MISSION INFO
Local Missions
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Mission Opportunities Within Hope
Current Children of Hope mission opportunities:
- Click here for information about Children of Hope's "Backpacks a Month for Foster Kids" project.
Christ In Action
Christ in Action is a group of kids and their families who meet quarterly to share the love of Jesus Christ through project work with the local and world community. Check the bulletin for upcoming events. For more information, click here or contact Trina Graen.
Cookie Ministry / Homeless Street Outreach
One Sunday per month, volunteers supply either six dozen cookies, two dozen sandwiches, 48 small bags of chips or 48 pieces of fruit. Two hundred complete lunches are delivered to “the streets” each Sunday. In addition, we deliver sunscreen, bug spray and other needed items. Food items are also taken to six different missions and to Ruth Harbor. Volunteers are continually sought as the need is great for our area’s homeless population. “An empty stomach is worse than a broken heart.” Contact: Melanie Menken.
Opportunity to serve in our community!
In a unique partnership between Lutheran Church of Hope CityBranch, the Cookie Ministry and the Central Iowa Shelter and Services (CISS), a new service opportunity has been born. Beginning the weekend of September 13, we will begin providing transportation from CISS to CityBranch for shelter residents and homeless campers. The campers will be picked up at CISS around 7:45 am on Sunday mornings. We are prayerfully considering programming opportunities for the 8:30-9:30 am hour and then worship will begin at 10 am, followed by a sack lunch and return transportation. We are looking for all kinds of volunteers with all kinds of talents. Commitments for most of these positions will be a minimum of once a month. For more information about this opportunity, click here.
Food Pantry
Hope works with DMARC, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, in sponsoring the Emergency Food Pantry, a program to help meet the short-term needs of hungry people in the Des Moines area. Hope collects non-perishable food items throughout the month, with a special emphasis on collection the third weekend of each month. Volunteers assist by donating food and personal items or working at one of the sites. Contact Kathy Mathews at (515) 240-3323.
God Squad
God Squad is made up of volunteers from Hope who seek to share God's grace and Christ's love throughout the community through acts of compassion, kindness and caring. God Squad members are contacted via e-mail to participate in such things as community charitable events, donating items for the needy, or responding in the event of a crisis. For more information, contact Lela Griffin at (515) 222-1520 ext. 149.
Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) is a program that provides a way for the community to respond to the needs of homeless families with children. IHN enables religious groups to unite hearts and hands to provide shelter, meals and compassionate assistance to these families. If you would like to participate in this ministry please contact Jason Walke at (515) 225-8265.
Meals for the Homeless
Lutheran Church of Hope members are responsible for preparing and serving a meal on the 4th of each month at Central Iowa Shelter and Services located at 205 15th St in Des Moines. We create a menu (usually one warm dish, a side dish, fruit, bread and dessert). We also need milk, juice, cereal, coffee, sugar, peanut butter, etc. each month. A shelter menu sign-up is located each month at the Mission Center.
To help, please review the items needed, sign your name with the quantity you will provide and your phone number, and simply drop off your contribution to Hope by 5:15 on the 4th (non-perishable donations may be dropped off to Hope prior to the 4th). We select easy-to-make casserole recipes and provide those to you with the menu sign-up at the Mission Center. You simply make the recipe, put it in a disposable 9x13 pan, and deliver it to the church cooked and warm by 5:15 on the 4th.
We need 8-10 people to help serve the meal at the shelter on the 4th of each month. Many times we have small groups or choirs sign up to do so. However, we encourage individuals to contact us if they (or their families) are interested in serving. Servers meet at the church at 5:15pm on the 4th to load the food and take it downtown. We leave the church at approximately 5:45pm. Servers help bring in the food, put away the breakfast items, prepare the dinner meal, pray for God's blessing on the meal/guests/servers, and then serve the meal. We are not responsible for clean-up (but it takes no time at all!) and we are finished around 7:15pm. Contact: Jenny Lashier at (515)255-6643.
Mission Opportunities in Des Moines Area
Bidwell Riverside
Bidwell Riverside is a non-profit organization that helps families in need in the Des Moines area. Volunteer opportunities include helping in their clothing closet, sorting food and mentoring families. Call (515)244-6251.
Children and Family Urban Ministries
CFUM provides morning meals to 50 children before their school day begins. The program also offers after-school programming for 70 students. Activities range from tutoring to providing a safe zone for parents as they balance family, career and transportation. The ministry also provides meals for 120 families balancing on the poverty line. Some of the greatest needs occur at the end of each month when food stamps run out for a majority of these families. Contact Linda Danielson at (515)282-3242 or visit www.cfum.org.
Elim Christian Fellowship
Elim works to raise a new generation of inner-city leaders possessing excellent moral character, who are equipped spiritually, educationally and technically. They also work to strengthen families by nurturing and empowering faith-based communities spiritually. Volunteers are needed for the youth ministry and community outreach programs. Contact Carla Kaiser at (515)243-5512 or movewithgod@gmail.com.
Freedom For Youth Ministries
The ministry operates from a facility called the "Freedom Center," where youth can find a safe refuge to learn about God's love for them, develop goals and learn work skills. The ministry's emphasis is providing opportunities for volunteers from local churches to serve as role models through direct one-on-one relationships. Christ is using his followers to bring people to him so he can truly set the captives free. Contact Mark Nelson at (515)988-0336 or visit www.freedomforyouth.org.
Hope Ministries
Hope Ministries is the Des Moines area's largest privately funded, Christ-centered shelter and recovery program for homeless men, women and children. Their service sites include Bethel Mission, Door of Faith, Hope Family Center, Hope Cafe, King's Closet, Hope Outreach Centers and Hope Transitional Housing. They have over 75 volunteer positions available. Contact: David Burrier at (515)265-7272 or visit www.hopeiowa.org.
Lutheran Services in Iowa - Refugee Cooperative Services
The mission of Lutheran Services in Iowa is to respond to the love of Jesus Christ through acts of service to all. You can help with this mission by welcoming refugee families to Des Moines. Many of these families have fled violence and persecution in Africa, Asia, Iraq and other areas of the world. Opportunities include befriending families, teaching English, working with children and preparing homes for new arrivals. Please contact Michelle Raymer at (515)271-7364 or michelle.raymer@lsiowa.org.
Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp (Story City, Iowa)
Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp's mission is "To know Jesus Christ and to make Christ known to all." In partnership with member congregations, they invite all people to develop, renew and nurture their relationship with Jesus Christ in a unique Christian environment.
Ruth Harbor
Ruth Harbor is a Christ-centered home for young women who are facing unplanned pregnancies and are in need of assistance. You can help by providing services, financial support or prayer support. Contact Mark McDougal at (515)279-4661 or visit www.ruthharbor.org.
Shalom Zone Ministries
During the school year, Shalom Zone Ministries relies on volunteers to help staff their after-school program. Ways to serve include providing meals, helping with homework, creating crafts and being good role models to the children. Other volunteer opportunities include family dinners, summer day camps and a back-to-school health fair. For more information contact Kelsey Parker at (515)288-0475 or visit www.shalomzone.org.
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