A woman with dark hair and an elderly man stand in front of pantry shelves stocked with food.

Utilizing MIF investments, Illinois congregation faithfully expands ministry to the community

A father and two teens worship at Bethany Lutheran’s Sunday service. — Hearts connect and community thrives at Bethany’s Sunday morning service.

Founded in 1872 by Swedish immigrants in Lemont, Illinois—a southwest suburb of Chicago—Bethany Lutheran Church still worships in its 1895 limestone-clad building, a lasting reminder of its roots. Yet while steeped in history, Bethany is deeply committed to ministry today and into the future.

“Bethany Lutheran has been in Lemont more than 150 years,” notes the Rev. Elaina Salmon, pastor since 2014, “and one of the congregation’s guiding principles is generosity.”

Bethany lives out this generosity in many ways. And the congregation's partnership with the Mission Investment Fund (MIF) has only amplified that generosity. Interest from MIF investments helps Bethany care for its cemetery, expand its food pantry offerings, and, through a newly created Endowment Fund, award grants twice a year to church and community causes.

Investing with purpose

“Our first MIF investment, several years ago, was for the perpetual upkeep of the congregation’s cemetery. The investment pays for that,” explains Pastor Salmon. Nearly as old as the congregation itself, the cemetery requires ongoing maintenance. With costs rising, Bethany turned to MIF to create a permanent funding source—freeing up budget dollars for ministry work.

Expanding the food pantry’s reach

Two young children sing hymns at Bethany Lutheran’s Sunday service. — Faith is shared across generations at Bethany’s worship service.

A second MIF investment supports Bethany's food pantry.

“For fifty years, a food pantry has been housed in Bethany,” says Pastor Salmon. From modest beginnings, it now occupies three rooms and has served 800 families over the years. In addition to food, the pantry offers personal care items, first aid supplies and gift cards to select stores for individual needs.

When a surge of donations created surplus funds, Bethany invested them with MIF. The resulting interest provides ongoing financial support.

“We’ve added to what we can give,” Pastor Salmon explains. As prices rise, the pantry has been able to increase the value of grocery gift cards so guests can buy more perishable items like milk, eggs and meat.

The pantry’s reach has also grown. “We’ve been able to help two Little Food Pantries in the area,” she adds. Modeled after the “Little Library” concept, these pantries are open 24/7 and stocked by Bethany when supplies run low.

“I get to watch miracles happen in the food pantry,” Pastor Salmon says. “I hear stories of need and see the abundance provided. The MIF investment has made a huge difference.”

An unexpected gift keeps giving

Bethany’s third MIF investment began with an unexpected estate gift. “We received a significant gift out of the blue,” says Pastor Salmon. “Then came the question: ‘How do we steward this well?’”

After consulting local banks, the congregation turned to MIF—already familiar from previous investments and a 2016 capital improvement loan.

“The meeting with MIF was deeply moving. Hearing how MIF investments support ministries through loans brought tears to our eyes. The committee said, ‘This is what we want to be part of. We want to support other congregations. We want to support the church,’” says Pastor Salmon.

Bethany found MIF’s rates competitive—and the mission aligned.

A new endowment fund is born

Bethany used the investment interest to launch an Endowment Fund, enabling grants for projects beyond the regular budget. Twice a year, the fund supports a Lutheran ministry, a Bethany initiative and a community cause focused on human need.

In its first year, grants went to Lutheran Disaster Response for the California wildfires, Camp Lions of Illinois and several local projects.

‘Even the investment feels faithful’

“We were given this huge gift, and it was important to be faithful—not just for ourselves, but for others,” says Pastor Salmon. “We didn’t want to turn inward. We wanted to turn outward and teach what it means to be generous.

“The Endowment Fund allows us to do that. Even the investment feels faithful. We like where it’s held and where it’s going. MIF has been there for us—when we needed a loan and through our investments.”

Generosity for tomorrow

Thanks to MIF, Bethany’s generosity will continue for generations. “Our MIF investments help us care for the community,” says Pastor Salmon. “It sets loose a holy imagination and reminds us not to fear scarcity. MIF is an asset to us. We can pass the abundance along because of these investments—investments serving with hope.”

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