The Catalyst Innovation Lab Returns for Another Year.

The project has two objectives:

1) to encourage and provide resources to congregations and other district ministries to experiment with innovative methods to catalyze mission movements (when disciples make disciples who make disciples, etc., and/or when churches plant churches that plant churches, etc.) and

2) to document the experiments so that other district ministries know what does and does not work and are inspired to develop their own innovative methods. Project leaders may apply for up to $50,000.  Project leaders are limited to one application per lab.

The best projects will:

  • Be truly innovative—something completely different—something that hasn’t been done before (like what? —if we could answer that, it wouldn’t be a good idea!),
  • Be potentially replicable in other congregations or ministries,
  • Be sustainable with ministry resources after district funding ends,
  • Include a monetary investment from the ministry,
  • Utilize the resources of multiple members of the ministry,
  • Be connected to and supported by a congregation, school, or mission network of the Texas District,
  • Include a way within the first year to measure progress in catalyzing a mission movement (when disciples make disciples who make disciples and/or when congregations plant congregations that plant congregations).

Please Note:

  • Projects must be consistent with the biblical and confessional standards of the LCMS. They should be of a nature that reflects well on the applying ministry and other ministries of the district. (Of course!)
  • Grant recipients will be required to submit reports concerning the project according to the schedule and form requested by the district.
  • To apply for a grant, please fill out the application.
  • Applications are due by November 15, 2025 (so, git’er done!).
  • The lab panel will review the applications.
  • Some, but likely not all, of the applicants will be invited to give a presentation at a Shark-Tank-like experience (a FRIENDLY one) at the Texas District Mission Support Center in Austin on January 21, 2026. SO, YOU MUST BE AVAILABLE THAT DAY IF YOU WISH TO RECEIVE A GRANT.
  • The lab panel will choose Grant recipients after the presentations.

The lab panel is made up of Rev. Ted Benson, Resurrection, Spring; Ms. Gladys Franco, St. Paul, Harlingen; Ms. Stephanie Knea, Gloria Dei, Houston; Ms. Charessa Koontz, Bethany, Austin; Mr. Chris Rogers, St. Paul, Ft Worth; Ms. Kenzie Brown, King of Kings, Round Rock; and Rev. Alex Lahue, St. Timothy, Houston.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to these district staff members who are facilitating the initiative:

Rev. Ben Gonzales, bgonzales@txlcms.org
Rev. Pete Mueller, pmueller@txlcms.org