“Working Together We Do More Than We Could Working Alone!”
Lutheran Cooperative Ministries (LuCoM) is an organization formed by area Lutheran Churches. Their purpose is to accomplish as a group what is difficult or impossible to accomplish as single churches. The cooperative ministries of this group include Habitat for Humanity (Thrivent Builds with), and Campership at Camp Caroline Furnace where each year 36 disadvantaged youth spend a free week in a Christian environment. Other programs supported include Interfaith Hospitality Network, Pastoral Counseling Center, RAM House, the Rescue Mission, International Chaplaincy (prision ministry), and Roanoke Area Lutheran Youth (RALY), which brings together the young people of member congregations for church activites and Christian development.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a faith-based, not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services organization with the strength of more than $61-billion in assets under management. It blends financial expertis, shared values and steadfast service through national volunteer programs and grassroots initiatives. Members meet in chapters and participate in various educational, social and volunteer activites. Together, they connect with one another, strengthen their communities and congregations, and support individuals in need. Money Thrivent would pay in taxes is returned to the community through programs as Care in the Congregations, Care Abounds in the Community, Care in the Region, Join Hands Day, etc.
Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley (Habitat), Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Mid-Atlantic Region, The Blue Ridge Chapter 30952 of Thrivent Financial and local Lutheran churches (LuCoM) joined a national $23.5-million house-building effort to construct 322 homes in 43 states. Habitat received $60,000 as part of this initiative. To date, the group has completed 11 homes and is currently working on the 12th.