First Lutheran Church is a caring community. Part of First Lutheran's Mission is to 'reach out in compassion to others'. This compassionate outreach manifests itself in many ministries in First Lutheran's local Newton community, throughout the state of Iowa, and around the world. This page highlights some of the ways that First Lutheran is making a positive difference in people's lives and is enabling people to offer their time, energy and resources to share Christ's love with others.

International Health Partners
Over the past decade, First Lutheran has built a strong relationship with health care providers in the country of Tanzania. Many rural villages lack even basic health care. By partnering with hospitals and clinics, First Lutheran has helped improve the conditions for many Tanzanians. In the summer of 2008, First Lutheran sent 22 of its members on a service mission to Mwanza, Tanzania with the intent of helping to build an eye clinic, for which First Lutheran had contributed construction supplies. The actual project changed a little, but the experience was a rich one, building our ties to a faith community thousands of miles away. The trip was featured in a Newton Daily News story and a Des Moines Register article. The members of First Lutheran also contributed to a trip blog to discuss their experiences. Many photos of the trip can be found here.

First Lutheran will continue to partner with our friends in Tanzania. By sharing our mutual gifts, people in Newton and Mwanza will continue to help each other improve health conditions and increase our appreciation of God's world.

Beloit Residential Treatment Center for Children
First Lutheran Church has a long history of supporting the Beloit Treatment Center in Ames, Iowa. This residential facility provides treatment and caring for children struggling with severe emotional or behavioral challenges. First Lutheran supported the new Hull Treatment Center capital project, and sees the support of Beloit, and all of Lutheran Services of Iowa, as an important part of its ministries.

Service Committee
First Lutheran has an active group of members who focus on specific service projects and ministries. Ranging from an annual CROP Walk to combat hunger to helping build new homes with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter to holding regular food drives, the First Lutheran Service Committee connects with the community to help minister to its needs.

Congregational and Pastoral Care
Part of First Lutheran's ministry involves giving hope to people in difficult times. All members of First Lutheran strive to be encouraging and supportive of one another in our spiritual walks. Some struggles in life require the aid of a trained professional. Pastoral Care offers confidential, compassionate counseling. His training enables him to give people the necessary help or connect them with the resources that they need.

First Lutheran's ministry of caring for its members is not limited to the Church building. The Church offers communion, pastoral care, and audio recordings of worship services for members unable to leave their homes.

Lutheran World Relief
First Lutheran is part of a larger world-wide organization of Lutheran ministries. Through its support of the SE Iowa Synod and the Evangelical Church in America, First Lutheran participates in the funding of global partner organizations like Lutheran World Relief. This ministry helps fund compassionate assistance efforts like food aid and disaster relief.

Jasper County Lutherans
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