The Lutheran Layman - Winter 2021 by Lutheran Hour Ministries

Winter 2021

LIGHT OF CHRIST beaming the

through satellite television

see page 3

Lenten Devotions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Nurturing Your Faith . . . . . . . . . . 9-10 Ministry Impact Report. . . . . 11-14 Board Nominees . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Proposed Bylaws Changes. . . 17-20 Changing Lives Globally. . . . . . . . . 22 Honoring Bruce Wurdeman . . . . 23

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Impossible Relief by REV. DR. MICHAEL ZEIGLER, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

ith the first stars shining through the depends on who is with you. If you are a child, cloudless sky of a North Dakota winter and there is a calm, caring, capable parent with night, we entered the movie knowing you, acknowledging that you have nothing to nothing about the impending blizzard. Two contribute to the solution can be a relief. hours later, stepping out of the movie theater Jesus once told His disciples, “whoever does into the windowed entryway, I rubbed my dilated not receive the kingdom of God like a child eyes. Everything outside was white. I could not shall not enter it” (Mark 10:15). Later, when even see our car in the parking lot. they asked Jesus, “Who can be saved?” He Thirty years later, when I think about that answered, “With people it is impossible, but night, I get a sense of the weighty decisions my not with God. For all things are possible with parents had to make. Our home was 15 miles to God” (Mark 10:26-27). Jesus wants us to know the west, down a country road. Should we make what is impossible for us. We cannot save the drive? Or wait it out? As a child, I remember ourselves (or anyone else) for a permanent sensing the seriousness of those decisions, but place in His coming kingdom. We cannot even not the weight of them. I couldn’t feel their enter it unless we ride with Him, trustingly, weight because I had nothing to like a 12-year-old passenger in contribute to solving the problem. I “With people it is a blizzard. We cannot solve the was only a passenger. My dad drove deadly crisis that is our current impossible, but not situation. So, we look to the One us home at the speed of a brisk walk, with the driver’s-side door who promised to be with us, and with God. For all open so he could see the yellow line things are possible pray, “Thy kingdom come.” on the highway’s edge. That was the Watching my dad bring us home with God.” only thing keeping us on the road. through a blizzard with one hand Mark 10:26-27 I was frightened, but also relieved on the wheel and the other on that he was at the wheel, not me. the door, hanging halfway out Have you ever felt relief in knowing something of the car—that was something to see. Even was impossible for you? Often, when we face more impressive is what Jesus did to meet impossible situations, they induce panic, not our impossibly out-of-control world. Hanging relief. It’s like when you’re sitting in a parked from the cross, rising from the dead, sending car—then, out of the corner of your eye, you His Spirit, gathering His church, pledging His see yourself rolling away from the car next to return to renew all things—that’s His part. Our you. You press on the brake, but it doesn’t work! part is to ride along and watch. His part is to You’re still rolling! Then you realize the trick of save. Our part is to serve our fellow passengers your eyes. The car next to you was moving. Even (see Mark 10:43). Secure with Jesus, sometimes knowing things were not what they seemed, it our eyes still play tricks on us. But all is not as still takes a moment for you to settle down. it seems. He is at the wheel. Now, isn’t that a Facing a situation impossibly out of your relief? = control usually leads to panic, but not always. It

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2 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church

LHM.ORG

LIGHT OF CHRIST

beaming the

through satellite television

“We know in difficult times like these, people search for answers …” by CHAD FIX

he Middle East and North Africa has the youngest population in the world. Many there feel hopeless because of recurring political turmoil, social instability, and high unemployment rates, among the many challenges faced daily. When you factor in the ongoing effects of a global pandemic, the hopelessness for many in the region only continues to grow. Reaching these individuals whose lives are often filled with emptiness is why Lutheran Hour Ministries expanded upon its 60-plus years of mass media experience in the region to sign an official partnership in 2017 with SAT-7, the first and largest Middle

East and North African satellite TV network. The agreement paved the way for LHM and SAT-7 to coproduce and air new, culturally sensitive television programming for youth and young families that offers the message that God loves them and gives them hope for the future. With half the population in the Middle East and North Africa under the age of 25, attracting and influencing youth is a priority for SAT-7. By offering round-theclock programming in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish languages using multiple satellite channels and online services, SAT-7 features many broadcasts aimed specifically at teenagers and young adults,

covering topics that are relevant and interesting to them, from a Christian perspective. In addition, most of these life-changing programs are produced by local Christians, which allows hope in Christ to be broadcast to a part of the world that many consider hopeless. “We know in difficult times like these, people search for answers,” says LHM President & CEO Kurt Buchholz. “We are thankful that through this partnership with SAT-7 we can capitalize on each other’s strengths in bringing the love of God in all its fullness to the people of the Middle East and North Africa. Without mass media programming, many families and youth throughout this region may never hear the message of faith and trust in God in their lives.” “SAT-7 works with many

Partners but one thing they all have in common is a commitment to biblical truth and the importance of sharing the Gospel with people who have never had the opportunity to hear it before,” says a SAT-7 spokesperson. “We share these values and objectives with Lutheran Hour Ministries.” During the first broadcast season of the partnership, LHM and SAT-7 co-produced a weekly Gospel variety program for airing on SAT-7’s Arabic channel that dramatized real-life problems and struggles for young people and their families. Building on this experience, a new program has been developed that connects with viewers through entertaining and thought-provoking content, opening opportunities to engage the audience in spiritual conversations. see next page The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021 | 3

BEAMING THE LIGHT … continued from previous page

She was amazed by the love of Christ manifested through His sacrifice.

New Weekly Program Debuts The new television series produced through this ongoing partnership is shining the light of Christ into the lives of hurting people at a time when they need to hear this message more than ever. The program, titled New Light, debuted Nov. 20, 2020, and premieres weekly at 9 p.m. local time each Friday on SAT-7’s Arabic channel. The new episodes are then rebroadcast four times each week during the 39-week broadcast schedule (with reruns airing over the summer). New Light has the potential of reaching tens of millions of viewers in more than 20 countries spanning from as far west as Morocco to as far east as Iraq and the Persian Gulf. “We were overjoyed to unveil this broadcast leading into the Advent season when we could bring the good news of great joy that Jesus Christ

“This high-quality, engaging program allows LHM to greatly expand our regional reach.”

was born to people who may not have ever heard the Gospel message,” says Buchholz. New Light is a 55-minute talk show that highlights a different topic or brings a different perspective to current affairs and matters affecting the target audience of viewers ages 18 to 30. Each episode includes multiple segments covering instudio and on-the-street interviews with guests sharing opinions on the program topic as well as their motivating stories, musical guests or prerecorded songs, spiritual devotions pre-recorded from an off-site location, and much more. Some of the scheduled topics include the influence of mass media, types of addiction, freedom and responsibility, family values, marriage, recognizing and managing emotions, handling disappointment, and coping with pain and loss. Given this audience demographic’s preference for online media, the use of multiple segments within the program allows materials created for the weekly broadcast to be utilized and promoted in multiple ways through social media platforms. The program’s young co-hosts walk the viewers through the segments and encourage in-depth discussion on the topic. This approach is already having success. The program is currently reaching more than one million people per month, and its website already has more than 45,000 followers.

Sharing Hope with Millions of Persian-Speaking Children Drawing on the initial success of programming on SAT-7’s Arabic channel, LHM looked for additional opportunities to partner with SAT-7 to reach new areas of the Middle East and North Africa. In late 2018, LHM initiated a support partnership with SAT-7 PARS to provide major sponsorship for one of their live children’s programs, Golpand. This support provides funding for staff and production of the program as well as designing and implementing a new webpage for SAT-7 PARS. Golpand (meaning “hope” or “Golden Advice”) focuses on children ages 5-13 and teaches morals and values to viewers through games, educational videos, and dramas. In this program, a fox, canary, and other animal friends live in “The Jungle of Golpand.” In each episode, the animals share a lesson based

on a biblical perspective, which then helps them change their behavior. Children call in to the show to help the animals learn the lessons of that day’s episode and encourage the animals to change their bad behavior. Topics on Golpand range from creativity to eating healthy and time management to giving gifts, with many others in between. Viewers are encouraged to call in to the live show to participate in prayer together. Some children also make their own videos at home which are sometimes featured on the shows. For example, a brother and sister who regularly watch the show make short video skits that correspond to the show’s theme. Another girl sends in videos of herself playing her guitar and singing worship songs. Pareesa, a ten-year-old girl, shares, “I have

learned so many things from your program. With your help, I have learned more about the Bible. You have taught me the right way to live and I learned from your program that I should give thanks for the blessings of the Lord, and I have learned about things I didn’t know before.” Taraneh is a young Afghan girl who lives in Tajikistan and regularly calls in. Her inspiring enthusiasm and faith, despite her family’s difficult circumstances, shine through in her messages to the channel. “We have to travel three hours to go to my uncle’s house to watch this program. I

“I give thanks for having a mom and dad, a family who are Christians, and that I have been freed from sin.” 4 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

… gives them hope for the future … “This high-quality, engaging program allows LHM to greatly expand our regional reach,” says LHM’s regional director for Africa and the Middle East. “Technology allows us to connect this program with social media channels, enabling us to actively engage in spiritual conversations with thousands of people across the entire Arabic-speaking world.” After watching New Light, a 22-year-old woman from Tunisia named Doudi contacted our social media page expressing her love for the program and how it deals with the different facets of the young generation. Interviewing real people with real issues and bringing topical experts onto each episode who are giving real answers that are practical and life changing attracted Doudi to the program. She recently was intrigued by an episode called “Between 5 and 50” that provided guidance on how to bridge the gap in a parent-child relationship. Like many young adults, Doudi was struggling with this situation at home. While chatting with her, LHM staff directed Doudi to understand how God accepts sinners and is patient with them and how we should deal with each other in patience and kindness. A testimony was shared with her about Jesus Christ, and what He did on the cross revealed to her the deep patience and love of God toward mankind. She was amazed by the love of Christ manifested through His sacrifice. Doudi, who was hearing about Jesus for the first time, wanted to know more about Him and is searching for the truth. Providing a practical spiritual roadmap at the end of each episode of the program is positively touching people’s lives. Like Doudi, many others are contacting LHM staff to express their love for the program and are involved with all kinds of conversations due to the richness of topics that each episode provides. “We pray this programming continues to bring God’s love and mercy to millions of young Arab viewers who are suffering and questioning their faith and place in society,” says Buchholz. “Hearing about God and how He loves them and gives them hope for the future, from the privacy of their own homes, may be the only opportunity for many of these young adults to hear this message at all.”

Each episode of New Light includes multiple segments offering in-studio and on-the-street interviews with guests who share their opinions and motivating stories on topics of interest to the target audience of viewers ages 18 to 30.

“I have learned so many things from your program.” go to play with my cousin because I like it, and I go there to watch your program, too.” During one episode exploring what it means to be thankful, she called to say: “I give thanks for having a mom and dad, a family who are Christians, and that I have been freed from sin.” The new webpage allows SAT-7 PARS to provide live streaming of their programs to Farsi/Dari speakers around the world, as well as on-demand access to all their prerecorded programs. Formerly, SAT-7 PARS programs were only available to receivers in the areas of the Hotbird (Europe to western Iran) and YahSat (Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan) satellites, but through the website, Farsi/Dari speakers around the world have ready access to the programs.

Future Opportunities LHM and SAT-7 continue to look for ways to expand the partnership in the future. Buchholz currently serves as a Partner representative to the SAT-7 International Council, the first time a Partner from North America has been chosen for this appointment since these positions are typically held by European Partners. SAT-7’s International Council works in conjunction with its International Management Team and SAT-7 Partners for guidance of the organization’s mission, vision, and ministry. The Council is composed of church ministry leaders from countries in which SAT-7 is working and three representatives from SAT-7 Partners. “We are thankful for this opportunity to work with SAT-7 to spread the love of God throughout the Middle East and North Africa,” says Buchholz. “We’re also excited to be considered their valued Partner and appreciate having greater visibility among their leaders that opens up additional opportunities for continued collaboration.” To learn more about the mission and ministry of SAT-7, visit sat7usa.org. = Chad Fix oversees the corporate communications of Lutheran Hour Ministries.

The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021 | 5

God Redeems Us Through The Marks of Love

Mobile, audio, and Spanish also available!

by CHAD FIX

by PAUL SCHREIBER

ach year Lent is a sobering reminder of the profound cost of our salvation. In The Marks of Love (Las marcas del amor in Spanish), LHM’s theological writer Dr. Kari Vo underscores how in Jesus, we have God as Man, suffering on our behalf, bearing in His body the abuse we deserved for our transgressions. In Jesus, God the Father calls us to Himself. As Vo begins her devotions, she writes, “During these next forty days, let’s listen to Jesus—and grab His invitation with both hands.” Indeed. And as readers do, they will encounter God’s love—no matter what they’re going through. “He committed Himself to rescuing you, to forgiving your sin and healing your brokenness—to giving you eternal life. If you are His, He is also yours. Thanks be to God!” Elsewhere, Vo speaks to God’s allembracing compassion. “And so Jesus stood there and took the beating—not just for the sake of those who hit Him, but for us as well, whose sins sent Him to the cross. Who did it? Me. You. All of us. And who loved us then, and loves us now, and will love us forever, sharing His everlasting joy and life with us? Jesus.” We are reminded, too, that God is always available, always ready to help. Vo writes, “Jesus is proof that God can handle us,

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all of us—the good, the bad, and the ugly. He can take our desperation, our fear, our doubt, our anger. He will not give up on us because we offend His delicate ears. We can spill our hearts out at His feet, knowing that the same God who once hung on that cross will show us everlasting love, mercy, and help. He died for us and rose from the grave for us. Now He calls us to bring our every need to Him—however we word it.” You can read The Marks of Love online at lhm.org/lent beginning Ash Wednesday, or receive the devotions in your inbox as an email subscription during Lent. Churches are encouraged to download, personalize, and print them for congregational use or as an outreach tool for visitors. An audio version read by Rev. Dr. Jason Broge, LHM’s director of design and development, will also be available on the website and mobile app. Las marcas del amor will be available to read online or to receive as a daily e-mail throughout Lent, beginning February 17. Audio will also be accessible on that day with Rev. Hector Hoppe reading the texts. Spanish Lenten devotions can be downloaded and printed for personal use or group sharing. For all the details, visit www.paraelcamino.com/cuaresma. = Paul Schreiber reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work in the United States.

ife can be a constant tug-of-war between what we aspire to do and the realities that often get in our way. Perhaps we aspire to travel the world, but fear of flying gets in the way. Or we might aspire to achieve great athletic feats, but the reality is that our physical bodies may not make that possible. A common example of this earthly struggle comes in the reality of finances. Many Christians aspire to use God’s blessings to give to others and proclaim the lifesaving Gospel. At the same time, they are aware of the responsibility to provide financial security for themselves and their own loved ones. Looking for a solution? Charitable gift annuities (CGA) are one option to make this aspiration possible while also addressing the reality. A CGA allows you to support Gospel ministry while providing a guaranteed income for your life and the life of one other person. Here is how it works: 1. You make a gift with assets such as cash, appreciated stock, or appreciated mutual finds. 2. Based on the terms of your charitable gift annuity, LHM will guarantee a stream of income for the duration of up to two lives. You may also be eligible for a tax deduction for your gift today. 3. Once the terms of the CGA come to an end, the remainder of the funds can go to support Gospel outreach through LHM. This future gift is where the charitable aspect comes into play. Your decision will make a lasting impact on the Lord’s work, even after you have gone to heaven. If this sounds simple, that is the whole idea! Charitable gift annuities are simpler than many other types of planned gifts and often require only a simple contract to execute the agreement between you and LHM. You can set up a CGA with as little as $5,000, and we can even provide you with a personalized illustration at no cost or obligation. To learn more, contact our gift planning staff at 1-877-333-1963 or go online to lhm.org/giftplan. =

#HOPEABOUNDS

All around the world, individuals are desperately searching for HOPE. Here are three ways you can provide the hopeful Gospel message during these uncertain times: SHARE how you are spreading hope using #HOPEABOUNDS on your social media accounts.

GIVE the gift of hope. Your gift will help us spread the hope of Jesus around the world to those who need it.

Learn more and share your story at 6 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

JOIN our Facebook community group of LHM Prayer Warriors. Visit facebook.com and search “LHM Prayer Warriors” to join.

lhm.org/hopeabounds

We find

#HOPEABOUNDS

HOPE in Jesus

Even During Unprecedented Times

by KURT BUCHHOLZ, President & CEO, Lutheran Hour Ministries

hen I reflect on the year 2020, the word “unprecedented” often comes to the forefront of my thoughts. This past year provided challenges that most of us have never experienced in our lifetimes. We have witnessed over and over the suffering, pain, and loss that have gripped our country and the world. This pandemic has deeply impacted people’s lives on every level and, in addition to the ongoing threats to public health, economic and social disruption continue to threaten the long-term livelihood and wellbeing of millions. Even as we struggle to understand what is happening, we find HOPE in Jesus. The word HOPE expresses a sense of positive expectation, a feeling of anticipation and excitement, and a statement of virtue and trust. It is this word that we begin 2021 with at the top of our minds. We are a HOPEFUL people, and we see HOPE abounding throughout the world. Lutheran Hour Ministries has always been

about HOPE. From our first days to today, we have been called to proclaim the Gospel and its HOPE for the world. Billions of people are still waiting to hear this critical message, and we are excited to be able to offer it through everything we do. In the coming weeks and months, LHM will be sharing more information about several new and exciting domestic and international ministry initiatives. In addition to a new neighborhoodbased program in the United States that rolls out later this spring, we will also be investing in several new ministry responses to the COVID-19 crisis internationally. Some of these include new radio programming in parts of Asia, a deepened satellite television partnership with SAT-7, our Vivenciar.net digital platform from Latin America expanding to reach the more than 60 million Latinos living in the U.S., and the development of additional COVID-related content for use on digital platforms around the world. God has called LHM to proclaim

the message of HOPE to those suffering from COVID-19 directly and indirectly. We look forward to telling you more about these and other significant initiatives, all under the banner of #HOPEABOUNDS, in the next issue of The Lutheran Layman. We believe that Lutheran Hour Ministries is well positioned during these unprecedented times to serve the Body of Christ, as we reach out to those who are lost and hurting, especially now at a time when the world desperately needs the love of Christ. I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of support you have provided to LHM—your gifts, your prayers, your time, your energy. It has given me and our team strength, courage, and HOPE to carry on our tasks as a blessed people. We continue to covet that support in the year ahead as we boldly move forward. 2021 is a new year, and we can all be encouraged and strengthened by the fact that #HOPEABOUNDS! =

Your Support Expands the Reach of The Lutheran Hour by CHAD FIX

n Oct. 2, 1930, the course of Christian broadcast history was changed when Dr. Walter A. Maier stepped behind the microphone to launch The Lutheran Hour. Over the past 90 years, The Lutheran Hour has grown from its initial broadcasts over the Columbia Broadcasting System to being aired on more than 1,800 stations throughout North America, on the American Forces Network and Sirius XM satellite radio, and new media platforms such as iHeartRadio, Spotify, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. Another advancement of the broadcast’s reach occurred in 2015 when The Lutheran Hour was added to the Bott Radio Network’s Sunday morning programming lineup. The Lutheran Hour airs on most Bott stations at 8 a.m. CST on Sundays, while other Bott stations air it at 9 a.m. CST; listeners are

encouraged to check local listings. Bott Radio Network offers quality Christian programming 24 hours a day over 120 broadcast signals in 16 states to encourage each listener toward a closer walk with the Lord. Now, you can help support this broadcast partnership! A private foundation has stepped forward with a matching challenge grant that will help ensure that The Lutheran Hour continues to reach listeners through the Bott Radio Network. The foundation will match $30,000 in gifts given by generous LHM donors, meaning $60,000 will be allocated towards future broadcasts on Bott stations. Visit lhm.org/bottradiogrant to support this challenge grant opportunity. Thank you for standing at the forefront with us as we continue to proclaim the Good News to a world in need. =

LHM SUNDAY 2021 Celebrate the opportunities God gives us to build spiritually vibrant households by hosting an LHM Sunday at your church any day of the year. Learn more and download our FREE LHM Sunday materials at

LHM.ORG/LHMSUNDAY The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021 | 7

New Better Together Kit Coming This Spring

LHM Learn Launches Three Short Interactive Courses by PAUL SCHREIBER

nterested in making 2021 a better year— for talking about Jesus? Three new short courses (that can be completed in less than 20 minutes) from LHM Learn are now available. Chat and Relate, Share and Connect, and Explore and Clarify will guide learners to more effective outreach, while focusing on components of the Spiritual Conversation Curve. Ideal for envisioning conversations beforehand, each course provides possible scenarios you might encounter as you respectfully try to share the Gospel in different contexts with different people. In Chat and Relate, the first part of the Curve is examined. Here learners seek to “gain a hearing” with someone who is “unreceptive” to the Gospel. This is done by chatting in a casual manner, building trust through friendly conversations. In Share and Connect, learners hope to “give good news” to one who is “receptive” to the Gospel. Here, learners talk about Jesus’ relevance to life by sharing how He impacts their daily living. Finally, in Explore and Clarify, the goal is to “guide toward faith” the person who’s in a “seeking” spiritual posture. Here conversations are focused on clarifying aspects of faith in Jesus and the rewards of discipleship. Course sections called “Gracious Adaptation” and “Respond Confidently” give learners the chance to choose different responses in simulated reallife conversations. As learners make choices, they have a chance to evaluate them in light of the Curve, with helpful commentary provided. Each course ends

with a video and a printable one-page summary to review the course’s main points. All LHM Learn courses are FREE and require only a quick registration to use. Courses can be started and stopped at any time, which is ideal for people on the move or who have in-home distractions. Courses have downloadable resources like a printable journal, discussion guide with questions, video transcript, and a tip sheet for use with small groups. LHM Learn’s five faith-strengthening categories of courses are ideal for small groups (perfect for Zoom). They can also be shared with friends and family who can benefit from the growing menu of course selections. • Christian Foundations (the basics of Christianity from biblical, theological, and historical perspectives) • Cultural Concepts (resources to understand the different demographics, cultures, and religions in our world today) • Everyday Insights (thoughts about the good and bad that life throws our way) • Outreach Essentials (personal evangelism and tools to reach others with the Gospel) • Spiritual Reflections (devotional thoughts meant to strengthen and encourage) For more information on the FREE courses available, visit lhm.org/learn. =

Don’t Let Your Thrivent Choice Dollars Expire! Eligible Thrivent members have until March 31, 2021, to direct any remaining 2020 Choice Dollars. Help us share the Gospel around the world by directing your available Choice Dollars to LHM today!

Learn more at 8 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

lhm.org/choice

by PAUL SCHREIBER

oming this March is the Better Together kit. It’s a box of Christ-centered resources to help each of us work toward the betterment of our neighborhoods. Like the Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age and the Households of Faith kits before it, this kit was created using research and data derived from Lutheran Hour Ministries’ three-year partnership with Barna Group. To encourage us all to think of our neighborhoods— and the people who live there—in ways that are hopeful and free of bias, the Better Together kit has three core texts that inspire and promote neighborhood involvement. These include the Barna-produced monograph, Better Together: How Christians Can Be a Welcome Influence in Their Neighborhoods, which offers revealing data and detailed analysis. Complementing this is LHM Content Manager Don Everts’ book, The Hopeful Neighborhood: What Happens When Christians Pursue the Common Good (see Fall 2020 Lutheran Layman article on this book) and The Hopeful Neighborhood Field Guide: Six Sessions of Pursuing the Common Good Right Where You Live by Everts and Rev. Dr. Tony Cook, executive director of LHM’s Hopeful Neighborhood Project (HNP). The Better Together kit includes two Project Connect booklets: Love Thy Neighborhood: Rediscovering the Power of Sharing the Gospel with Our Deeds and Everyone Is a Gift: Letting God Transform How You See People, both by Everts. For the kids, there are two illustrated booklets written by Suzie Sallee, LHM’s community facilitator for congregations. They are Precious in His Sight and I Love My Neighborhood! Also included is Neighborhood Bingo, a fun way to get to know your neighbors and neighborhood better. Finally, LHM is launching a brand new nationwide program called The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. According to its website, “The Hopeful Neighborhood Project is a collaborative network committed to improving neighborhood well-being around the world. Our 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, the HNP is all about discovering gifts, imagining possibilities, and pursuing the common good right where we live—at street level. To learn more about how we can all be better together, visit the Better Together website at lhm.org/together. There you’ll find details on the Barna monograph, Everts’ book The Hopeful Neighborhood, and see how pursuing the common good in your neighborhood benefits everyone. =

NURTURING YO U R FA I T H : PA R T F O U R

Seeking Forgiveness

Watch a video introduction with Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies, LHM’s regional director of North America, at lhm.org/studies.

n this last session of Nurturing Your Faith: Seeking Forgiveness, we’ll look at some of the things that make it difficult to say, “I’m sorry.” It’s noteworthy how forgiving someone is sometimes easier than asking someone to forgive us. When we’re the offended person, we’re the mercy-giver—the one in charge, the dispenser of forgiveness. When we forgive, one scenario might work like this: we take the wrong into account—process it; discuss it; forgive it, and then dismiss it. This gets both parties to a place where they can move forward. Seeking one’s forgiveness, on the other hand, makes us vulnerable and ill at ease. It’s clunky, loaded with potentially uncomfortable outcomes, and puts us clearly not in the driver’s seat. It opens the door for a review of our conduct and how the thing we did was wrong. It also exposes the way our sin hurt the other person and—here’s the painful part—why we need to seek that person’s pardon. Seeking one’s forgiveness is tough (nobody wants to trot out their past sins), but the renewed love and respect that can result can produce an unshakeable bond going forward.

Hurdling Pride Before we get to the place of asking forgiveness from someone, for many of us there’s the alltoo-familiar obstacle of pride to deal with (see Proverbs 16:18). This is the issue of having to be right, no matter what the cost. This is when to admit our error might make us look bad, might tarnish our sterling reputation. It’s when our fear of yielding to another—even when we know they are right, and we are wrong—puts us at a disadvantage we’re unwilling to accept. In all these things, it’s where we get in our own way in respect to seeking forgiveness. While sinful pride twists everyone’s thinking, all is not lost; it is still possible to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. Maybe the goal here is to keep it simple. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16a). With a simple, genuine confession of one’s sin, a bridge can be forged between two people. Walls of distrust can begin to come down. Psychological barricades and barbed wire that kept the offender at bay can start to get dismantled. And all this is possible with a few words: “I’m sorry. Can we talk about it?” But the fact remains: though there’s great hope in a simple apology, pride is a stubborn enemy of forgiveness and one that, regrettably, many people can’t get beyond.

Questions: 1. What most often hinders you from asking for forgiveness? Is it easier for you to offer it to certain people more than others? Why do you think this is so? 2. Have you ever asked someone for forgiveness and it really surprised them? What was their reaction? 3. How does asking forgiveness from someone reflect on our Christian witness before others? What does the Bible say about asking for forgiveness? (See Isaiah 55:7; Matthew 5: 23-24; Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9.)

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continued from previous page

Questions:

Coming Clean Have you ever had to ask someone’s forgiveness for a whopper of a transgression? Maybe it was super-tardy payback on money you borrowed, injuring someone through negligence, or nearly destroying your marriage and family by substance abuse. Do any of these sound familiar? Well, the last one is a thing Kurt Derouse knows a little about. He just about totaled his marriage and family with more than a decade of alcohol and drug abuse. The promises he made, and broke, and made again took a heavy toll on his family, friends, church, and faith. Derouse eventually got to a point of “pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization,” he said. One night in just such a state he went to his basement, seeking God’s help and forgiveness. “I got down on my knees and I asked God to help me.” By that point, he felt it was almost too late for even divine assistance. He knows he should have been completely rejected, but after that prayer, God intervened. “I felt a glimmer of hope,” he said, recalling his desperate plea. “I’m at a spot where I know I’m in God’s hands. I am absolutely in God’s hands.” With his wife Amy’s forgiveness and the solid support of his family, today he works with other alcoholics, helping them get sober. You can check out Kurt Derouse’s story in the LHM video Bible study Regrets. Reality. Restoration.

Our sin can cause a lot of collateral damage, hurting not just the person offended, but many others, too. Think about when Saul (before becoming the apostle Paul) gave his approval to Stephen’s stoning (see Acts 7:54-8:1). This must have crushed Stephen’s family and friends. “Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him” (Acts 8:2). Do you think Paul ever made any soul-wrenching pleas for forgiveness to those people? If so, do you think they extended their forgiveness to him? Would you blame Stephen’s family and friends if they didn’t forgive Paul’s part as accessory to the murder? Or what about the men and women Saul persecuted after Stephen’s execution? They were rounded up, treated harshly, and put in captivity. “But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3). Surely, even after Paul received God’s grace and mercy, he must have battled hellish voices intent on dredging up past sins, condemning him and his new life in Christ Jesus: “You’re dreaming, Saul. Stop kidding yourself! There’s no way you’re forgiven for those sins!” (You too may have had a similar experience after receiving God’s forgiveness.) Now while it may be true that some of those whom Paul tormented and oppressed never did offer him forgiveness, God did through His Son (see Hebrews 4:16; Titus 2:11; Romans 3:24). Jesus forgave Paul for persecuting Him (see Acts 9:5) and showed this apostle love and compassion in abundance. And Jesus will do the same when we go to Him in repentance, seeking His gracious forgiveness, for even the worst things we have done. hile our sins may do great damage, hurting others and shaming ourselves, we know God has forgiven us completely through His Son. Christ came to save sinners, and Paul tells us he considered himself the foremost member of that tribe. “I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me

Pray

2. Do you think our oft-committed sins make us suspect by others of repeat performances when we ask them for forgiveness? How can we let them know of our seriousness and intent not to sin going forward? 3. How do we damage our relationships by neglecting to ask for forgiveness in a timely manner? Are there people, right now, who would be wonderfully blessed by your asking them to forgive you?

Questions:

Collateral Damage

1. When you are thinking about asking for someone’s forgiveness, do you pray about the matter beforehand? If so, how has that helped your approach to a touchy situation?

to His service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am

1. Our sins have a nasty way of touching many lives. Thinking to yourself, has any sin you’ve committed against one person actually spilled over into the lives of others? 2. For those associates of Stephen who might not have forgiven Paul outright, do you think Paul took any measures to secure their forgiveness later on (personal visits, praying together over the matter, etc.)? 3. Is it possible Paul’s thorn in the flesh (see 2 Corinthians 12:1-10) may have had something to do with him being haunted by his pre-Christian life of persecution? Are there things in your life you just aren’t sure God can, or will, forgive?

the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in Him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:12-16). Like Paul we can trust in the Savior’s mercy. And though we’ve sinned against others, we can seek their forgiveness, believing God will open doors to reconciliation. =

Heavenly Father, we are all in need of forgiveness. We know that the blood of Jesus washes away all our sins, and we are clean and reborn before You. Those we have sinned against, however, may find it hard or impossible to forgive. Teach us to be humble and loving to them, even as You move in their hearts to forgive the things we have done. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

10 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

2020 Annual Ministry Impact Report

SHARING THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL During Uncertain Times by MEGAN MCDANIEL

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Through the decades, God has continually used Lutheran Hour Ministries to bring messages of hope to the downtrodden, the lonely, and the lost. Each time, we have risen to the pressing challenges of that moment to proclaim the Savior with a world in need. If 2020 taught us one thing, it is that our mission to share the hope of the Gospel is more critical than ever. As I look back on the last several years, I realize that God knew these days of chaos were coming. Nothing that happened in 2020 was a surprise to Him. But when we take a step back and look at things from

A Y EA R IN REV IEW How Your Gifts Helped LHM Share the Gospel in 2020 Lutheran Hour Ministries witnessed exciting progress in 2020 for each of the four strategic ministry priorities outlined in our comprehensive five-year strategic plan. Following are some of the ways in which LHM was abundantly blessed by God during the last year thanks to your generous support.

that perspective, we can also look with great humility at what He has done through advanced technology and LHM. I strongly believe He has called us to step forward during uncertain times such as these. People need what we provide, and it is clear that God was preparing us for this moment. When we look at the products, services, and the blessings that we have been creating for God’s church, for God’s people, and for those who do not yet know the message of Jesus Christ, He has prepared us perfectly to be bold in this time. LHM’s global ministry model has allowed us to

continue sharing the Gospel without interruption; we did not slow down our efforts or wait for the chaos to be over and things to return to normal. As part of our global ministry family, you remain in my and our team’s prayers now and always, that God might grant us a measure of comfort and lift us up in care and love for the sake of those who might be anxious, nervous, and scared. Please explore this year’s ministry impact report to see just a few of the ways God is working through you to allow hurting people, both Christian and non-Christian, to find hope, comfort, and relief in the Gospel. I

hope you are humbled to see how He uses our talents and treasures to make His Gospel known. With your continued partnership, we can make an even greater difference in the lives of the lost and the hurting. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support, as we all continue walking together as God’s family through these trying times.

Your Partner in HIS Mission, KURT BUCHHOLZ PRESIDENT & CEO, LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES

ENERGIZE, EQUIP, AND ENGAGE Laity for Outreach Our Households of Faith kit, based on year two of our three-year partnership with Barna Group, provided timely resources for nurturing faith with the spouses, children, parents, roommates, and even frequent visitors who spend time under our roofs. We also released the monograph for our third year of research with Barna titled Better Together. This research seeks to understand Christians who love their neighbors and their neighborhoods and want to make a difference right where they live. Our COVID-19 resources page offered ready solutions when individuals turned to digital resources while spending more time at home. A video series with the Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, provided messages of hope and encouragement to viewers during uncertain times. Digital versions of Project Connect booklets brought messages of hope on relevant topics, three timely LHM Learn courses were made available to individuals without enrolling in the online learning platform, and Daily Devotions continued to be a popular resource for receiving daily messages of hope. The second year of our successful Gospel Adventures visited Mongolia. Go Mongolia offered students in schools and in homes an interactive website with videos, two types of daily curriculum based on the children’s age, theme music, and optional game and snack activities, all under an overarching biblical theme. More than 1,000 teachers, parents, and other educators registered for Gospel Adventures: Go Mongolia—giving nearly 35,000 students a firsthand look at how vast God’s love is. Last fall LHM and the Lutheran Laymen’s League hosted the first LLL Virtual Event to allow members to connect, learn, and grow at in-person LLL events or online. More than 200 people participated, and plans are underway to offer these online events in the spring and fall each year moving forward. continued

The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021 | 11

GROW GOD’S KINGDOM Through Expanded Media Outreach

BRING THE GOSPEL to the Unreached Around the World

On Oct. 2, we celebrated the 90th anniversary of the first airing of The Lutheran Hour. Today, the broadcast is heard on more than 1,800 radio stations in North America, combined with the American Forces Network, and touches the lives of one million listeners a week. LHM is constantly looking for new, effective platforms to expand the reach of this life-changing content such as iHeartRadio, Spotify, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, plus a Sunday morning timeslot on Sirius XM’s Family Talk Channel 131. This year’s broadcasts featured several sermon series covering topics such as “Living with God: The Joseph Narrative,” “The Exodus Sermon Series,” “Households of Faith,” “The Biblical Book of Daniel,” and an Advent series titled “Loved and Sent.” In addition, the Reformation Day weekend sermon was broadcast on Main Street Living, a television program airing in several upper Midwest states. We have had good response to our podcast network including our newest podcast, Speaking of Jesus. Listeners mentioned they like hearing everyone on the panel’s observations and insights within their conversations about life, Jesus, and what He means to them. Returning listeners come back each week because they know they will get something from each episode. Para el Camino, our Spanish-language version of The Lutheran Hour, launched a new Facebook page. In just over two months, the page grew to more than 4,500 followers. Sentido Latino, our Spanish-language outreach program, also continues to grow and gain more followers. Both of these programs release original content through weekly podcasts and dedicated web pages.

All around the world, individuals are desperately searching for hope. This makes #HOPEABOUNDS a timely message since individuals around the world, both non-Christian and Christian, need to hear Christ’s messages of hope, comfort, and love. COVID-19 challenged our ministry centers around the world to adapt their outreach and program methods to include more mass media and digital offerings since many in-person events and gatherings were limited. While changes were made to these traditional face-to-face ministry approaches, doors were opened to new methods that promise to increase our engagements after the pandemic subsides. A new television series produced through our ongoing partnership with SAT-7 debuted in November and is shining the light of Christ into the lives of hurting people in the Middle East and North Africa. The program, titled New Light, airs four times weekly on SAT-7’s Arabic channel and has the potential of reaching tens of millions of viewers in more than 20 countries. LHM–Guatemala hosted a video conference workshop for parents, developed Facebook Live events in partnership with LHM–Puerto Rico, and transitioned its Project JOEL program to a digital format. Since students were not able to attend Project JOEL activities normally held in local schools, the LHM–Guatemala team implemented an online project called “Facebook Talks” with the goal of students learning about topics such as improving selfesteem, decision-making, improving relationships with parents, the dangers on the internet, dating, school stress, and more. LHM–Latvia developed a project titled #WhatDoYouDoInThisTime for inclusion on its web page and Facebook and Instagram accounts. Since April, they have posted one or two stories per week about individuals, church members, or LHM contacts that feature their job, thoughts, and how they see God at work during these COVID-19 circumstances. These stories show how how God is helping people in their everyday lives during these unprecedented times.

ENGAGE COMMUNITIES in the Digital Mission Field For years, LHM has been carving out digital spaces for open and honest conversations with nonChristians and those disengaged from the church about life, faith, and Jesus through THRED. By providing more “checkin” videos, using familiar voices in dialoguecentered videos, and pointing people to relevant and thoughtful 12 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

Christian blogs on the website, THRED’s content has been adapted this year to meet people where they are. In just the first week of “stayat-home” orders last spring, views and engagement were up more than 1,000 percent. THRED’s new YouTube channel, What Jesus Says About, is just one platform that continues to build momentum. This channel has seen a significant increase in subscriptions and views over the past several months while people are spending more time at home. Prior to the pandemic, this channel was getting views in the hundreds; it is now in the thousands.

Members of LHM’s Digital Conversation Team (DCT) are helping those facing difficult life issues or asking spiritual questions. The DCT is currently enlisting caring individuals who can spare a few hours each week to serve others online. THRED has proven that the thirst exists for discussions about topical content in the online space, and similar platforms have been developed in other places around the world such as Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia. In Latin America, our digital program, Vivenciar.net, connects all ministry centers in the region

through digital activities and personal interactions through the platform. This has been an important outreach tool since in-person evangelistic work/activities have not been possible in most of these countries. We also developed a Vivenciar.net blog to be more dynamic by offering articles for quick reading about specific timely relevant topics.

BY THE NUMBERS

75,000+

1,800+ North American Stations Airing The Lutheran Hour®

LCMS/LCC Churches Using LHM Resources

ist t o t h e r h C Na g in

B ri

Annual Referrals to Churches and Christian Communities

Countries Reached by Ministry

57,417

60+

ti o

288 Staff Members Worldwide

4,500+

Engaged Constituents

tio n s t o

C e th

121,771 People Trained in Evangelism Last Year

968,086

125 million+

Annual Responses to Outreach Efforts

People Reached with the Gospel Globally Every Week The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021 | 13

9% - ADMINISTRATION

5% - TENANT RENT

1% - OTHER INCOME

LHM Board of Directors (As of Dec. 2020)

Consolidated Operating

Expenses

Income

14% - FUND DEVELOPMENT

I 77% - M

% - D

R ONO

International Lutheran Laymen’s League and Subsidiaries Consolidating Statement of Activities (in thousands) Year ended May 31, 2020, with comparative totals for 2019 OPERATING SUPPORT AND REVENUE

INT’L LUTHERAN LAYMEN’S LEAGUE

LHM FOUNDATION

2020 CONSOLIDATED TOTALS

$31,893 1,542 242 33,677

$110 199 309

$32,003 1,542 441 33,986

Donor support Building tenant rent Other income, net Operating income

OPERATING EXPENSES Ministries 25,458 Building tenant services 1,165 Administration and Fundraising 7,977 Operating Expenses 34,600 Operating Income in Excess of Expenses

90 90

25,458 1,165 8,067 34,690

2019 CONSOLIDATED TOTALS

$29,569 1,427 (48) 30,948

23,842 975 8,933 33,750

(923)

219

(704)

(2,802)

Endowment and other fund distributions

1,118

(1,118)

Change in Net Assets

195

(899)

(704)

(2,802)

Net Assets, Beginning of Year 27,615 Net Assets, End of Year $27,810

18,288 $17,389

45,903 $45,199

48,705 $45,903

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 2020. 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 2021

Chairman Kurt Senske Austin, Texas

Secretary Gretchen Jameson Muskego, Wisconsin

Vice Chairman Douglas Werth Arrington, Tennessee

Treasurer Jack Ficken Fairview, Tennessee

Directors Jim Dankenbring St. Louis, Missouri

Gene Partlow Williamsburg, Virginia

Phillip Johnson Lonsdale, Minnesota

Robert “Bob” Rauscher Phoenix, Arizona

Jonathan Laabs Roselle, Illinois

Patricia Ross Tulsa, Oklahoma

Virginia Miller Rochester, Minnesota

Edith Schoepp Onoway, Alberta, Canada

Michael “Mick” Onnen Stanton, Nebraska

Karen Soeken Ellicott City, Maryland

The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation (As of Dec. 2020) Officers Phil Daniels Chairman Chesterfield, Missouri

Loren Podoll Secretary Brandon, South Dakota

Brian Mitchell Vice Chairman Lee’s Summit, Missouri

David Lanius Treasurer St. Louis, Missouri

Jeffrey Craig-Meyer President St. Louis, Missouri

Lois Engfehr Assistant Secretary Collinsville, Illinois

Trustees Kurt Buchholz LHM President & CEO Grant, Minnesota Thomas Dankenbring St. Louis, Missouri Glenn Gerber Murrieta, California Mercedes Hendricks Laguna Hills, California Scott Homan St. Louis, Missouri Kelly Keithly Yuma, Arizona David Leege Alexandria, Virginia

Gene Partlow Board of Directors Representative Williamsburg, Virginia Lloyd Probasco Grand Island, Nebraska Lynn Scudieri Naples, Florida Kurt Senske Int’l LLL Chairman of the Board Austin, Texas Jane Wittlinger Longboat Key, Florida

Innovative Ministry in a Changing World 2020

was a year that challenged all of us in our personal, family, congregational, and professional realms. Many suffered devastating health consequences while others lost their livelihoods. We learned to communicate and “gather” together in new and innovative ways. Lutheran Hour Ministries quickly adapted to this changing world. Fortunately, through the grace of God and the dedicated work of our talented staff and volunteers, LHM is well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities as we continue to expand ministry on six continents to bring the Gospel to the lost and the hurting. Utilizing LHM’s state-of-the-art digital media expertise, the pandemic created new and exciting opportunities to reach people with the comforting message of the Gospel. Here are just a few of the many innovative strategies through which LHM continues to share the life-saving Gospel message. • In Chile, more than 1.4 million people heard the Gospel message through the ministry center’s website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter platforms, SMS messages, and the Mi Camino site. • In India, LHM staff conducted a Jesus Friends kids’ program on WhatsApp in the Tamil and Malayalam languages for 1,340 youth.

• In the Middle East and North Africa, LHM launched a new weekly television series, New Light, in partnership with SAT-7 that is being broadcast four times weekly on SAT-7’s Arabic channel. • In Sri Lanka, LHM staff continues to broadcast radio programs that consist of short messages, stories, evangelistic songs, and more that are designed to reach people with the message of hope.

As prayerfully the world moves beyond this pandemic, LHM will continue to integrate its more traditional face-to-face ministry with cutting-edge technology as we fulfill Christ’s command to “go and make disciples of all nations.” In ways we • In Myanmar, LHM staff focus on digital cannot comprehend, LHM, via the work media programs such as Hope for Youth that of the Holy Spirit, continues to impact they share via their website, Facebook, and YouTube to reach a growing audience of mainly God’s people worldwide. These innovative approaches allow LHM to be well nonbelievers. positioned to effectively spread the Gospel • In the United States, LHM’s Spanish-language long after the pandemic subsides. outreach program, Sentido Latino, continues LHM exists because of your support. You to grow with more than 21,000 followers. and I, as donors, volunteers, and staff, have been given the God-infused vocational • And of course, The Lutheran Hour continues privilege to play an integral role in this to be heard on more than 1,800 radio stations vital organization. It is my prayer that you throughout North America with a weekly audience numbering over one million listeners. will continue to be our partner in ministry in 2021. It is my commitment to you that LHM’s television Christmas specials also aired LHM will continue to be good stewards of on more than 1,500 stations. To God be the your resources. = glory!

Share the Hope of the Gospel through Thrivent Choice by CHAD FIX

financial gift has the potential to be life changing. Thanks to eligible members of Thrivent, the impact of God’s work through Lutheran Hour Ministries has been multiplied over the past decade by their generous gifts through the Thrivent Choice program. With Thrivent Choice, you support the causes you care about to strengthen communities and change lives by recommending where some of Thrivent’s charitable outreach funds go. Since the program’s inception in 2010, eligible members have used this program to direct more than $458 million to more than 43,000 churches and nonprofit organizations nationwide. The program has especially been a great blessing for LHM, bringing in nearly $1.5 million to help share Christ’s message of hope with a hurting world.

by DR. KURT SENSKE Chairman, Int’l LLL Board of Directors

If you still have Choice Dollars available from 2020, the deadline to designate those funds is March 31, 2021. Please consider using those blessings to take part in God’s mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide through LHM. Thank you for sharing the hopeful Gospel message through Thrivent Choice! Supporting LHM through Thrivent Choice is very simple. Go to thrivent.com/thriventchoice and search under “Lutheran Hour Ministries” or “LHM”. Or call Thrivent at 1-800-847-4836. Eligibility requirements can also be found at this website. 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). =

Can you SUPPORT MINISTRY and PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY at the same time? YES! A Charitable Gift Annuity to Lutheran Hour Ministries allows you to make a gift that shares the Gospel with souls in need while receiving fixed payments for life— and the life of a loved one if you choose. Contact LHM’s gift planning staff at lhm-gift@lhm.org or 877-333-1963. The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021 | 15

2021 Candidates for the INTERNATIONAL LUTHERAN LAYMEN’S LEAGUE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

he 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 2021 election, as long as 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.

Board Nominees (listed in alphabetical order; vote for five) Linda Arnold of Oswego, Illinois Following a long nursing career, Arnold retired in 2019 after eight years as 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, she has served as LWML’s vice president for communication and chair of its Board of Directors’ Restructuring Committee, as well as on the Women’s Leadership Institute Advisory Board for Concordia University Wisconsin (including chair). Arnold has participated on 30 short-term mission trips (including being team leader). 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 financial planner for Parfet & Associates, an Ameriprise Financial private wealth advisory practice. She has more than 30 years of experience in marketing, communications, consulting, and leadership in government, education, and financial services. Her congregational involvement includes the worship team, sanctuary building committee, nominations and hiring teams, and a mission trip to Guatemala. She has served on Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s loan committee and boards for Honor Health Desert Mission and National Charity League, East Valley. Braun earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from Concordia University, St. Paul and an MBA from University of Phoenix. 16 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

Jack Geurkink of Union, Ontario Geurkink, a graduate of Fanshawe College, recently retired as president of the two companies he founded (J-Tech Design, Ltd. and J-Tech Laser Scan, Inc.). His experience in sales, marketing, product development, engineering, and hiring in the fast-paced automotive industry led to being named Ingersoll, Ontario’s Industry Person of the Year in 2003. He serves as elder, LHM Ambassador, former Sunday school teacher, and initiator of a billboard campaign and men’s breakfast for his local congregation. Geurkink participated in mission trips to Haiti and Nicaragua, and he and his wife support a missionary family in Nepal and a family in India.

Vincent W. James of Boston, Massachusetts For the past 20 years, James had been 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 several programming and systems analyst roles for various organizations. 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.

Arik Johnson

of Oregon, Wisconsin Johnson is chairman of Aurora Worldwide Development Corporation, the company he founded in 1995 to provide research and analysis, intelligence systems and technology, and program development services. After his first 15 years as CEO, today he casts vision and aligns strategic investments for the firm, also overseeing marketing, partnerships, intellectual property, and R&D. His congregational service at Good Shepherd by the Lake Lutheran Church in Stoughton includes elder and lay leader for several ministries, including the Missional Learning Community he started in 2015. He earned baccalaureate degrees from the University of Wisconsin— Madison in history, international relations, and political science.

Jonathan Laabs of Roselle, Illinois Laabs has been executive director of Lutheran Education Association for 23 years, overseeing all functions of the organization, working with its board of directors, and acting as key liaison with church and secular organizations. A current LHM Board member, he was associate professor of education/ director of teacher education at Concordia University Ann Arbor after serving as a Lutheran schoolteacher/administrator for 15 years. His extensive service in education and ministry includes dozens of leadership positions at the congregational, district, and national levels, as well as consulting, speaking, and travel experience on six continents. He holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Gordon D. Tresch

of Williamsville, New York Tresch is “Of Counsel” and a former partner at Feldman Kieffer LLP. He specializes in civil litigation defense, concentrating in medical malpractice and municipal law. His extensive church involvement 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 for the LCMS Eastern District Board. Tresch was named the LCMS Eastern District’s Servant of Christ in 2018, First Trinity Lutheran Church’s Servant of Christ in 1995, and the Fortress Insurance Attorney of the Year in 2007. He holds bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees.

HAVE A SAY IN WHO REPRESENTS YOU!

Proposed Bylaws Changes for 2021 Election

uring the 2021 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 three proposed Bylaws changes in addition to voting for open positions on the Board of Directors. Below is a short explanation of the changes that the Board recommends for adoption and has approved to appear on this spring’s ballot.

PROPOSED BYLAWS CHANGE #1 Thematic Description: As the world around us continues to change at an often-dizzying pace, Lutheran Hour Ministries seeks to respond in the most effective ways for sharing the Gospel whenever and wherever it needs to be heard. Several Bylaws changes are aimed at eliminating language that restricts ministry and/or Board efforts and allows more flexibility to meet current needs. These changes are indicated in blue. • The Board of Directors currently takes office on June 1 to coincide with the beginning of each fiscal year. Changing terms to begin at the first Board meeting following each spring’s election will eliminate the possibility of vacant officer positions for the period of time between the beginning of the fiscal year and the first Board meeting. • The Bylaws currently state that the Board consists of 14 elected members. Changing the language regarding Board composition will allow LHM’s membership to continue electing representatives to the Board, but will also offer the Board of Directors the flexibility to appoint additional members to fill any gaps in professional experience and/or skills within the Board’s composition (such as needing someone with financial, legal, or similar experience). • LHM currently equips thousands of individuals each year through both in-person and online activities. By eliminating references to Regional Outreach Conferences, which have been replaced by these new offerings, the ministry will further expand its efforts by implementing the most impactful ways for training the most people possible about sharing their faith rather than just through the one equipping model noted in the Bylaws.

PROPOSED BYLAWS CHANGE #2 Thematic Description: In addition, several proposed revisions are aimed at simplifying language throughout the Bylaws and/or moving items to the Board Policy Manual for continual oversight by your elected Board of Directors. This would allow for important policy changes to be made in real time to adapt to current ministry needs most effectively. These changes are indicated in red.

PROPOSED BYLAWS CHANGE #3 Thematic Description: The Bylaws currently state that only men can serve in the officer positions of chairman and vice chairman. As Lutheran Hour Ministries enters its second century, the organization has evolved into a global Gospel proclamation ministry supported by a dynamic membership consisting of as many women as men. In addition, this genderspecific language could potentially threaten LHM’s status as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization in the future. This Bylaws revision would eliminate the gender-specific requirement for the officer positions of chairman and vice chairman and allow the Board of Directors to appoint any of its current members into these positions in a given fiscal year. These changes are indicated in green.

see next page

The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021 | 17

Proposed Bylaws … continued from previous page AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS * Any proposed change that impacts numbering within the Bylaws will result in subsequent items being renumbered should that change be approved by the membership.

ARTICLE I—

Membership Section A—Role of Members. Members of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (“the Organization”) actively use their God-given time, talent, and treasure to serve as partners in the Organization’s global mission. Section B—Qualification. Membership in the Organization shall be maintained by voluntary annual contributions. A minimum contribution may be set by the Board of Directors (“the Board”) in Policy and may be reviewed on occasion. Any member of the Organization who is also a communicant member of any congregation that is either a member of the LCMS or a member of LCC shall be eligible for voting membership in the Organization. Section A—Organization Defined. What we are is the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (“the League”); what we do are Lutheran Hour Ministries. Section B—Qualification. Any communicant member of any congregation that is a member of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (“the LCMS”) or Lutheran Church—Canada (“LCC”) may become a member of the League. Section C—Contribution. Membership shall be maintained by voluntary annual contributions from members in the proportion in which God has prospered them. A minimum contribution amount may be set by the Board of Directors (“the Board”) as Policy and may be reviewed on occasion. Section D—Role of Members. The League shall do all in its power to activate and motivate an increasing number of members to serve their Lord. Members are encouraged to have a clear understanding of the expectations of the League in the use of their time, treasure, and talent. Grassroots activities may be conducted to meet local ministry needs and to engage new workers and supporters for the ministries. The League encourages great diversity in its membership (geographically and in age, gender, and ethnicity). Members will have the power to vote, as specified in these Bylaws.

18 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

ARTICLE II—

and shall continue to be included until the Board decides otherwise.

Section A—Elections to the Board, changes to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and major matters which the Board deems necessary for approval by the membership or which are required to be submitted to the members by Missouri law, shall be submitted for a vote to those members who are at the time registered to vote in accordance with these Bylaws.

Section E—Congregational Ambassadors are the local connections between congregations and the Lutheran Hour Ministries main office. Duties may be outlined in Policy and detailed by job descriptions and guidelines established by staff.

Structure

Section B—The League is served by the International Board of Directors which oversees and guides the overall direction of the League and its Lutheran Hour Ministries. Board members must be members of the League. Section C—The Board shall select an individual who, under its supervision and direction, shall carry on the general affairs of the League. This individual shall hold the title of “President & CEO” (or such other title as is designated in Board Policy), and shall be a member of the staff of the League. It shall be his or her duty to approve the expenditure of the monies appropriated by the Board in accordance with the budget approved by the Board. The President & CEO shall make an annual report and periodic reports to the Board concerning the operations of the League. He or she shall comply with all orders from the Board. All employees shall report and be responsible to the President & CEO. He or she shall perform such other duties as may be determined from time to time by the Board. Section D—Districts shall be integral parts of the League even though they may be separately incorporated. The articles of incorporation, (if incorporated) constitution and bylaws (and any amendments thereof) of each district shall be in harmony with the purposes and objectives of the League and shall become effective only after approval as spelled out in policies of the Board. The district may be divided into geographic zones or divisions as determined by the district’s governing board. Each zone’s or division’s articles of incorporation, constitution and bylaws and amendments, as well as geographic divisions, programs and activities, are subject to the review and approval of the President & CEO. The programs and activities of all districts and zones shall in all respects a) be in harmony with the purposes and objectives of the League, b) support efforts, interests, time or funds from the Int’l LLL’s programs and activities, and c) not jeopardize the Int’l LLL’s tax exempt status nor subject the Int’l LLL to possible legal or financial liability. All other matters of form and function of Districts and zones shall be spelled out in the policies of the Board of Directors. All districts and zones are intended to be included in the League’s I.R.S. group exemption letter as of the date of adoption of these Bylaws

Section F—LHM Affiliated Groups provide grassroots activity and, at the discretion of the Board, may include (but not be limited to) groups, congregations, Recognized Service Organizations, and other entities. LHM Affiliated Groups may be further defined and delineated in Policy and may be covered in the League’s I.R.S. group exemption in the future at the Board’s discretion. Section G—Further formations Affiliated groups, such as LLL Districts, Zones, and other potential formations, based on geographic areas, culture, and current needs may be established by the Board and be included in Policy in order to meet the goals of the Organization. In such cases, all operational documents for these areas groups must be in harmony with the purposes and objectives of the League as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the League and are subject to approval by the Board or its legal designee. The programs and activities of these LHM Affiliated Ggroups and such further formations shall in all respects be in harmony with the purposes and objectives of the League and any program or activity which is not part of the programs or activities of the League shall only be undertaken after approval by the President & CEO. Groups may be further defined and delineated in Policy and may be covered in the Organization’s I.R.S. group exemption in the future at the Board’s discretion. ARTICLE III—

Board Composition and Functions Section A—Board of Directors. All corporate powers of the Organization shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the affairs of the Organization managed under the direction of its Board of Directors. The business and affairs of the League shall be conducted under the direction of its Board. The policies, farreaching vision, strategy, and organizational functions of the League shall be discussed, developed, approved, and facilitated by the Board. In policies and functions, the Board shall advance the mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations— and the Nations to the Church, strive to remain current and relevant, encourage effective communication of the organizational message, expand public awareness of the League, increase the number of members, volunteers, and leaders, effectively use human and financial resources, and strive for improvements in response to emerging opportunities.

Section B—Board Composition. The Board is made up of fourteen (14) not less than thirteen (13) nor more than fifteen (15) elected individuals. A Pastoral Advisor who is an ordained clergyman in good standing with the LCMS or LCC and a member of the League shall be appointed by the Board to serve as the spiritual leader of the Board and as a non-voting member. The President & CEO is an ex-officio member with voice but no vote on the Board. At least one elected member of the Board will be a resident of Canada and a member of an LCC congregation. Section C—Meetings. The Board will meet as often as specified by Policy, but no less than four times a year, including an annual meeting of the Board as required by Missouri law. Locations, dates, and agendas may be determined by Policy. Major actions of the Board shall be reported to the membership through a timely official communication. A majority of those individuals in office at the time shall be necessary to constitute a quorum and in every case an affirmative vote of a majority of these Board members present at a meeting shall be necessary for the taking of any action. Liaisons from the LCMS and LCC, as approved by the Board, may attend and speak at meetings of the Board, but carry no vote. Section D—Policies. The Board establishes Policy to augment but never conflict with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. A Policy may be established at any Board meeting and is to be clearly stated as an addition to official Policy. Official Policy is to be adopted by at least two-thirds affirmative vote of the full Board. Policies are to advance the function of the League and its Lutheran Hour Ministries. Section E—Committees. The Board shall form six three standing committees: the Executive Committee; the Audit Committee; the Budget and Finance Committee; the Board Development Committee; the Fund Development Committee; the Compensation and Evaluation Committee (dealing with the President & CEO and potential employee matters); and the Nominations Committee. At least two members of each committee will be elected Board Members, and other members of the League may be appointed from outside the Board by a majority of the Directors. Other committees of short duration may be formed by the Board with specific authority and functions defined in Board Policy. All committees report to the Board. All committees shall adhere to the requirements of Sections 355.376 to 355.401 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, which govern meetings, action without meetings, notice and waiver of notice, and quorum and voting requirements of the Board, which apply to committees of the Board and committee members as well, pursuant

to Section 355.406 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. The Board may designate one or more standing or special Committees to direct the business of the Corporation. Each such Committee may exercise the authority granted to it by the Board’s enabling resolution. 1. The Executive Committee shall exercise the authority of the Board as needed between official meetings. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairman, who will be the Chair of the Committee; the ViceChairman; the Secretary; and the Treasurer. The President & CEO will be a non-voting member. The Executive Committee may exercise other authorities or responsibilities as indicated in Board Policy. 2. The Audit Committee shall assist the Board in fulfilling its fiduciary oversight responsibilities, relative to the annual audit of the Organization. The Audit Committee shall consist of no less than three members who possess a basic understanding of finance and accounting and be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, and at least one member of the Audit Committee shall have accounting or related financial management expertise. The Audit Committee shall meet no less than two times per year and have those authorities spelled out in policy. may exercise authorities and responsibilities as indicated in Board Policy. 2. The Nominations Committee shall consist of five members: the chairman shall be selected by the Board; two Board Members shall be selected whose term of office extends to include the appointment period, who are nominated by the Chairman of the Board and approved by the Board; and two additional members of the League appointed from outside the current Board (these may be former Board members) who are nominated by the Chairman of the Board, with Board approval. The committee serves for a 12month period from the time of appointment. The committee will follow Board Policy and specific criteria for proposing nominees to the Board of Directors. 3. The Nominations Committee shall prepare and present a slate of Board candidates to the Board for their final approval. The Nominations Committee will establish procedures for nomination by petition of members for candidates for election to the Board of Directors, such procedures to be approved by the Board. The Board also has final approval on the slate of Board candidates presented by the Nominations Committee. The Nominations Committee may exercise authorities and responsibilities as indicated in Board Policy.

Section F—Elections and Appointments 1. Voting—Eligible members of the League shall have authority to vote for the election of thirteen (13) Directors, and to vote on any proposal submitted to the membership. In order to be eligible to vote, a member must register to vote with the League corporate office during the year of the election pursuant to the procedures set forth in Board Policy, and must comply with the balloting and voting procedures set forth in Board Policy. Official ballots shall be sent to members who are registered to vote and returned according to the procedures required by Section 355.266 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. Each member entitled to vote shall be entitled one (1) vote on all matters properly submitted to the membership. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, all action shall be decided by a majority vote of the members casting votes on a particular matter. 2. Appointed Directors—The Board shall at all times have the authority to appoint up to two (2) individuals to serve on the Board, whose eligibility and service shall be consistent with the spirit and intent of these Bylaws. 23. 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 the 14 positions of the Board Members shall be three years, and an individual may run for consecutive re-election only once. Terms are on a staggered basis, so that in two out of three years five people are elected, and in one out of three years four people are elected. Because the League is an auxiliary of LCC, it is imperative that at least one Board seat always be filled by a nominee who is a Canadian resident and a communicant member of a congregation located in Canada. When the Canadian Board member’s seat is up for re-election, there shall be at least two Canadian nominees for the Canadian Board member seat. 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 term. 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 is to coincide shall commence with the League’s fiscal year first Board meeting following the election, such that the term of office for departing Board see next page The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021 | 19

Proposed Bylaws … continued from previous page 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. iii. Vacancies—Vacancies Any vacancy occurring in on the Board for occasioned by any reason other than normal expiration of term of office shall may be filled by election by the Board. the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors then in office; provided however, that should a vacancy result in there being less than thirteen (13) Directors, then the Board shall use its reasonable efforts in filling such a vacancy as soon as practicable under the circumstances, and furthermore, such a temporary vacancy shall not affect the validity of any action taken by the Board, even though it be composed of less than thirteen (13) individuals. A person Director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve be elected for the unexpired portion of the term of office to which he has been elected and qualified of that Director’s predecessor and until that Director’s successor is elected and qualified or until that Director’s earlier death, resignation, or removal. Section G—Officers. The Board of Directors shall elect the officers of the League. Such election shall take place at a duly called and convened meeting of the Board of Directors. The officers of the League shall be a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, who are members of the Board of Directors, and whose duties and responsibilities shall be set forth in Board Policy. The positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman must be filled by male members of the Board. No person may simultaneously hold more than one office at a time. In case any office of the League becomes vacant for any reason, the majority of the Directors then in office may elect a member of the Board to fill such vacancy, and the officer so elected shall hold office and serve until the election of a successor. Each elected officer shall serve a term of one year or until his or her the officer’s successor shall be elected and qualified. ARTICLE IV—

Conventions and Conferences Section A—Time. International Conventions of the League shall be held at a time and place approved by the Board, who shall provide final approval of major convention plans.

20 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

Section B—Regional Outreach Conferences. Regional Conferences shall be held in each year that an International Convention is not scheduled to be held. Locations are determined by the Board. Regional Outreach Conferences will share ministry updates, inform, excite, engage, and motivate individuals, districts, zones, congregations, and participants in LHM Affiliated Groups to positive action and faithful support of the ministries. Section C—Petition and Appeal. Members of the League 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 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 D—Notice. Notice of the convention and major topics to be covered shall be published in the official publication of the League at least ninety (90) days prior to the opening of the convention, provided that any additional notice required by Missouri law shall also be provided. Section E—Robert’s Rules of Order. All other matters of convention procedure shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order to the extent that they do not conflict with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the League. The Chairman of the Board may appoint a parliamentarian from the membership to serve for the convention. Section F—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. ARTICLE V—

Miscellaneous Section A—General Offices. The League shall maintain general offices or headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, for the purpose of conducting its business. Section B—Official Publication. The official publication of the League shall be The Lutheran Layman. All members of the League shall be entitled to receive the official publication.

Section C—Official Emblem. The emblem of the League shall be as follows: there shall be a field on which appears the initials “LLL.” The center “L” shall be larger and colored red with a gold border. The other two “L”s shall be smaller and colored red. The field of white shall be enclosed by a circle of blue bordered on the inside and outside by circles of gold. There shall appear in the blue circle the words “International Lutheran Laymen’s League” in gold lettering. Section D—Resignation. Any individuals serving on the Board may resign by giving notice in writing to the Chairman, or in case of the resignation of the Chairman, to the Secretary. Section E—Removal from Office. The members may remove one or more directors elected by them by mail-in ballot in accordance with Article III, Section F of these Bylaws and Section 355.266 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. A director elected by the Board may be removed whenever in its judgment the best interests of the League will be served thereby by the vote of two-thirds of the directors then in office. Section F—Proxy Vote Prohibited. Proxy votes shall not be recognized at any assemblies of the League, including conventions, conferences, and meetings of the Board and committees. Section G—Indemnification. Each member on the Board and each member of a committee appointed by the Board, and every member of management staff shall be indemnified by the League against liabilities asserted against him that individual and expense reasonably incurred by him the individual in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which he that individual may be made a party by reason of his having been a member of the Board or one of its committees or on its staff (whether or not he that individual is a member of the Board or one of its committees, or the staff at the time any such liability is asserted or expense incurred), except in relation to matters as to which he that individual shall be finally adjudged in such action, suit or proceedings to be liable for gross negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duties. The foregoing right of indemnification shall include any action, suit, or proceeding which may be settled or compromised prior to final judgment. ARTICLE VI—

Amendments Proposed amendments to these Bylaws shall be published in an issue of the official publication of the League preceding the balloting. Amendments to these Bylaws shall be adopted by a two- thirds majority of all ballots received from members of the League. =

Sharing the Gospel in Mexico through Food Distribution Events by MEGAN MCDANIEL

hrough partnering with a local church, LHM–Mexico is reaching individuals by sharing food and the Gospel message. Project Bread, a holistic support program was created to give to the community through freshly made meals along with a biblical message. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals would gather in the church, receive a plate of food, and listen to a message from the church pastor. Due to health recommendations by the local government, LHM–Mexico and the church adapted the program by moving the food distribution table outside and prepackaging all the meals, creating a “take-out” style process. Volunteers and participating individuals wear facemasks and hand sanitizer is available to maintain a safe environment. A group of volunteers, from the Santísima Trinidad Lutheran Church, in Matamoros, prepare fresh meals each week as a line forms outside the church of people ready to pick up their food package. When people get to the distribution table, they are greeted by Pastor Omar Garza, who invites them to the worship services and shares in a personal conversation with them. In addition to the freshly made meal, individuals are given a printed Bible message each week. They can then take the message home and share the Good News with their friends and family. Each week, over 100 individuals come to the church to receive a meal and Bible message. Project Bread has been a relief to the community especially during the pandemic when individuals have been affected financially. As more people hear about this program, the number of volunteers increases. Individuals look forward the program each week and are grateful for the food assistance. =

Megan McDaniel reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work around the world.

Change for Affiliated Groups Program by MEGAN MCDANIEL

he LHM Affiliated Groups program ended December 31, 2020. Thank you to all our Affiliated Groups members for your support! This decision was made to be good stewards of our programmatic resources. To stay connected with our ministry, we encourage Affiliated Group leaders (or someone else from your group) to prayerfully consider becoming an LHM Ambassador. This will provide an ongoing opportunity to get valuable information and resources into the hands of your congregation members. Being an Ambassador is easy! All you need is access to the internet and an active email address. You simply start by checking your email for monthly LHM resource and Ambassador-related information.

Ambassadors use LHM’s resources by: • Leading Bible studies, book studies, or listening groups • Keeping Project Connect booklet racks stocked • Hosting LHM Sunday at your congregation When you sign up to become an LHM Ambassador, you will receive: • A welcome package with some unique gifts to help keep you connected to us! • 20 percent off every purchase made at shoplhm.org for you and your congregation. • A dedicated LHM staff member to support you and help with any questions. Visit lhm.org/ambassador for more information and to sign up! =

Join us Saturday, March 13, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST for the Spring 2021 Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL) Virtual Event. Just like last fall’s event, some LLL districts will choose to host a local in-person event on this date. Check with your local district or lhm.org/LLL2021 for a list of participating districts and to register. Join together (virtually or in person) to take a deeper dive into Households of Faith presented by Rev. Dr. Jason Broge, LHM’s director, design & development, and Ashley Bayless, LHM’s curriculum development manager. Speaker of The Lutheran Hour Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler will lead a devotion and LHM President and CEO Kurt Buchholz will share a ministry message. =

Learn more and register for FREE!

I N PA RT N E R S H I P W I T H

The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021 | 21

CHANGING LIVES Around the World with the GOSPEL

… share the hope of Jesus with those who want and need to hear it.

by MEGAN MCDANIEL

Lutheran Hour Ministries develops culturally relevant programs and resources to reach people in more than 60 nations who may not be familiar with the Gospel. 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.

In December, the LHM–Argentina staff partnered with a local congregation to bring hope to families during the Christmas season. The church’s program was called “Christmas Mission,” and they provided a Christmas dinner and a Bible from LHM–Argentina to 20 families in the area. The youth at the church put together food and gift packages and when they were delivered to the families, the volunteers read a passage from the Bible and prayed with them. The families were happy to receive the packages and the LHM– Argentina staff is thankful to be a part of a project where they can share the hope of Jesus with those who want and need to hear it.

ARGENTINA

Samuel is 26 years old and was recently released from prison. He grew up in an area dominated by a nonChristian religion. After being incarcerated, Samuel was in despair. In prison, he was introduced to the Christian faith by LHM–Cameroon’s prison ministry team and was enrolled in an LHM Bible Correspondence Course (BCC). After enrolling in the course and learning about Jesus, he was led by the power of God’s Word to become a Christian. Since being released from prison, Samuel found a job and has been working on continuing to learn more about Jesus. He listens to the LHM–Cameroon radio programs and participates in small group Bible studies.

UNITED STATES 22 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

Yonghwan is 30 years old and is the president of the youth department at his church. He often struggles with backlash from the youth, especially regarding the events held at his church. One day, he saw a Facebook ad from LHM–South Korea about a Project JOEL youth event they were having. The program is designed to provide biblically based guidance in making healthy lifestyle choices. Yonghawn traveled from his home to the event, which was about two hours away. He enjoyed the event and connected with LHM–South Korea staff to learn more about their ministry offerings. Yonghawn now attends the Project JOEL meeting every month and has taken practical tools and lessons that he can apply to his own church.

CAMEROON

LHM Ambassador David Schelp looked for a way to bring hope to senior care facility residents in Missouri when the COVID-19 pandemic began. The residents were often alone and feeling isolated because of the pandemic, so David’s solution was to stream The Lutheran Hour and LHM’s Daily Devotions to 155 residents’ televisions at 2 p.m. every day. A friend of David’s helped set up the technology, so he can do everything from his home. David also makes a DVD of the daily streaming and adds his church’s weekly service, so residents who miss the 2 p.m. streaming can still hear the messages. The residents look forward to the streaming each day and find comfort and hope in the messages.

SOUTH KOREA

Mikhail recently completed the Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) organized by LHM–Russia. He sent a message to the ministry center staff to share how grateful he is for the lessons and said he feels full of light now. He said when he started the courses, he had been going to church for a year. He said the church was the place for spiritual fulfillment, but the BCC lessons opened new horizons for him and helped him dive fully into his congregation. Mikhail shared the LHM–Russia booklets that he received helped him better understand his faith. He is thankful for the courses and is growing in his faith.

RUSSIA

Bruce Wurdeman Passes to Glory by CHAD FIX “Bruce had a love for the Scriptures that was ormer Lutheran Hour Ministries Executive infectious,” says Rev. Wayne Palmer, former Director Bruce Wurdeman of Bullard, Texas, died theological writer for LHM. “He loved finding the November 21, 2020. He served as LHM’s executive subtle passages that show the heart of our God, and director from 2009 until his retirement in 2013. that gave me a drive to uncover Scripture in the “Bruce was a gifted teacher and leader whose Bible studies and scripts I was privileged to help impact is still felt throughout our ministry today,” write. Bruce always said there is only one hero in says LHM President & CEO Kurt Buchholz. “He Scripture, and that hero is Jesus Christ. That was the was a true servant of the Lord who focused every heart of every video and study we did.” day of his life on sharing Jesus with others. We pray Wurdeman previously worked at LHM from for peace and comfort for his family, friends, and 1994 through 2002 in the Volunteer Opportunities everyone who had the privilege of working with him.” department as an assistant director, a position that Prior to being named executive director, allowed his team to recruit and train more than Wurdeman was LHM’s director of United States 100,000 volunteers throughout North America. Ministries for 18 months, where he oversaw the Before returning to LHM in 2008, Wurdeman production of The Lutheran Hour and Woman served as a mission and ministry facilitator for the to Woman radio programs, seasonal television Texas District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri specials, and print materials. Under his direction, Synod, where he was a resource person for 100 the ministry also launched the Men’s NetWork in congregations in west and south Texas. Prior to 2009, a program geared to helping congregations his first time at LHM, he filled a variety of roles reconnect with men and build local men’s ministries. throughout Lutheran circles, including principal and “Bruce wanted the Men’s NetWork to be about director of adult education at St. Mark’s Lutheran men who were energized by the Church in Eureka, Missouri; director of Gospel growing with courage and campus ministry for the North Dakota “He was a strength in their roles as husband, District of the LCMS; director of youth true servant ministry at Immanuel Lutheran Church in father, and son,” says Rich Cohrs, a longtime LHM staff member who Fargo, North Dakota; and a math/science of the Lord first worked with Wurdeman in 1972 and youth director at Zion Lutheran who focused teacher and then on and off for many years Church in Bethalto, Illinois. every day after that. “He wanted to recapture Wurdeman is survived by his wife, Marijane the spirit of the early disciples—riskof his life on (Mj), their children and grandchildren, a large takers who were not ashamed of the family, and many friends. sharing Jesus extended Gospel and were willing to stand up In honor of his lengthy ministry with with others.” Lutheran Hour Ministries and his love for Jesus to make a difference in their families, churches, and communities.” for sharing Jesus with others through his Along the way, the Men’s NetWork became a everyday interactions, LHM and the Wurdeman Christ-centered, go-to website featuring resources family have established the Bruce Wurdeman ranging from original, video-based Bible studies Memorial Endowment Fund. Memorial gifts given to a place of connection where guys could link up to this fund will help LHM advance its global mission with churches in their area and promote upcoming to share the hope of the Gospel message with the events such as the annual WORK DAY each spring. billions of people who are still waiting to hear it. One of Wurdeman’s direct contributions was “Stuff To make a gift, mail a check payable to They Didn’t Teach Me in Sunday School,” 184 episodes Lutheran Hour Ministries and write “Bruce of him explaining things from a layman’s viewpoint. Wurdeman Endowment” in the memo field. Or visit Hugely popular and full of spiritual insight, these short lhm.org/give, click the Donate button, and select videos showed Wurdeman in his comfort zone, sharing “Bruce Wurdeman Memorial Endowment Fund” the timeless truths of God’s Word with a passion from the drop-down menu. = that marks a man of deep and abiding faith.

The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021 | 23

Digital Platform Provides Hope to Spanish- and PortugueseSpeaking Individuals by MEGAN MCDANIEL

utheran Hour Ministries’ digital program for the Latin America region, Vivenciar.net, is a bi-lingual platform that reaches Hispanic and Portuguese-speaking people in 65 countries worldwide. Based in Brazil, Vivenciar.net is directly connected with LHM ministry staff and volunteers in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Uruguay, Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and soon the United States. Young adults are gravitating to the internet seeking help, including millions who are curious—or have doubts—about Christianity. The Vivenciar.net website serves as our hub for digital outreach throughout Latin America. Through Vivenciar, staff and volunteers establish online relationships with individuals and provide biblically-based answers for their lives. A group of trained volunteers in each country establish connections and interactions with individuals turning to the platform looking for help on issues including stress, loneliness, guilt, home violence, and depression, especially with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting their lives. “By sharing messages of hope with the millions of people

immersed in an increasingly virtual world, we can provide answers and the peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ, the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life,” says Rev. Dr. Nilo Figur, LHM’s regional director for Latin America. Individuals are brought to the website using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Pinterest, Snapchat, and other online tools, as well as newspaper and radio advertisements. To date, almost one million people have visited the digital platform to read and download booklets, watch topical videos, or take a short online Bible course. Over 2,700 people have sought help through personal interactions with our trained volunteers. Individuals go to the website at all hours of the day looking for comfort and hope. Rosa from Guatemala sent a message saying, “I know it is too late to write you, at 1:42 in the morning, but I cannot sleep, and I apologize for it. Stress and anxiety invaded my soul, taking my peace … help!” Through the use of a digital platform, volunteers are able to respond to messages as they come in, ensuring timely feedback for those seeking conversation. Seeing the growing need for

“… we can provide answers and the peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ …”

this digital resource, Vivenciar.net Director, Flavio Knopp, made an agreement with the local Lutheran university in Brazil to develop a custom webpage that would reach more individuals. The custom webpage is available through the university’s chaplaincy program for thousands of students, faculty, staff, and their friends and families across the 15 campuses. The chaplaincy program was established to share the Gospel message on the campuses where over 95 percent of the students, faculty, and staff are nonLutherans. Adding access to the Vivenciar.net special webpage encourages digital conversations for those who want and need to hear the Gospel. “With this partnership, we want to better serve our academic communities, sharing the message of faith, hope, and love in Christ,”

e v o f L rks o

The Ma 24 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2021

says Pastor Maximiliano Silva, the university’s chief chaplain. As a way to establish a secure and confidential connection between the chaplains and their campus’ communities, 18 chaplains serve as Vivenciar.net volunteers. They interact with connections made through the various campuses around the country which is a unique way to open the door for conversations that are not face to face. We are thankful that even during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, God is opening doors for LHM to reach people with the Gospel anywhere and anytime, through digital resources. =

In this year’s Lenten Devotions, the tragedy of Golgotha is met with the triumph of the resurrection on Easter morning. Along the way, we learn of Jesus’ deep compassion for those He loved and served, including those who put Him to death.

LHM.ORG/LENT