Outreach Ministry Team

Mission: Be the Blessing; Finding Joy in the Lord Through Care and Service.
Vision: Spreading God’s Grace by Loving Our Neighbor as God Has Loved Us.

Through our hands and resources, Outreach Ministry at Bethany responds to our communities. With partner organizations in our community and in the world, Outreach Ministry at Bethany supports and meets needs for clothing, food, shelter, physical and mental well being as well as processes for community reintegration that support self-sufficiency. Please join in the work of spreading God’s grace through Outreach Ministry.

Core Values and Objectives:
1. Encourage our congregation to be in the Community to gain an understanding and empathy for our neighbors, their lives, environment, and challenges.
2. Encourage action by providing opportunities for our members to be personally active in the community, while providing financial and in-kind support.
3. Focus on strong two-way partnerships between the congregation and non-profit organizations and ministries.
4. Support appropriate Bethany member sponsored initiatives/projects/missions.
5. Identify, nurture, and support partners and champions.
6. Align with the mission, vision and core values of Bethany Lutheran Church.

Are You Interested in Participating in the Outreach Ministry at Bethany?

To participate or for more information, please contact one of the Outreach Ministry Team co-chairs: Jodi Maturo or Ian Morgan.

How is the Outreach Ministry at Bethany Funded?

10% of the contributions to the General Fund by members/friends are set aside to support the Outreach ministry at Bethany, both domestically and internationally. Most of those funds are managed by two teams, who review/approve grant requests for Outreach funds, and who also ensure that the proposed projects align with Bethany’s mission, ministry, and core values. An overview of these two teams follows.

  • Benevolence Ministry Team (Chairperson: Carolyn Diercks) – The Benevolence Ministry Team oversees requests for funds for Bethany’s local and regional outreach efforts, especially those initiatives that support communities of people in need of food, shelter, or caring. Typical approved projects are transformational in nature, aiming to help individuals become self-sufficient. Grant requests can come from Bethany members or from external non-profit partners.
  • Global Missions Ministry Team (chairperson: Arlis Adolf) – As part of a global community of faith, the Global Missions Ministry Team manages the portion of Bethany’s funds reserved for sharing God’s gifts internationally. Mission projects that are a top priority aim to eradicate hunger/poverty, promote gender equality, combat disease, or support mental health. Grant requests can come from Bethany members or from external non-profit partners.

What is an Anchor Partner and Who Are Bethany’s Anchor Partners?

An anchor partner is a non-profit organization or ministry that shares the same mission, vision, and core values as Bethany and its members. They seek justice and they treat their clients with dignity and compassion. Their programs are transformational in nature in that they not only provide immediate aid, but they also address root causes so that long-term solutions can be put in place for their clients. Because of this, a long-term relationship exists between Bethany and its anchor partners, and Bethany directs more substantial resources to these partners, financially, and with in-kind donations, and with volunteers. Bethany’s anchor partners are: Metro Caring, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, Inner City Health Center, Lutheran Family Service, Operation One Nation, Rainbow Trail, Sky Ranch, Boy Scouts.

More Ways to Donate Your Time!

Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS) – has volunteer openings for a group of 6 to help distribute food on Wednesday Mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm https://www.ifcs.org/volunteer/#

Metro Caring is seeking volunteers to help ensure that our community continues to have access to healthy and nutritious food. Three shifts are available M-F for in-person service; 9:00am – 12:00pm, 12:00pm – 3:30pm & 5:30pm – 8:00pm (Bilingual English/Spanish volunteers are also needed)! Sign up on their site: https://www.metrocaring.org/volunteer.

Project Angel Heart is looking for volunteers to help make a difference in the lives of Coloradans with life-threatening illnesses by preparing/delivering thousands of meals each week. www.projectangelheart.org/volunteer

Warren Village needs volunteers to deliver meal boxes to residents who need food access. If you can help monthly on the 3rd Thursdays, from 3:30 – 6:30pm, https://warrenvillage.org/volunteer/

Local Partners

Delores Project
The mission of The Delores Project is to provide safe, comfortable overnight shelter and services to unaccompanied adult women who are homeless and have limited resources. Their model of service is one of hospitality, respect and regard for the dignity of each guest. In order to serve the most marginalized persons, those who do not easily access mainstream services, admission and program requirements are simplified.
Learn More: www.thedeloresproject.org/ways-to-give/current-needs/ 

Denver Rescue Mission
We are committed to helping change the lives of Denver men, women and children who are experiencing homelessness or addiction in our city. Thanks to the support of friends like you, we meet their needs through emergency services, rehabilitation, transitional programs, and community outreach.
Learn More: www.denverrescuemission.org/category/ways-to-give/

Extreme Community Makeover
Extreme Community Makeover coordinates volunteer teams to partner with underserved people to improve their own homes and neighborhoods. These projects build safer environments; cultivate community among residents, neighborhoods, and networks of local resource providers; and connect residents to a permanent path towards healthy, hopeful, and stable lives.
Learn More: www.extremecommunitymakeover.org

Family Promise
Assistance for families in need of stable housing-Transforming the lives of homeless families. Because every child deserves a home. Learn More: www.FamilyPromise.org

Habitat for Humanity Metro Denver
Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver is a nonprofit organization that brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Learn More: www.habitatmetrodenver.org

Inner City Health Center
Inner City Health Center serves all patients, regardless of ability to pay, with dignity and with high-quality care focused on their needs. In addition to many Health First Colorado/Medicaid patients, we serve the uninsured, the underinsured and those with private insurance plans. We have sliding-scale payment options for those who need it.
Learn More: www.innercityhealth.org

Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS)
Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS) provides basic human services and enrichment programs to low-income people, using community resources. IFCS fosters self-sufficiency and respects the dignity of each client. It serves the people of Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lone Tree, Sheridan, and unincorporated Arapahoe County.
Learn More: https://www.ifcs.org/

Lutheran Family Services
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains is a faith based, non-profit human services agency providing adoption, foster care, older adult & caregiver, prevention, and refugee services since 1948. We provide help and support to children and families during their most challenging times regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or age. At LFSRM, we believe that all people, from the newborn to the most elderly, are valued members of our community.

Learn More: www.lfsrm.org

Maria Droste Counseling Center
At Maria Droste Counseling Center, we help individuals and families overcome obstacles, heal from emotional trauma and distress, and achieve personal growth and satisfaction in their lives. In addition to therapy for individuals and children, we offer marriage counseling, family therapy, addiction counseling, grief counseling, and stress management.
Learn More: www.mariadroste.org

Metro Caring
As Denver’s frontline anti-hunger organization, Metro Caring works with our community to meet people’s immediate need for nutritious food while building a movement to address the root causes of hunger. Metro Caring offers innovative programming in Healthy Foods Access, Nutrition Education and Cooking Classes, ID Procurement, Urban Gardening, and Community Activation.
Learn More: www.metrocaring.org/donate

New Beginnings
New Beginnings is a worshipping community of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) that meets inside the walls of the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility, a prison for women in Denver, Colorado.
Learn More: www.newbeginningswc.org

Operation One Nation
Operation One Nation (OON) is a healing ministry of Bethany Lutheran Church established to assist active Military, veterans and their families through a variety of ways. The group seeks to support those seeking employment, for families who need to reconnect, those in need of mental health support and to honor their sacrifices given to our country. OON partners with Centus Counseling, Eden Psychiatry, House of Purpose, This Able Vet, Joining Community Forces and a newly established Veteran Servant Corps Project through the Rocky Mountain Synod.
Learn More: Contact Janet

Project Angel Heart
Project Angel Heart prepares and delivers meals for people living with life-threatening illnesses. Each week, our professional chefs and registered dietitian prepare thousands of delicious meals, from scratch, and tailor them to meet the medical and dietary needs of those who are ill. Neighbors living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, kidney/heart/lung disease, and other illnesses receive our meals, delivered by loving volunteers, free of charge.
Learn More: https://www.projectangelheart.org/ 

Project C.U.R.E.
Thousands of people die every day in the developing world because local hospitals & clinics don’t have the medical supplies and equipment needed to save lives in their communities. Children are missing the chance to get an education and live a full life due to illnesses that would be treatable if they had access to proper health services. It’s Project C.U.R.E.’s mission to change that. Together we will deliver health & hope to the world.
Learn More: www.projectcure.org

Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp

Rainbow Trail is a year round ministry that offers an extensive summer camping program that includes on-site programs for all ages as well as Compass Points outdoor adventure program for Junior High and Senior High youth, and Bridging Borders mission trips designed for Senior High youth.  In addition, Rainbow Trail offers retreating opportunities for the other nine months of the year including sponsored confirmation retreats, men’s Fly Fishing retreats, church worker training events, and family weekends amongst other retreat opportunities.

Learn More: https://www.rainbowtrail.org/donate/make-a-donation/

Sky Ranch Lutheran Camp
At Sky Ranch, We Provide Christian Camps, Retreats, & School Programs For All Ages. Financial assistance for summer staff and continued ministry.
Learn More: www.skyranchcolorado.org

STAR Institute
STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder was formed in 2016 from two merged organizations SPD Foundation and STAR Center. STAR Institute for SPD provides premier treatment, education, and research for children, adolescents, and adults with SPD.
Learn More: https://www.spdstar.org/

There With Care
Since 2005, There With Care has been providing support for families during the critical phase of a medical crisis, easing their daily stresses with compassion and care.
Learn More: https://therewithcare.org/ways-to-help/donate/

Urban Peak
Founded in 1988, Urban Peak is the only non-profit organization in Denver that provides a full convergence of services for youth ages 15 through 24 experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Our goal is to help these youth overcome real life challenges and become self-sufficient adults.
Learn More: https://www.urbanpeak.org/denver/donate/covid-19crisisassistancefund/

Urban Servant Corps
Urban Servant Corps is a faith-based, intentional community of full-time volunteers who seek to live simply while serving and accompanying those most in need at non-profit partner agencies in the heart of Denver.
Learn More: https://urbanservantcorps.networkforgood.com/projects/37991-urban-servant-corps

Warren Village
Warren Village exists so low-income, single parent families can achieve sustainable personal and economic self sufficiency.
Learn More: https://warrenvillage.org/

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Global Partners

ELCA World Hunger 
Working with and through our congregations, in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need.  ELCA World Hunger makes it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty.
Learn More: https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/ELCA-World-Hunger

ELCA Disaster Relief 
Providing hope, healing and renewal, short and long term, to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, etc. in the United States and around the globe.

Learn More: https://www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response

Lutheran World Relief 
Since 1945, Lutheran World Relief has been at the forefront of effective, transformational global development. We break the cycle of poverty so families and communities can thrive.
Learn More: www.lwr.org 

God’s Garden – Zimbabwe Africa
Davison Zhou, who attended Denver Seminary & Bethany in 1998, returned to Zimbabwe and founded God’s Garden. This school for children in need focuses on religious and academic orientation and provides meals, uniforms, and Bibles in the Shona language, among other supplies. Currently, children can be sponsored for $40/month through Vision Trust International. Please click the link below for more information.

Learn More: https://www.visiontrust.org/where/country/zimbabwe/

ELCA Medical Missionaires 
The Jacobsons have been ELCA medical missionaries in Tanzania since 1985. Mark directs & treats patients @ Selian Hospital that he founded, does community health outreach in Masaii villages, directed a major campaign to battle AIDS, & founded the 1st Hospice in the area. He was the driving force for the building of a second large hospital located in Arusha in ‘09. Dr. Jacobson then provided 3rd world to 3rd world outreach by directing the development of the clinic & hospital at Reconciliation Lutheran Church & Clinic in Juba, Sudan, referenced above. For an inspiring interview, go to: pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2007/07/20/july-20-2007-missionary-doctor-mark-jacobson-2/18390/

Learn More 

Reconciliation Lutheran Church & Clinic Juba- South Sudan
Pastors Mawien Ariik & Waluot Reat, are 2 Lost Boys of Sudan who fled the war, made it to the US, eventually went to Seminary, then returned to become the pastors of the new Reconciliation Lutheran Church & Clinic in Juba, S. Sudan, a joint mission of the ELCA & Episcopal Church in Sudan. Besides teaching about God, they teach reconciliation to the traumatized people of Sudan. The clinic provides maternal and pediatric care & immunizations to the women & children, who have the highest rate of neonatal deaths in the world.

Learn More: https://youtu.be/0Ee_IxEM74g 

The Nicaragua Project
Providing assistance to the Somoto area of Nicaragua in education, scholarships, a children’s project titled Ninos y Ninas del Futuro, construction help for homes and roofs, microloans, and water purification.

Learn More: www.thenicaraguaproject.org

Tartu Academy of Theology and Home of Hope in Estonia
Tartu Academy of Theology, started in ‘92 by Pastor Enok Hammer, after 50 years of atheistic Soviet occupation dropped Christianity from about 80% to 15% in Estonia. After 27 years Pr. Hammer, and 3 of his pastor sons established Home of Hope, run by Pr Siimon Haamer. In 1 year, they have established Bible studies with 90 students, BA & MA degree studies jointly with Tartu Academy of Theology & the Lutheran Seminary, various events attended by 50 youth, a 24/7 pastoral care telephone line for the public financed by the Estonian government, & other seminars.

Learn More: www.tatest.org

Kibera Girls Soccer Academy- Kenya

Globally, there are 60 million adolescent girls out of school. Girls’ education is one of the smartest investments we can make in creating change in the developing world. An educated girl will delay marriage and pregnancy. She is more likely to earn higher wages, invest her earnings in her family, and send her own children to school. When we invest in women and girls, we invest in the people who invest in everyone else. Because women and girls have the power to change the world, we are partnering with KGSA to educate over 100 young women living in poverty.

Learn More: kgsafoundation.org/kibera-girls-soccer-academy 

St Paul Lutheran Church – Vladivostok, Russia
The Siberian area of Russia has 8 Lutheran congregations spread over a huge area, and only 2 pastors, one of whom is Pr. Manfred Brockmann, a missionary from Germany, who is now officially retired but still serving. Their challenges are people moving from Siberia, the churches not being allowed to talk about religion outside the church, the pastors, organists, & other church workers having to support themselves. They are exhausted, but “rely on God’s word & the faithfulness of our people”.

Learn More: www.luthvostok.com

Women’s Development Association
Focusing on Pakistani Christian women who are often victims of discrimination and violence due to their religion. WDA provides those women and their children education in reading, writing, math and reproductive health so they can improve their lives.

Learn More: http://www.womensdevelopmentassociation.com/ 

Bright Stars of Bethlehem
Bright Stars of Bethlehem is a US-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that promotes peace and justice; unlocking hope for Palestinian youth living under occupation through the ministry of Dar al-Kalima Lutheran University of Culture and Arts in Bethlehem, Palestine.

Learn More: www.brightstarsbethlehem.com

Global Mission Ministry Team Coffee Project
The Global Mission Ministry Team sells Fair Trade coffee, tea, and chocolate in the Fellowship Hall the first Sunday of the month. Proceeds help small farmer growers in Latin America, Africa and Asia through Lutheran World Relief, Equal Exchange and Divine Chocolate.

Contact – Gail Matheson, glmthelane@gmail.com

StARS (St Andrew’s Refugee Services)-Cairo, Egypt
In 1979, StARS began serving refugees through English language instruction and community support. Founded by St. Andrew’s United Church of Cairo, StARS was one of the first organizations in Egypt whose “purpose is twofold: to provide high-quality services meeting unaddressed needs of refugees, and to provide a safe and inclusive space for displaced people to come together as a community.” The ELCA also provides support and pastors to St. Andrews.

Learn More: http://stars-egypt.org/

Redeemed Hope- Liberia
Redeemed Hope International School focuses on Christian education for girls and boys, health and a community garden for feeding the students in the rural counties of Nambia and Cape Mount, Liberia. Learn more here!