The Good Samaritan Fund provides seed money to selected Lutheran congregations who wish to launch new projects that give hands-on assistance to refugees and immigrants living in the congregations’ communities. In 2007 a total of $75,000 was granted to 23 churches. View a list of churches that received grants in 2007.

2008 Application Packet All applicants should download the 2008 application packet (MS Word document).

By providing seed funding, the fund hopes to assist congregations that are developing social ministry programs that will provide both services for immigrants and refugees and meaningful, enriching experiences for church members. The fund is a joint program of LIRS and Wheat Ridge Ministries.

The Good Samaritan Fund was established by LIRS in 1998 in honor of the Rev. Dr. August "Gus" Bernthal, a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pastor who served on the LIRS board for more than 30 years. The late Dr. Bernthal and his congregation, Grace Lutheran Church in Winter Haven, Fla., opened their hearts and doors to hundreds of immigrants and refugees throughout the years. The Good Samaritan Fund underscores Dr. Bernthal's leadership and commitment to enabling congregations to support newcomers to America.

If you have any questions, contact goodsam@lirs.org.

Download the 2008 Good Samaritan application packet (Word document)

Read More

Learn more about how past grantees (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000) have exemplified the spirit of the Good Samaritan, who took a risk to help a stranger, and showed us all what it means to be a neighbor:

• Six Good Samaritan Churches Help Immigrant Youth Seek New Avenues of Learning (FYI, August/September 2004 issue, page 2, PDF* file)
• Ashirwad Lutheran Ministry: Transforming Lives With Computers and English Classes (FYI, February/March 2004 issue, page 4, PDF* file)
• Purna Jiwan South Asian Ministry: Free Lunches Bring Indo-Americans Together in Chicago (FYI, February/March 2003 issue, page 3, PDF* file)
• 2002 Good Samaritan Grants Go to 19 Congregations (FYI, July/August 2002 issue)
• Christ-Saint John Lutheran Church, West New York, N.J.: Immigrants Find Supportive Hospitality (FYI, February 2002 issue, page 3, PDF* file)
• 2001 Bernthal Grants Go to 33 Congregations (FYI, August 2001 issue, page 6, PDF* file)
• Hmong Central Lutheran Church, St. Paul: Ministry Nurtures Children and Youth (FYI, August 2000 issue, page 4, PDF* file)
• Bernthal Grants Go to 24 Congregations (FYI, May 2000 issue, page 3, PDF* file)

*Click here if you have trouble opening PDF files.

Page last modified September 26, 2007.