In gratitude for God's abundant blessings to them, many Church of God people have given abundantly to the church over and above their normal tithing. These special "thank offerings" have come either directly through cash donations or as bequests made through wills, trusts, and estates.

In order to accommodate the growing numbers of such donors the Church of God in Michigan has established Endowment, Loan and Grant Funds. After many years of preparation these funds are ready to be granted to help our churches and pastors.

The B. Gale Hetrick Endowment is available to fund seminars and training events for ministers of the Church of God in Michigan, which will assist them in providing more effective ministry to their community.

The Mission Outreach Endowment is available to bring new vitality to traditional ministries and to provide financial resources for the discovery, development and exercise of creative and innovative new ministries in the Church of God throughout Michigan. This endowment will fund such programs as training for lay leaders, pilot programs for family ministries, urban ministry projects, evangelism and outreach programs.

The Revolving Loan Endowment Fund is used to make loans available to congregations for building, renovation, and other capital improvement projects that will enhance and energize ministry to a local area.

The Ministry Renewal Endowment Fund is to extend the "ministry of healing, teaching, and training" to pastors, lay leaders, and congregations. The fund is used to support and fund such events and programs that under gird the renewal of pastors, lay leaders, and congregations. This fund will provide up to $1,000 for:

• Congregational leadership retreats including planning and training experiences.
• Pastoral retreats for renewal and refreshment.
• Support for events such as Pastors Institute and Ministry Wives Retreat.
• Support for Sabbatical Experiences.

Special project and/or ministries approved by the Board of Directors of the Church of God in Michigan to aid and equip pastors and lay persons for ministry.

Applications (Download: Adobe PDF file or Open: html file) for these endowments are available through the Service Center (Church of God in Michigan, 4212 Alpha Street, Lansing, MI 48910). There is a limited amount of money available each year, so apply as soon as possible. Funds granted this year would be for programs and ministries occurring in the following year.

The Church of God in Michigan also provides a new projects fund designed to aid new church development and other projects approved by the Board of Directors. From this fund, the necessary start-up capital can be secured for the new church.

The Endowment program is the fulfillment of many years of dreaming, praying and working to make the Church of God strong in this new century. It is a joy to provide these services to the Church.