MP100 Recipient, 2020:

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Miami

February 27, 2020

Dear Mission Partner 100 Friends,

This year’s recipient for the MP100 appeal is Immanuel Lutheran Church in Miami.  The generosity shown through previous MP100 appeals has been instrumental in offering strategic support to congregations when they need it.  Our prayer is that we can again extend our generosity to this congregation, which has a rich and deep history in a ministry-rich context.   As you read the introduction to and description of Immanuel’s ministry below, we hope you will see the incredible opportunity we have in supporting the costs of necessary repairs to the building so that ministry can continue into the future.

Immanuel Lutheran Church of Miami was founded on May 5, 1915 after a number of years of mission work by the Augustana Lutheran Synod. At that time, the congregation bought property at the corner of NW 5^th Avenue and 4^th Street and worshiped out of a small house that later served as the parsonage and community hall.  A sanctuary and fellowship hall were erected in 1922 and served the congregation until 1958 when the decision was made to relocate to the present location.

The present Immanuel Lutheran Church location at 1770 Brickell Avenue was bought from Trinity United Lutheran Church.  The building was dedicated in November of 1961 and the parish hall in 1965.

Although Immanuel began as an ethnically Scandinavian congregation, today they are representative of Miami. Worship is in English with a Spanish language insert of the Scripture and Prayer of the Day. Ministry involves community groups and organizations meeting in the facility—including a Montessori preschool that has been sharing the fellowship hall since 2004.

Due to the age of the building, it has now become necessary to replace the tile roof over the sanctuary.  The roof was last replaced in 1983 after a fire due to arson damaged the building.

Last summer the heavy rains caused multiple leaks which can no longer be ignored.  With a worshiping congregation of 30-40 on a Sunday, $27,500 has been raised to date.  The congregation recently signed a contract for $51,000 and hope to start work in March.  They are still raising money and hope to close the shortfall.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is committed to being in and serving the Brickell Avenue community. With your help we will do it.  Thank you for your generosity and partnership in the Gospel.

Together in Christ,

Pr. Rob Carlson                                                                  Pr. Khader El-Yateem
DEM/A2B, North                                                                   DEM/A2B, South

Mission Partner 100 (MP100) FAQs

What is MP100?
MP100 is a synod campaign that invites donors to support specific projects for congregations designated by the Office of the Bishop.  MP100 recipients are often congregations that have a specific construction or facility need related to their ministry priorities and vision for mission.  The vision of MP100 is that if a large group of donors contribute $100 each, the funding available for specific projects increases.  MP100 is an example of how we can be ‘church together for the sake of the world’ as the Florida-Bahamas Synod.

How do I contribute?
You can send in a donation to the synod office designated for “MP100”.  You can also designate your electronic gift for MP100 through the “Give Now” link on the home page of the web site.

How are recipients chosen?
Each year, MP100 recipients are chosen in consultation between the Directors for Evangelical Mission and the Bishop.  The recipient (congregation) is invited to submit a brief description of the target project that is then shared with the donor list.

How do I get onto the donor list?
You may send a note to Yuliet Garcia, Administrative Assistant to the DEMs (yulietg@fbsynod.org), to request an MP100 letter.  When you make a donation to MP100, you are automatically added to the list for following years.