E91 Foundation: Three Decades of Expanding God’s Kingdom!
“Nothing that you have not given away will ever really be yours.” –C.S. Lewis
On Sunday, April 14, 2024, the East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation officially marks its 30th anniversary! To commemorate this important milestone, a brief video – produced by longtime E91 church member and professional videographer Ken Nelson – will be shown during E91’s church services that day.
For three decades, the East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation has continued to fulfill Christ’s directive: going into the world, teaching, making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and meeting the physical needs of hurting people (Matthew 25:35-40). Since its founding, E91 Foundation — which has grown to a fund approaching $3 million — has granted more than $2 million to over 300 evangelical nonprofit ministries in Indianapolis and some 60 countries throughout the world. The generosity of our donors makes it all possible!
So far, in 2024, E91 Foundation has awarded grants totaling $82,076. Following are those organizations and/or individuals that have received grants in 2024:
Afterbeat/Capstone Legacy Foundation — $5,000 for school evangelism projects. Alko Stoel, Afterbeat’s CEO, recently wrote in an e-mail: “E91 Foundation has been an amazing, divine blessing to our ministry in The Netherlands. Especially locally, we have had the opportunity to go minister in schools, in our youth center, and coffee shop. On top of everything, we see our church-plant growing rapidly through this ministry”;
Alexander Christian Foundation — $16,000 for college scholarships to Indiana students entering the ministry;
Allendale Christian Camp and Retreat Center — $8,788 to help young people connect with God in His creation through worship, study, and adventure. In a March 5, 2024, letter to E91 Foundation, Randy Pim, Camp Allendale’s Executive Director, wrote: “We would like to express our appreciation for your partnership with the ministries of Camp Allendale. Your gift is vital in providing Christian camping and quality retreat facilities for the central Indiana area. Thank you for helping further our goal of providing a dynamic environment for people to engage the living God”;
Christian Missionary Fellowship International (CMFI) — $2,500 to help build a sports field at MOHI’s new Discipleship Camp. “On Jan. 30, 2024, Kristen Hodge, CMFI board member overseeing the Sports Ministry project in Nairobi, Kenya, and a member of the E91 Foundation board, wrote in an e-mail to E91 Foundation: “I am leading another Kilimanjaro climb to build a sports field at MOHI’s new Discipleship Camp. I absolutely loved summer camp each year at Allendale! I learned a lot about myself and Jesus, so I know how important this experience is for these children! Having a place to play at the Angaza Camp will be priceless”;
Cru/Campus Crusade for Christ International/Keith Spence — $5,000 for funding toward the development of 18 Nepali ministry leaders as a part of a new emerging-leader initiative that our Campus Crusade for Christ ministry launched on Feb. 26, 2024;
E91 Church — $25,000 for September 29th 100th Anniversary Celebration Sunday;
E91 Church/Heritage Place — $1,000 for Heritage Place preparations in conjunction with E91 Church’s 100th Anniversary Celebration throughout the year;
International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES) — $5,000 toward a new-church plant. Jeff Greene, IDES Advancement Director, recently wrote: “Last year, we partnered with Global Providence Gospel Network providing famine relief, which resulted in the possibility of four new church plants. We would like your help in funding one of them. The location is in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya”;
New International/Josh Reynolds — $5,000 in support of the start of Josh’s new position as the Pastor of Mobilization for New International. Writes Josh: “Our organization sends missionaries across the globe, and my division is Mobilization”;.
Polish Christian Ministries (PCM) — $8,788 to assist Polish Christian congregations to become healthy and growing. “The past two years (2022 and 2023), the E91 Foundation grants have been used specifically to help Polish churches provide housing and food for Ukrainian refugees in their city and many times in their church,” writes David Hatfield, PCM Executive Director, adding, “Polish churches in Sandomierz, Bielsk, Podlaski, Ciechanow, and Ostroda still have Ukrainian families living in their buildings. They have become the caretakers of the building and grounds since they are now living in the church. But they are also being assimilated into the life of the church as Sunday School teachers for Ukrainian children, small group leaders for Ukrainian families, and, in Ostroda, one Ukrainian brother has become an elder and preaches from time to time”;
As we’re reminded in Hebrews 13:16: “Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need.”
Today, the Foundation continues to provide members and friends with an opportunity to leave a long-lasting legacy of Christian service and missions through bequests, memorials, and gifts. The Foundation adheres to Christian beliefs and principles and provides a vehicle for the broader Christian community to remember Christ and give a portion of their family’s final assets or unexpected proceeds back to God.
We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us by donating to the E91 Foundation. While a board maintains the endowment and grants funds to qualifying entities, donors can make contributions for specific purposes or create an endowed fund. The board then uses the interest each year within the donor’s guidelines to fund missions and ministries. If you’re interested in making a donation or memorial gift to the E91 Foundation, we can accept cash, check, or an on-line donation via the Foundation’s website (www.e91foundation.org). If a check, please make it payable to “East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation” and mail it to: East 91st Street Christian Church Foundation, 6049 E. 91st Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250. Any Foundation board member is also able to accept donations, answer questions, and help you through the process, or you can visit www.e91foundation.org to get more information or to contact us to help expand God’s kingdom. Please consider – if you haven’t already — leaving a lasting legacy for the support of Christian service.
And, finally, as St. Francis of Assisi has been quoted: ”Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received – only what you have given.”
Indeed!
Blessings,
Blair and Beth Austin, Co-Presidents
E91 Foundation
“Excel in the Grace of Giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7)
