Winter 2024
Meeting People RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE see page 3
Easter Radio Special . . . . . . . . . . 6 Nurturing Your Faith. . . . . . . . 9-10 Ministry Impact Report. . . . 11-14 Proposed Bylaws Changes . . . . 17 Holistic Ministry in Asia . . . . . . 19 Rose Parade Volunteers . . . . . . 22 Lenten Devotions . . . . . . . . . . . 24
An Unflattering
Appeal by REV. DR. MICHAEL ZEIGLER, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour ®
B
y most standards, the recruiter did a miserable job selling the program. She was there representing Teach For America, an organization that recruits graduates from top universities to serve as teachers in low-income communities. To an auditorium full of students at Duke University, she said,
be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 8:34, 10:43-45). But what followed thereafter wasn’t a stampede of new recruits. In the coming days, the only ones who rushed to Jesus “Looking at you tonight, I don’t know “If anyone came to mock His failure to be the why I’m here. You are privileged, wants to success they were looking for (Mark the beneficiaries of the best of this 15:29). But this was His plan from the follow after nation’s educational resources. I can beginning. By becoming a failure in tell, just by looking at you, that you Me, let him our eyes, He was saving us not only are all bound for Wall Street, law deny himself from God’s wrath against our sin, but school, med school. And here I stand, and take up also from the emptiness of “success” trying to recruit you for a meager conventionally defined. his cross and salary in some of the worst school Jesus’ recruitment strategy isn’t situations in America, begging you follow Me.” trendy. But it is truthful. Crucified and to waste your life for a bunch of risen from dead, He spoke the truth ungrateful kids in the backwoods of in love. And people came in God’s time. First it Appalachia or the inner city of Philadelphia. I was only one (see John 20:17). Then a couple must have been crazy to come here. But I do have (see Luke 24:15). Then a hundred and twenty some literature up here, and I would be willing (see Acts 1:15). Plus, another three thousand to talk to anybody who happens to be interested. (see Acts 2:41). Then five thousand (see Acts But I know, just by looking at you, that all of you 4:4). Three hundred years later, His message want to be a success, and here I am inviting you conquered the Roman Empire. Today, Jesus to be failures. So, you can all leave now. But if by makes His unflattering appeal through us. We chance somebody here feels called … I’m here to don’t have to sell it. By His Spirit, we patiently talk to you. The meeting’s over.” speak His truth in love with our words and deeds. A professor from Duke who witnessed this After all, how will they believe, unless they hear? unflattering speech reported that there followed And how will they hear unless someone speaks? a stampede to the recruiter—hundreds of Faith comes from hearing, so the message goes students “dying to give their lives to something out, from mission outposts around the globe; more interesting than conventional American from podcasts, broadcasts, and live streams; success, dying to give themselves to something from preachers, teachers, and evangelists; from bigger and more important than themselves.” 1 parents, friends, and neighbors. We’re still here Maybe this recruiter took a page out of Jesus’ recruiting, inviting everyone to be failures in the book? He once said, “If anyone wants to follow Name of Jesus. u after Me, let him deny himself and take up his 1 William Willimon, The Intrusive Word (Grand Rapids: cross and follow Me,” and, “Whoever would Eerdmans, 1994), 62.
Vol. 95, No. 1 Winter 2024 Chad Fix, Editor • Andrea Thompson, Layout
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Subscription: $5. Printed quarterly. Send color photos for use. Photos sent to the paper may not be returned. Lutheran Hour Ministries, The Lutheran Hour, Bringing Christ to the Nations, BCTN, This is the Life, Ayer, Hoy y Siempre, Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones, Esta Es La Vida, Para el Camino, Thred, The Hoffmann Society, Gospel Adventures, The Hopeful Neighborhood Project, and EveryGift are ® registered marks, or SM service marks. The Puzzle Club is a service mark and trademark of Int’l LLL. All rights reserved, 2024 Int’l LLL.
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2 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church
Thank You! Carmen is a retired teacher and faithful subscriber to LHM–Chile’s text message program. When Carmen encountered health issues, she contacted LHM staff asking for prayers. They connected her with a local pastor for ongoing support and shared booklets offering comfort. She is thankful for the LHM team and the daily Bible verses that provide hope and encouragement.
Help us share Christ’s love with people like Carmen by visiting LHM.ORG/GIVE or sending a gift in the enclosed envelope.
Meeting People RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE by MEGAN MCDANIEL
I
n today’s increasingly polarized society, it is often easy to feel discouraged and disconnected from others, even those closest to us. We may feel divided by politics, race, or religion. What if every Christian saw his or her neighbor as a gift from God with gifts to share? How would that change how we view, interact with, and serve our neighbors? During a time when people are searching for hope, community is more important than ever. Lutheran Hour Ministries is answering the question, “How can I bring hope to my neighborhood?” We can use our individual gifts to make a real difference right where we are, among the neighbors we know and those we have not yet met but see every day. Our faith, put into action on a local level, can make an immediate and personal impact in our neighborhood and beyond. It starts with one person in their place, and spreads one by one, until it blankets first neighborhoods, then communities, towns, and regions, and then the whole world is covered in personal connections and meaningful actions that bear witness to the love our God has for His people and the good He wants for the world. Can you imagine what would happen if Christians rediscovered this call to share the Gospel in deeds?
If history is an indicator, God could use our good deeds to gain a hearing for the Gospel and, according to His will, draw our non-Christian neighbors to the faith. This concept is really nothing new for us at LHM. Gathering at the local level and building genuine relationships with people close to us have been in the DNA of our organization since we were founded more than a century ago. This 21st century approach will allow us to bring people together in an age of division while sharing the Gospel both in word and deed. For those who do not know Jesus, we Christians come alongside them to meet Jesus again, at the cross, where faith in ourselves ends and simple trust in Jesus begins again. Life with God begins again.
What if every Christian saw his or her neighbor as a gift from God with gifts to share?
At LHM, we create resources to help you meet people right where they are. From Project Connect booklets that address relevant life topics from a Christ-centered point of view … to online video Bible studies covering more than 30 topics … to LHM Learn online courses that help you reach out with the love and Good News of Jesus Christ in your everyday life, LHM has a variety of offerings available to connect with people at any stage of their individual faith journeys. Learn more at lhm.org/resources. LHM also partnered with Barna Group on a research study that uncovered the types of people who are taking initiative in their communities—who gather, donate, serve, create, teach, mobilize, and innovate, alongside other passionate neighbors, to meet needs around them. Visit lhm.org/together to find valuable resources that help us as Christians be a welcome influence in our neighborhoods. Understanding our giftedness and using those gifts to bless others can help us build strong connections with those around us. It is exciting to think about the impact of millions of Christians around the world loving their neighbor. Together, we can make it a reality. see next page The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 3
Meeting People RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE … continued from previous page
The Hopeful Neighborhood Project One of our main strategies for building communities is The Hopeful Neighborhood Project (HNP). HNP is a collaborative network committed to improving neighborhood well-being around the world. The program’s resources and online network equip and encourage neighbors to work together, using their gifts and the gifts of their community, to pursue the common good of their neighborhood. At its heart, HNP is all about discovering gifts, imagining possibilities, and pursuing the common good right where we live—at street level. Recently, we sat down with staff at The Restoration House to capture their experience after completing a Neighborhood Project Lab with The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. The Restoration House is a community program for single moms and their kids that has been serving the Knoxville, Tennessee, area for 16 years. “Our goal is to help restore single mothers and their children back to God’s good intent for their lives,” says Carrie Pickell, volunteer engagement coordinator at The Restoration House. “At its core, The Restoration House believes that God
intended for us to live in community.” The Restoration House walks alongside single mothers and their children as they seek to accomplish the goals they have set for themselves and their children. Families move into the Village, a 24-unit apartment community, where they live for two to three years. In addition to supporting women, The Restoration House has an after-school program for elementary- to high school-aged kids, and they recently started an early childhood program for children up to five years old. At The Restoration House, women receive support in reaching their goals, connections to resources, and assistance overcoming barriers. The staff are there to holistically walk with the families as they pursue the unique plans they have for their families. The ladies get places on their own. “The individuals are our end product,” says Pickell. Part of the program at The Restoration House includes a women’s leadership team called the Village Lead Team. The women on this team are elected by their peers to promote a healthy community
At its heart, HNP is all about discovering gifts, imagining possibilities, and pursuing the common good right where we live—at street level.
AN AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM HNP joined the University of Missouri Extension as a partner in 2022, helping take the “Missouri Good Neighbor Week” program from the county level to a statewide presence. Kicking off the week each year with National Good Neighbor Day on September 28, they invite people around the United States to engage in activities to bring individuals together and build up the social health of their neighborhoods. Missouri Good Neighbor Week took home top honors as the year’s Best Neighborhood Program at the 48th annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) conference in El Paso, Texas. “There is just so much good work happening 4 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
throughout the country,” said Jennifer Prophete, director of community programming at LHM. “To be honored by this group as the best was really humbling. The judges were impressed with Missouri’s Good Neighbor Week because of its tremendous geographical growth over a short period of time and for its many thousands of recorded acts of neighboring last year,” she added. In 2023, their goal was to document 15,000 acts of neighboring. They surpassed that goal by documenting 19,778 acts of neighboring. Awards were also given to Missouri’s most engaged neighbors. Some of the awards went to:
Shari McCallister, a florist who worked with sponsors, volunteers, and partners to distribute 5,078 individually wrapped roses on September 28 to neighbors and community heroes.
and relationships through facilitating activities such as events and monthly community meetings. When a staff member of The Restoration House found out about The Hopeful Neighborhood Project, she knew it would be beneficial for their community. They started with a two-hour interactive lab where they went over their gift assessments. The women looked at their community to see what they already had and how they could better use their collective gifts before breaking out into groups and creating possibility statements. “The workshop and lab were helpful in calling out people’s unique gifts and strengths,” says Pickell. “Our perspective shifted. We realized that we have a lot more to offer to our community than we realized.” HNP has a three-step process to increase neighborhood wellbeing: discover the gifts, imagine the possibilities, and pursue the common good. This three-step process was created so anyone can walk through the steps with their neighbors and bring a plan to life that will increase their neighborhood’s well-being. In addition to providing this process for free online, neighborhoods or organizations can apply to have a
Wanda McLane used her abundant crop of cucumbers to make new connections by sharing over 500 cucumbers with neighbors, strangers on street corners, and at the local police department.
staff member lead them through the process in person through a Neighborhood Project Lab. The Restoration House went through the facilitated lab. Using the three-step process, they came up with the idea to throw a ‘Unity in the Community’ event. They thought it would be a
God intended for us to live in community.
Ray Morgan is a volunteer leader in his small town of 600 people who clears snow from driveways, mows yards, and puts up flags along Main Street for special events.
Jenn Fisher organizes monthly neighborhood meetups and the annual block party. When a neighbor’s home caught on fire, she organized a GoFundMe that raised $1,500 in less than 24 hours.
fun way to bring people together and promote a spirit of camaraderie among the women and children in the community. Most of the families living in the community showed up to the event over the summer. They had activities for the children and adults that focused on teamwork. They all came up with a physical representation of what they wanted their community to be, which represented words like intertwined, togetherness, and safety. After the success of the Unity in the Community event, the Village Lead Team decided they wanted to bring some of the lessons they learned from HNP to their annual fall festival. They were more intentional about the layout and wanted to make it more engaging. The women went away from these events feeling empowered and energized. “Being able to see the women on the Lead Team growing and understanding their skills was a very real benefit,” says Pickell. “The HNP staff members were helpful and professional,” says Pickell. “They helped us make a flyer for our community event and assisted with extra training. Having an outside perspective really helped us see how we can strengthen our community.”
Looking for ideas on how to make your neighborhood more hopeful? Visit hopefulneighborhood.org! There you will find a free starter kit to help you get started in your neighborhood. You will also find the application for Neighborhood Labs and events to celebrate your neighborhood, and on the blog you will find wonderful stories and tips from people making a difference in their neighborhood.
see next page
The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 5
Meeting People RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE … continued from previous page
Expanding Our Gospel Impact
In addition to impacting people right where they are, Lutheran Hour Ministries focuses on two additional key priorities to support its vision for the future and Christ’s call to reach the world with the Gospel.
Impacting People GLOBALLY Globally, there are billions of people who have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. God has called LHM to proclaim the risen Savior around the world to reach these people. Operating as a global ministry network, LHM spreads the Gospel in places where other Christian evangelistic organizations often cannot go, reaching all people who need to hear the Good News. For decades, LHM has shared Christ’s love with the world through a proven approach of identifying and equipping local laypeople to build their presence and impact using specific strategies and tactics contextual to the culture and language in which they serve. Further building on that model, LHM is investing in a new approach to global ministry expansion with the development of coordinated ministry activities through centralized regional locations that share media, creative, and strategic services to allow for globally dispersed ministry impact. The catalyst is a new program called the International Internship Program, which provides new ministries in the form of internship teams identified and developed through existing ministry center hubs. Over the next five years, LHM envisions a multidivisional global mission rooted in localized regional leadership. This will be paired with a new evangelistic ministry model based on LHM’s core outreach philosophies to be applied in all regions around the world—resulting in strengthened local ownership, revenue generation, and constituent engagement.
Impacting People Through DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT The world today is increasingly shaped and connected by the internet. As people become more present online, God’s people are finding ways to share the Gospel in this space. LHM is once again a pioneering force for good in this space as we proclaim the Name of Jesus to people around the world. As the digital mission field continues to grow, emerging technologies offer unique opportunities to communicate with audiences in a broad variety of ways, with content that is specific to the individual platforms on which people are engaging. The digital mission field is new and exciting—but also challenging. So was radio. So was television. LHM has been at the forefront of using new technologies like these to share the Good News throughout its more than 105-year history, and we are eager to engage in this place at this time because never before has the opportunity existed to reach the entire world with the Gospel. LHM maximizes its online presence today through websites, social media platforms, and apps to expand its reach of sharing the Good News with new audiences of individuals who may have never heard about the transformative love of our Savior. This continued focus on digital engagement worldwide is rapidly increasing the capacity for the priesthood of all believers to connect more and more souls to the saving message of Christ. u Megan McDaniel reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work around the world.
6 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
Tears of Hope Radio Special Coming This Lent by PAUL SCHREIBER
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hat better time than Lent to resurrect an episode from This is the Life and turn it into an Easter radio special! With Tears of Hope, LHM has adapted “He Lives,” and infused it with new life. To do this, LHM enlisted the talents of Andréa Vasilo, a writer with more than 15 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She’s worked on various television shows and has contributed to programs produced by HBO Max, Netflix, and others. Tears of Hope follows the lives of the Foster family, as father Luke and children, ‘Tears of Hope’ Daniel and Piper, along with Daniel’s speaks to real friend, Alan, prepare for a lakeside life and the camping trip. Along the way, tragedy uncertainties strikes, throwing Luke into a crisis of we all face. faith. Grief-stricken and despairing of hope, Luke is forlorn, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. And it comes in an unexpected way. “The original 1957 television script for ‘He Lives’ needed some updating to resonate with a contemporary audience,” said Vasilo. “Since the story revolves around a family with two kids, my mind immediately went to social media. That’s how I landed on the inclusion of TikTok in the narrative as a way for the characters to communicate and connect. Dialogue is my favorite thing to write, so this project was an absolute dream in that aspect,” she added. According to Jim Arand, LHM’s audio production manager, the script was selected based on “how well the story would lend itself to a radio drama format (non-visual), a story that could be updated to a more modern setting, and finally a story that provides the assurance Christians have because of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter.” Dean Evans, LHM’s media producer/recording engineer, was tasked with crafting the audio. “With a radio drama, there are obviously no visual cues to work with. There is a lot of detail work that goes into giving the voices and sounds the right feel, so the listener can visualize what is happening and the environment in which it is taking place,” he said. Tears of Hope speaks to real life and the uncertainties we all face. “Life is as fragile today as when the original story was written. And while the pain and devastation of tragedy are very real, so is the gift of eternal life through Christ,” said Arand. Tears of Hope will be available for radio stations to use from March 18-April 1. It can also be heard on The Lutheran Hour website, podcast, and app, beginning March 25. u Paul Schreiber reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work in the United States.
An Unforgettable Evening Celebrating Your Support! by DR. KURT SENSKE, Chairman, Int’l LLL Board of Directors
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ne of the greatest blessings serving on the Board of Directors for Lutheran Hour Ministries is regularly hearing how God uses people, like you and me, in miraculous ways to share His hope and make His Gospel known. The stories of how God works through talented ministry staff and volunteers to share the hope of the Gospel with as many people as possible, in ways they can understand, is truly remarkable. We know this vital work is far from done. With billions still not having heard about our Savior’s love, the need to go into the world and grow, nurture, and expand the body of Christ has never been greater. LHM believes we are called, equipped, and sent to connect people to the Gospel yesterday, today, and into the future.
I encourage you to mark your calendars for Friday, April 19, because the Board and staff are thrilled to invite you to an exciting event that will be an evening to remember. It is time to come together, rejoice in our achievements, and express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible impact you have made possible through your unwavering support. Connecting to Christ: Linked by Faith, Connecting Through His Mission will be an evening of fellowship, dining, and hearing about LHM's ministry accomplishments. From the exciting vision of global, digital, and community ministry efforts offered through the eyes of program leaders to the motivating and encouraging testimonials shared by a special guest from one of LHM’s global ministry
centers, this promises to be a night filled with joy, inspiration, and recognition of our collective successes in people worldwide experiencing the Gospel more than 195 million times each week. Lutheran Hour Ministries could not have achieved any of this without your generous contributions, and now it is time to celebrate and reflect on the incredible journey we have taken together as the ministry prepares to launch its vision for the future. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Lutheran Hour Ministries has achieved phenomenal goals and transformed countless lives, all thanks to you—our dedicated supporters. It is time to hear the heartwarming stories, witness the life-changing impact, and be inspired by the extraordinary work that YOU have made possible. The LHM staff is hard at
work planning a memorable event that includes a delightful dining experience within an atmosphere of fellowship where you can connect with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for making a difference. Make plans now to join us on April 19 at St. Louis Union Station for a night of celebration and reflection. We are excited to have you join us to share in the joy and achievements of our journey together. Space is limited, so secure your spot today by visiting lhm.org/connect. Thank you for your continued support, generosity, and belief in our mission. We cannot wait to see you on April 19 for an unforgettable evening. Together, we are making a real difference in the world. u
In this year’s Lenten Devotions, we have God’s Son come to earth as the eternal Word, Jesus Christ. Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus is made known to us as both God and Man, full of grace and truth. He has come into the world to seek us out—you and me—to rescue us from the power of evil, and to make us His beloved children forever.
Lamb of God
Sign up today to read and listen!
LHM.ORG/LENT Mobile, audio, and Spanish also available! The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 7
Help LHM Share Christ’s Love Through Thrivent Choice by CHAD FIX
Congregation Spotlight:
O How YOU Can Join LHM’s Mission by MEGAN MCDANIEL
Congregation name: St. John Lutheran Church
Location: Sherburn, MN
Congregation size: 1,004 baptized members
Contact person: Pastor Jeff Hagen
How does your congregation support LHM? Lutheran Hour Ministries is a line item in our mission budget, led by our stewardship team. We have a large mission budget, and LHM has a sizeable portion of that each year. Besides LHM, we support a lot of the missionaries through the LCMS. With Mission Central being so close to where we are, we have a lot of work with them, too. It is all tied together in that same support network that we do with LHM and Missions itself. We’ve used LHM Bible studies for a number of different age groups from teens to adults. There are so many topics and accompanying resources available, and it gives us a lot to do our Bible studies on. If nothing else, the studies provide us with a topic to discuss, and there are so many of them that we can build from to fit the needs of our groups.
ne good act leads to another— and the impact grows. Thanks to eligible Thrivent members, the impact of God’s work through LHM goes even further through their participation in the Thrivent Choice program. With Thrivent Choice, you support the causes you care about by recommending where some of Thrivent’s charitable outreach funds are distributed. Since the program was launched in 2010, members have used their available Choice Dollars to direct more than $550 million to churches and nonprofit organizations nationwide. The program has been a tremendous blessing for LHM, generating nearly $1.65 million in support of our mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. If you still have Choice Dollars available from 2023, the deadline to designate those funds is March 31, 2024. Please
consider sharing those blessings to take part in God’s mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide through LHM. Thank you for sharing Christ’s love through Thrivent Choice! Supporting LHM through Thrivent Choice is easy. Go to thrivent.com/ thriventchoice and search under “Lutheran Hour Ministries” or “LHM”. Or call Thrivent at 1-800-847-4836. Eligibility in the program is based on insurance premiums and contract values. You can find a complete list of eligibility requirements at the Thrivent Choice web page. Please remember that you must go through the gift direction process every time you receive notification that Choice Dollars are available. Recurring direction of Choice Dollars to organizations is no longer offered by Thrivent. u Chad Fix oversees the corporate communications of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
What was the motivation behind supporting LHM?
Our members have been listening to The Lutheran Hour® (TLH) for years. We have our local radio station here that airs TLH, and we support having it on this station. We just formed a partnership with another congregation, and a member of our sister congregation shared with me that when she turns on the radio or TV, it usually shows bad news. But she knows that every Sunday she can turn on the radio and listen to TLH. She said the messages are uplifting, and they take care of the bad news for her. We have a number of people who believe in the critical work of Lutheran Hour Ministries, so that’s why they wanted to make sure it was a line item and something we support.
What has been your members’ feedback? What do your members like about LHM? Everything is very positive. I’ve never heard anything negative about LHM. To our members, I think it is important that we support LHM. LHM is a perfect avenue to bring the uplifting message of the Gospel to everybody. As a church, we feel that LHM is an important ministry, and we need to make sure it continues in today’s society. We know we can contribute to keeping that ministry going, and we encourage other churches to do the same. Photo from Pastor Jeff Hagen
If your congregation would like to learn more about how you can support LHM’s mission, contact Robin Forsythe at 314-317-4152 or robin.forsythe@lhm.org. If you would like to make a gift of support, visit lhm.org/give. 8 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
Expand the Impact of LHM’s Daily Devotions by CHAD FIX
Daily Devotions from LHM are a great way to strengthen your faith journey. The devotions continue to provide encouragement and spiritual nourishment to many and are growing in popularity. LHM’s Daily Devotions are currently the second result on Google when someone searches for the phrase “Daily Devotions.” The devotions can be read or listened to anywhere for personal reflection, used by small groups as a devotional for Bible study, or even structured as a full Bible study by using a few days at a time. The devotions are available in a variety of ways. They can be accessed online at lhm.org/dailydevotions, delivered right to an individual’s inbox, accessed on our free mobile app, or listened to as a podcast through Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Alexa. Seasonal devotions for Advent and Lent are also available every year in both English and Spanish. LHM wants to expand the reach of this valuable resource so that more people will hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ each day and be strengthened in their faith. A private foundation has stepped forward with a matching challenge grant that will provide $50,000 if generous LHM donors like you raise $100,000. That means $150,000 will be allocated towards getting these daily messages in front of new audiences. To support this challenge grant opportunity, visit lhm.org/devotionmatch. You can also mail a check to Lutheran Hour Ministries at 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St. Louis MO 63141, and write “Devotion Match” in the memo field. u
NURTURING Y O U R FA I T H :
Patient Urgency SESSION TWO
Meet Them Where They Are
I
n the first session of this study, we engaged the Gospel according to Mark as a map, a means, and a model that God’s Spirit uses to help disciples of Jesus become people who “fish” for other people (see Mark 1:17). Mark’s Gospel geographically maps the expansion of God’s rule and reign, beginning from the cross of Jesus and spreading to all nations. Mark’s Gospel, as God’s Word, is also part of the means God uses to bring the Kingdom. Session one focused on relying on God’s means by communally engaging Mark’s Gospel as an immersive narrative. This session will focus on Mark’s Gospel as a model for engaging others in “spiritual conversation.”
MEETING OTHERS WHERE THEY ARE Jesus asks questions. As you and your group continue to “binge-listen” to Mark, try counting them. How many questions does He ask? Sometimes He asks the same question twice. For example, twice He asks His disciples, “How many loaves do you have?” (Mark 6:38b, 8:5b). Another question He asks twice is “What do you want Me to do for you?” Read the following passage where this occurs. Note the “Who?, What?, Where?, When?, and Why?” behind the question in each case (see Mark 10:36, 51). To whom does Jesus ask the question? In the narrative, what has just been happening? In their journey, where are they? In the conversation, when does the question come up? And why does Jesus ask it?
Watch Dr. Michael Zeigler’s Session Two video, titled “Mark and The Odyssey,” at lhm.org/studies.
Read Mark 10:35-52, and reflect on these questions: 1. What insights did you gain by analyzing the who, what, where, when, and why behind Jesus’ double question, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 2. Considering this case in light of the many other questions Jesus asks in Mark’s Gospel, how would you characterize Jesus’ overarching approach or motive for asking questions?
1. What was something from the video that stood out to you? 2. How would you state the main point of the video? 3. In what ways do you want to model Jesus’ conversational approach? see next page
D O W N LO A D S T U DY G U I D E A N D V I D E O AT L H M . O R G / S T U D I E S The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 9
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N OT L E AV I N G U S T H E R E
WHERE WE ARE NOW Among Americans in general, spiritual conversations don’t happen with much frequency. “Fewer than one in 10 talks about God, faith, religion or spirituality even once a week (8%),” and “the average adult says they only have about one spiritual conversation a year.” 1 Do you see this as a problem? Maybe so. But today, fewer Christians feel their responsibility to do something about it. According to the Barna Group research just quoted, “In 1993, nine out of 10 Christians agreed that ‘every Christian has a responsibility to share their faith’” (89%). Today, just two-thirds say so (64%) … a 25-point drop.” 2 If you’ve been binge-listening to Mark’s Gospel, you know how regrettable this is. Jesus urges His followers to “bear witness” about Him. The Gospel must be proclaimed “to all nations” (see Mark 13:9-10). Christ-followers must become people-fishers (see Mark 1:17; also Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Peter 3:15). American Christians may be deficient in this area, but there is good news for us in Mark’s account of Jesus. When His followers don’t get it, He doesn’t give up on them. He meets us where we are. He gives the means to move us forward. And to prompt us forward, we can imagine Him asking us this question: “What do you want Me to do for you?” There is more good news. Data from the Barna study quoted above also suggests that non-Christians are open to having more spiritual conversations. This shouldn’t surprise us. Even the most secular culture has deep-seated spiritual longings. God made us that way! So, if non-Christians are open to having faith conversations, with
whom would they like to talk? Pastors? Church professionals? Their overwhelming answer was “No” (at least not initially). In the survey, when Barna asked non-Christians to pick options for potential spiritual conversation partners, less than one in 10 selected “a cleric or religious professional.” But more than half picked “a friend.” Why are non-Christians more open to speaking of spiritual things with a friend? Remember that a spiritual conversation is about deeper matters. In every person’s life, under the surface, there are unresolved tensions, unanswered questions, unfulfilled longings, unspeakable sins, and unrelenting fears. To speak about such things invites vulnerability. For some people, they are embarrassed to admit their inadequacies. Others are afraid of being condemned or diminished. And some simply don’t want to impose themselves on someone they don’t know. Each person approaches spiritual matters from a unique perspective. Whatever their perspective, it always involves risk. Like closing your eyes, crossing your arms, and falling backwards into the hands of the person behind you, a spiritual conversation requires trust. That’s why people today look to their friends. Like it or not, our culture has lost trust in religious institutions and those who formally represent them. But people still trust their friends. They know that a friend is someone who seeks to understand you. A friend values you as you are. A friend meets you where you’re at. Spiritual Conversations in The Digital Age, Barna Report produced in partnership with Lutheran Hour Ministries (2018), 7. 2 Ibid., 12. 3 Ibid., 50. 1
1. Which insights regarding spiritual conversations that you learned above stood out to you? 2. What have been your experiences of spiritual conversations?
Friends meet us where we’re at, but they don’t approve of everything we do. Do you have any friends who approve of your every decision? My dog may come close, but sometimes even he is unhappy with my actions. One of our culture’s deficiencies is confusion about what it means to truly be a friend, and to love someone as a friend. Approval is not the same thing as love. Approval cannot equal love, especially for the follower of Jesus. We’ll talk more about this in upcoming sessions. As you continue to binge-listen to Mark’s Gospel, note how patiently Jesus meets people where they are. In fact, for those who appear furthest from the Kingdom, who know the least about God’s will, who are most out of step with God’s ways—for them, Jesus often extends an extra measure of patience (see Mark 2:13-17, 6:34). At the same time, observe how urgently He disapproves of people’s decisions and actions that bring harm to themselves or to others (see Mark 2:8, 17, 25, 3:5, 28-29, 7:6-7, 18-23, and 8:16-21). It is often with those closest to Him that Jesus expresses His most urgent disapproval. Remember Mark 8:33? At the same time, it’s also with those closest to Him that He displays His perfect patience (see Mark 14:27-28, 16:7; compare this to 1 Timothy 1:15-16). Jesus is always leading them and us to take the next step forward with Him, to turn back to God (repent), and to believe (again) the good news of God’s coming kingdom (see Mark 1:14-15). Immersed in Mark’s biography of Jesus, you’ll see Him model God’s perfect, patient urgency. Jesus is patient with people and urgent for the Kingdom. When everyone else is in a hurry, He pauses to ask a question (see Mark 5:30). When people want Him to stay put, He presses on (see Mark 1:38). Mapping His ways can get confusing. Which is it, Jesus? Patience or urgency? But remember, we’re not following a predictable program. We’re following a Person—the Person who promises to meet us in His Word, wherever we are. Speaking of the Word, let’s talk about binging Mark again …
1. How did you listen to Mark’s Gospel this week? What’s your plan for next week? 2. How would you answer Jesus’ question, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
Dear Jesus, You once asked people, “What do you want Me to do for you?” How should we answer? We keenly feel our longings and sense our deficiencies. So, we simply ask that You meet us again in Your Word and lead us on the way. Fill us with Your Spirit, so that we can meet others, loving them like You love us. Amen. 10 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
A G ROW ING GO S PE L I MPAC T
Through You
by CHAD FIX
BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, For decades, Lutheran Hour Ministries has proclaimed the Gospel to the world through a unique ministry model. It is one that identifies and equips local laypeople to build their presence and impact using strategies and tactics contextual to the culture and language in which they serve. But with billions of people today still not having heard the saving message of Jesus Christ, our mission is more urgent than ever. As we go into the future, it is exciting to see how God is blessing us. Individuals worldwide currently experience the Gospel more than 195 million times each week through LHM’s efforts. But we know that God wants that to grow much further. This is why we are embarking on a bold globalization initiative over the next five years that will allow us to exponentially expand our ministry work into places that we have not yet had an opportunity to explore. Building upon our successful model of hiring local staff, we launched an innovative approach to global expansion this year called the International Internship Program. This program uplifts the next generation of Christian leaders to do ministry in their local context, in their native language, in a contextualized way. This will lead to us hiring and equipping intern teams for ministry in 12 new areas over a three-year period. Earlier this year, we identified four hub locations from among existing ministry centers to serve as
2023 Annual Ministry Impact Report
training centers. We provided them with a toolbox of philosophical and educational support that will help them equip an initial four intern teams of three individuals each to be as successful as possible when they begin ministry in their home countries of Peru, Nepal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kyrgyzstan. Our globalization efforts also allow us to increase our focus on North America as a mission field, reaching the next generation here at home with the hopeful message of the Gospel. Your ongoing prayers and generous support have put us in a position to embark on this ambitious plan that exponentially increases our Gospel impact. As you explore this ministry impact report, you will find that the International Internship Program is just one way God has worked through LHM this year. I hope you are humbled knowing that your involvement in this life-changing ministry offers people the opportunity to find answers and relief through the Gospel.
YOUR PARTNER IN HIS MISSION,
A Year in Review HOW THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL IMPACTED LIVES THROUGH LHM IN 2023 The following are some ways in which Lutheran Hour Ministries was abundantly blessed by God during the last year thanks to your generous support!
Kurt Buchholz CEO, Lutheran Hour Ministries see next page
The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 11
Impacting People
AROUND THE WORLD
LHM’s culturally relevant programs share the Gospel with people worldwide more than 195 million times each week. The new International Internship Program will expand global ministry more exponentially by uplifting the next generation of Christian leaders to do ministry in their local context, in their native language, in a very contextualized and specific way. Working through four existing ministry centers, intern teams with three individuals each are being trained to start ministry in Peru, Nepal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kyrgyzstan. To help people rebuild their lives following earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria, LHM partnered with Lutheran Church Charities to bring emergency assistance to those in the region along with messages of comfort and hope found in Jesus Christ. Through the generous donations from supporters of both organizations, around 4,000 people per month have received basic necessities like drinking water, food, hygiene products, clothes, blankets, and more. LHM continues to partner with SAT-7 and PAK7 to produce satellite television programming that shines the light of Christ into dozens of countries throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. Many viewers watching these broadcasts hear about Christ for the first time or have incorrect knowledge about Christianity. During the 2023 LWML Convention, LHM received two $100,000 mission grants for the 2023-2025 biennium. The funds will help LHM share Christ with women and children in Central Asia and expand Gospel outreach to Hispanics in the United States. In Paraguay, a staff member who is a trained psychologist and educator leads our Project JOEL youth program across 14 schools, ensuring students in both public and private settings can express their faith. Alongside her team, she integrates various field programs into the Paraguayan cultural calendar, leveraging national celebrations and special occasions to resonate the Gospel’s message with the youth. LHM’s successful prison ministry programs have restarted following the pandemic in many countries throughout Africa to bring hope to inmates who often do not receive speedy trials and encounter harsh conditions. These efforts have been recognized and appreciated by governments and prison officials alike, and LHM staff in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, and Madagascar have permits that allow entry to national prisons. LHM–Myanmar staff and volunteers joined the Christian Music Fellowship group in a holistic spiritual support program for Internally Displaced People (IDP) who have been affected by war. The program shared God’s love through personal testimonies, Gospel songs, puppet shows, psychological support, games, and gifts of basic necessities. Attendees said this was the first time they have experienced generosity of this kind in an IDP camp, and they felt refreshed in their minds and spirits. 12 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
Impacting People Through
DIGITAL ENGAGE MENT
More than 35,000 elementary and middle school students participated in this year’s Gospel Adventures: Celebrate India program. This free resource is available to Christian schools, homeschools, churches, and individuals for use throughout the year. The five days of curriculum are filled with fun activities, videos, and an interactive website for students to learn about the featured country’s foods, animals, people, and places, while also being introduced to kids just like them living in India who carry their faith with them through day-to-day life. A new audio program, the Gospel Adventures Show, provides fun, engaging, and meaningful content for parents and their young children by focusing on a Gospel theme and Bible verse and using stories, songs, games, and activities to share the love of Jesus. Initially released as a podcast, which averages nearly 700 downloads per week, the program now airs on more than 50 radio stations across the United States. Pioneered and developed in 2017 by LHM staff throughout the Latin America region, Vivenciar. net is a bilingual platform that reaches Spanishand Portuguese-speaking individuals. More than 1.7 million visitors to the website from 85 countries have explored a diverse range of content covering 28 topics. The platform has also facilitated meaningful interactions with 8,300 individuals who started an ongoing conversation with ministry volunteers in Latin America and the United States. In Arabic-speaking regions of the world, LHM’s social media pages continue to reach millions and engage thousands of people monthly. One of our main pages recently surpassed one million unique followers. The rebranded website and social media channels for our digital platform, Thred, are now live. Thred’s upgraded content consists of blogs, courses, short videos, reels, stories, and other posts to fulfill its mission of inspiring and equipping every Christian to share their faith through winsome digital interactions that lead to meaningful spiritual conversations. The Lutheran Hour entered its 91st broadcast season proclaiming the Gospel on more than 1,800 traditional radio stations throughout North America. The weekly broadcast is also available online, through an app, as a podcast, and on platforms such as Amazon Alexa, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and Sirius XM satellite radio. Special programming was also produced this year for Easter and Christmas. For Holy Thursday and Good Friday, two half-hour specials featured multi-voice character portrayals, re-enacting the tragic events of Jesus’ betrayal, death, and resurrection as recorded in Matthew 26-28. For Christmas, Empty Boxes presented an original story inviting listeners on a chilly car-ride home after a candlelight Christmas Eve service that became a turning point for a teenage boy—an enlightening moment he will return to for years to come. The programs were available online and aired on select radio stations.
Impacting People
RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE
In 2018, LHM embarked in a partnership with Barna Group—an industry leader for research-based insights about faith and culture, leadership and vocation, and generational groups—for a critical study of faith in America. The latest research topic led to this year’s rollout of the Gifted for More Church Campaign. This fully digital kit includes a small group Bible study, sermon series outlines and slides, Path to Purpose curriculum, research materials (monograph, presentation, and slide deck), promotional assets (email headers, product and social media images, social and email copy, and slides), access to the EveryGift™ Inventory, and more. As a complement to the Gifted for More resources, three new online mini courses through LHM Learn were unveiled in connection with this research topic. Each mini course looks at key areas in the research, digs into Scripture connected to that area, and highlights an interview with experts to further the learning. Various aspects of the research findings and their application served as the foundation for presentations given by LHM staff at events across the United States in 2023. The annual Best Practices for Ministry Conference has been a terrific opportunity for church workers to come together and share conversation, learn best practices in ministry, and return home with innovative ideas. In addition to sharing ministry resources through our booth, LHM staff hosted three sessions: “Leading Your Church to Love Where They Live (Empowering Your Congregation to Impact their Neighborhoods)”; “No Comprendo! – You Can Reach Your Hispanic Neighbors”; and “Your Church and the Digital World: Equipping People to Live Out Their Faith Online.” Missouri Good Neighbor Week 2022 was recognized as the Best Neighborhood Program of the Year during this year’s Neighborhoods USA conference. Missouri Good Neighbor Week started as a project of the University of Missouri Extension Engaged Neighbor Program, and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project (HNP) from LHM joined as a partner last year to take the program from a county level to an award-winning state-wide program that resulted in 12,854 acts of neighboring in 63 Missouri counties. HNP was a sponsor of this year’s conference and had staff members present to the 625 attendees from 34 states during the opening session, as well as during three workshops and a project lab. This year’s National Good Neighbor Day provided HNP with great opportunities to build organizational partnerships and expand its reach. This year’s celebration included 1,145 libraries downloading a free digital kit to promote this special day in their communities; more than 19,000 acts of neighboring logged during Missouri Good Neighbor Week; people from more than 1,150 unique ZIP codes participating in some way; and 10,000 Neighborhood Activity Books (including pages produced by HNP) being given to children in Springfield, Missouri, during a variety of community-focused events.
M I N I S T RY By the Numbers Bringing Christ to the Nations®— and the Nations to the Church through
195 million+ Times LHM Reaches People with the Gospel Globally Each Week
1,661,840 Annual Responses to Outreach Efforts
358,452
Times Individuals Were Equipped Last Year to Share Their Faith More Effectively
40,516
Number of People Completing Their First BCC Last Year
25,270
People Connected with Christian Communities Annually
240,000+ Engaged Constituents
& 299
Staff Members
60+
Countries Reached by Ministry
254,595
Annual Referrals to Churches and Christian Communities
56,726
New Bible Correspondence Course Students Enrolled Around the World Last Year
1,800+
North American Stations Airing The Lutheran Hour®
see next page
The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 13
2% - TENANT RENT & OTHER INCOME
15% - FUND DEVELOPMENT
% - DON
IS
T
PP
RY
OR
T
Expenses
S
U 98
OR
75% -
N MI
Year ended May 31, 2023, with comparative totals for 2022 INT’L LUTHERAN LAYMEN’S LEAGUE
LHM FOUNDATION
2023 CONSOLIDATED TOTALS
2022 CONSOLIDATED TOTALS
$35,643 1,055 46 36,744
$589 (241) 348
$36,232 1,055 (195) 37,092
$34,689 1,515 (961) 35,243
OPERATING EXPENSES Ministries 28,345 Building tenant services 1,182 Administration and Fundraising 9,678 Operating Expenses 39,205
302 302
28,345 1,182 9,980 39,507
26,258 1,237 9,162 36,657
Donor support Building tenant rent Other income, net Operating income
Operating Income in Excess of Expenses
(2,461)
46
(2,415)
(1,414)
Endowment and other fund distributions
925
(925)
-
-
Change in Net Assets
(1,536)
(879)
(2,415)
(1,414)
Net Assets, Beginning of Year Net Assets, End of Year
35,310 $33,774
19,787 $18,908
55,097 $52,682
56,511 $55,097
Lutheran Hour Ministries is the registered d/b/a name for the International Lutheran Laymen’s League. A copy of the full audit report is available online at lhm.org/report.
The LHM Board of Directors and The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation want to thank you for being part of the LHM family in 2023. The work that we are blessed to do is only possible because of God’s grace and the tens of thousands of passionate lay members and volunteers who partner with this ministry every day. Please continue to remember us in your prayers as we work to discern and follow the Lord’s guidance for LHM. 14 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
Chairman Kurt Senske Austin, Texas
Secretary Donald Scifres Greenwood, Indiana
Vice Chairman Kristi Matus Lakewood Ranch, Florida
Treasurer Melanie Braun Tempe, Arizona
Directors Karl Abraham Lochaber-Ouest, Quebec, Canada
Vincent W. James Boston, Massachusetts
Linda Arnold Oswego, Illinois
International Lutheran Laymen’s League and Subsidiaries Consolidating Statement of Activities (in thousands) OPERATING SUPPORT AND REVENUE
LHM Board of Directors
(As of January 2024)
Consolidated Operating
Consolidated Operating
Income
10% - ADMINISTRATION
Ryan Bredow Gilbert, Arizona
Jonathan Laabs Roselle, Illinois Virginia Miller Rochester, Minnesota
Eric Brown Adel, Iowa
Rev. Tom Pfotenhauer Pastoral Advisor Woodbury, Minnesota
Jim Dankenbring St. Louis, Missouri
Gordon D. Tresch Williamsville, New York
Kirk Farney Hinsdale, Illinois
The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation (As of January 2024) Officers Phil Daniels Chairman Tampa, Florida
David Lanius Treasurer St. Louis, Missouri
David Leege Vice Chairman Alexandria, Virginia
Lois Engfehr Assistant Secretary Collinsville, Illinois
Jeffrey Craig-Meyer President St. Louis, Missouri Trustees Matthew Brickler Warson Woods, Missouri Kurt Buchholz LHM CEO Grant, Minnesota Thomas Dankenbring Kirkwood, Missouri Sue Elsholz Birmingham, Michigan Mercedes Hendricks Laguna Hills, California Scott Homan St. Louis, Missouri Heidi Hove Stillwater, Minnesota
Vincent W. James Board of Directors Representative Boston, Massachusetts Jack Kidwell Bay City, Michigan Aaron Pawlitz St. Louis, Missouri Lloyd Probasco Grand Island, Nebraska Kurt Senske Int’l LLL Chairman of the Board Austin, Texas
Sharing the Good News in Mexico
Audiences are finding relief and peace in Christ through LHM–Mexico’s social media content.
by CHAD FIX
F
rom their office in one of the world’s most populated cities (Mexico City), staff and volunteers of LHM–Mexico reach out with Christ’s message of hope through several holistic and digital programs. One of its most successful outreach activities is the BREAD program in Matamoros. Each week over the past nine years, LHM staff and volunteers have partnered with Pastor Omar Garza and his congregation members to deliver a meal to around 150 people in need. The meal is part of a two-hour program that includes Bible study, fellowship, prayer, and the sharing of LHM materials. The team also hosts a health brigade offering services like health checks, medical certifications,
alternative therapy, dental cleanings, and haircuts while sharing the Gospel with participants. Thematic workshops held in churches and schools throughout the country open doors to share Christ’s love with parents, students, and teachers: • Using the LHM–Mexico booklet, Full-time Woman, as a framework, one session focuses on motherhood and forms of parenting, along with the importance of vocation within the family and society. Through integrated activities and interaction, the topic is delivered from a biblical viewpoint, sharing God’s will and blessings with attendees.
• “Teaching My Children to Express Their Emotions” and “How to Understand My Adolescent Child” are presented from a functional point of view and offer a perspective of Christian values. A series of presentations titled, “Wounds of Childhood,” point to the types of challenges that are caused by various aspects of education at home. LHM staff and volunteers emphasize how parents or guardians influence a child’s future, and they highlight the importance of finding healing for those wounds in God’s Word. • “The Role of the Man in the Family” highlights the responsibilities of fathers, sons,
brothers, uncles, husbands, and friends based on God’s Word. It includes interactive activities and fellowship time. LHM–Mexico is also active on social media, especially through Facebook, YouTube, and LHM’s highly successful regional platform, Vivenciar.net. On YouTube and Facebook, a series of presentations regarding betrayal was requested by viewers. It discussed various causes, consequences, and ways to detect and avoid this troubling trait. Audiences are finding relief and peace in Christ through the content. We are thankful for the committed team in Mexico as it fulfills LHM’s mission under the Lord’s guidance. u
Presenting the Gospel Visually in Uganda by CHAD FIX
I
lliteracy prevents a large portion of the population in Uganda from reading the Gospel, so LHM–Uganda responds to the spiritual hunger across this African country by developing a variety of programs to reach this audience. In addition to its popular radio broadcasts originating from the cities of Kampala and Jinja, LHM–Uganda hosts Christian film events in urban areas to share God’s Word with hundreds of people in places where they tend to congregate (markets, malls, trading centers, etc.). “People are moved by the content in these films,” says LHM’s regional director for Africa and the Middle East. “There is something powerful about film and sound that touches people’s hearts and allows our staff to gain a hearing for the Gospel.” Staff members recently met Babirye, a woman whose life had been filled with hurt and disappointment. Facing tremendous loss and betrayal as a young woman, she had finally found happiness through her marriage. Then her husband was gravely injured in a motorcycle accident, leaving him unemployed and saddled with substantial hospital bills. As the new breadwinner of the family, Babirye had lost confidence and hope in her future. She thanked LHM staff for showing the film, which she credited with inspiring her and bringing hope back to her life. She had backslid in her faith during her family’s struggles and had stopped attending church, but is now inspired to return and grow in her faith. u
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The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 15
2024 Candidates for the INTERNATIONAL LUTHERAN LAYMEN’S LEAGUE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS The following individuals are this year’s candidates for open positions on the Int’l LLL Board of Directors in compliance with Article III of the current Bylaws. Contributing members of the ministry who register with Lutheran Hour Ministries’ headquarters by March 15 will be able to vote in the 2024 election if they are also members of a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or Lutheran Church—Canada. Eligible members can register at lhm.org/voter by entering the unique ID and PIN found on the postcard received in February. If you are not able to go online, you may place this postcard in an envelope and mail it back to LHM at 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St. Louis MO 63141. Individuals returning the postcard in an envelope postmarked by March 15 will receive a paper ballot. The election runs from April 15 through May 15. To be counted, online and paper ballots must be received by the chosen tabulation firm no later than May 15. Results will be reported this summer in The Lutheran Layman.
REGISTER NOW TO VOTE! 16 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
BOARD NOMINEES (listed in alphabetical order; vote for up to five)
Linda Arnold
of Oswego, Illinois Following a long nursing career, Arnold retired in 2019 after eight years as an assistant professor at Lewis University’s College of Nursing, where she taught baccalaureate courses and served as chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee. A commissioned LCMS church worker and LHM Board member, she served as LWML vice president for communication, chair of LWML’s Board of Directors’ Restructuring Committee, and on the Women’s Leadership Institute Advisory Board for Concordia University Wisconsin (including chair). Arnold has led more than 30 international short-term mission teams. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing education.
Melanie Braun of Tempe, Arizona
Braun is co-owner and private wealth advisor of a financial planning practice and has more than 32 years of experience in marketing, communications, consulting, and leadership in government, education, and financial services. Congregational involvement at Gethsemane Church has included the worship team, sanctuary building committee, nominations and hiring teams, and a mission trip to Guatemala. Currently the treasurer on LHM’s Board, her community service experience includes the Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s loan committee. Braun earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and an MBA. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and holds the Accredited Portfolio Manager Advisor (APMA™) designation.
Mark Duesenberg of Rocky River, Ohio
Duesenberg has 23 years of experience guiding global manufacturing and services companies across several industries to enhanced levels of growth, optimization, risk management, and corporate governance. He has served on senior leadership teams for organizations headquartered in the United States, Asia, and Europe (residing in Europe for nine years). His nonprofit board experience includes serving as chair for We Raise Foundation, vice chair of the governance committee at Valparaiso University, and as a member of the audit committee for the American Arbitration Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School.
Vincent W. James
of Boston, Massachusetts James spent 20 years as director of admissions at Harvard University’s T.H Chan School of Public Health. He directed recruitment activities for prospective students interested in master’s and doctorate programs. He previously was associate director of admissions/director of the educational council at Massachusetts Institute of Technology after filling programming and systems analyst roles for various organizations. A current LHM Board member/representative on The LHM Foundation, he has served as chief elder and congregation president as well as other volunteer roles at First Lutheran Church. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from MIT and an MBA from Rutgers University.
Gordon D. Tresch
of Williamsville, New York Tresch is a former partner at the Feldman Kieffer law firm, specializing in civil litigation defense with a concentration in medical malpractice and municipal law. A current LHM Board member, his extensive church related involvement also includes serving as chair of the LCMS Commission on Handbook, on the LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters, as an LCMS convention delegate, and as chair and member of the LCMS Eastern District Board. Tresch was named a “Servant of Christ” by the LCMS Eastern District in 2018 and received Fortress Insurance’s Attorney of the Year award in 2007. He holds B.A. and J.D. degrees.
Proposed Bylaws Changes for 2024 Election
D
uring the 2024 election that runs from April 15 through May 15, International Lutheran Laymen’s League/ Lutheran Hour Ministries’ members who have registered to vote will weigh in on proposed Bylaws changes in addition to voting for open positions on the Board of Directors. Below is a brief explanation of the changes that the Board recommends for adoption and has approved to appear on this spring’s ballot. To view a full copy of the current Bylaws, visit lhm.org/about/bylaws_2021.pdf. As the world around us continues to change, Lutheran Hour Ministries seeks to respond in the most effective ways for sharing the Gospel whenever and wherever it needs to be heard. A bold plan for global expansion is the latest evolution for this strong, emergent, future-focused ministry that harnesses new opportunities, research, and resources to fulfill our mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. Below is an overview of Bylaws changes that the Board of Directors recommends for adoption to help accomplish this goal. • Extend the number of allowable terms for existing Board members to provide more continuity in leadership during times of change. • Allow past Board members who have termed out but have extensive organizational knowledge to be considered as new candidates for re-election following one or more intervening years off the Board. • Establish a process to ensure that all constituents may submit petitions to the Board of Directors to have them addressed. • Remove obsolete language about convention voting since official business no longer takes place at LHM events.
RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE BYLAWS ARTICLE III – Board Composition and Functions Section F – Elections and Appointments 3. Procedures and Terms of Office i. Board Members - A multi-slate ballot will be prepared by the Nominations Committee under the guidance of the Board for capable men and women to serve as Board Members. The term of office for Board Members shall be three years, and an individual may run for consecutive re-election twice only once. ii. Additional Standards - After one or more intervening years off the Board, a candidate may be eligible for election to the Board for an additional three-year terms as provided in Article III, Section F, 3. i. of these Bylaws. In the case of any person appointed by the Board to fill a vacancy, the partial term will not count towards the term limit. Each term of office shall commence with the first Board meeting following the election, such that the term of office for departing Board members shall conclude immediately prior to the commencement of such Board meeting. To the extent an amendment to these Bylaws changes the length of time for any term of office, the Board shall, in Policy, decide at what point in time such change becomes effective, whether during an existing term of office or once the existing term of office expires or becomes vacant. ARTICLE IV – Conventions and Conferences Section B – Petition and Appeal. Members of the Organization may bring forth a formal petition to the Board at any time, requesting consideration of an important matter for the well-being of the organization. A petition must contain the verified signatures of at least 300 active members, indicating their complete addresses. The matter must may be taken up by the Board for consideration and action. If the Board chooses not to consider the petition, then the petitioners may present an appeal to the Chairman of the Board for automatic consideration at the next convention. Members assembled in convention must vote by simple majority to present the petition to the membership for a final vote. If presentation of the petition passes, then a ballot shall be drafted and sent to all members who are then registered to vote in accordance with these Bylaws. Ballots must be returned within 40 days of being sent. A 2/3rds majority of returned ballots shall be necessary for passage. Section E - Quorum. A quorum with respect to any matter shall constitute a majority of the members present in person at a convention or of those casting a ballot on such matter. u The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 17
Connecting with Travelers Through Project Connect Booklets
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by MEGAN MCDANIEL
ruck stops might not be the first place by, heard the conversation, and said he knew you think of for sharing the Gospel. These where the rack was in the storeroom, and they high-traffic locations have proven to be would like to have it back up if we would refill it. a fantastic opportunity for individuals We were so thankful that the second employee to learn about the love of Christ through LHM’s walked by at just the right moment, or the Project Connect topical booklet ministry. ministry at this truck stop would probably have Gene Mackey, former zone president in the ended. It was a God-thing!” Nebraska district of the Lutheran Laymen’s “When we didn’t get there for about three League (Lutheran Hour Ministries), was friends months over the summer, the rack was with the CEO of Sapp Brothers Petroleum. completely empty,” says Imogene. “We have Several years ago, he came talked to several employees up with the idea of providing who say they get concerned Project Connect booklets in whenever the rack starts to Sapp Brothers’ truck stops get empty, and they hope we across the state of Nebraska. show up again soon to restock The CEO of Sapp Brothers it. Several staff members Travel Centers gave Gene have commented on the the green light to place the popularity of the booklets and standing display racks filled management is incredibly with booklets in each of his supportive of the project.” 17 locations. Altogether, they Dennis and Imogene order stretch from Salt Lake City, a wide variety of booklets Utah, to Fairfield, Pennsylvania, and have found the children’s with locations in Colorado, booklets to be particularly Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, popular. “The booklets on Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois in PTSD, depression, anxiety, between. Gene then recruited suicide, cancer, Alzheimer’s, other Nebraska district LLL grief, angels, parenting, Dennis Wacker stocks the rack members to restock the racks at pornography, and gambling are inside the Odessa truck stop. various locations. also very popular,” says Dennis. Dennis and Imogene Wacker first learned of “We also try to always stock the booklets, Who Is the LLL when they attended a young couples club Jesus?, What Is Faith in Jesus?, and Why Did Jesus shortly after they were married 53 years ago. The Die? group was affiliated with the LLL, and members While this might seem like a costly endeavor, supported it by using Bible studies, hosting a Dennis and Imogene learned about the Thrivent Lutheran Hour Sunday every year, and attending Action Teams program to help maximize their zone rallies and district conventions. As the group efforts. “We order $750 to $1,000 worth of stopped meeting over the years, many members booklets, including shipping costs, each year,” like Dennis and Imogene continued to be LHM says Dennis. “The Thrivent Action Team grants supporters. Their longstanding involvement is of $250 each make this a very ‘doable’ project, why they agreed in 2021 to take over the racks at and we have encouraged others in the Nebraska the truck stop location in Odessa when the couple district to also use Thrivent grants to help get who previously stocked it could not continue. these booklets in front of even more people.” Living about 80 miles away from Odessa, Do you know locations where you can bring Dennis and Imogene stock the rack that is hope to your community by utilizing a Thrivent located inside a high-traffic enclosed entryway Action Team grant to set up a booklet display? every two months. “The first time we went to Beyond your church narthex or fellowship hall, Odessa to refill the rack it hadn’t been stocked Project Connect displays are a great resource for about six to nine months,” says Dennis. for community recreational centers, doctors’ “When we first got to the truck stop, we couldn’t and dentists’ offices, funeral homes, and other find a Project Connect rack anywhere. We asked locations where a lot of people visit. To learn the young man working behind the counter if more about Project Connect, visit lhm.org/ he knew anything about a booklet rack, and he projectconnect. To find out more about Thrivent said they had taken it down and he didn’t know Action Grants, visit thrivent.com/about-us/ what had happened to it. As we were talking with membership/thrivent-action-teams. u him, another employee just happened to walk
18 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
Last Chance to Use Your 2023 Thrivent Choice Dollars!
Eligible Thrivent members have until March 31, 2024, to direct remaining 2023 Choice Dollars. Help expand our Gospel impact around the world by directing your available Choice Dollars to LHM today!
Learn more at LHM.ORG/CHOICE
Connecting with Asia Communities Through Holistic Ministry by CHAD FIX
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uring His ministry on earth, Jesus not only taught and preached but also healed the sick and fed the hungry. LHM’s ministry centers follow His example, often incorporating “holistic” approaches to sharing the Gospel by attending to people’s physical and emotional needs as well as to their spiritual needs. In some communities where people may be struggling against the effects of poverty, LHM ministry centers assist families by providing vocational training, educational materials, nutritional supplements, hygiene supplies, or medical clinics. Often the recipients of these holistic efforts desire to learn more about the God who motivates these Christians to reach out in love. This opens doors for LHM staff and volunteers to share their Christ-centered resources
and invite people to participate in its Bible Correspondence Courses and other programs. LHM staff in Southeast Asia recently conducted a holistic haircut event in conjunction with a live Christian music performance held in partnership with a local congregation. The 120 attendees were given LHM booklets while they were waiting to get their haircut. More importantly, key people from the church took the opportunity to share the Gospel with those who wanted to know more about Jesus and His love. An elderly woman heard the Good News for the first time at the event, and returned to the church later in the month to ask the senior pastor to pray for her. She was touched by the Holy Spirit, confessed her sins, and expressed her desire to follow Jesus. “I truly see Jesus’ love through your
Join Us Online March 26 for LHM’s Annual Meeting by CHAD FIX
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ince the formation of what is known today as Lutheran Hour Ministries, God has continually used this ministry to bring messages of hope to the downtrodden, the lonely, and the lost. With one-third of the world’s population today still not knowing Christ, the need to advance this mission is greater than ever. God is accomplishing amazing things through LHM to make His Gospel known. Your involvement in this life-changing ministry offers people around the world the opportunity to find answers and relief through the Gospel. Make plans to join us online Tuesday, March 26, at 4 p.m. CST for the Annual Meeting of the Members for the International Lutheran Laymen’s League/Lutheran Hour Ministries. This onehour presentation will include CEO Kurt Buchholz sharing an overview of ministry highlights made possible through your prayers and financial support; CFO David Lanius providing an update of the organization’s finances for Fiscal Year 2023; and short presentations showcasing examples of how culturally relevant ministry is being carried out in various locations around the world. This virtual event is free, but registration is required. Sign up today at lhm.org/annualmeeting to hear some of the ways in which Lutheran Hour Ministries was abundantly blessed by God during the last year thanks to your generous support! u
good deeds,” she said “That’s why I am here with my grandchildren. Please pray for me and help us to know more about the God you and your church members shared at the haircut event.” We give thanks to the Lord for encouraging staff by what He is doing through their work. LHM staff in Thailand partnered with a local congregation to host a holistic eyeglass clinic at the church. The 400 participants received a free professional eye examination from local opticians and a free pair of new eyeglasses with their preferred style of frame from those that fit their prescription. To check the accuracy of their prescriptions, attendees read a chart of Bible verses that were printed in fonts of varied sizes. Along with their eyeglasses, each participant received several Christian booklets. u
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The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 19
CHANGING LIVES Around the World with the
byMEGAN MEGANMCDANIEL MCDANIEL by
Gospel
Nour discovered a Facebook page run by LHM staff in the Middle East and North Africa and was encouraged by the content he read.
Sri Lanka
LHM–Sri Lanka staff received an invitation to conduct an evangelism training program in a rural area. After coordinating all of the details, they recently started the program. On the first day, almost 50 people showed up in a rural church. Thevamalar comes from a poor family. She was born blind, but that did not stop her from attending the program. She said that she had received many blessings and learned a lot from the Word of God at the event. LHM–Sri Lanka staff saw her eagerness to learn more about the Gospel and gave her an audio Bible to take home with her. Now, Thevamalar can listen to the audio Bible on her own and share the messages with others around her.
LHM–Sri Lanka staff saw Thevamalar's eagerness to learn more about the Gospel.
20 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
Nour is 34 years old and has practiced a non-Christian religion for most of his life. He recently lost his job and began questioning his faith. Nour discovered a Facebook page run by LHM staff in the Middle East and North Africa and was encouraged by the content he read. He reached out with a message to start a conversation with the staff. They prayed with him and shared the Gospel message with him. They also shared some ministry materials with him that helped Nour better understand Christianity. Nour was eager to learn more. After ongoing conversations with LHM staff, through the power of God’s Word, Nour became a Christian. He continues to read the Bible to help him grow in his faith.
Middle East and North Africa
Donna now listens to The Lutheran Hour every Sunday morning before going to church.
Panama
Andrea is in fifth grade and has volunteered for LHM–Panama’s Project JOEL program for two years. The program counters potentially negative influences that youth encounter by providing biblically based guidance in making healthy lifestyle choices. Since being introduced to Project JOEL, Andrea’s behavior has improved, and she has become a leader for other students. Recently, when LHM–Panama staff visited her school, Andrea helped distribute materials to support Noah’s Ark crafts, presented biblical animated movies, and made the Cross craft. Andrea says, “I am happy with this day after sharing the materials, stories, games, film, and the reading of the books, with almost everyone in the whole school. I now feel closer to God.”
Since being introduced to Project JOEL, Andrea has become a leader for other students.
When Donna was growing up in the early 1960s, she remembers sitting on her father’s lap and listening to Dr. Oswald Hoffmann preach during The Lutheran Hour broadcasts on the radio. When the program concluded, she dashed out the door with her parents and siblings to attend worship services at their local church. At the start of the pandemic when Donna and her husband could not attend church services in person, they started listening to The Lutheran Hour again. Now they continue to listen every Sunday morning before going to church. She says she also loves the app where she can listen to archived messages of the program. “Every Speaker through the years has been awesome, and their powerful and inspirational messages have had a tremendous impact on my spiritual life during difficult times,” she says. “We praise God for your continued outreach into all the world.”
United States
Individuals around the world are reached more than 195 million times each week with the Gospel through Lutheran Hour Ministries’ culturally relevant programs and resources. Below are just a few examples to show how God has been using LHM recently to change lives around the world with His Good News.
Ghana
Janet is 11 years old and met LHM–Ghana staff during a reading clinic at her school. Janet learned to read during the clinic and was proud of her accomplishment. She was excited to work with the LHM– Ghana staff and learn life lessons from them. Janet said, “I learned to be respectful to our teachers and parents. I want to help my friends and spread kindness wherever I go.” The staff members shared the Gospel message with the students, telling them how Jesus loves them. We are thankful for this opportunity for LHM–Ghana staff to touch the hearts of children.
Janet was excited to work with the LHM–Ghana staff and learn life lessons from them.
Serge visits the LHM– Madagascar staff regularly to get more materials and lessons for the school.
Ruby shared that the response to the audio Bibles from LHM–Malaysia was overwhelming.
Serge and his wife are members of the local Lutheran church, and together they started a private school three years ago. Two years ago, they met with LHM–Madagascar staff after hearing one of their radio programs. Serge and his wife requested to use the ministry’s Bible Correspondence Courses as lessons at their school. Most of the teachers and all of the students completed their lessons and were awarded certificates. They also began hosting film showings at the school. Serge visits the LHM–Madagascar staff regularly to get more materials and lessons for the school. “My wife and I are very happy that we can help parents in raising their children and give the students a clear understanding about what God’s will is by learning His Word,” says Serge. “What really gives us peace is that we can serve the Lord through our engagement and involvement in the school.”
After her husband passed away a few years ago, Ruby started doing mission work in areas of Malaysia near where she lives. She and her husband had previously discovered LHM–Malaysia’s radio program and started listening regularly, so she decided to contact LHM staff to see if they had any materials she could use in her efforts. LHM–Malaysia staff gave her audio Bibles to share with people that she comes in contact with. Ruby shared that the response to the audio Bibles was overwhelming because people in remote villages were hungry for the Word of God. We are thankful for the ongoing relationship with Ruby that allows LHM–Malaysia to reach these individuals with Christ’s message of hope. u
Madagascar
Central and South Asia
Ferit is 34 years old and works as a doctor. He connected with LHM staff in Central and South Asia through Instagram. He sent a private message asking questions about God’s love. An LHM staff member set up a time for them to meet and have a deeper conversation about Jesus. The LHM staff member shared books and other materials for him to read before their conversation. Ferit shared that he is working through an alcohol addiction and that the materials given to him helped him stay away from alcohol. He continued to meet with LHM staff, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Ferit became a Christian. Ferit was connected to a local church where he continues to grow in his faith.
Malaysia
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Ferit became a Christian. The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 21
L HM Float Make� a Joyful Noise unto the Lord!
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by CHAD FIX
he start of a new year means thousands of people traveling from across the country to be part of an iconic American tradition. While some may envision revelers watching the glass ball descend in Times Square, many of you likely think of the Petal Pushers volunteers who converge in Pasadena, California, each year to decorate the Lutheran Hour Ministries float for the Rose Parade. This dedicated group of around 4,000 people spent the week between Christmas and New Year’s volunteering for at least one eight-hour shift to attach thousands of roses, carnations, lilies, and other flowers and natural materials that created the majestic beauty of the LHM float and seven others. “I love flowers, volunteering, and the Rose Parade, so this presents the perfect opportunity to ‘travel with a purpose,’” says Nechi Fullerton from Little Rock, Arkansas. “You really get attached to the floats that you work on throughout the week and it is an indescribable feeling to see the results of our efforts while watching the parade.” “My wife (Julie) is a Rose Parade junkie who has wanted to do this for years,” says Roger Johnson of Overland Park, Kansas. “We learned about the Petal Pushers at church and from people who have done this before. Julie is completely in her element helping to bring a float to life.” “It was wonderful meeting the incredibly talented volunteers from across the country and being part of something that is enjoyed by so many people,” says Susan Whitebread from North Liberty, Iowa. Some of the Petal Pushers have an opportunity to work on the LHM float, which
22 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
made its 73rd appearance in the New Year’s celebration and currently is the only Christian float in the Rose Parade. This year’s entry, “Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord,” presented messages of hope, joy, and praise. In support of the overall parade theme of “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language,” the LHM float featured three heralding trumpets proceeding from a hymn book to announce the good news that the Lord brings the universal song of victory, the hope of eternal life to His people. We raise our voices and instruments in celebration, making a joyful noise to the Lord for fulfilling the promises of sending His Son, Jesus, to redeem us from all our sins. “I have been a Petal Pusher for the past twenty-five or thirty years,” says David Spurgeon, a director of Christian education at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who brings youth groups each year. “I started volunteering when I was a kid, so it means a lot to bring youth groups each year to participate in this experience. It
The LHM float made its 73rd appearance in the New Year's celebration and currently is the only Christian float in the Rose Parade.
is so cool showing them the Christ-centered message that is shared through the LHM float.” LHM President of United States Ministries Jeff Craig-Meyer was one of this year’s LHM float riders. “It was an amazing experience to see rows and rows of spectators lined up along the five-and-a-half-mile parade route waving, cheering, and taking photos and videos as our float passed by,” says Craig-Meyer. “The best part was watching the faces of people in the crowd light up when the person portraying Jesus on our float turned and looked at them. It was a tremendous reminder that people are excited and encouraged by the witness that our organization is all about.” The LHM float is a self-funded project of the Southern California district of the Lutheran Laymen’s League and is not included in LHM’s operating budget. We are grateful for everyone involved in the district’s efforts, members of The Lutheran Hour Ministries Float Committee, the ongoing leadership in this massive undertaking from Dick and Lynn Gast, and the thousands of Petal Pushers volunteers. “I was filled with pride and joy seeing all of our hard work come to fruition while being in awe of the number of passionate volunteers who made it possible,” says Chris Peimann from St. Louis, Missouri. “This has been such an inspiring experience, not only because of the scale and history this event brings with it, but because of the amazing people behind the scenes who have dedicated their lives to giving us all this beautiful experience each year.” It’s never too early to start thinking about next year! If being a part of the Rose Parade has been on your “bucket list,” visit petalpushers.org to learn more about how you can get involved. u
Connecting Communities to Christ
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rowing up on a farm in a Lutheran community in southern Idaho, Faye Hall has seen the importance of community her whole life. Most important to her family was the mutual support for focusing on the Lord and sharing the Gospel message with others. Over 100 years ago, when arriving to homestead newly developed farmland, the home for the Clover Lutheran Church and School was built by her grandparents’ generation before they built their family homes. Her parents continued to be focused on the Lord’s ministry. One memory of her childhood involved a high tower located on the way to Twin Falls. Her father told her that it was a radio tower like the ones The Lutheran Hour used to broadcast the Gospel around the world. When her parents passed away, Faye and her brother inherited the farm. When living on the farm during his last years, her brother came up with an idea on how to use one of the sheds. They created a room they called the Stübe, a comfortable place for people to gather for conversation. Her brother made a list of the non-churched in the community and invited individuals to meet there for fellowship. The local Lutheran Laymen’s League group began using the room for Bible study, and they continue meeting there once a month, often with new participants joining them. “Two men came up to me at my brother’s funeral to tell me that they are now part of the church because they became acquainted through the fellowship at our Stübe,” says Faye. Now splitting time between the Clover farm and
Join us for an evening of fellowship, dining, and hearing about the ministry accomplishments YOU make possible as we celebrate our shared mission and launch our vision for the future!
by MEGAN MCDANIEL
Fremont, California, where she moved in 1969 to teach, Faye’s volunteer work at church continues to make a difference in the lives of others. When she was leading Prince of Peace’s Stephen Ministry program, she became acquainted with LHM’s Project Connect booklets. After first setting up a rack in the church’s entryway, they now have display racks at the preschool, elementary school, and junior high. “There have been more than 5,000 booklets chosen by those seeking advice for many different types of issues. I’ve heard so many remarks about the booklets being helpful to people of all ages,” says Faye. “They address so many topics (physical, mental, spiritual, support for witnessing, parental advice, etc.) and end with a Gospel message. They aren’t just self-help booklets; they are God-help booklets.” As she looked for ways to connect with her multi-cultural neighborhood in the Bay area, a Lutheran Hour Ministries staff member introduced her to The Reluctant Witness, an LHM book written with research done in partnership with the Barna Group to encourage spiritual conversations. Faye says, “The message incentivizes witnessing, and LHM also provides Spiritual Conversation Curve Cards, which are useful along with the ideas from the book.” Faye appreciates that LHM has produced materials for parents, like the Households of Faith kit, including the spiritual conversation deck. Recently, she learned about LHM’s digital platform for youth. Today’s culture and
challenges sparked a desire in Faye to help provide youth with the tools and resources to share their faith in a winsome way. “Research shows that many from Generation Z are searching for an anchor and are more open to spiritual conversations. How important it is for our young people to engage with others sharing ‘the anchor,’ the unchanging truth of Scripture, in a comfortable setting,” says Faye. “LHM is creating something beneficial from social media as they train our youth in using it to further God’s kingdom.” Faye gains joy from the positive impact she can make. She has supported LHM in various ways through the years and has now continued her commitment through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). For years, individuals have been able to direct their IRA administrator to send money as a QCD to a nonprofit like LHM. Now, donors have additional ways that a QCD can not only support their favorite nonprofit, but offer them payments for life. Faye says, “LHM is helping individuals fulfill The Great Commission. We can’t do it all on our own, but together we can.” To learn more about choices for a QCD, or other popular giving options, contact LHM’s gift planning staff at 1-877-333-1963 or lhm-gift@ lhm.org. u
CO NNECTING TO C HR IS T Linked by Faith, Connecting Through His Mission
0 4 . 19 . 24 S T. LO U I S U N I O N S TAT I O N
Register today at
LHM.ORG/CONNECT The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024 | 23
The LHM Foundation Seeks Nominations for Trustees
Share Christ’s Passion with LHM’s Lenten Devotions
by CHAD FIX
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by PAUL SCHREIBER
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easonal devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries make excellent outreach resources for your church, friends, and neighbors. This year’s messages, Lamb of God by Dr. Kari Vo in English and the multi-authored Tus pecados te son perdonados (“Your Sins Are Forgiven”) in Spanish, are ideal for conveying the Good News. They can be found at lhm.org/lent and paraelcamino.com/cuaresma respectively. At lhm.org/apps, you can download the Daily Devotion mobile app to your phone; it includes The Lutheran Hour sermons and Hispanic resources from the CPTLN (“Christ for All Nations”) app. Once again in Lamb of God, Dr. Vo sheds fresh light on the marvelous and many-sided passion of Christ. “What is God really like? What does He think of me? Can He deal with my brokenness?” she asks in her opening devotion. And she reminds us, “When we see Jesus, we see God. Jesus is God come down from heaven to be a human being, one of us—a real Man, full of grace and truth. Loving, teaching, healing, listening, suffering, dying, and rising again—this is God in action. God has come into the world to seek you out— to rescue you
from the power of evil, and to make you His own beloved child forever.” Tus pecados te son perdonados was written by Cristian Morales, Deaconess Erica Jofre, and Rev. Dr. Héctor Hoppe. These devotions, likewise, speak to the power of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness to a fallen world—something we need to remember daily: “‘Your sins are forgiven.’ This phrase is undoubtedly music to the ears of all those who listen to it with faith. To be forgiven is to experience an immense and inexplicable inner peace. It is feeling relieved and completely clean. It is being freed from all those burdens that overwhelm us and steal our peace.” Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14, and concludes on Easter Monday, April 1, 2024. The English devotions are read by LHM’s Senior Producer Mark Eischer, and in Spanish by Rev. Dr. Héctor Hoppe. For years, LHM’s seasonal devotions have inspired and empowered believers to embrace the eternal life won for them by Jesus on the cross. As one listener from Iglesia Santa Cruz, Dallas, Texas, has written: “Thank you very much for this valuable resource for all people. It is a great blessing to everyone. May God continue to guide you and provide everything you need to continue extending the kingdom of God.” u
Mobile, audio, reduced-ink options, and Spanish also available! 24 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2024
he Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation is accepting nominations now for its Board of Trustees. Nominations for a three-year term that begins in the fall are due no later than June 30, 2024. Nominees need to be a member in good standing of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or Lutheran Church—Canada, have a history with the International Lutheran Laymen’s League/Lutheran Hour Ministries (including financial support), and be willing and able to attend several Foundation meetings throughout the year. Experience with financial planning, asset management, marketing, executive leadership, or similar professional backgrounds is preferred to help manage and grow the Foundation’s assets under management. The LHM Foundation exists to work with individuals to facilitate transformational gifts that provide financial vitality and confidence for LHM to dynamically proclaim the Gospel today and into the future. The Trustees work in conjunction with leading investment advisors to ensure expert management of assets that allow LHM’s ministries to continue to expand in size and effectiveness. The Foundation’s annual distribution to LHM from endowments and gift annuities was more than $1.3 million in Fiscal Year 2023. In addition, the Foundation provided more than $200,000 in ongoing support for the development of planned giving efforts in support of LHM. To submit a nomination, please visit lhm.org/foundation/board.asp, download the nominations form, and submit it prior to June 30, 2024. Once a person is nominated, a current Trustee will contact the nominee to confirm his or her willingness to serve if elected and discuss next steps. u
We Are Called to Be Providers Provide the power of the Gospel around the world, and provide for your family at the same time. With a Charitable Gift Annuity to LHM, a gift is made to our organization that can provide you with a secure source of fixed payments for life. Contact LHM's gift planning staff today to learn more! lhm.org/giftplan | 1-877-333-1963 | lhm-gift@lhm.org