The food bank Arch® Book program of Concordia Gospel Outreach (CGO) has soared to amazing heights in its first full year of operation, now sending 10,000 Christian books to food pantries each week! Keep reading for inspiring mission moments from around the country.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think … (Ephesians 3:20)
Far more abundantly. What a perfect way to describe what God has done at CGO in this past year.
After launching our food bank Arch Book program in 2024 in which we distribute Christian children’s books to families in need, we set an ambitious goal: to share 10,000 Arch Books at pantries nationwide each week by the end of 2025.
This is where the “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” comes in. Because of the generous support of our donors, we met and exceeded this goal with months to spare! Through this program, the light of the Gospel has been shared with thousands of homes this year—homes that are not only hungry for food but hungry for good news. The Good News.
Throughout the year, we’ve heard from several ministries who participate in the program. Discover from firsthand accounts the kind of impact the food bank Arch Book program is making in communities nationwide!
Toward the beginning of the year, a pastor in Florida reached out to us to talk about how the program has helped his community.
[There has been a] very positive reception of the Arch Books, especially for the Spanish-speaking families. They use these books as both a faith-growing tool and an English-learning tool.
—Pastor Jake Roedsens, Our Savior Lutheran Church
Arch Books made their way north to Wisconsin too, where Kati Young works at Grace Lutheran Ministries, a participating site. She emphasized that this program walks with food pantries to nourish both body and soul.
This … partnership is why we can give not only bread to families but also … the Bread of Life!
—Kati Young, Grace Lutheran Ministries
Over the summer, we heard from a charity program in southwest Iowa which shares clothing, food, friendship, and God’s Word with its community. They were thrilled to be able to share Arch Books with guests, as it was something they always wanted to do but thought they might only be able to do at occasions like Christmas and Easter.
Many of our families don’t have any affiliation with a church. We hope that the Bible stories will spark an interest in learning more about Jesus.
—Nancy Ruffcorn, Swaddling Clothes at Timothy Lutheran Church
In the second quarter of 2025, this Iowa location alone distributed 720 books to families in need!
We were fortunate to work with a church pantry in Glendale Heights, Illinois, as well. Pastor Steve Kass shared that they see clients from all over the world—over 30 countries! He gives away 30–50 books every week, some in English and some in Spanish.
Through God’s grace, we have baptized eight adults and teens, as well as ten infants and children. Our church regularly sees people worshiping from more than a dozen different nations. ... It is our desire to do whatever we can to share the Good News with young and old, and Arch Books are a wonderful, wonderful tool to use in doing this.
—Pastor Steve Kass, Family in Faith Christian Church
These inspiring stories from participating ministries merely scratch the surface of the impact this program has made. While we don’t know exactly what’s next, we do know that the sky is the limit. And when it comes to something as crucial as sharing God’s Word with people in need, we’re ready to set even more ambitious goals going forward! Are you up to the challenge? We are.
Scripture: ESV®.
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