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Typically, donations end in zeros. Round numbers make for simple accounting and look tidy on the page, which makes it easy to see amounts like $43.27 or $16.69, donations Tim and Katie Patoka made to The Lutheran Home Association this year.

Tim and Katie love their Lord and wanted to ambitiously give back to Him for all the grace and mercy He had showered upon them — from salvation to their recent marriage to living in the countryside near Zumbrota, Minn., where Tim started out as a new vicar at Christ Lutheran Church last year.

The young couple decided to give away a certain percentage of their monthly income: Tim would pick a place to support, and Katie could pick a place to support. They would split that percentage and send gifts of varying amounts each month, trusting those gifts would share Jesus with others.

Patokas’ giving started on their first Christmas together, in celebration of God’s love, so profound He sent His Jesus as a gift to redeem us. Katie couldn’t decide where her first gift would go. One Sunday, she and Tim both went to church early because Tim needed to get organized for the service, and they only had one car.

Katie spent her time before service poring over the magazine rack in the church where she found an article in The Lutheran Home Association’s Link-Age newsletter about Jesus Cares Ministries. She remembered hearing about JCM serving her childhood church. She thought a ministry that shared Jesus with people who had disabilities would be the perfect place to receive her half of the gift.

Since that first gift, Katie has continued to use her half of the couple’s monthly contributions to support Jesus Cares Ministries. Each unique amount encourages Bible studies, worship and fellowship opportunities nationwide for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and communities.

Deb Dietrich, regional director of mission advancement for The Lutheran Home Association, was the one to notice the odd donation amounts. She paid the Patokas a visit to thank them for their gift, and was impressed by their example.

“They are obviously the next generation of donors — ambitious, family oriented — and our next church, community and national leaders,” Deb said. “The future is looking bright!”

Tim and Katie Patoka live in the Milwaukee area, and Tim is in his final year of study at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., to complete his master of divinity degree.

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