SHARING THE GOSPEL WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED:
PASTOR’S WIFE SHARES GOOD NEWS IN WORKPLACE Anyone who’s ever gone to an LWML, LEA or LCMS they are open to learning about American holidays.” district convention has seen exhibitor tables, where comSo in December, Becky led the class in reading A Child’s panies and organizations distribute brochures and free Garden of Bible Stories in English, so they could learn how giveaway items like pens, keychains or stress balls. and why the celebration of Christmas began. Then, as a Chances are, the stress ball you pick up might be from an gift, Becky presented them with LHF translations of the imprinting company called Ariel Premium Supply, headsame book, in their own languages. quartered in St. Louis, Mo. And the logo printed on that While the classes are language-focused, questions about stress ball might have been placed there by one of Ariel’s the content have come up. “Hopefully, our study whets English-language their appetite. Last students – who week, one [of my are being introstudents] asked duced to Jesus what ‘sin’ meant. So Christ by huI had a chance to man resources explain,” she said. employee Becky “This week’s lesson Shaw, through is on the promise of LHF’s translathe Savior to Adam tions of A Child’s and Eve after their Garden of Bible fall into sin.” Stories. Becky said she be“Many of the lieves anyone who people in Arihas basic teaching el’s production skills should keep Becky Shaw, at right, leads her co-workers through studying A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories in the English language. Because she’s given them LHF’s Chinese and Vietnamese translations of department are their eyes open for the same book, the students can read for better understanding at home, in their own languages. new immigrants,” opportunities like explained Becky, hers. an LCMS pastor’s wife who has worked at Ariel since late “The first step would be finding out if there an interest [for last summer. “One of the bonuses of their employment is a program like this] among the associates [in the workthe opportunity to learn English during their lunch periods. place],” she said. “It can be advertised as ‘English class’ or So I teach more than 30 students in six different classes, ‘English class using the Bible.” We do not want to trick them plus one-on-one classes.” into coming so we can share the Gospel, but we hope that As she searched for good teaching materials for her what they hear in English or their native language would students, Becky recalled that LHF provides easy-to-read produce reception to the Holy Spirit’s call.” Bible storybooks in the Chinese and Vietnamese languagNow that her husband has retired from active ministry, es. Fortunately, the company president and majority of the Becky is thankful for the many blessings God has given her managers are Christian, and they didn’t mind that Becky through her new position. would be sharing the faith as part of her teaching. “I love this job because God has transferred my ‘mission’ “Some of the students are Christian, including Catholic, from our church members and visitors to the immigrants at but the majority have no religion at all,” Becky said. “But this company,” she concluded.
LUTHERAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION 51474 Romeo Plank Rd. ■ Macomb, MI 48042 ■ 1-800-554-0723 ■ info@LHFmissions.org ■ www.LHFmissions.org
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“The Word at Work” is the official publication of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Permission is hereby granted to excerpt from this publication for not-for-profit purposes. The Lutheran Heritage Foundation is a Recognized Service Organization of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. LHF translates, publishes, distributes and introduces confessional Lutheran materials throughout the world so that people can be brought to Christ. LHF is not subsidized by the LCMS or any other church body. It is entirely supported by individual donations and grants. (“Word at Work” staff: Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, executive editor; Jennifer Bagnall, managing editor and graphic design)
