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n 2010 Rev. Dr. Mark Lason came on board as director of United States Ministries (USM) for Lutheran Hour Ministries. He over sees media production and distribution for The Lutheran Hour, various television specials, and other programs. He is in charge of evangelism training programs such as LHM’s MISSION U workshops, and the teen and young adult-focused five14. Also under his purview is the Men’s NetWork, a website dedicated to men’s ministry, and Project Connect, LHM’s topical booklet program, which features short volumes in English, with many in Spanish. Larson was district executive of missions (20002009) for the Rocky Mountain District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. While there he oversaw the mission and evangelism programs for the district, which include Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and El Paso, Texas. His pastoral experience includes associate (1988-1994) then senior pastor (1994-2000) at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Beecher, Illinois. There he served on the Mission Board of the Northern Illinois District (1991-2000) and as board chair (1997-2000). Larson has a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln; a master of divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis; and a doctor of ministry degree from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. He and his wife, Lisa, have two schoolaged children.
As mission-related activities figure prominently, LHM staff member Paul Schreiber asked Larson about how his experience comes into play at LHM.
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The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015
Dr. Mark Larson and Pastor Gregory Seltz
What skill sets/experience have proven helpful to you as USM director, especially in respect to U.S. mission work?
“S
ince college I’ve had a love for evangelism and outreach. I first learned it through Dr. Leroy Biesenthal’s (see tribute to Dr. Biesenthal on page 16) Dialogue Evangelism at the University of Nebraska. Since then I have been able to put this passion into practice through wide-ranging experiences in the church: as parish pastor with a Lutheran school, on the Mission Board of the Northern Illinois District, and, before coming to LHM, as the mission executive of the Rocky Mountain District.”
What is it that USM is doing that you are particularly pleased to see? not be more excited about LHM’s new “Icould strategic priorities, two of which fall within the
responsibilities of United States Ministries, namely, to “grow God’s Kingdom through expanded media outreach” and to “energize, equip, and engage laity for outreach.” I believe these strategic priorities are well chosen and closely align with the historic strength of our ministry.”
The Action in Ministry (AIM) segment is a new addition to The Lutheran Hour. What are your hopes for this piece in terms of audience education and response?
thus allowing LHM to nurture that relationship with the ultimate goal of referring them to a local church.”
How do you envision the Spanish-language (multi-ethnic) offerings of USM to expand in the future? Hour Ministries has a long history of “Lutheran Spanish language and multi-ethnic ministry
dating back to the 1940s, especially when Dr. Andrew Melendez was the Speaker of the Spanish Lutheran Hour (1941-1972). This area is only growing in importance as many ethnic groups continue to expand in numbers and geographic dispersion. Everyone is aware of the massive increase in Hispanics in the U.S. in recent decades, but other groups are growing, too. Within the last few months it was announced that in California, Anglos were not only no longer in the majority, they are not even the largest minority there. Hispanics now outnumber them. At the same time, however, the LCMS is 95 percent Anglo. This needs to change! In the coming year, LHM is researching and studying ethnic ministry and consulting with the church-at-large to determine the best way forward. This could be a great area of opportunity for outreach since ethnic people tend to be socially conservative. Often they come to us because of our theology.” (See footnote)
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve discovered from working at LHM?
brief audio/video features show the aving been here about five years, I never cease “T hese church at work, showing love in deeds and “ H to be amazed at the passion of the staff at in words of witness to God’s love in Christ. The goal is to see the church in action, not as a judgmental club, but as God’s people who show love to the world. Action in Ministry connects the Gospel with unchurched listeners in a way they will respond to,
LHM to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are united around our mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. This is true not only of the staff directly involved in ministry, but also of those providing support in numerous ways.”