Please enjoy watching this video that celebrates the 30 years of the East 91 Foundation!
(click below)

E91 Foundation: Three Decades of Expanding God’s Kingdom!

“Nothing that you have not given away will ever really be yours.” –C.S. Lewis

On Sunday, April 14, 2024, the East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation officially marks its 30th anniversary! To commemorate this important milestone, a brief video – produced by longtime E91 church member and professional videographer Ken Nelson – will be shown during E91’s church services that day.

For three decades, the East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation has continued to fulfill Christ’s directive: going into the world, teaching, making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and meeting the physical needs of hurting people (Matthew 25:35-40). Since its founding, E91 Foundation — which has grown to a fund approaching $3 million — has granted more than $2 million to over 300 evangelical nonprofit ministries in Indianapolis and some 60 countries throughout the world. The generosity of our donors makes it all possible!

So far, in 2024, E91 Foundation has awarded grants totaling $82,076. Following are those organizations and/or individuals that have received grants in 2024:

Afterbeat/Capstone Legacy Foundation — $5,000 for school evangelism projects. Alko Stoel, Afterbeat’s CEO, recently wrote in an e-mail: “E91 Foundation has been an amazing, divine blessing to our ministry in The Netherlands. Especially locally, we have had the opportunity to go minister in schools, in our youth center, and coffee shop. On top of everything, we see our church-plant growing rapidly through this ministry”;

Alexander Christian Foundation — $16,000 for college scholarships to Indiana students entering the ministry;

Allendale Christian Camp and Retreat Center — $8,788 to help young people connect with God in His creation through worship, study, and adventure. In a March 5, 2024, letter to E91 Foundation, Randy Pim, Camp Allendale’s Executive Director, wrote: “We would like to express our appreciation for your partnership with the ministries of Camp Allendale. Your gift is vital in providing Christian camping and quality retreat facilities for the central Indiana area. Thank you for helping further our goal of providing a dynamic environment for people to engage the living God”;

Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI) — $2,500 to help build a sports field at MOHI’s new Discipleship Camp. “On Jan. 30, 2024, Kristen Hodge, CMFI board member overseeing the Sports Ministry project in Nairobi, Kenya, and a member of the E91 Foundation board, wrote in an e-mail to E91 Foundation: “I am leading another Kilimanjaro climb to build a sports field at MOHI’s new Discipleship Camp. I absolutely loved summer camp each year at Allendale! I learned a lot about myself and Jesus, so I know how important this experience is for these children! Having a place to play at the Angaza Camp will be priceless”;

Cru/Campus Crusade for Christ International/Keith Spence — $5,000 for funding toward the development of 18 Nepali ministry leaders as a part of a new emerging-leader initiative that our Campus Crusade for Christ ministry launched on Feb. 26, 2024;

E91 Church — $25,000 for September 29th 100th Anniversary Celebration Sunday;

E91 Church/Heritage Place — $1,000 for Heritage Place preparations in conjunction with E91 Church’s 100th Anniversary Celebration throughout the year;

International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) — $5,000 toward a new-church plant. Jeff Greene, IDES Advancement Director, recently wrote: “Last year, we partnered with Global Providence Gospel Network providing famine relief, which resulted in the possibility of four new church plants. We would like your help in funding one of them. The location is in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya”;

New International/Josh Reynolds — $5,000 in support of the start of Josh’s new position as the Pastor of Mobilization for New International. Writes Josh: “Our organization sends missionaries across the globe, and my division is Mobilization”;.

Polish Christian Ministries (PCM) — $8,788 to assist Polish Christian congregations to become healthy and growing. “The past two years (2022 and 2023), the E91 Foundation grants have been used specifically to help Polish churches provide housing and food for Ukrainian refugees in their city and many times in their church,” writes David Hatfield, PCM Executive Director, adding, “Polish churches in Sandomierz, Bielsk, Podlaski, Ciechanow, and Ostroda still have Ukrainian families living in their buildings. They have become the caretakers of the building and grounds since they are now living in the church. But they are also being assimilated into the life of the church as Sunday School teachers for Ukrainian children, small group leaders for Ukrainian families, and, in Ostroda, one Ukrainian brother has become an elder and preaches from time to time”;

As we’re reminded in Hebrews 13:16: “Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need.”

Today, the Foundation continues to provide members and friends with an opportunity to leave a long-lasting legacy of Christian service and missions through bequests, memorials, and gifts. The Foundation adheres to Christian beliefs and principles and provides a vehicle for the broader Christian community to remember Christ and give a portion of their family’s final assets or unexpected proceeds back to God.

We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us by donating to the E91 Foundation. While a board maintains the endowment and grants funds to qualifying entities, donors can make contributions for specific purposes or create an endowed fund. The board then uses the interest each year within the donor’s guidelines to fund missions and ministries. If you’re interested in making a donation or memorial gift to the E91 Foundation, we can accept cash, check, or an on-line donation via the Foundation’s website (www.dev2.cmsdevelopment.net). If a check, please make it payable to “East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation” and mail it to: East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation, 6049 E. 91st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Any Foundation board member is also able to accept donations, answer questions, and help you through the process, or you can visit www.dev2.cmsdevelopment.net to get more information or to contact us to help expand God’s kingdom. Please consider – if you haven’t already — leaving a lasting legacy for the support of Christian service.

And, finally, as St. Francis of Assisi has been quoted: ”Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received – only what you have given.”
Indeed!

Blessings,
Blair and Beth Austin, Co-Presidents
E91 Foundation
“Excel in the Grace of Giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

Graceful Giving: E91 Foundation Fall 2023 Update

“See that you also excel in this grace of giving.” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

“Some have criticized the church for talking too much about money,” wrote John Koessler, Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute, in his September 25, 2021 daily devotional, The Grace of Giving (www.todayintheword.org), adding, “But Jesus made it clear that our attitude toward our finances is a spiritual matter. He urged His disciples to store up treasures in heaven, warning: ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ (Matt. 6:21).

“Paul calls giving a ‘grace’ in today’s passage (2 Corinthians 8),” continued Prof. Koessler, adding, “For the Christian, giving is not a duty but a gift. The apostle did not command the Corinthians to participate in the offering for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Instead, he encouraged them to follow the example of the Macedonian believers, who were poor themselves. They were so eager to share that they begged Paul. There is an edge in Paul’s observation that the Corinthians ought to ‘excel’ in the grace of giving since they excel in the other gifts. It may suggest that Corinthian commitment to participate in the offering had begun to waver. The apostle wanted the Corinthians to understand that the offering was not intended to create hardship for the Corinthians so that others might be relieved. Instead, the goal was sufficiency—that there would be enough for everyone. This standard was established by God when He provided manna in the wilderness (Ex. 16:18).”

For nearly three decades, the East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation has continued to fulfill Christ’s directive: going into the world, teaching, making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and meeting the physical needs of hurting people (Matthew 25:35-40). So far, in 2023, E91 Foundation has awarded grants totaling $111,310. Following are those organizations and/or individuals that have received grants so far during 2023:

Alexander Christian Foundation — $16,000 for college scholarships to Indiana students entering the ministry, and a $5,000 memorial grant in honor of Scott Read;

Allendale Christian Camp and Retreat Center — $7,227 to help young people connect with God in His creation through worship, study, and adventure;

Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI) — $5,000 to help support CMFI missionary and long-time business owner Mariana Luna for her initial two-year commitment to a new Marketplace Ministry in Mexico City. Launched in 2021, the focus of this new ministry is reaching Mexico’s business leaders for economic transformation and discipleship;
e3 Partners — $6,400 to fund intensive training for missionaries;

E91 Church/Camp Allendale — $4,456 for summer-camp scholarships. “Once again, we are so grateful for your generous heart and your belief in our ‘nextgen’ here at E91,” wrote the E91 Next Gen team in a thoughtful note. “Thank you for helping several kids attend life-changing summer camps. What a blessing to the Kingdom you are!”;

E91 Church Counseling Center — $3,000 “for more intensive training for one of our team members for suicide prevention,” wrote Natalie Hubartt, LMHC, E91 Church’s Director of Counseling, Support & Recovery, adding, “This specific training would be for a team member to get trained and certified to then train our team more thoroughly.”

Fountains of Hope — $6,000 for installing two-tank, water-purifier systems at Christian schools, churches, and a Young Life Club House located in three regions of Cameroon, Africa, where children and teachers are currently dying from typhoid and/or cholera waterborne diseases;

Grace Vision Center Services — $7,500 to help purchase a van to transport members of the Indianapolis refugee community to work and to church;

ICAN Services, Inc. — $6,000 matching grant to obtain appliances for 2022 flood victims in Eastern Kentucky;
Jesus Inside Prison Ministry/Jesus House — $7,500 to assist in the replacement of an aging, leaky roof;

Polish Christian Ministries (PCM) — $7,227 to assist Polish Christian congregations to become healthy and growing. “The past two years (2022 and 2023), the E91 Foundation grants have been used specifically to help Polish churches provide housing and food for Ukrainian refugees in their city and many times in their church,” writes David Hatfield, PCM Executive Director, adding, “Polish churches in Sandomierz, Bielsk, Podlaski, Ciechanow, and Ostroda still have Ukrainian families living in their buildings. They have become the caretakers of the building and grounds since they are now living in the church. But they are also being assimilated into the life of the church as Sunday School teachers for Ukrainian children, small group leaders for Ukrainian families, and, in Ostroda, one Ukrainian brother has become an elder and preaches from time to time.”;

Project Liberia — $5,000 to pour the footers for a college building in Liberia, where ministry leaders will be trained;

The ARK Christian Ministries (Camp and Retreat Center) — $5,000 to remodel quarter-size model of Noah’s Ark into an interactive nature center that will be used year-round;

Vision Nicaragua — $5,000 memorial grant in honor of Scott Read to Vision Nicaragua, a small non-profit out of Asheville, North Carolina;

Young Life/Raceway Region — $5,000 to develop Young Life in five new multi-ethnic communities in the Indianapolis area by 2025 through financial support and culturally intelligent developers working with the community to bring about hope for lost students;

Young Life/YoungLives — $10,000 to expand programming and work toward a summer-camp experience for teen moms and their children, as well as mentors and childcare volunteers, in Detroit and Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Since its founding, E91 Foundation has granted more than $1.8 million to evangelical nonprofit ministries in Indianapolis and throughout the world. The generosity of our donors makes it all possible!

East 91st Street Christian Church started the E91 Foundation in 1994 as a long-term Christian charitable entity separate from the church’s day-to-day business and budget. The Foundation was formed to provide members and friends with an opportunity to leave a long-lasting legacy of Christian service and missions through bequests, memorials, and gifts. The Foundation adheres to Christian beliefs and principles and provides a vehicle for the broader Christian community to remember Christ and give a portion of their family’s final assets or unexpected proceeds back to God.

We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us by donating to the E91 Foundation. While a board maintains the endowment and grants funds to qualifying entities, donors can make contributions for specific purposes or create an endowed fund. The board then uses the interest each year within the donor’s guidelines to fund missions and ministries. If you’re interested in making a donation or memorial gift to the E91 Foundation, we can accept cash, check, or an on-line donation via the Foundation’s website (www.dev2.cmsdevelopment.net). If a check, please make it payable to “East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation” and mail it to: East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation, 6049 E. 91st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Any Foundation board member is also able to accept donations, answer questions, and help you through the process, or you can visit our donation page to get more information or to contact us to help expand God’s kingdom. Please consider – if you haven’t already — leaving a lasting legacy for the support of Christian service.

Indeed, “Excel in the Grace of Giving”!

Blessings,
Blair and Beth Austin, Co-Presidents
E91 Foundation

Kingdom Giving: E91 Foundation 2023 Mid-Year Update

“Freely you have received; freely give.” –Jesus, Matthew 10:8

“Back in Paul’s day, the Macedonians were dirt poor,” wrote Pastor Pete Briscoe in his May 31, 2023, online devotional, Being Fully Free in Christ (petebriscoe.org). “In a devastated, drought-stricken land, any of them would have been sleeping in the gutters – except that they didn’t have any gutters,” continued Briscoe, adding, “Yeah, it was the kind of ‘poor’ that many of us rarely, if ever, see or experience. Those Macedonians have something to teach us today about the family of God:

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-4, NIV)

For nearly three decades, the East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation has continued to fulfill Christ’s directive: going into the world, teaching, making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and meeting the physical needs of hurting people (Matthew 25:35-40). So far, in 2023, E91 Foundation has awarded grants totaling $85,910.
Following are those organizations and/or individuals that have received grants during the first half of 2023:

Alexander Christian Foundation — $16,000 for college scholarships to Indiana students entering the ministry, and a $5,000 memorial grant in honor of Scott Read;
Allendale Christian Camp and Retreat Center — $7,227 to help young people connect with God in His creation through worship, study, and adventure;
Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI) — $5,000 to help support CMFI missionary and long-time business owner Mariana Luna for her
initial two-year commitment to a new Marketplace Ministry in Mexico City. Launched in 2021, the focus of this new ministry is reaching Mexico’s business leaders for
economic transformation and discipleship;
E91 Church/Camp Allendale — $4,456 for summer-camp scholarships. “Once again, we are so grateful for your generous heart and your belief in our ‘nextgen’ here at E91,” wrote the E91 Next Gen team in a thoughtful note. “Thank you for helping several kids attend life-changing summer camps. What a blessing to the Kingdom you are!”;
Grace Vision Center Services — $7,500 to help purchase a van to transport members of the Indianapolis refugee community to work and to church;
ICAN Services, Inc. — $6,000 matching grant to obtain appliances for 2022 flood victims in Eastern Kentucky;
Jesus Inside Prison Ministry/Jesus House — $7,500 to assist in the replacement of an aging, leaky roof;
Polish Christian Ministries — $7,227 to assist Polish Christian congregations to become healthy and growing;
Vision Nicaragua — $5,000 memorial grant in honor of Scott Read to Vision Nicaragua, a small non-profit out of Asheville, North Carolina;
Young Life/Raceway Region — $5,000 to develop Young Life in five new multi-ethnic communities in the Indianapolis area by 2025 through financial support and culturally intelligent developers working with the community to bring about hope for lost students;
Young Life/YoungLives — $10,000 to expand programming and work toward a summer-camp experience for teen moms and their children, as well as mentors and childcare volunteers, in Detroit and Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Since its founding, E91 Foundation has granted more than $1.8 million to evangelical nonprofit ministries in Indianapolis and throughout the world. The generosity of our donors makes it all possible!

East 91st Street Christian Church started the E91 Foundation in 1994 as a long-term Christian charitable entity separate from the church’s day-to-day business and budget. The Foundation was formed to provide members and friends with an opportunity to leave a long-lasting legacy of Christian service and missions through bequests, memorials, and gifts. The Foundation adheres to Christian beliefs and principles and provides a vehicle for the broader Christian community to remember Christ and give a portion of their family’s final assets or unexpected proceeds back to God.

We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us by donating to the E91 Foundation. While a board maintains the endowment and grants funds to qualifying entities, donors can make contributions for specific purposes or create an endowed fund. The board then uses the interest each year within the donor’s guidelines to fund missions and ministries.

If you’re interested in making a donation or memorial gift to the E91 Foundation, we can accept cash, check, or an on-line donation via the Foundation’s website https://dev2.cmsdevelopment.net/donations/. If a check, please make it payable to “East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation” and mail it to: East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation, 6049 E. 91st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Any Foundation board member is also able to accept donations, answer questions, and help you through the process, or you can visit www.dev2.cmsdevelopment.net to get more information or to contact us to help expand God’s kingdom. Please consider – if you haven’t already — leaving a lasting legacy for the support of Christian service.

“Sharing resources is part of what it means to be a family,” continued Briscoe, adding, “It’s a huge blessing, and not just for those who freely receive, but also for those who freely give. What a strange mixture of words shows up in this passage (2 Corinthians 8:1-4)! Very severe trial… overflowing joy… extreme poverty… rich generosity.” A huge blessing, indeed!

Blessings,
Blair and Beth Austin, Co-Presidents
E91 Foundation
“Excel in the Grace of Giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

 

“No one has ever become poor by giving,” the late, famed diarist Anne Frank is quoted as saying in the 1955 Pulitzer-award-winning play, The Diary of Anne Frank.

Frank is also quoted as saying in the 1974 book, The Works of Anne Frank: “Riches, power, and fame last only for a few years! Why do people cling so desperately to these transitory things? Why can’t people who have more than they need for themselves give that surplus to their fellow citizens? Why should some people have such a hard time during their few years on this earth?”

For nearly four decades, the East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation has continued to fulfill Christ’s directive: going into the world, teaching, making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and meeting the physical needs of hurting people (Matthew 25:35-40). During 2022, E91 Foundation awarded grants totaling $117,697.

Following are those organizations and/or individuals that received grants this past year:

Afterbeat/Netherlands — $5,000 to minister to young people in the Netherlands;

Alexander Christian Foundation — $18,000 for college scholarships to Indiana students entering the ministry, and a $5,000 memorial grant in honor of Scott Read;

Allendale Christian Camp and Retreat Center — $9,536 to help young people connect with God in His creation through worship, study, and adventure;

Bryantsville Hunger Relief Project — $3,000 to help purchase market-ready hogs and get them processed into one-pound packages of ground pork for distribution to local Christian food banks in Bedford and Mitchell, Indiana;

Central Christian College of the Bible (CCCB) — $5,000 for “Lunch and Learn” program being offered through CCCB’s Christian Church Leadership Network (CCLN). CCLN was launched in 2016 through Cincinnati Christian University to provide tools, resources, support, and coaching to Christian Churches/Churches of Christ and their leaders;

Central Indiana Young Life — $5,000 to help new ministries, particularly under-funded programs in the Central Indiana area, enhance staff in current ministries, and discover ways to provide some of Young Life’s specialty ministries to Central Indiana;

Christian Missionary Fellowship (CMF) International/Student Mission Trip — $5,100 for a student mission trip to Africa this past March (2022). In 2019, the E91 Foundation received a generous donation from the estate of Otis and Anna Jean Palmer, long-time E91 members, in the amount of $12,157, which was specifically earmarked for student mission trips. E91 Foundation fully funded Mallory, Darby, and Ethan Fehl at $1,700 each for a total of $5,100 from the Palmer Estate gift;

CMFI/Nairobi, Kenya Sports Ministry — $7,500 to support CMFI’s Missions of Hope International (MOHI) Sports Ministry and to help fund the construction of two new turf soccer fields in Narobi, Kenya;

CMFI/Shelby Hodge — $1,000 to help fund Shelby Hodge’s student mission trip to Uruguay, South America, during the summer of 2022. Shelby attends Indiana University, where she serves in Christian Student Fellowship (CSF). Shelby was selected to be a REACH intern with CMFI and served alongside a college ministry called “La Ruta” on the campus (100,000 students) of La Universidad de la Republica in Montevideo, Uruguay. Shelby’s $1,000 grant was funded from the Palmer Estate gift earmarked for student mission trips;

Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI) — $5,000 to help support CMFI missionary and long-time business owner Mariana Luna for her initial two-year commitment to a new Marketplace Ministry in Mexico City. Launched
in 2021, the focus of this new ministry is reaching Mexico’s business leaders for economic transformation and discipleship;

E91 Church/Camp Allendale — $7,025 for summer-camp scholarships. “We just wanted to write and say thank you for providing much-needed scholarships to kids of all ages here at E91,” wrote Tammy Smith, E91 Kids Ministry Director, in a thoughtful note to our Foundation board. “Many families will be blessed by your generous hearts, and many kids will grow and take next steps with Jesus due to your leadership. Thank you for helping change lives for Jesus!”;

E91 Church/Counseling Center — $500 for suicide-prevention training for church staff and leadership, and $500 for Storied Lives, a group of four to six participants that meet for 15 weeks broken up into three rounds. During each round, participants are invited to write a memory as a story. The stories that participants share often bring up unpleasant memories and sometimes trauma. The theme of death and resurrection is often incorporated, allowing God to heal past wounds, dispel shame, and give participants freedom from wounds they may have been carrying since childhood;

Fountains of Hope — $6,000 for installing two-tank, water-purifier systems at Christian schools, churches, and a Young Life Club House located in three regions of Cameroon, Africa, where children and teachers are currently dying from typhoid and/or cholera waterborne diseases;

Life Centers — $5,000 (plus a $5,000 matching grant) to send 10 staff members to the annual Heartbeat conference this past March (2022). The Heartbeat International® annual conference is the largest pregnancy-help conference in the world. Each year, it provides quality education and networking opportunities for leaders in the movement. “This annual conference is a source of encouragement, refreshment, and equipping of our staff to meet the daily challenges of ministering to thousands of moms and children right here in the greater Indianapolis area,” wrote Tom Shevlot, Life Centers Executive Director and longtime E91 church member;

Peace Restored, LLC — $10,000 to help Mooresville, Indiana-based Peace Restored increase its counseling services, which build on the model developed by East 91st Street Christian Church. The mission of Peace Restored is helping women find hope and healing from difficult life experiences, which may include trauma, abuse, grief, anxiety, depression, and more through its donation-based counseling, support groups, and classes;

Polish Christian Ministries — $9,536 to assist Polish Christian congregations to become healthy and growing;

Vision Nicaragua — $5,000 memorial grant in honor of Scott Read to Vision Nicaragua, a small non-profit out of Asheville, North Carolina. “We meet people right where they are and bring hope where they need it most,” writes Vision Nicaragua. “By partnering with us, you are helping families in Nicaragua experience compassion and care through your prayers and financial support”;

Young Life/Raceway Region — $5,000 to develop Young Life in five new multi-ethnic communities in the Indianapolis area by 2025 through financial support and culturally intelligent developers working with the community to bring about hope for lost students.

Since its founding, E91 Foundation has granted more than $1.8 million to evangelical nonprofit ministries in Indianapolis and throughout the world. The generosity of our donors makes it all possible!

Incorporated in 1994, East 91st Street Christian Church started the E91 Foundation as a long-term Christian charitable entity separate from the church’s day-to-day business and budget. The Foundation was formed to provide members and friends with an opportunity to leave a long-lasting legacy of Christian service and missions through bequests, memorials, and gifts. The Foundation adheres to Christian beliefs and principles and provides a vehicle for the broader Christian community to remember Christ and give a portion of their family’s final assets or unexpected proceeds back to God.
We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us by donating to the E91 Foundation. While a board maintains the endowment and grants funds to qualifying entities, donors can make contributions for specific purposes or create an endowed fund. The board then uses the interest each year within the donor’s guidelines to fund missions and ministries.
If you’re interested in making a donation or memorial gift to the E91 Foundation, we can accept cash, check, or an on-line donation via the Foundation’s website (www.dev2.cmsdevelopment.net). If a check, please make it payable to “East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation” and mail it to: East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation, 6049 E. 91st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Any Foundation board member is also able to accept donations, answer questions, and help you through the process, or you can visit www.dev2.cmsdevelopment.net to get more information or to contact us to help expand God’s kingdom. Please consider – if you haven’t already — leaving a lasting legacy for the support of Christian service.
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Indeed!

Blessings,
Blair and Beth Austin, Co-Presidents
E91 Foundation
“Excel in the Grace of Giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

Download the 2022 Year End Report here

Giving God’s Way: E91 Foundation Q3 2022 Update

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Much has been written and discussed on the topic of giving God’s way.  But what does it really mean to give God’s way.

“When we give, we are following our heavenly Father’s example,” wrote Ray Viola, lead pastor of Koinonia Fellowship, in his 11/3/2021 online devotional, Giving God’s Way (https://selahonradio.com).  “Our lives are full of God’s good and perfect gifts. So, if we purpose to follow Jesus daily, we will find ourselves being givers and not takers. Remember, we receive in the same measure that we give out.”

Since its founding in 1994, the East 91^st Street Christian Church Foundation has granted more than $1.7 million to evangelical nonprofit ministries in Indianapolis and throughout the world. The generosity of our donors makes it all possible! During the first nine months of 2022, E91 Foundation awarded grants totaling $91,197. Following is just a sampling of the organizations that have received grants so far this year:

Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI) — $5,000 to help support CMFI missionary and long-time business owner, Mariana Luna, for her initial two-year commitment to a new Marketplace Ministry in Mexico City. Launched in 2021, the focus of this new ministry is reaching Mexico’s business leaders for economic transformation and discipleship.

Peace Restored, LLC — $10,000 to help Mooresville, Indiana-based Peace Restored increase its counseling services, which build on the model developed by East 91^st Street Christian Church.  The mission of Peace Restored is helping women find hope and healing from difficult life experiences, which may include trauma, abuse, grief, anxiety, depression, and more through its donation-based counseling, support groups, and classes.

Central Indiana Young Life — $5,000 to help new ministries, particularly under-funded programs in the Central Indiana area, enhance staff in current ministries, and discover ways to provide some of Young Life’s specialty ministries to Central Indiana.

Since its founding, the E91 Foundation’s mission has been – and continues to be – to fulfill Christ’s directive: going into the world, teaching, making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and meeting the physical needs of hurting people (Matthew 25:35-40). 

E91 church started the E91 Foundation as a long-term Christian charitable entity separate from the church’s day-to-day business and budget. The Foundation was formed to provide members and friends with an opportunity to leave a long-lasting legacy of Christian service and missions through bequests, memorials, and gifts.  The Foundation adheres to Christian beliefs and principles and provides a vehicle for the broader Christian community to remember Christ and give a portion of their family’s final assets or unexpected proceeds back to God.

We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us by donating to the E91 Foundation.  While a board maintains the endowment and grants funds to qualifying entities, donors can make contributions for specific purposes or create an endowed fund. The board then uses the interest each year within the donor’s guidelines to fund missions and ministries.

If you’re interested in making a donation or memorial gift to the E91 Foundation, we can accept cash, check, or an on-line donation via the Foundation’s website (www.dev2.cmsdevelopment.net). If a check, please make it payable to “East 91^st Street Christian Church Foundation” and mail it to: East 91^st Street Christian Church Foundation, 6049 E. 91^st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Any Foundation board member is also able to accept donations, answer questions, and help you through the process, or you can visit www.dev2.cmsdevelopment.net to get more information or to contact us to help expand God’s kingdom. Please consider – if you haven’t already– leaving a lasting legacy for the support of Christian service.

“God tells us that if we honor Him, He will fill our barns with plenty and provide an overflow of new wine,” continued Pastor Ray Viola. “God knows how to fill your barn.  He challenged Israel to prove Him in this. So, get blessed, saint – be a giver!”

Indeed!

Blessings,
Blair and Beth Austin, Co-Presidents
E91 Foundation

“Excel in the Grace of Giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

E91 Foundation Mid-Year 2022 Update: Our Mission is God’s Mission

Mission. A word that has several different dictionary definitions. For this E91 Foundation update, however, we’ll use one of Merriam-Webster’s dictionary definitions: “a ministry commissioned by a religious organization to propagate its faith or carry on humanitarian work.”
Since its founding in 1994, the East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation’s mission has been – and continues to be – to fulfill Christ’s directive: going into the world, teaching, making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and meeting the physical needs of hurting people (Matthew 25:35-40).

“If you are a fan of any sport, you’ve heard the deafening noise of adoring fans speaking as one. While watching on the couch might give you a better view of the game, it’s never as exhilarating as cheering on your team from the stands. A special energy comes from being part of a shared mission, whether that mission is to win a game or to bring heaven to earth…. Rather than fielding a select few, Jesus sends all of His people out to share the good news that He has set us free and He will set things right forever. We might seem like a rag-tag bunch. But when it comes to this mission, no one is too old or too young. Wherever we’ve come from and whatever we’ve done, we all have a place on this team.” (Excerpted from Newspring Church’s online devotional, The Power of One Team with One Mind)

During the first six months of 2022, E91 Foundation awarded grants totaling $76,197. Following are just some of the organizations that have received grants so far this year:

Polish Christian Ministries (PCM) — $9,536 to assist Polish Christian congregations to become healthy and growing. On its website, PCM states: “Thus far (as of 5/4/2022), we have sent $466,857 to Ostroda Camp and 24 of our Polish churches to help with refugee relief efforts. For more than two months, our Polish ministry partners have worked continuously on behalf of those displaced from Ukraine. We are so inspired by their devotion and pray daily for God to give them the wisdom and strength they need.”

E91 Church/Camp Allendale — $7,025 for summer-camp scholarships. “We just wanted to write and say thank you for providing much-needed scholarships to kids of all ages here at E91,” wrote Tammy Smith, E91 Kids Ministry Director, in a thoughtful note to our Foundation board. “Many families will be blessed by your generous hearts, and many kids will grow and take next steps with Jesus due to your leadership. Thank you for helping change lives for Jesus!”

Scott Read Memorial Grants: Alexander Christian Foundation and Vision Nicaragua — $5,000 memorial grant in honor of Scott Read to Alexander Christian Foundation for college scholarships to Indiana students entering the ministry, and a $5,000 memorial grant in honor of Scott Read to Vision Nicaragua, a small non-profit out of Asheville, North Carolina. “We meet people right where they are and bring hope where they need it most,” writes Vision Nicaragua. “By partnering with us, you are helping families in Nicaragua experience compassion and care through your prayers and financial support.”

Since its founding, E91 Foundation has granted more than $1.7 million to evangelical nonprofit ministries in Indianapolis and throughout the world. The generosity of our donors makes it all possible!

East 91st Street Christian Church started the E91 Foundation as a long-term Christian charitable entity separate from the church’s day-to-day business and budget. The Foundation was formed to provide members and friends with an opportunity to leave a long-lasting legacy of Christian service and missions through bequests, memorials, and gifts. The Foundation adheres to Christian beliefs and principles and provides a vehicle for the broader Christian community to remember Christ and give a portion of their family’s final assets or unexpected proceeds back to God.

We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us by donating to the E91 Foundation. While a board maintains the endowment and grants funds to qualifying entities, donors can make contributions for specific purposes or create an endowed fund. The board then uses the interest each year within the donor’s guidelines to fund missions and ministries.

If you’re interested in making a donation or memorial gift to the E91 Foundation, we can accept cash, check, or an on-line donation via the Foundation’s website. If a check, please make it payable to “East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation” and mail it to: East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation, 6049 E. 91st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Any Foundation board member is also able to accept donations, answer questions, and help you through the process, or you can visit www.dev2.cmsdevelopment.net to get more information or to contact us to help expand God’s kingdom. Please consider – if you haven’t already– leaving a lasting legacy for the support of Christian service.

“I like to summarize our responsibilities as stewards in God’s kingdom with three words: gifts, goods, and gospel,” writes Gary G. Hoag, Ph.D., Kairos Project Teaching Team (kairos.edu), adding, “Every Christ-follower is a steward of spiritual gifts and material goods to make known the eternal gospel.

“Few NT (New Testament) passages,” continues Dr. Hoag, “provide more clear instructions on this topic than one profound statement of Peter that was directed to Christ-followers exiled throughout the Roman Empire. ‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms’ (1 Peter 4:10).”

Indeed, Our Mission is God’s Mission!

Blessings,
Blair and Beth Austin, Co-Presidents
E91 Foundation
“Excel in the Grace of Giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

This year – 2022 – marks the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, as we continue to cautiously navigate this seemingly elusive virus, the word “perseverance” comes to mind. The dictionary (Merriam-Webster) defines perseverance as: “the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult.”
Perhaps one of the best examples of someone who persevered through adversity was Job in the Old Testament of the Bible, who said: “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21b)
Despite the adversity posed by the pandemic, the East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation – like Job — has persevered and continues to fulfill Christ’s directive: going into the world, teaching, making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and meeting the physical needs of hurting people (Matthew 25:35-40). During 2021, in fact, E91 Foundation awarded grants totaling $124,255.
Following are those organizations and/or individuals that received grants this past year:

Afterbeat/Netherlands — $5,000 for Mission Center/Coffee Café to minister to young people in the Netherlands;

Allendale Christian Camp and Retreat Center — $8,643 to help young people connect with God in His creation through worship, study, and adventure;

Alexander Christian Foundation — $16,000 for college scholarships to Indiana students entering the ministry and $10,000 memorial grant in honor of Jackie Long;

(THE) ARK Christian Ministries — $5,000 for double-decker ropes course, an outdoor facility where groups can be hosted during COVID-19;

BLVD Church — $10,000 for kitchen remodel to minister to neighborhood by serving meals;

CRU/Keith Spence — $5,000 for leadership training for international CRU ministry;

Christian Missionary Fellowship (CMF) International/Sheltons — $3,000 for Sheltons’ mission work in Brazil, South America;

Dave Smith/Global City Mission — $5,000 for evangelism/church planting in Phoenix, Arizona, especially reaching out to international neighbors;

E91 Church/Camp Allendale — $2,060 for summer-camp scholarships;

E91 Church/Counseling Center — $1,535 for suicide-prevention training for church staff and leadership;

E91 Church/Heritage Place — $634 to preserve the history of E91 church;

E91 Church/MICM — $5,000 was granted by the E91 Foundation to partner 50-50 with East 91st Street Christian Church to provide a total of $10,000 to Mid-India Christian Mission for oxygen cylinders and concentrators during Spring COVID surge in India;

IDES (International Disaster and Emergency Services) — $1,240 for worldwide ministry of responding to disasters;

Lar Feliz USA Foundation — $5,000 to build storage unit/structure to free up space for church services and Bible study in Brazil, South America;

Life Centers — $5,000 to provide video-streaming service of parenting/life skills to clients;

New Life Ministries – $5,000 to cover expenses related to opening of Men’s Life House;

Polish Christian Ministries — $8,643 to assist Polish Christian congregations to become healthy and growing;

Refuge for Women — $7,500 for scholarship fund for survivors of human trafficking;

Shepherd Community Center — $10,000 memorial grant in Jackie Long’s honor for “Jackie’s Corner,” an area in Shepherd’s library dedicated to children’s books and storytelling;

TCM (Taking Christ to Millions) International Institute — $5,000 to help bring TCM’s practical ministry-training program to Sierra Leone in West Africa;

Since its founding, E91 Foundation has granted more than $1.7 million to evangelical nonprofit ministries in Indianapolis and throughout the world. The generosity of our donors makes it all possible!
Incorporated in 1994, East 91st Street Christian Church started the E91 Foundation as a long-term Christian charitable entity separate from the church’s day-to-day business and budget. The Foundation was formed to provide members and friends with an opportunity to leave a long-lasting legacy of Christian service and missions through bequests, memorials, and gifts. The Foundation adheres to Christian beliefs and principles and provides a vehicle for the broader Christian community to remember Christ and give a portion of their family’s final assets or unexpected proceeds back to God.
We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us by donating to the E91 Foundation. While a board maintains the endowment and grants funds to qualifying entities, donors can make contributions for specific purposes or create an endowed fund. The board then uses the interest each year within the donor’s guidelines to fund missions and ministries.
If you’re interested in making a donation or memorial gift to the E91 Foundation,  we can accept cash, check, or donation via PayPal. If a check, please make it payable to “East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation.” Checks or cash may be sent via regular mail to: East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation, 6049 E. 91st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250. You may also make a one-time donation or a legacy memorial gift via PayPal on our donation page. Any E91 Foundation board member is also able to accept donations, answer questions, or help you through the process, or you can visit our donation pages to get more information or to contact us to help expand God’s kingdom. Please consider – if you haven’t already — leaving a lasting legacy for the support of Christian service.
As we’re reminded in Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Despite the adversity Job faced, he persevered and, indeed, Job did not give up!

Blessings,
Blair and Beth Austin, Co-Presidents
E91 Foundation
“Excel in the Grace of Giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7)

Download our 2021 Year-End brochure here.

 

Leaving a Legacy: Third Quarter 2021 E91 Foundation Update

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