soldiers-Amplified grant through a donation to any of the following:

 

Donate Online

To make a contribution using your credit or debit card any time:

Give Online

 

Donate by Text

To make a donation by text message:

Text SHAREHISMERCY
to 41444

 

 

Donate by Mail

Make check payable to “The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod” and write “Soldiers of the Cross Amplified COVID-19” on the memo line.

Mail to:
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-6861

 

Donate by Phone

To ask questions about this effort, or to make a contribution using your credit or debit card:

Call 888-930-4438

Due to the LCMS International Center being closed, please leave a voice message with your name and preferred telephone number, and a team member will return your call.

 

Donate to Your District

To help your district provide its 20 percent share, contact your district office.


For additional Information, visit our Transparency Resources page.


Recent News

This part is no longer supported and has been retired.

Soldiers of the Cross is a mercy (humanitarian) effort of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and is separate from LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces. Grants through Soldiers of the Cross provide financial support to pastors, teachers, DCEs, missionaries and other rostered workers of the LCMS facing a ministry-disrupting personal crisis. Grants through Soldiers Amplified may also assist full- and part-time employees of LCMS congregations, schools, RSOs, universities, seminaries and other LCMS agencies on the recommendation and endorsement of the respective district. Positions must be essential to the ongoing ministry of the worker’s employer organization.


Resources


Contact Soldiers of the Cross

For information about the application or pastoral care process, please contact the LCMS Church Information Center:


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The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Inc., including Mission Central (in Mapleton, Iowa), is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity.

A contribution designated (restricted) for a specific purpose, when accepted, will be used only to fund expenses related to that purpose. Occasionally, we may receive more in contributions for a particular purpose than can be wisely applied to it in the foreseeable future or the purpose may cease to be feasible. In these situations, the LCMS will make reasonable attempts to contact contributors to apply their contribution toward another aspect of ministry that aligns closely the contributor’s goals and values. If a contributor cannot be contacted, the LCMS will use the gift to meet a similar pressing need that most closely matches the contributor's original intent.

Consistent with Synod Board policy and in recognition of a more challenging economic and philanthropic/fundraising environment due to inflationary pressure, not more than 12.5 percent of any charitable contribution will be allocated to administering gifts and communicating with contributors (compared to a not-more-than ceiling of 10.5 percent the previous fiscal year). Contributions received and accepted by the LCMS are deemed to be in agreement with this statement.

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