Local Mission Fund

Walking together in prayer

July 3, 2026

Through a partnership between Victory Lutheran College and Wodonga Lutheran Parish in Wodonga, Victoria, students experienced prayer in fresh and engaging ways through an interactive prayer walk.

Local Mission Fund 2027 grants now open

June 16, 2026

Across the LCA, congregations are discovering new ways to serve their communities and share the hope of Christ. Expressions of interest are now open for the 2027 Local Mission Fund grants, with applications closing on 20 August 2026.

A flourishing faith community for young people

June 9, 2026

Supported by the LCA Local Mission Fund, St James Lutheran Church Hervey Bay’s JAM Kids is a flourishing ministry in which young people are growing in faith and discovering their gifts.

Flying start for St Petri’s newest series

May 7, 2026

St Petri Lutheran Church’s ‘Reading Revelation Today’ teaching series is off to a flying start with more than 80 people attending on the first night.

Blessing mums, planting connections

April 28, 2026

Since the commissioning of Everhope Church on Reformation Day 2021, planted by Rockingham Mandurah Lutheran Church in Perth’s southern suburbs, we’ve sought out different opportunities to connect with the local… Read more

It’s good news in any language!

April 13, 2026

The mission to share the good news of the gospel with everyone – regardless of what language they speak – is an ongoing worldwide challenge. That mission, including making sound… Read more

Growing together in mission: Chinese leaders gather in Brisbane

March 30, 2026

Earlier this month, Chinese Lutheran pastors and ministry leaders from across Australia and New Zealand gathered in Brisbane for the 2026 Chinese Ministry Summit.

A new chapter in youth ministry

March 16, 2026

Living Faith Lutheran Church Greater Geelong Vic is beginning a new chapter in youth ministry, building on the momentum of 21 students who were confirmed last year. The congregation is creating new opportunities to encourage young people in their faith.

Church plant celebrates Lunar New Year

March 2, 2026

More than 120 people gathered in Duncraig, Perth, Western Australia, last month as Grace Chinese Lutheran Church celebrated Lunar New Year with worship and a shared meal – a joyful milestone for this Local Mission Fund-supported ministry.

Reimagining partnership

February 13, 2026

What happens when a church and school choose to see one another not just as neighbours, but as partners in mission? In Brisbane, Our Saviour Lutheran Church Rochedale and Redeemer Lutheran College are seeing faith flourish in everyday relationships.

A cross-cultural home for faith

February 2, 2026

Building on its existing ministries, Glynde Lutheran Church is preparing to launch the Glynde Cross-Cultural Ministry Centre, a three-year project to strengthen multicultural ministry and provide cross-cultural learning for the wider church.

Outreach support for congregations

November 24, 2025

Seven congregations from around Australia will be supported in their outreach endeavours through grants from the LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund from 2026. In addition, a churchwide mission project will receive backing from the fund.

Baptism marks milestone in growing outreach ministry

July 22, 2025

A growing mission partnership between Wodonga Lutheran Parish and Victory Lutheran College in Victoria reached a joyful milestone last month with the baptism of a Year 3 student during the parish’s family chapel service.

Got a bright idea for mission?

July 1, 2025

Does your congregation, school or agency have a bright idea for local mission that needs financial support to become a reality? The LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund may be able to help.

Prayerful planning rewarded

June 19, 2025

Starting or expanding multiethnic ministries in church or school communities was a popular theme among LCANZ Local Mission Fund applications for this year, and St Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Brisbane hopes to build on its history of outreach among people of different cultures thanks to the grant.

With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

1 Corinthians 15:58

About the Local Mission Fund

The LCANZ's General Church Board has authorised the establishment of a Local Mission Fund and Seed Project Fund to enhance mission culture across the church.

The fund assists congregations, districts and agencies as they seek new ways of reaching their neighbours and local communities with the gospel through collaboration and partnerships.

Most of the available funds are known as the Local Mission Fund (up to $100,000 p/a) and support significant projects that enhance a missional culture or foster a community’s mission with the collaboration of more than one entity, i.e. multiple districts, districts and agencies, districts and congregations, congregations and agencies, or multiple congregations (regions). The Mission Fund also supports more local, specific projects that have the potential to grow missional culture over time. This portion of the fund is known as the Local Mission Seed Project Fund (up to $10,000 p/a).

Grants from this fund are not available to support ministries that are part of the normal budgeting process of the congregation, district or entity, or items such as office equipment and maintenance of buildings.

Purpose and goals

The purpose of the Local Mission Fund is to enhance and equip a missional culture across the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.

The Mission Fund intends to promote collaborative mission across the church, through districts and within regions. It aims to support activities that are most needed by Lutheran congregations and agencies.

Who can apply?

Congregations, districts and agencies of the Lutheran Church of Australia are encouraged to apply.

Application process

Local Mission Seed Project Fund (up to $10,000 p/a)

Please provide an expression of interest using the available form below. This gives the selection committee some high-level information to give you the go-ahead of your proposal prior to doing the substantial work of developing an application. We would encourage you to consult with your District Mission Director (or Bishop in the absence of a Mission Director) for feedback on your EOI before submission.
Upon go-ahead of your proposal, please provide your Local Mission Seed Project Fund application, comprised of the following:

Application form
Detailed budget
Letter of support from listed stakeholders

Local Mission Fund (up to $100,000 p/a)

Please provide an expression of interest using the available form below. This gives the selection committee some high-level information to give you the go-ahead for your proposal prior to doing the substantial work of developing an application. We would encourage you to consult with your District Mission Director (or Bishop in the absence of a Mission Director) for feedback on your EOI before submission.
Upon go-ahead of your proposal, please provide your Local Mission Fund application, comprised of the following:

Application form
Detailed budget
Letter of support from listed stakeholders

Find out more

Guidelines

Selection criteria

Projects will need to align with the following selection criteria:

The project/activity enhances the missional culture, fosters a missional community or equips people for mission in the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.
The project reflects foundational Lutheran theological principles such as: salvation by grace through faith, authority of Scripture, etc.
The project is able to identify the people your mission intends to reach and serve with the gospel.
Evidence of collaboration with other Lutheran entities such as congregations, districts and/or agencies.
Evidence of sustainability beyond the initial project grant, i.e., how your organisation will help to embed this mission approach into the ongoing work and culture of your congregation, agency, district, or region.
Understand the level of potential risk that may delay, hinder, or prevent your mission project from a timely completion.
Evidence of local capacity and leadership, i.e., have you appointed a project team?
Evidence of project planning, including how lessons learned will inform future directions.
Willingness to share stories of success and failure to help others in the LCANZ embarking on similar projects learn from your experience.
Agreement to receive project implementation support (coaching) and provide reporting to the LCANZ for the lifetime of the mission project.

Selection committee

The selection committee is responsible for choosing mission-aligned projects for the LCANZ Local Mission Fund to support. They are appointed annually and comprise:

LCANZ Churchwide Bishop
1 x additional College of Bishops representative
2 x Council for Local Mission representatives
2 x Congregational practitioners or missional practitioners
Local Mission Coordinator (Consultant)
Additional expertise from agencies (as required)

Projects recommended by the selection committee will require further endorsement from the College of Bishops and the General Church Board.

Reporting requirements

Churchwide support

Compliance information

Applications now open

Become familiar with the fund guidelines and invite your congregation members to think and pray about the local mission opportunity God might be placing before your congregation.

Expressions of interest for 2027 Local Mission Fund grants close on 20 August 2026.

Local Mission Seed Project Fund (up to $10,000)

Local Mission Fund EOI (Word)

Local Mission Fund (up to $100,000)

Local Mission Fund EOI (Word)