EPIPHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH

FIRST FRUITS PARTNERS

WHAT IS FIRST FRUITS?

As a church we strive to lead by example. Just as we challenge our congregation to be generous, we, as a church, respond to what God has given us and the needs around us. We call our benevolence, the financial support that we give to other organizations, First Fruits. This term finds its roots in the Old Testament where God challenges and reminds the people that their offerings aren't the scraps or what’s left over, but the first and best of what they have received, first fruits. Our benevolence is based on a set percentage of the support we receive and is distributed to a handful of partners that we believe live out the same calling and make a difference. These checks are written before we pay our mortgage or salaries. Giving is a huge component of faith. Giving is not just a way to say "thanks" or support a worthy organization but to also trust that God will continue to provide and give us our daily bread. 

 

Our First Fruit Partners

 

ILAG (Iglesia Luterana Agustina Guatemala)

ILAG (pronounced EE-log) has been a First Fruit partners since 2020. ILAG is a church that was founded in 1991. At its inception, ILAG began as a pastoral/social support team in the quest for dignity and social justice. ILAG is now comprised of nearly 3,000 members in 18 congregations in the city of Guatemala and in remote communities. Under the ILAG umbrella are congregations, the Milagro Women’s Education Center, and CLAG (Lutheran school). 

Learn More

We received a heartfelt "Thank you!" from ILAG, MILAGRO and the Synod. Letters of gratitude are posted on the bulletin board in the cafe regarding the generous fund raising donation to MILAGRO from Epiphany. Stop by and check them out as you grab a cup of coffee. And thank you again from the Epiphany Guatemala Team for your overwhelming support of this ministry! 

TIME FOR THE SES MILAGRO ATLANTA GALA!

Click the image to register for the GALA. Epiphany has been so gracious in support of this SES Global ministry and we hope to have as many attend as possible!

Questions, contact Steve Belfield

Meet the young ladies attending MILAGRO in 2026!
Click the image below to download the 2026 bios.

Watch the video below to see what MILAGRO means to these young Guatemalan ladies. This is why we walk along with them on this journey.

ELCA Southeastern Synod

We support the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) church body through our giving to the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA. It is made up of congregations in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. Epiphany’s mission support gifts are merged with gifts from all congregations in the Southeastern Synod to support the work of the synod, which includes providing support and guidance for congregations, offering support and resources for leaders (lay and rostered), and promoting opportunities for youth. Through mission support dollars to the Southeastern Synod, Epiphany’s gifts also support ELCA national and global ministries.

Learn More SES Synod E-news page

 

Duluth High School Care Closet

 

Epiphany is excited to build and foster a supportive relationship with our new First Fruits partner at Duluth High School.  The Care Closet at Duluth High School is designed to support disadvantaged students where there is immediate need to address food insecurity. We invite you to join us in this new and exciting opportunity. Here’s how you can get involved:


  • Pray for our new partners, Duluth High School students, faculty, staff and for the work we will do together.
  • Please continue donating food and snack items appropriate for students to carry in backpacks

PACK the PANTRY Wishlist


Our ELC Serve Team is hosting a clothing drive for DHS Care Closet with the goal to collect 100 pairs of guys undies, 100 camisoles and 50 pairs of crocs/slides. We will be collecting from now until 9/13/26. You can purchase from the Amazon wishlist and have the items sent directly to ELC, purchase a gift card OR bring the items in to the church and drop in the box!