The Pastoral Support Endowment Fund was created through the cooperative efforts of Bishop Medardo Gómez from the Salvadoran Lutheran Church and the Greater Milwaukee Synod's El Salvador Committee. The fund was adopted as an approved ministry of the ELCA by Bishop Mark Hanson in 2004. The purpose of the fund is to create a sustainable source of income for the pastors of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church in the form of the interest generated by the fund. The fund's principal will be held in perpetuity and is independently administered by the ELCA Foundation.
The Salvadoran Lutheran Church has made a commitment to establish congregations in the midst of the poorest communities in El Salvador-communities where the need for ministry is great. These congregations are not self-sustaining, which means that the offerings given by members of these congregations are not enough to pay the ordained and lay pastors who serve. Payment comes from the central church, which relies on donations from a variety of sources. This means that pastors often do not receive salaries or stipends for weeks or months at a time. The source of hope for the Salvadoran Lutheran Church lies with the global body of Christ-that is, with US! The Pastoral Support Endowment Fund will provide on-going, quarterly payments (based on the interest earned by the fund) to the pastors of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church. 100% of the distribution payments from the fund will be used to support clergy salaries. The goal is to raise $2,000,000, which will provide a very basic living wage for the Salvadoran pastors.
Donation checks made out to "ELCA" with "Salvadoran Lutheran Pastors Endowment Fund" on the memo line may be sent to:
ELCA Endowment Fund
8765 Higgins Rd.
Chicago IL 60631
