On a weeknight in Kinston, N.C., a small group gathers around tables at Faith Lutheran Church. The evening begins with a shared meal and conversation before turning to the night’s lesson: Learning English together.

This ministry was made possible in part through a Southeastern District Community Engagement Grant, which helped Faith Lutheran connect with neighbors through adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

After moving to Kinston in eastern North Carolina, Faith Pastor Frank Kinast said, his wife Melissa began teaching ESL in middle and high school. Communicating with some of their parents proved challenging; she didn’t know Spanish, and some of the parents spoke little English. In response, Faith partnered with Lenoir Community College to offer adult ESL classes for the parents of Melissa Kinast’s students, as well as others in the surrounding neighborhood who wished to participate.

The classes follow the academic calendar and are offered midweek. The evening begins with a shared meal and time for fellowship before transitioning into the night’s lesson, which may focus on parts of speech, sentence structure, or conversational English. Lenoir Community College provides the curriculum, and the classes are led by Melissa Kinast and Deaconess Lauren Olsen.

Pastor Kinast says the team strives to create what he describes as a Planet Fitness–style “No Judgment Zone.” “No matter where a participant is starting from, our job is to help them become more functional in English,” Pastor Kinast said.

This is the second year the classes have been offered. At their peak, about a dozen adults were attending regularly. Currently, Pastor Kinast says they are working with one family. He remains hopeful that participation will grow again over time.

Students in the ESL program have received Bibles, Small Catechisms, and other Christian resources in both Spanish and English. During Advent and Lent, Faith holds worship services following the classes, and students are invited to attend.

Pastor Kinast sees the ministry as a long-term investment in relationships. “We’re still doing the community service regardless of what results we see, whether anyone joins the congregation or not,” he said. “But if someone experiences a crisis, they know they can come to us. They know they can talk to us and that they are safe with us. If we’re impatient, we’ll be frustrated. But if we’re patient, I think the fruit will come.”

Ministries such as Faith Lutheran’s ESL program are just one example of how SED grants are helping congregations connect with their communities and share the hope of Christ. Grants applications are open through the end of 2026 or until available funds have been awarded. If your congregation or ministry has an idea for reaching your community, we encourage you to explore the grants available and consider applying. For general questions about SED grants, please contact the grant coordinator, Deaconess Robin Domeier, at rdomeier@se.lcms.org.