10/01/2019

ELCA’s comprehensive campaign concludes with a total impact of $250 million

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) first comprehensive campaign, Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA, has concluded after more than five years with a total impact of $250 million, including $195 million in cash gifts and gift commitments, as well as $55 million for planned gifts to campaign ministries.  

"The Campaign for the ELCA began in 2013 with a goal of nearly $200 million," said the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop. "That was a big goal. But with God's help and our members' generous support, we made it. I thank God for what this church has done for the ELCA's ministries — here at home and around the world."

Through the campaign, ELCA members and congregations helped strengthen and expand the ministries of this church in four priorities — congregations, hunger and poverty, leadership, and the global church. The campaign focused on areas that include growing this church's communities of faith, forming new leaders, welcoming neighbors, overcoming malaria, confronting hunger and poverty, and accompanying our global churches.

"It's been an amazing blessing to be able to direct this campaign," said the Rev. Ron Glusenkamp, director of Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA. "To be able to be in so many different places and spaces across this church and to see how people have responded to the call to give — to give from the heart and to give generously — has really been a gift. And, while the dollars are impressive, what is most important is the impact these gifts are having. And so, for all of that, I say thank you and God bless you."

For a detailed look at the campaign's impact in its four priority areas, as well as a breakdown of giving, please visit ELCA.org/campaign.