Our History
Earliest records show the General Relief Board was established in 1905 and expended its first disaster response funding in 1907. The board primarily assisted professors in LCMS colleges, Synodical employees, pastors and teachers. It also provided help for disaster survivors and destitute persons worldwide.Under different names, the board played major roles in relief and recover efforts following both World Wars. After 1953, as the Board for World Relief, the agency focused its efforts in disaster response and long-term self-help programs.
Today LCMS World Relief and Human Care is a vibrant ministry of hope, making a world of difference. The agency enhanced its partnership with international partners in recent years and continues to award grants to domestic and international partners for projects that benefit communities in need.
In 2005, we coordinated multi-million dollar responses after the tsunami in Asia and hurricanes in the Gulf Coast. During the past three years, we awarded more than $25 million through more than 650 U.S. and international grants.
Timeline
