A field of wheat, donated for use by Trinity Growers of Coo- perstown, N.D., is harvested by one of the farmers of Trinity Lutheran Church. This is the third year some 34 farmers and members will work the field. All profit will go to charity—with special emphasis on feeding the hungry.
we can. Listen to the Spirit and our story,” Jacobson told assembly participants, adding that he hoped this would inspire similar farming-ministry initiatives. Tom Dahl, a Roman Catholic who faithfully attends
Trinity with his wife, and Mark Urness, congregation president at the time, took the lead on the project, which involved 34 farmers and members and 17 mission part- ners (mostly agricultural businesses). Urness contacted residents and businesses for donations of seed, fuel, crop insurance, seed treatment, micronutrients, weed control and elevator space—and says he’s never been turned down when soliciting a donation. “People really step up and want to help feed other
people,” he said. “With all the problems of today, it’s nice to have a success story.” Dahl coordinates the farming operation. His wife,
Ardys, cultivated the field and young members picked rocks prior to seeding. A lot of farmers want to participate, Urness said, so
they may get scheduled to do different things each year. With his scheduling, Dahl keeps as many people involved as possible. Even residents feel ownership, said Urness, adding, “It’s amazing to see how many people just drive out to see the field.” Both years the harvest (Sept. 30, 2012, and Sept. 4,
2013) included a feast for more than 100 members and friends. Now they’re poised to gather again—in the freshly
a portion of the proceeds to go to Compassion Interna- tional, a charity they support. Trinity Growers was established. “Te results of this
project were beyond expectation. God does that some- times,” Jacobson said. Te first year, Trinity Growers’ soybean harvest
fetched $42,306. Tirty-five percent went to Lutheran World Relief, 35 percent to Compassion International, 5 percent to Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, and the remaining 25 percent was divided among Red Willow Bible Camp, Bread of Life Food Pantry, and the local ministerial’s pizza and discussion program (for 50 to 70 kids each Friday at the high school). Last year Trinity Growers planted wheat, with pro-
ceeds of $34,197 divided similarly (ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Response replaced LWR). Trinity also ground some of the wheat into flour, put
it in bags with a bread recipe, and distributed it at last spring’s Eastern North Dakota Synod Assembly. Partici- pants were encouraged to make a loaf of bread for com- munion or their family. “Hey, we want to really feed everybody in any way
harvested field to eat grilled hamburgers (donated by the local bank, of course) and celebrate doing God’s work with their hands. “Tat’s truly what we’re called to be,” Jacobson said. “It’s a community coming together to sup- port those in need.” Urness admits that when Trinity first discussed the
idea, folks were hesitant: “Our church gets nothing. Everything goes outside of our walls,” but it “just took off.” He looks forward to Mission Sunday (in November),
when checks are presented to the recipients, who are on hand to tell how the money will be used, in large part to feed the hungry. Tis congregation on the prairie (average worship
attendance of 137) is filled with both pride and willing- ness. “Tey don’t want to just look at themselves,” Jacobson said. “Tey want to look for ways and opportunities to look outside the walls of our congregation. And it shows in a big way.”
Author bio: Sevig is a sec- tion editor of The Lutheran.
October 2014 27
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
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