CABOT — Lutheran churches across the United States, Canada — and even Hong Kong — are taking the advice of St. Luke's Lutheran Church on Hannahstown Road.

The advice is shared through 50 Days Ablaze!, a 50-day devotional program designed to ignite the mission spirit of its congregation, said Karen Driscoll, director of discipleship.

"Over seven weeks, it prepares the hearts and minds of people to go get involved," she explained.

The program is the brainchild of Driscoll, who saw the period between Easter and the Pentecost as the ideal time for developing the program.

The Rev. Barry Keurulainen had the tall task of writing the 50 daily devotionals, which he did during a five-month period. They correspond to seven lessons: learn, pray, give, tell, send, go and celebrate.

"The devotions are geared toward the lay person," said Keurulainen, "because the strength of the church is when lay people feel empowered to share their faith."

He said when people go through 50 Days Ablaze! they become zealous, wanting to give their time and their talents.

The next step is going out to accomplish things — and that requires more than a passionate spirit. It takes time, money and careful planning.

Enter Yvonne Wallace, St. Luke's charitable giving planner. The church's accountant, Wallace said she helps decide "the best way to manage the assets that God has given us."

She helps host charitable giving workshops, which bring inspired church members together with nonprofit Lutheran financial planners.

The astute setup caught the eye of Thrivent Financial, a nonprofit fraternal-benefit society for Lutherans.

It recently awarded the church a $50,000 grant.

Wallace said the money will go toward spreading the 50 Days Ablaze! materials to 45 Pittsburgh-area congregations and Concordia Lutheran Ministries.

It also will help pay for workshops. St. Luke's has hosted five during the past 15 years.

The workshops benefit the churches because they encourage smart giving and benefit Thrivent, which will likely perform the

financial

services.

St. Luke's 50 Days Ablaze! program is just one part of the larger Ablaze! movement organized by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

.

Utilizing about 2.5 million members and 6,150 churches across America, the LCMS said it hopes to introduce 50 million people in the United States and 50 million abroad to the teachings of Jesus Christ by 2017.

"Nationally speaking, we're quite impressed (with 50 Days Ablaze!)," said the Rev. David Mahsman, assistant to executive director of LCMS world mission.

He said the LCMS frequently references St. Luke's program when encouraging congregations to get involved. The program is even featured in a special section on the LCMS Web site.

The program is catching on in other places, too.

In Iowa, a LCMS district of 175 churches asked all of its congregations to adopt the 50 Days Ablaze! program, said Mahsman.

In Norfolk, Neb., church pastors were so impressed with 50 Days Ablaze! That they developed a companion video based on its teachings.

The Thrivent grant is part of a larger $4.9 million charitable giving initiative.

The grant was essential for St. Luke's, which chose to make the materials — available in DVD or print — free to anyone who requests them.

"We spent so much time developing it that we didn't want to see it sitting on a shelf," said Driscoll.

In particular, there is a high cost to printing 200-page devotionals, said Driscoll.

Thrivent spokesman, Dave Rustad said the purpose of the grant goes beyond the short-term dollar amount.

"It is to help (St. Luke's) enlarge their donor base and strengthen their financial foundation."