History

The Southeastern District-LCMS, meeting in convention in Hickory, NC, in May 2018, endorsed Mid-Atlantic Lutherans in Missions, Inc. (MALIM) “as a funding source for SED mission efforts”, and encouraged each congregation, individual, and agency to support mission activities through our Synod, through MALIM, “and other means and opportunities provided within the SED.” The mission work of MALIM was formalized by Resolution #SF-03-18-01a.

MALIM is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization formed to provide an additional avenue for mission support and participation in mission activity in the geographical area served by the Southeastern District. To keep administrative costs low, members of the Board of Directors are volunteers and MALIM contracts with their Administrator.

Founding members of MALIM were Rev. Dr. Art Scherer, Rev. Dr. Jon Diefenthaler, Rev. Tim Fangmeier, Mr. Gene Partlow, and Mr. Fred Kraegel.

Through the availability of financial grants funded by individual or congregational donations, MALIM provides an important channel for mission support, development, and innovation, born out of a need to address:

• An abundance of mission opportunity — The Mid-Atlantic region is one of the largest and most diverse mission fields in North America.
• Changing patterns of mission support — New generations seek to be involved more directly in supporting projects of interest to them.
• Funding innovative models for ministry in the 21st-century church – Including opportunities in urban ministry, ethnic outreach, neighborhood ministry, programs to address pastoral shortages, and international missions

MALIM’s first grants were awarded in 2019.  See our Grants pages for more information about projects that have been funded and how to submit a request for a grant application.