Interest Time March 2017 by LCEF

SOUTHEAST ASIAN LUTHERAN SCHOOLS ARE THRIVING STRENGTHENING OUTDOOR MINISTRY FOR FUTURE CAMPERS CHURCH ANCHORS ‘MELTING POT’ MINISTRY ON OAHU

LIVE BOLDLY LCEF’S FALL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

MARCH 2017 | INTEREST TIME

Does Your Church Need Repairs? Whether it’s a poorly-ventilated chapel, a water-stained roof or broken down bathroom—your church needs critical repairs before it’s too late. The LCEF Church Improvement Loan is designed to help churches fund critical church repairs and upgrades. For more information and details please visit lcef.org/church-improvement.

Lutheran Church Extension Fund-Missouri Synod (NMLS# 3444). Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee (MB.0006057). The National Office is located at: 10733 Sunset Office Drive, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63127-1020. Phone number: 800-843-5233. Website: lcef.org.

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COVER PHOTO OF JOHN O’LEARY TAKEN BY TAYLOR OVERSTREET

MARCH 2017 / ISSUE 106

05 LCEF’S MOST LOYAL EMPLOYEE?

14 DRIVEN, SMART, FRIENDLY

19 LUTHER’S FAMOUS SEAL EXPLAINED

SOUTHEAST ASIAN LUTHERAN SCHOOLS ARE THRIVING

Karen Drier loves smooth music, Diet Coke and LCEF (she’s been here for 44 years).

Those three words describe Ken Krueger , LFCU’s new CEO. And that’s just scratching the surface.

Discover the meaning behind one of the most enduring symbols of the Reformation.

Financing schools is only half of what LCEF is doing in Southeast Asia. There’s so much more to these relationships. BY KIM KRULL

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FROM THE CEO DEAR LCEF FRIENDS AND FAMILY, It would be an understatement to say the last six months have been a whirlwind of activity. In October 2016, Vice President-National Lending, Larry Crume, and I flew to Southeast Asia to participate in the dedication of the new building and facilities at the Concordia International School of Hanoi (CISH). In addition, we visited CIS Shanghai and Hong Kong. While LCEF has financially partnered with each school in some capacity in the past, their continued growth and presence in China may lead to more projects in the future that may require a partnership with LCEF. In November, we hosted the LCEF Fall Leadership Conference in Schaumburg, IL. The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel was a wonderful location to host this event—and since we were concerned that the weather wouldn’t cooperate (it didn’t: rainy and 40 degrees), to enhance the event, we focused on securing quality speakers that would bring our theme “Live Boldly!” to life. We were blessed to hear from NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, popular author and radio host Eric Metaxas, inspirational speaker John O’Leary and last, but not least, author and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. During the Fall Leadership Conference I announced that it was time for me to pass the baton of CEO and 4

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President of LCEF with an effective date of October 1, 2017. It’s been an incredible opportunity I’ve had the last eight years to be your partner in sharing the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through LCEF as we continue to make precious resources available to ministries of the LCMS. Please pray for the transition and our search for the next successor. If you’ve had a chance to visit our website recently (lcef. org), you probably saw some significant changes there as well. One of the important changes we made was to make the site friendlier, no matter what device you use. This flurry of activity—and more—explains why we are excited to share our newest issue of Interest Time with you. In addition, we changed the look and feel of it, while changing the frequency to three times a year (from four). Please let us know what you think about the new Interest Time, or if you have any other comments or questions, email the editor at information@lcef.org. Until the next issue, wishing you God’s peace and richest blessings,

Rich Robertson | CEO and President

LCEF Profile

KAREN DRIER

isit the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) national office on any given day and you’ll meet all kinds of people. Funny, kind, generous, helpful and loyal people. The kind of people you would enjoy hanging out with. Which is why we started a series called “Employee Time.” In each new issue of Interest Time we’ll introduce you to an employee of LCEF. You’ll find out: • How long they’ve been working at LCEF • Their favorite LCEF memory • Beverage of choice • Favorite room of their house • And more!

What do you do at LCEF? Work on the National Lending team with Larry Crume (Vice PresidentNational Lending). My direct role is to determine if a recognized service organization of the LCMS has borrowing potential. I also

Favorite food? Mac and cheese! Beverage of choice? Caffeine Free Diet Coke which you can purchase at Steak n’ Shake. What’s your favorite style of music? I actually love all smooth music like Carole King, James Taylor. These days I listen to 99.1 and love worship music!

“ON MAY 2, 2017 I WILL CELEBRATE MY 44TH ANNIVERSARY!” work with the delinquent Rostered Church Worker consolidation loan customers and monitor the loan agreement covenants. How long have you been at LCEF? I started working at Synod in the controller’s office in May 1973 as a central file clerk. On May 2, 2017, I will celebrate my 44th anniversary! What’s your favorite LCEF memory? I believe it was in 1994. I had finished 13 years of night school and earned a B.S. in business administration/ marketing. LCEF President Art Haake called me into his office. Vic Bryant was there, too. They told me I was promoted to an assistant vice president of LCEF.

What’s your favorite book? I love reading the Christmas novels by authors like Debbie Macomber. Favorite movie? You’ve Got Mail, especially the end. What’s your favorite room of the house? The kitchen because I love chopping and prep work. And not sure how it happened but I’ve become passionate about decorating sugar and shortbread cookies, too. MARCH 2017 | INTEREST TIME

$1.8 Billion $203.5 Million Total Assets Net Assets

$8.0 Million 204

Net Income

Partner LCMS Districts

Agreements to Use Ministry Support

(VisionPath, Laborers For Christ, Architectural Advisory Committee or Capital Funding Services)

58,448

Investors

92,860

Investment Accounts

1,072

LCEF Advocates

(volunteers in congregations and schools)

$1.9 Million

Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), through the blessings of our many investors, has created countless opportunities to support the sharing of the Gospel throughout the world. It doesn’t take much more than reviewing today’s news coverage to discover the need is even greater today. It is our goal to remain relevant by introducing new opportunities for partnerships throughout The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Earnings Distributed to LCMS & 29 Partner Districts

$1.43 Billion $2.1 Million Gifts Loan Portfolio

110 National Employees

Board of Directors Members

$1.59B Investor Payables *as of June 20, 2016

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FINANCIALLY STRONG* BECAUSE OF YOU

WHAT IS PLANNED GIVING? But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

uring your lifetime you may work 40 years to accumulate assets. Then you’ll spend 10 to 20 years conserving that accumulation. That means through good planning, another wonderful chapter in the book of your life can be completed. Too many times, however, we don’t plan— or plan enough—and the last chapter of life becomes burdensome for family members. That’s why creating an estate plan ensures that your retirement will end well. Besides, you also know that through

1 Timothy 5:8

proper planning you can leave a legacy of love and care for your family and friends—a legacy that is encouraging and even inspiring. Indeed, the Bible tells us, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). The benefits of an estate plan are fourfold: • PEACE. An estate plan is designed to help you provide for and protect those you love. • PROVISION. You have spent most of your

lifetime gathering assets and making plans. But many people spend more time planning their vacation than planning their estate. With a good estate plan, you can give loved ones the property you have acquired in the right way, at the right time and at minimal cost. • PROTECTION. In addition, a good plan will protect you in your senior years. It may be important to designate a specific person to manage your property; help doctors and other medical staff with important decisions about your health; and make certain that

you are receiving the best possible care. An estate plan can increase your lifetime security and also achieve your goals for family and charity. • SPIRITUAL LEGACY. First Chronicles 29:1112 clearly illustrates God’s ownership of all. An estate plan that acknowledges God’s ownership ensures that your final act on earth is one of good stewardship and helps to prepare the next steward. WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CREATING AN ESTATE PLAN? Call our Gift Planning Services team at 800843-5233 to request a “Legacy Guide: Planning Your Will and Trust.” You can also email us at gifting@lcef.org. MARCH 2017 | INTEREST TIME

LIVE BOLDLY LCEFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FALL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

INSPIRING KEYNOTE SPEAKERS, INTRIGUING BREAKOUT SESSIONS, AND FELLOWSHIP SCHAUMBURG, IL

by DEMIAN FARNWORTH

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photos by TAYLOR OVERSTREET

Ben Carson sat down with Rich Robertson (not shown) during the Friday evening keynote to talk about faith and America’s future.

THE LCEF FALL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (FLC) IS EASILY THE BIGGEST EVENT WE DO ALL YEAR. But what exactly is the FLC? It’s a celebration of the week-long business meetings between LCEF and LCMS leaders. People fly in from all over the country. In fact, more than 600 people attended this annual conference on November 18–20, 2016, held at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, IL. Schaumburg, a northeastern suburb of Chicago, boasts some really fun and interesting adventures. However, the conference weekend was so packed with exceptional speakers and events that it was hard to break away to enjoy places like Busse Woods, Medieval Times dinner theater or Woodfield Mall (the 10th largest mall in the United States). So let’s explore some highlights of the weekend.

SERVANT EVENT We kicked off the weekend at 2 p.m. Friday afternoon when some attendees boarded a bus and headed over to Feed My Starving Children for the Servant Event. For about two hours we hand-packed rice, soy, dried vegetables and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags. The bags were then sealed, boxed and placed on pallets to be shipped to the neediest children around the world. In total, our group packed 65 boxes, which amounted to 14,040 meals. In addition, LCEF donated $1,800—enough to buy supplies for an entire pallet (7,776 meals). VISIT FMSC.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN.

JEFF WILLIAMS Friday evening conference emcee Max Biesenthal opened up the conference proper with a stirring speech about living boldly. He then introduced NASA astronaut Jeff Williams and Rich Robertson. Williams is a veteran of four space flights and currently holds the American record for most days spent in space (534 days). Rich interviewed Jeff about living in the International Space Station, his faith and how he was adjusting to living back on Earth.

BEN CARSON Friday night’s keynote speaker was retired neurosurgeon, author, philanthropist and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Ben Carson. Carson charmed us with his stories, from growing up in inner-city Detroit to becoming the first neurosurgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins. MARCH 2017 | INTEREST TIME

Top Left: LCEF staffers pose in front of the 2016 LCEF Fall Leadership Conference registration table. Top Right: Blues Brothers impersonators rile the crowd up during Saturday night president’s reception. Bottom Left: Three LCEF staffers pack food bags at Feed My Starving Children for the Servant Event. Bottom Right: Saturday morning the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, president of the LCMS, captivates the crowd with a lecture on Luther.

REV. DR. MATTHEW HARRISON President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison opened Saturday with a stirring speech about the Reformation, Luther’s role, the kind of access we have in Christ with God and what the future looks like for the LCMS.

RICH ROBERTSON Following hard on the heels of Harrison was LCEF President and CEO Rich Robertson. In this 30-minute speech Robertson challenged us to think of what we, sinners that we are, can do in this world for our family, church and community. To set the stage, he opened with a list of the top five boldest moments of the 20th century. Then he countered that with the top five tragic moments of the 20th century. Rich also announced his retirement from LCEF, effective October 1, 2017.

ERIC METAXAS On Saturday, Eric Metaxas, author of popular books like Bonhoeffer and Amazing Grace, and podcast host of The Eric Metaxas Show spoke about the religious liberty we 10

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have and defend for the sake of the Gospel; the Christian’s true positon on tolerance; Luther’s outrageously powerful faith in and by the Gospel; and the importance of knowing what we believe.

ANNUAL MEETING George Cook, institutional consulting director of Graystone Consulting, gave a state-of-our-economy presentation. Rich delivered the 2016 LCEF annual performance report to the district members. Mark Pieper, chair of the audit committee, reported on the results of the 2016 audit. And Rev. Max Phillips and Linda Barnes were re-elected to the board.

WOMEN’S LUNCHEON But all the fun was to be had at the women’s luncheon. The Comfort Dogs Adeena and Asher, part of the K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry (Lutheran Church Charities), lounged during lunch. To honor their ministry, LCEF presented the Comfort Dogs with a $2,000 gift. In addition, Jesus painter Mark Herrera brought our Christian faith to life in living color through a live painting performance.

PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION Saturday evening turned out to be a fantastic, fun and lively event. In the four corners of the ballroom were stations representing different ethnic neighborhoods of Chicago: Greek, Italian, Irish and German. At each station you could sample finger foods representing each nation, as well as hearing a band. But the central party feature was a pair of Blues Brothers impersonators who kept us laughing and dancing all night.

JOHN O’LEARY Shortly after worship, Sunday concluded our wonderful weekend together with the return of John O’Leary as the keynote speaker. John was a huge hit at LCEF’s 2013 Fall Leadership Conference and he didn’t disappoint this time either, sharing his inspiring life story. From near death at nine years old to an extraordinary life as a motivational speaker, John’s message inspired us to live boldly.

LCEF CEO Rich Robertson delivers his keynote presentation Saturday morning, focusing on avoiding the “slow fade.”

CONCLUSION It would be an understatement to say that this was a top-notch event. The great line-up of the speakers compensated for Chicago weather and it was well attended; the feedback has been great.

WHEN THERE’S NO ROOM IN THE INN There are 17 tenors standing on a choir riser that holds four….43 five-year olds are sitting on top of each other in the kindergarten Sunday School class….and members have to arrive 20 minutes early to sit in “their pew.” It’s crowded. The building is inadequate. The “reach” is limited. Whether it’s a sanctuary, fellowship hall, educational wing or community center, there comes a time when facility expansion is required to put “Ministry in Motion.” Are you ready? LCEF.org/readiness For more information about Capital Funding Services, please call LCEF’s Ministry Support Team at 314-885-6444 or email ministry.support@lcef.org.

MARCH 2017 | INTEREST TIME

hirty-six hours. That’s how long it took LCEF President and CEO Rich Robertson and Vice President-National Lending Larry Crume to fly from the U.S. to Hanoi, Vietnam. Their goal? To visit the Concordia International School of Hanoi (CISH). CISH has been in operation for the last six years. In 2016, CISH dedicated their new building (financially supported by the LCEF), an event in which Rich and Larry had the incredible opportunity to participate. However, launching CISH wasn’t without its challenges. The school started with only 50 students— including Americans,

Southeast Asian Lutheran Schools Are Thriving 12

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Australians, Britons, Vietnamese and Koreans—and decided to base its operations in rented facilities in central Hanoi until it could build a permanent location. Unfortunately, that wasn’t such a great idea. Enrollment at the school lagged behind expectations. WHY SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP LAGGED Eventually the school learned that parents in the community were reluctant to commit to a private international school without permanent roots. Once those roots were planted, however, membership rose. Last year it climbed to 250 students. And with the new building and facilities, they’ve already grown by nearly another 120 students. “The growth has been absolutely phenomenal,” says Larry Crume. “To be able to provide a Christian

education in a country that is not favoring Christian education is incredible work by the team.” Also in 2016, CISH won the Lietz Mission Award at the LCEF Fall Leadership Conference. This award recognizes the outstanding efforts of ministries associated with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL PRESENCE Coincidentally, the Asia Lutheran Education Association Conference was also being held that same weekend, so the pair had the chance to meet some wonderful people doing incredible work in the Asia Pacific region. “We had the opportunity to spend time with several educators during the Asia Lutheran Education Association,” Crume said, “which we sponsored.” Rich and Larry also visited the

Hong Kong and Shanghai Concordia International Schools, spending time with the folks out there. Both Hong Kong and Shanghai have high enrollment. Both are positive influences on their communities. The two men made a lot of personal connections and learned about other ministry opportunities in Southeast Asia. “Having a personal presence is such an important part of what we do,” said Rich. A PROMISING FUTURE Rich and Larry visited with the Church of All Nations in Hong Kong and toured some of the facilities of the Hong Kong International School (HKIS). The HKIS began in 1966 and has grown to be a multi-campus operation with more than 2,500 students and over 500 employees. Their visit was to discuss lending opportunities and LCEF investments.

In Shanghai, the primary purpose was relationship building. CIS Shanghai had just welcomed Mary Scott as its newest head of school. LCEF provided initial financing for this school from its earliest days and enjoys a great relationship with it. Asked if the trip was a success, Crume said, “Hanoi has such a promising future. We are looking forward to the wonderful influence that school will have on the students and their families and the community.” Furthermore, enrollment projections indicate that CISH will be at capacity within the next few years. Once that happens, it will be ready to take on the second phase of its campus development. So praise God for bringing the light of the Gospel into the Southeast Asia mission field!

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Who’s Ken Krueger INTRODUCING THE LUTHERAN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION’S NEW CEO

he board of directors of the Lutheran Federal Credit Union (LFCU) is delighted to announce the appointment of Rev. Ken Krueger as its new CEO, effective November 14, 2016. Ken transitioned from his position as pastor of Grace Celebration Lutheran Church in Cordova, Tennessee. He also has served as the vice chair of the LFCU board of directors, where he chaired the governance committee.

of the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter in Phoenix, Arizona—at the time, the sixth largest Red Cross chapter. His leadership was instrumental in helping the chapter to receive the 2008 Nonprofit Team of the Year Award sponsored by Arizona Business magazine.

Announcing Ken’s appointment, LFCU chairman Michael Kzirian said, “Ken is an exceptional leader and a committed Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod member with energy, vision and demonstrated success. He was chosen in a competitive selection process from a strong field of candidates; we are blessed to have him on the team!”

Reflecting on his appointment, Ken said: “I am honored and excited to have been selected to lead this wonderful organization. I thank everyone who has helped to make LFCU what it already is, and am determined to build upon LFCU’s momentum by letting every LCMS Lutheran know they have their own credit union—one that stands ready to serve them and the church!”

Prior to earning his M.Div. and being ordained, Ken earned advanced degrees in law (JD) and business (MBA) from the University of Virginia, as well in public health (MPH) from Boston University. Among other roles, Ken served in executive positions at the Universities of Wisconsin and Arizona State, as well as serving as CEO

The combination of Ken’s experience as a pastor, as a successful leader, and as an original LFCU board member make him uniquely qualified to serve as the next LFCU CEO. Please join us in welcoming Ken, his wife, Amy, and their two daughters to St. Louis.

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WHAT EXACTLY IS AN INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (IRA)?

Cruiser. Starlight. M16 52A. Champion. Phaeton. Speedster. Just a few of the highlysought after models from the once-popular Studebaker automaker. Started out of South Bend, Indiana, in 1852 by brothers Clement and Henry, Studebaker quickly cornered the horse-drawn wagon and carriage market. By the twentieth century, the company was rolling out some of the most stylish cars from their factories, eventually becoming the largest automaker in the world.

WHAT PENSION PLAN? By the 1960s, however, Studebaker was on the ropes. Years of union labor disputes and price wars with Ford and General Motors took their toll. In 1966, Studebaker closed its doors, laying off thousands of people. But that’s not all the bad news those employees got. In the process of closing the books, Studebaker noticed their pension plan was basically bankrupt. That meant thousands of former employees were not only out of a job—they were also out of retirement savings. It was in the wake of this crisis that the government signed into law the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), a bill designed to protect Americans’ retirement security. It also created the IRA.

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN IRA? Rose Hollrah, manager of investment processing at LCEF, says an IRA is “a personal savings plan that provides tax advantages for setting aside money for retirement.” In other words, it’s a viable tool to save for your own retirement. This is important. MARCH 2017 | INTEREST TIME

“Not everyone has an employer-sponsored defined benefit plan,” Hollrah says, “that will assure the employee a dependable income throughout their retirement. Also, because of the uncertainty over the adequacy of Social Security to meet the needs for future retirees, investors are looking for financial security and a way to maintain their current lifestyle during those retirement years.”

And depending upon which IRA you choose (Traditional or Roth), “you also can escape taxes on either the money you put into the plan initially or on the money you withdraw in retirement.”

WHY WE LOVE IRAS SO MUCH

IS AN IRA FOR EVERYONE?

More than 30 years later, IRAs have become the largest component of the $11.6 trillion U.S. retirement market. In 2004, 40.4% of all U.S. households owned IRAs and one out of every four retirement dollars are in IRAs.

“There are several types of IRAs,” Hollrah says, “and each has its own eligibility requirements and restrictions based on income and or employment status.” In addition, all IRAs have restrictions for distributions, which means evaluating IRAs can get pretty complicated.

There is a catch, however. The government limits the amount of money you can contribute to an IRA each year.

What makes IRAs so popular? Simple: the money in an IRA grows tax free.

Hollrah says it’s important “to understand the rules and regulations before selecting the type of IRA.” She encourages investors to consult with their tax adviser before making a decision. For more information, IRS Publication 590 is a good resource to review.

As the “Ultimate Guide to Retirement” by CNN Money puts it, “That is, the income from interest, dividends and capital gains can compound each year without taxes nipping away at it.”

ARE YOU SAVING ENOUGH TO RETIRE COMFORTABLY? Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s (LCEF) Individual Retirement Accounts Can Help.

TRADITIONAL IRA CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.*

ROTH IRA CONTRIBUTIONS GROW TAX FREE.*

To learn more about LCEF’s Traditional or Roth IRA, call us at 800-843-5233. LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF’s Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. Neither LCEF nor its representatives give legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult a tax advisor as to the applicability of this information to your own situation. UMB Bank n.a. serves as the custodian of the LCEF IRA program. * Contact your tax advisor for more information. S00338

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201609

CHURCH ANCHORS ‘MELTING POT’ MINISTRY BY KIM PLUMMER KRULL

amilies who send their children to Trinity Lutheran School in Wahiawa on Oahu reflect the mix of people who call this most densely populated of the Hawaiian Islands home – natives born and raised here, newcomers from other countries and people serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. “We’re truly a melting pot right in the middle of the Pacific,” said the Rev. Ryan Alvey, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity has been sharing Christ’s love for more than 60 years, “a pretty longstanding school track record by Hawaiian standards,” the pastor said. While it faces the same challenges as many parochial schools in the continental U.S., Trinity is embracing unique opportunities,

thanks in part to the help of longtime ministry partner LCEF. “You help us keep going so we can continue doing our ministry,” locally and as “a jumping-off point” for outreach, Alvey says of LCEF investors. Ministry – not business – partner Trinity is located near a military base – Schofield Barracks – home to more than 20,000 people, more than the population of Wahiawa. Military families make up about half the congregation and the school enrollment. They also contribute to what Alvey calls “a lot of people in transition,” which he sees as both a challenge and an opportunity.

“When people come and go, we have only a limited time to reach them. But they also tend to be more open to plugging into us,” he said. “We are very much a family here, and we want to reach out to even more families.” The school is Trinity’s best known local outreach, serving more than 170 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Until this summer, it also was a ministry in need of a new roof. “LCEF didn’t look at this as a simple business transaction, but as a partnership in ministry,” Alvey said of the line of credit loan support from LCEF that enabled Trinity to MARCH 2017 | INTEREST TIME

replace the aging rooftop. Outreach to Native Hawaiians Also this summer Trinity joined forces with missionary-at-large Clarence DeLude on a debut vacation Bible school program in western Oahu, about 20 miles beyond the church’s doors. The single largest concentration of Native Hawaiians live in this area, the focus of outreach supported by Trinity and Lutheran Indian Ministries.

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Trinity also is reaching out to Native Hawaiians on the island of Kauai, where the LCMS California-NevadaHawaii (CNH) District has planted a

“WE ARE EXCITED TO PARTICIPATE AS PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL THROUGHOUT THE ISLANDS.” KEITH KOHLMEIER

“Clarence seeks to share the Gospel with his people, connecting them to the gifts God gave them and in respect to their unique culture,” Alvey said of DeLude, a Native Hawaiian pursuing ordination through the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center at Concordia University, Irvine, California, in partnership with

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LCEF Ministry Support Western Region Vice President

new church. Two men were recently installed as deacons at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, and Alvey serves as their mentor and supervisor. Noting some similarities to outreach with Native Americans, Alvey says ministry with Native Hawaiians is

exciting, but also takes time. Much like Paul in the Bible, he says, DeLude and the deacons are working to prepare hearts to receive Jesus. Committed to serving After a recent visit to Oahu ministries and two other islands with CNH District Vice President Bill Swift, LCEF Ministry Support Western Region Vice President Keith Kohlmeier noted how “God continues to do His ‘Immeasurably More’ work in and through these congregations and mission outposts,” a reference to Ephesians 3:20 and LCEF’s “Ministry in Motion” theme. “We are excited to participate as partners in the Gospel throughout the islands,” Kohlmeier said.

Alvey appreciates that partnership. Soon after he began serving at Trinity, he noticed a question asked of newcomers. Instead of “What do you do for a living?” – a popular conversation starter on the mainland – people in Wahiawa tend to ask, “How long will you be Trinity Lutheran Church here?” reaches out to a variety of people on Oahu, Hawaii, With God’s including Native Hawaiians, blessings and the newcomers from other prayers and support countries and U.S. military families. The congregation of people like LCEF put a new roof on its day investors, Trinity school, which serves more Lutheran Church than 170 students, with the and School expects help of a line of credit loan to answer that from LCEF. question this way: a long time!

he Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod is celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. Luther’s seal is perhaps the most enduring symbol of the Reformation. But do you know what it means, this black cross on a red heart embedded in a white rose and surrounded by a golden ring? In a letter to his prominent supporter Lazarus Spengler, dated July 8, 1530, Luther explains: First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Romans 10:10). It is a black cross, which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive, for the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Romans 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace—it puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). This is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN IN ON THE CELEBRATION? THEN VISIT LUTHERANREFORMATION.ORG FOR MORE FREE RESOURCES. MARCH 2017 | INTEREST TIME

RECENTLY LCEF CREATED AN INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY AND INVITED TEENS TO APPLY FOR THE TEAM. Guess what!?! There are some changes at the World Changers blog (if you haven’t already noticed)! The application process included a video submission, writing sample and interview. We were so impressed with the ideas each person presented in their videos and by the writing samples. Getting to know each person over the last month has been even better. So I’m excited to show off the team to you today. But I’ll let the team introduce themselves.

BY EVA BAKER

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ashleydavis

sarahtonniges karinarovey

Hi, I’m Ashley. I live in North Carolina and am a sophomore in high school. I play trumpet in marching, jazz and symphonic band, and I also participate in French club and band council. I enjoy reading and writing, and I am excited to learn skills through this internship to become an even better writer.

Hey! I’m Sarah. I’m a 17-year-old girl who is far too creative for her own good. In addition to writing, I love art, sewing and designing costumes. I am currently working on two young adult novels, one fantasy and the other fiction. I hope to be published before graduating from college and eventually become a full-time writer.

jennajohnson

emilybriggs

Hi there. I’m Karina and I’m a sophomore in high school from Tennessee. I love Jesus, acting, playing guitar and traveling with my family. I am honored and excited to be a part of this internship team and have the chance to help produce content for all of you!

Our goal is to give insight into how real teens deal with life and faith and finances. Hopefully you will relate to our failures and our successes and get some great ideas on saving and spending money wisely along the way as we are learning ourselves. My name is Jenna and I live in North Dakota. I’m 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. I play clarinet in my school band, but outside of school, I love playing the piano. I’m also in dance, cross country and on the school’s yearbook staff, helping create my school’s 2017 yearbook. I love to travel to places I’ve never been before and experience the things I’ve never experienced. Writing is for sure my biggest hobby!

Hello! My name is Emily! I am 15 years old and live in Michigan. I have two puppies and three younger siblings. I attend student council and youth group for weekly meetings. On weekends I spend time skiing, competing in CREW (rowing) regattas or just hanging out with my friends downtown. I enjoy painting quite a bit as well. I’m grateful to be a part of the World Changers internship!

So, know any teens? Then consider sending them our way. We’d love to find out what kind of money topics they are interested in as a teen! What concerns them most about their financial future? Let us know and we will tackle those topics in the coming weeks and months.

#SPENDYOURLIFE lcef.org/category/world-changers

MARCH 2017 | INTEREST TIME

STRENGTHENING OUTDOOR MINISTRY FOR FUTURE CAMPERS When a longtime and much loved Lutheran outdoor ministry in Iowa decided to tackle a major update, participating in Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s Laborers For Christ “was not a question but a definite decision,” said Doug Kading, Camp Okoboji executive director.

New Laborer Mike Vandercar says he and his wife, Verna, couldn’t have picked a more satisfying first project. All four of the Seymour, Indiana, couple’s children grew up going to and then serving as counselors at Camp Lutherhaven, a Lutheran outdoor ministry in Indiana much like Okoboji.

Their role in the new state-of-the-art activity center marks the fourth time for Laborers to work for the camp, near Milford in the state’s Great Lakes region.

Now Mike and Verna “get to enjoy camp,” Mike says, while they help strengthen Okojobi’s outdoor ministry for future generations.

And while he sees a potential cost savings of as much as 20 percent on the project, Kading says the benefits of partnering with Laborers For Christ extend beyond money – benefits such as construction expertise as well as the spiritual uplift when camp staff and volunteers join in Laborers’ daily devotions.

As part of last year’s 75th anniversary celebration, the camp is participating in Laborers For Christ to build the 5,600 sq. ft. DISCOVER Activity Center, with a central meeting area surrounded by six classrooms.

“It’s amazing how God brought together these men and women and provided them with the skills they each needed to work well together,” Kading said of the Laborers team. 22

INTEREST TIME | MARCH 2017

Laborers expect to finish their portion of the project in the spring. “I enjoy being outside and it’s a good way to get exercise at this age,” said Verna, who encourages other women to “come and be one of the guys!”

A HOME LOAN YOU’LL

ACTUALLY

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. And getting a mortgage loan could be one of the most challenging tasks you’ll ever complete. BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE. That’s why LCEF is pleased to offer residential loans to LCMS Rostered Church Workers (RCW)—one of the fastest and most personable loan processes you’ll ever experience.

“I’m looking forward to closing on a home, and having closed on five previously, that is the first time I’ve ever said that.” Rostered Church Worker

Benefits include: • More lenient underwriting guidelines. Because we understand call documents, we are able to include your housing allowance. • Lower monthly payment. We do not require private mortgage insurance, which increases your monthly loan payment. • Competitive interest rates. • Friendly, knowledgeable loan officers. • Low down payment requirement. Loans may be approved with as little as 5%. Want to learn more about our residential loans for RCWs? Want resources like the “Your Home Loan Toolkit” booklet? Want to fill out a loan application? Then visit lcef.org/residential-loans.

PRAY

First and foremost, our mission is to ensure the Church has the resources available to expand God’s kingdom. But we can’t do that without prayer allies like you. So please, continue to pray for us and the many LCMS ministries we serve.

PARTNER

By aligning your finances with your LCMS faith, more people are hearing the life-saving Gospel message. With so much more work to do, we need you more than ever. Visit lcef.org/lcef-difference to learn the variety of ways you can partner with us.

PARTICIPATE

Finally, spread the word about LCEF by handing out an Annual Report to a friend or family member. You can download a PDF version at lcef.org/annual-report-2016.

10733 Sunset Office Drive, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63127-1020 | 800-843-5233 lcef.org

INTEREST TIME | MARCH 2017

LCEF is a nonprofit religious organization; therefore, LCEF investments are not FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. This is not an offer to sell investments, nor a solicitation to buy. LCEF will offer and sell its securities only in states where authorized. The offer is made solely by LCEF’s Offering Circular. Investors should carefully read the Offering Circular, which more fully describes associated risks. StewardAccount access features are offered through UMB Bank, n.a. The StewardAccount is not available to investors in South Carolina. Neither LCEF nor its representatives give legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your tax advisor as to the applicability of this information to your own situation. UMB Bank n.a. serves as the custodian for the LCEF IRA programs.