Ministry Partners
We here at St. Martin’s understand ourselves as both servants participating in God’s ongoing work in the world & a regional hub sharing the narratives of local and global ministries being done. Listed below are some of the many organizations doing great work whom we partner with in our mission and ministry. We encourage you to look into these ministries, prayerfully consider where you might be feeling called to plug in and serve, and join us in these discipleship opportunities.
Learn more about our ministry partners below:
Austin City Lutherans
Austin City Lutherans (ACL) is a non-profit social ministry organization supported by the fourteen ELCA churches (including University of Texas ELCA Campus Ministry) in Austin that brings together faith communities to live out their gifts in shared ministry and mission, in neighborhoods, across the city, and across borders. ACL operates the Bread For All Food Pantry and is in the process of establishing a early childhood development center, with a two-generation emphasis, in SE Austin.
The First Sunday of every month, we collect non-perishable food for the Bread for All Food Pantry. Collection bins are located in our lobby and on First Sundays additional bins are located in the Narthex of the church. Volunteer opportunities are available at the Bread for All Food Pantry.
To learn more, please visit ACL’s website: https://austincitylutherans.org/
Austin Helps Honduras
2021 marks the 20th year of the Austin Helps Honduras (AHH) Scholarship Program in Colonia Solidaridad, the community built by members of St. Martin’s and Riverbend Church after a devastating hurricane.
Members of St. Martin’s have been the major supporters, sponsoring students from 7th grade through college. The program has grown from 13 students in 2002 to 57 students this year. Young people who had little opportunity to attend 7th grade and beyond are now graduating from high school (49), vocational programs (20) and in 2015 the program grew to include scholarships to local universities with our first two graduating in 2020. Last year the program was expanded to offer scholarships to students in neighboring colonias. Destined to work for meager wages in menial jobs, the students are now employed in positions which enable them to provide for their families.
Cross Trails Ministry
Cross Trails Ministry is a year-round camp and retreat ministry in Southwestern Texas. Two sites are at the heart of this ministry, Lutheran Camp Chrysalis in Kerrville and Ebert Ranch Camp in Harper. Both camps are accredited by the American Camp Association. In addition to these two sites, Cross Trails Ministry offers a variety of off-site and congregational programs and events throughout the year. If you’re looking for a summer camp, a retreat to attend, or place for your next getaway, Cross Trails offers programs for all ages and all people. Follow your Cross Trail…let our camps and programs be stops on your journey.
To learn more, please visit Cross Trail’s website: http://crosstrails.org/
Upbring is a leading Texas-based, faith inspired nonprofit organization raising the standards for child welfare across Texas. Upbring believes that every child deserves to be deeply treasured. Inspired by faith, Upbring delivers transformative programs and services including foster care, supervised independent living, adoption, education, residential treatment and community services, enhancing life outcomes by producing strong, brave men and women into adulthood. Nearly 30,000 families yearly are supported because of our organization’s unrelenting mission to break the cycle of child abuse. Partnering with community groups, small businesses and large corporations and churches like St. Martin’s Lutheran enables Upbring to create a brighter future for children here in Austin and across the state.
To learn more, please visit Upbring’s website: https://www.upbring.org/