The genesis of the traditional Chinese translation of the Book of Concord: Back in 2016, Rev. Matthew Heise (center with books), LHF executive director, met with editor Rev. Michael Paul (to Rev. Heise’s right), staff members at China Lutheran Seminary, and other area missionaries.
Taiwan
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ing in a liberal Lutheran synod, preaching regularly. Then she took one of Rev. Paul’s classes. “I was teaching straight theology - the Small Catechism and others of Luther’s writings - and she was just eating up our good Lutheran theology,” Rev. Paul recalled. “Sharon became convinced that she was in the wrong synod and that she shouldn’t be preaching as a woman, so now she’s a member of the CELC.” The woman whose faith was fanned into flame by LHF books is now giving back by serving as an editor of Lutheranism 101,
RUSSIA:
Once the Traditional Chinese BOC has been printed, LHF will undertake the Simplified Chinese edition. To read more about LHF’s Chinese translation work, go to www.LHFmissions.org.
“Almost like magic”: In just 3 years, 100 n
LHF’s books seem to be intricately woven throughout the faith life of Rev. Evgeny Raskatov, pastor of St. Anne’s Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, Russia. Born into an atheist family, Evgeny was introduced to the Christian faith by a friend who invited him to a Salvation Army youth camp, where Evgeny received his first Bible. After years of unsuccessful attempts to make his way through the large volume, as well as visits to many different churches in search of Truth, he received a book that would change his direction in life: LHF’s Russian translation of Christian Dogmatics, by J.T. Mueller. “Before, my mind was a mess [when trying to understand what the Bible teaches],” said Rev. Raskatov. “But Mueller put many things in order for me.” After attending a Finnish Lutheran church for a few 2
Reading the Bible with Understanding and Handling the Word of Truth. “Sharon’s clearly been set free by the Gospel, and a lot of it is LHF’s work,” Rev. Paul said. “In the future, she’ll be 100% committed to getting LHF’s stuff out, because she sees how incredibly valuable it was for herself, and she wants to share it with as many people as possible.”
years, Evgeny decided to start taking courses at the Theological Institute, the seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia, to become a deacon. There, he again found more LHF books. “We studied at the institute for perhaps 8 different weekends, and each time, we would be given one or two books to take with us,” Rev. Raskatov recalled. “By the end, we had a full library provided by LHF. For me, this was like a treasure! I still use these books and have them on my bookshelf. They are not books you read and forget; they are books you actually use!” And use them he has. After completing seminary - now to be a pastor, not simply a deacon - Rev. Raskatov has gained a reputation in his community for leading Christian information classes at St. Anne’s.
“It’s actually difference is th “You are welco are atheist; som As students Raskatov gives I want to give e day, some I mig commentary. A Small Catechis Catechism.” As In just 3 and have been con the observer,” R is doing it; it is
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