ANNUAL MINISTRY REPORT
The Power of the Gospel in 2015 Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The need to boldly proclaim the love of Christ is greater than ever. Many people in the world today have come to believe that they don’t need God or they doubt His existence. Those without Christ in their lives aren’t even aware of the eternal crisis they are facing, but for Christians the dire stakes for these individuals are all too clear. That’s why we rejoice that you made the decision in the past year to partner with Lutheran Hour Ministries. Our tireless focus is on reaching individuals who desperately need the love of Christ. We are steadfast in building relationships, person by person, one heart at a time so that lives can be changed by the Gospel. As a trusted expert in mass media proclamation with a global network of partners, we reach more than 51 million people around the world each week with the Gospel, and nearly 400,000 individuals responded to our outreach efforts during the past year. All of this happened because of your support. Your gifts, prayers, and volunteer involvement allow hurting people to find answers and relief in the Gospel. Please explore this year’s ministry report to see examples of how God is working through you and LHM. Again, thank you for your faithful support, and may God bless you richly in the coming year! In His Service,
Kurt Buchholz President & CEO Lutheran Hour Ministries
We are LHM
Founded
Members Today
Ministry Reach
1917
80,000
50+ countries
BY THE NUMBERS
51 million+
People Reached with the Gospel Globally Every Week
1,600
North American Stations Airing The Lutheran Hour
42,500
Bible Correspondence Course Students Enrolled Annually Around the World
400,000
Annual Responses to Outreach Efforts
111,325 People Trained in Evangelism in the U.S. and Internationally
4,500 LCMS Churches Using LHM Resources
Mission Statement
bringing christ to the nations—and the nations to the church
1 million
Listeners to The Lutheran Hour Each Week
21,500 41,500
Registered Users for Men’s NetWork
15,000
Annual Referrals to Churches Internationally
People Connected with Christian Communities Every Year Internationally
Local Staff in LHM’s International Ministry Centers
110
213
LHM Staff throughout the United States
187,000 Video Views in the Last Year
2,500,000
Print Materials Distributed Annually Around the World
A Year in Review:
The Power of the Gospel through You United States Reaching younger generations requires creative content with them in mind. LHM children’s booklets cover issues that are relevant to kids’ lives and faith. Two new titles, Sharing Your Faith and Learning to Pray, were distributed to more than 42,000 children, parents, and teachers. As society moves further away from Christianity, being present with clear Gospel proclamation is crucial to reaching nonbelievers with Christ’s love. A new partnership with the Bott Radio Network expands The Lutheran Hour’s North American station count past 1,600 and its weekly listeners to more than one million as the program now fills prime slots formerly used by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Guatemala In July 2014, an 11-member Volunteer Team from Faith Lutheran Church, Grand Blanc, Michigan, went to Santiago Zamora, Guatemala, to serve with LHM’s Guatemala ministry center staff and volunteers. The team led a spirited VBS for village children and installed a metal roof on a building at Redentor del Mundo Lutheran Church. A team member said, “Praise God for the opportunity to serve Him in this way!”
Nicaragua In May 2015, LHM—Nicaragua celebrated the fifth anniversary of Radio Cristo Nica—the center’s dynamic Internet radio station. Thanks to the low cost of Internet radio broadcasting, the LHM center transmits eight hours a day, six days a week. Since Radio Cristo Nica is Internet-based, it’s a worldwide Spanish-language Gospel outreach! Uruguay Drama is an important tool in LHM’s efforts to share the Gospel worldwide. LHM—Uruguay’s Paula Rebollo has created the character of “Estrellita” to engage children with the Good News of Jesus. Dressed in a lavender jumper, canvas “Chucks,” and a giant purple hat, Estrellita (“Little Star”) visits schools and events to teach children about God’s love and goodness.
Liberia The Ebola epidemic of 2014 brought long-lasting social challenges in Liberia. Many families lost nine months of income, and children lost as much as nine months of school time. LHM— Liberia’s “Project Isaac” provided free supplemental educational activities for children of families devastated financially. Project Isaac helped to build relationships and openness about faith in Christ.
russia Christmas celebrations formerly prohibited in Russia have become an official part of the country’s New Year observance. Christmas is also the title of a powerful production that combines modern theatre with folk music, dance, and drama to tell the story of Jesus’ birth to hundreds of people. LHM’s Russia ministry center supports the program that is put on at the largest shopping mall in St. Petersburg. Audience members are invited to discover the Bible through LHM’s online courses. Lebanon LHM—Lebanon, known locally as Middle East Lutheran Ministry (MELM), reaches the majority of the Arabic-speaking world with Gospel-based radio programming. Throughout 2014-2015 MELM has provided food and other necessities each month to more than 4,500 refugees from Syria and Iraq who fled war and violence. Relationships with staff and volunteers open refugees’ minds and hearts to the Good News.
Vietnam LHM—Vietnam’s expansion of its futsal sports ministry program has introduced teams of young men to each other as they live their faith and reflect Christian ideals in action. The program is attracting attention—and admirers—as doors open for the Gospel. LHM’s centers in Myanmar and Indonesia are seeing similar responses to their sports outreach.
Thailand When the popular host of LHM—Thailand’s “Home for Love” program left LHM in 2014 to care for his ailing mother, former LHM— Thailand radio speaker Mrs. Tongtip Hanpradit reconnected with the ministry and launched a new program called “Relieve Your Worry.” In October, listeners of shows by Mrs. Tongtip were among 78 people gathered to celebrate. More than 20 listeners who were not Christian heard the Good News of Jesus.
Madagascar LHM—Madagascar’s 2013 soccer tournament outreach at the notorious Antanimora Prison was such a powerful witness among male inmates that the women inmates asked the LHM staff to sponsor a similar event for them. A choral competition was born! Five women’s choirs lifted songs of praise to God in what LHM Program Manager Louis Rakoto Rabehajaina called a “moment of glory.”
Ghana After a flash flood caused a freak explosion and fire in Accra, Ghana, an LHM—Ghana team joined the response, assembling and distributing an estimated 2,000 emergency packages containing food, supplies, and a Gospel message of comfort and hope.
Consolidated Operating Expenses
Fund Development 16%
Contributions 62%
Ministry 77%
Other Income 4%
Estate Gifts 34% Administration 7%
Consolidated Operating Income
International Lutheran Laymen's League and Subsidiaries Consolidating Statement of Activities (in thousands) Year ended May 31, 2015, with comparative totals for 2014
Operating Support and Revenue Donor support Other income, net Operating income Operating Expenses Ministries Admin and Fund Development Operating Expenses
Int’l Lutheran Laymen’s League
2015 LHM Consolidated Foundation Totals
2014 Consolidated Totals
$29,929 626 30,555
$2,103 767 2,870
$32,032 1,393 33,425
$27,417 2,805 30,222
23,580 6,982 30,562
- 171 171
23,580 7,153 30,733
21,820 6,746 28,566
Operating Income in Excess of Expenses
(7)
2,699
2,692
1,656
Non-operating income Non-operating expenses Non-operating Net Income
1,292 971 321
- 277 (277)
1,292 1,248 44
1,295 1,304 (9)
LHM Foundation Distributions, net
1,100
(1,100)
-
-
Change in Net Assets
1,414
1,322
2,736
1,647
29,322 $30,736
15,708 $17,030
45,030 $47,766
43,383 $45,030
Net Assets, Beginning of Year Net Assets, End of Year
Lutheran Hour Ministries is the registered d/b/a name for the International Lutheran Laymen’s League. A copy of the audit report is available online at lhm.org/about.
SENT Forward Beyond 2015 Lutheran Hour Ministries is immeasurably blessed by our members who generously give of their time, resources, and passion to this ministry. In order to act as even better stewards of these investments, Lutheran Hour Ministries is following God’s call and focusing our work on four strategic ministry priorities. Each of these bold priorities have the potential to reach millions while making use of modern communication tools and media platforms. Most importantly, these priorities rely on the partnership of God’s people, like you, who are called to share His Gospel to all who would hear. Lutheran Hour Ministries has been, and always will be, a grassroots ministry. As we are SENT forward beyond 2015, we can only move forward with your prayers, involvement, and support.
Energize, Equip and Engage Laity for Outreach
Grow God’s Kingdom through Expanded Media Outreach
Bring the Gospel to the Unreached Around the World
LHM is focused on providing relevant tools and training to help congregations and individuals reach their community with the Gospel. God has always called this ministry to embolden the laity to be missionaries in their daily lives.
LHM’s media outreach makes use of radio, video, online, and print to reach a diverse audience with the Good News. We aim to reach people wherever they are through unique strategies and media approaches.
Globally, billions have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through expanded radio and online ministry, as well as strategic personal and holistic outreach, LHM will reach millions more with this life-saving message.
Launch a New Digital Mission Field LHM will launch ministries online to reach new audiences and walk with them as they learn more about Jesus and the church. By God’s grace, we will bring them to a point where they are ready to go off-line and join a welcoming Christian community.
The LHM Board of Directors and The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation want to thank you for being part of the LHM family in 2015. 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 Lutheran Hour Ministries.
LHM BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(As of fiscal year ending May 31, 2015)
Chairman Philip Krauss II Westland, Michigan
Vice Chairman Phillip Johnson Maplewood, Minnesota
Secretary Janice Wendorf Grafton, Wisconsin
Treasurer Paul Pettit Lincoln, Nebraska
Directors Londa Borer-Skov Sacramento, California
Richard Gast Mission Viejo, California
Andreas Schwabe Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Richard Sindlinger York, Pennsylvania
Michael Brown Westminster, Colorado
Kay Meyer St. Louis, Missouri
Weldon Schwiebert Westland, Michigan
William Snow Watertown, South Dakota
Jack Ficken Fairview, Tennessee
Leonard Pranschke St. Louis, Missouri
The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation (As of fiscal year ending May 31, 2015) Chairman Dr. Marvin Swan Grant, Nebraska
Executive Vice President Adam Eggemeyer Waterloo, Illinois
Treasurer Curtiss Wittbracht Waterloo, Illinois
Vice Chairman V. Dale Stoner Lady Lake, Florida
Vice President Larry Pritchett St. Louis, Missouri
Assistant Secretary Lois Engfehr Collinsville, Illinois
President Jeffrey Craig-Meyer St. Louis, Missouri
Secretary Loren Podoll Riverton, Wyoming
Assistant Treasurer David Lanius St. Louis, Missouri
Trustees Kurt Buchholz LHM President & CEO St. Charles, Missouri
Glenn Gerber Katy, Texas
Brian Mitchell Lee’s Summit, Missouri
John W. Kidwell Bay City, Michigan
Calvin Neeman Waterloo, Illinois
Jared Dollar Jefferson City, Missouri Betty Duda Cocoa Beach, Florida
Philip Krauss II Int’l LLL Chairman of the Board Westland, Michigan
Roy Schmidt Bay City, Michigan
660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, MO 63141-8557 www.lhm.org 1-800-876-9880
Pastoral Advisor Rev. Gregory Seltz St. Louis, Missouri
Weldon Schwiebert Int’l LLL Board of Directors Representative Westland, Michigan Karen Soeken Ellicott City, Maryland
facebook.com/LutheranHourMinistries vimeo.com/luthhourmin @LHMglobalmin