The Lifeline Fund

Faith+Finances+Freedom

Committed to the elimination of rostered ministers' debt.

In 2016, with a generous grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., the North Carolina Synod began the Faith+Finances+Freedom initiative to help leaders and congregations address economic challenges facing pastoral leaders. This initiative birthed The Lifeline Fund which provides grants for rostered ministers for education debt relief and to congregations for stewardship. Phase 1 is complete; learn about Phase 2 below.

Lifeline Fund Application Forms

NOTE: Lifeline Fund Grant applications are still open but will not be processed prior to June 8, 2023. Thanks for your patience. Questions? Contact Michael DeNise.

The Lifeline Fund—Another Lifeline!

The North Carolina Synod has received yet one final grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. that allows the synod to continue its work with the Lifeline Fund. The new grant is in the amount of $250,000 and will cover two more years of Lifeline Grants. The first year of the new grant overlaps with the final […]
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Program Overview

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We’re back for phase 2!

Program Director Pastor John Mocko, and Program Assistant Caroline Mocko are excited to continue work with Faith+Finances+Freedom/The Lifeline Fund Program of the North Carolina Synod in Phase Two. “We are blessed that Lilly Endowment Inc. has granted our synod a ‘scaling’ grant in the amount of $500,000 that we share with 4 other synods in Region 9.” These partnering synods are offering education debt relief grants to all rostered leaders in each of their synods. Congregational Stewardship Program grants are also available in each synod through each synod’s Director for Evangelical Mission. Pastor Mocko says “We welcome all rostered ministers in all synods to apply for education debt grants.” Phase Two grants are available from 2020 through 2022.

For the gifts we have been given:

  • We say thank you by sharing the $500,000 with four other synods in Region Nine who are partnering with the North Carolina Synod: Virginia Synod, South Carolina Synod, Southeastern Synod and Caribbean Synod.
  • We say thank you by continuing the two most effective components of Phase One, namely, grants to relieve education debt and support of programs to develop effective stewardship in congregations.
  • We say thank you by developing efforts to raise funds to match the grant from Lilly Endowment so this program will be sustained long into the future.

For Rostered Ministers in participating synods in Region 9:

Apply now, online, for a grant to relieve some of your education debt!

New applicant’s requirements:

  1. Complete the Financial Peace University course
  2. Receive 3 free financial counseling sessions from a Portico or LSS Minnesota representative
  3. Submit a ONE PAGE SUMMARY of education loan payments for the previous 12 months for every education loan.
  4. Submit your Report to your Bishop for the current year

Previous Grant Recipients:

Rostered leaders who have completed requirements and received a grant in Phase One and/or Phase Two must:

  1. Complete the Phase 2 application
  2. Submit proof of debt payments for the previous 12 months on a ONE page summary
  3. Submit your Report to the Bishop for the current year
  4. Submit an “Evaluation of Impact” report for the grants previously received

Stewardship Programs for Phase Two to be offered to congregations

  1. Stewardship for All Seasons (SAS)
  2. Creating Generous Congregations (CGC)
  3. “Executive Certificate for Religious Fundraising”

Information on all stewardship programs is available through your DEM or Synod Stewardship Team!

Join us by submitting YOUR application for Phase Two of Lilly Endowments Inc.’s “2016 National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders”

2020-2022 Submit an application every year!!

Thanks be to God!

For more information contact NC Pastor John Mocko, Program Director, at 336-596-4517.

Participating synods in Phase 2:

Caribbean

Southeastern

South Carolina

North Carolina

Virginia

Education Debt Relief Grants

Education Debt Relief

3 Major Components

  1. Financial Literacy: Financial Peace University (cost) or Financial Counseling with LSS Minnesota or Portico (free)
  2.  Education Debt Grants: Grant levels will vary depending upon the level of debt and ability to repay.
  3.  Coaching: helps leaders reach financial goals (optional)

New applicant requirements:

  1. Complete the Financial Peace University course.
  2. Receive 3 free financial counseling sessions from a Portico or LSS Minnesota representative.
  3. Submit your Report to your Bishop for the current year.
  4. Submit proof of education loan payments for the most recent 12 months on a ONE PAGE summary for each and every loan you have.

Previous grant recipient requirements:

[Rostered ministers who have completed financial & counseling requirements and received a grant in Phase One and/or Phase Two must:]

  1. Complete the Phase 2 application.
  2. Submit proof of debt payments for the most recent 12 months on a ONE PAGE summary for each and every loan you have.
  3. Submit your Report to the Bishop for the current year.
  4. Submit an “Evaluation of Impact” form for grants previously received.

Contact John Mocko if you are interested in having a Coach.

Stewardship Grants

Stewardship Grants

Stewardship Grants are available ONLY through your Director for Evangelical Mission or your Stewardship Team.

Congregations in their own synods will work with their Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) and their Stewardship Team to receive monetary support for participating in one of three stewardship efforts:

  1. “Stewardship for All Seasons” (SAS)
  2. “Cultivating Generous Congregations” (CGC)
  3. “Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising”

Fill out the Stewardship Grant Application below.
(for DEMs and Stewardship Teams only)

Give

Give by clicking on the link below.
On our "Online Giving "page, click the "Select a Fund" box and choose "The Lifeline Fund".