The Lutheran Layman – Fall 2023

Fall 2023

Engaging in the Digital Mission Field Around the World

see page 3

Increasing Global Impact . . . . . . 7 Nurturing Your Faith. . . . . . . . 9-10 Awesome Australia . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Advent Devotions . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Satellite TV Programming. . . . . 16 Christmas Radio Special . . . . . . 19 LHM’s Rose Parade Float . . . . . 22

An Arresting Encounter

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

H

ome alone, the church lady heard a Gospel proclamation is not “talking down” to burglar breaking in. Tiptoeing to the top unbelievers from the top of the stairs. We are of the stairs, she saw him on the ground not shouting down from the moral high ground, floor, prowling about. Alarmed, she hollered the because compared to Jesus, we are all at the first thing that came to mind: “Acts 2:38!” (the bottom of the stairs. We are all under the “axe of Bible verse that says, “Repent!”). That would God” (see Luke 3:9, 13:5-7). However, in a sense, get him to think twice! “Acts 2:38,” she shouted the baptized Christian is “above” the unbeliever. down from above. Instantly, the burglar dropped Those who have been brought to trust in Jesus to the floor, put his hands over his head, and have been seated with Christ, exalted above all stayed motionless until the police showed up. things (see Ephesians 2:6). But this is “the gift They arrested him and took the lady’s statement. of God, not a result of works, so that no one may When they put him in the patrol car, the officer boast” (Ephesians 2:8b-9a). Also, while believers asked him, “So it was the Scripture that got you have been “born again from above” (John 3:3b), to give it up, eh?” The man said, “Huh? No, that this rebirth process is not complete (see 1 lady said she had an axe! And two .38’s!”

John 1:8) and will not be complete until Jesus For more than 90 years, in so returns to raise the dead. There is many words, Gospel preachers on still an old, sinful person in us, still The Lutheran Hour have been prowling about, afraid of the light, That is the repeating the same message. Every under the axe. So, repenting, turning goal of Gospel broadcast, we aim for that same back to God, is not a one-time deal. arresting encounter with Jesus. proclamation: help With Jesus, it is always an arresting “Repent,” which means, “Stop! people know (and encounter. Christians practice Freeze right where you are. Turn throughout their entire more deeply know) repentance to Jesus.” Gospel proclamation mortal lives.

Jesus Christ, the is aimed at those who do not yet For those who do not know Jesus, trust Jesus. At the same time, we we Christians have no right to look Son of God, the know that many of our listeners down on them, or shout down from Savior, true God, are faithful Christians who listen above. Instead, we come alongside true Man. week after week. Some have been them to meet Jesus again, on the listening for longer than I have ground floor, at the cross, where been alive. But, why? Why keep faith in ourselves ends and simple listening if it is essentially the same message trust in Jesus begins again. Life with God begins every week? It’s simple: because there is always again. For us, it is the same Acts 2:38 program more to Jesus. Whenever you meet Him again, it every week, playing on that old faithful John 3:16 is like meeting Him for the first time. That is the receiver: “In this way God loved the world, that goal of Gospel proclamation: help people know he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes (and more deeply know) Jesus Christ, the Son of (trusts) in him would not perish, but would have God, the Savior, true God, true Man. eternal life.” u Like the church lady said, it is an Acts 2:38 Adapted from a message for The Lutheran Hour aired March 5, 2023. program. But there is an important difference.

Vol. 94, No. 4 Fall 2023 Chad Fix, Editor • Andrea Thompson, Layout

View previous issues

Subscription: $5. Printed quarterly. Send color photos for use. Photos sent to the paper may not be returned. Lutheran Hour Ministries, The Lutheran Hour, Bringing Christ to the Nations, BCTN, This is the Life, Ayer, Hoy y Siempre, Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones, Esta Es La Vida, Para el Camino, Thred, The Hoffmann Society, Gospel Adventures, The Hopeful Neighborhood Project, and EveryGift are ® registered marks, or SM service marks. The Puzzle Club is a service mark and trademark of Int’l LLL. All rights reserved, 2023 Int’l LLL.

LHM Response Center: 1-800-876-9880

2 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

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

“I’m so happy knowing that as a young leader, I am able to stand up for God without my faith being shaken, and this could not have happened without the encouragement and support from the staff of LHM–Kenya.” — Hilda

Help us continue to share the Gospel with people like Hilda by visiting LHM.ORG/GIVE or sending a gift in the enclosed envelope.

Engaging in the Digital Mission Field

Around the World

T

he world today is increasingly shaped and connected by the internet. As people become more present online, God’s people are finding ways to share the Gospel in this space.

Lutheran Hour Ministries is once again a pioneering force for good in this space as we proclaim the Name of Jesus to people around the world. As the digital mission field continues to grow, emerging technologies will offer unique opportunities to communicate with audiences in a broad variety of ways, with content that is specific to the individual platforms on which people are engaging.

The digital mission field is new and exciting— but also challenging. So was radio. So was television. LHM has been at the forefront of using new technologies like these to share the Good News throughout its more than 105-year history, and we are courageous to engage in this place at this time because never before has the opportunity existed to reach the entire world with the Gospel.

LHM maximizes its online presence today through websites, social media platforms, and apps to expand its reach of sharing the Good News with new audiences of individuals who may have never heard about the transformative love of our Savior. This continued focus on digital engagement worldwide is rapidly increasing the capacity for the priesthood of all believers to connect more and more souls to the saving message of Christ.

by MEGAN MCDANIEL

SHARING THE GOOD NEWS WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATIVE LOVE OF OUR SAVIOR

see next page

The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 3

Engaging in the Digital Mission Field … continued from previous page

Topical Platforms in Latin America, Central Asia, and Europe

“YOU CANNOT IMAGINE HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR YOU AND YOUR PRAYERS!”

God’s Word has always been shared most effectively when people openly talk to each other about their hopes, fears, ideas, struggles, and more. Jesus did, and His people have been striving to do it ever since.

As young adults today gravitate to the internet seeking help on a variety of life issues, including millions who are curious—or have doubts—about Christianity, LHM has developed numerous platforms worldwide that allow staff and volunteers to enter into digital conversations with individuals and provide biblically based answers for their lives.

Pioneered and developed in 2017 by LHM staff throughout the Latin America region, Vivenciar.net is a bilingual platform that reaches Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking individuals. Vivenciar.net offers relevant content to help people through downloadable e-books, topical videos, courses, and an opportunity to talk to a team of volunteers throughout Latin America as well as the United States. Since April 2017, more than 1.7 million visitors to the website from 85 countries have explored a diverse range of content covering 28 topics. The platform has facilitated meaningful

interactions with 8,300 individuals who started an ongoing conversation with volunteers.

Marta from Guatemala shared that she was suffering from strong feelings of fear and stress that resulted from her family relationships.

After exchanging online messages back and forth with our volunteer one evening, Marta wrote: “Thank you for listening to me and being with me. You are a good friend, and I hope you have a very good night.” They continued to chat and after a few months she wrote: “You cannot imagine how grateful I am for you and your prayers! God listened to our prayers, and I hope God gives you as much as you are asking in prayers for me.” Marta took our online Bible course, Who is Jesus?, and has continued to stay in contact with our ministry center in Guatemala.

Similar to Vivenciar.net, LHM staff in Europe and Central Asia launched websites to connect with people in those regions who are looking for guidance on topical issues such as marriage, family, loneliness, relationships, and more.

Information on these sites is provided by local authors, so it is culturally relevant to the areas where it is being accessed.

Upgrades Unveiled for Thred Digital Platform

by PAUL SCHREIBER

LHM’s digital outreach platform, Thred at thred.org, has introduced a new look and refined vision. Its focus on encouraging an open and honest conversation about life, faith, and Jesus has not changed, however. “Our social media feeds on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Tik Tok are dedicated to engaging people interested in integrating their faith into their digital lives,” said Rachel Tichich, LHM’s digital development manager.

One of Thred’s main objectives is to help you discover how to integrate your faith into your online presence and share your story of hope and connection. Thred’s online courses will take you deeper into the art of spiritual conversations, giving you practical tips and dynamic tools to better connect with others.

Your Digital Voice has seven core principles to have more meaningful online conversations. Those completing the course’s nine lessons can sign up for the Digital Conversation Pledge. It’s a statement of intent to use social media wisely, in ways that lift others up, seeking genuine connections and being mindful of others’ spiritual postures.

Pledge takers join Thred in its mission of cultivating vigorous spiritual conversations online.

A second course, Guiding Godly Digital Conversations, assists learners

THRED'S FOCUS ON ENCOURAGING AN OPEN AND HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT LIFE, FAITH, AND JESUS HAS NOT CHANGED.

4 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

in discovering how to connect with others in meaningful digital conversations, regardless of where they are in their spiritual walk. Those completing the course’s eight lessons will gain insights into discerning where people are in their spiritual thinking and how to engage them more effectively.

Each course gives tangible examples of what people see in digital spaces, with suggestions on things to try. “If our online presence is calmer and less anxious, think how we could shine the light of Christ, giving more people the chance to hear the Good News of Jesus,” said Ashley Bayless, LHM’s director of production. Additional course topics are being explored to further enhance the user experience.

Visit thred.org/courses today to learn how to articulate your beliefs in a way that inspires others to explore their faith.

Thred content is designed to draw people into conversations that are

Social Media Presence in the Middle East LHM has developed a proven system of using social media in the Middle East and North Africa to vastly increase our reach across the entire Arabic-speaking world. Millions are reading our inspiring messages and watching our topical video content across four social media sites. Over the past several years, nearly 1.5 million people from throughout the region have responded by subscribing to our pages, where they are gently led towards spiritual conversations. LHM staff has had conversations with tens of thousands of these individuals where they shared the message of God’s hope and love for their lives.

Abed is 23 years old and lives in an area full of struggles.

He grew up in a traditional family that did not practice Christianity and was often afraid of what the next day might bring. He decided that he wanted to find answers for his life and one day came across a short video posted on an LHMsponsored social media page in the Middle East and North Africa. The video was about fear and uncertainty.

Abed reached out to the staff that runs the Facebook page and shared his struggles. The staff members responded by saying that God wants to have a personal relationship with us and shared the Gospel message with Abed. He wanted to learn more about Jesus and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Abed became a Christian.

HE WANTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JESUS AND, THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ABED BECAME A CHRISTIAN.

see next page

natural, not forced. “All of what I have worked on centers on showcasing the Gospel in a way that is winsome and inviting,” said Jon Christopher, a videographer at LHM and a content developer for Thred. “We know Jesus calls us to follow Him. But what does that mean? It’s more than knowing He exists. To follow is active. It asks the question, ‘How would Jesus have me respond in this comment section? How can I use my platform to encourage other image-bearers?’ We know following includes our lived experience as well.

Ultimately, we want to model healthy Christian

“WE CAN IMPACT THE DIGITAL WORLD BY LOVING OUR ONLINE ‘NEIGHBORS.’”

community online and invite others to join in,” he said.

Also contributing to Thred’s content is Ken Chitwood, a researcher and editor who’s an awardwinning religion, travel, and culture news writer.

The website will feature Chitwood’s writing and videos of him discussing viewpoints on belief and religious identity, evangelism in social media, purpose in life, and the intersection of culture and faith in society on Thred’s social media.

Blogs on topics like “Calling & Purpose,” “Culture & Faith,” “Digital Evangelism,” “Spiritual Disciplines,” and more will serve as online conversation-starters where people exchange views, glean ideas from others, and sharpen their thinking on issues. It’s a conversational “pool,” so to speak, where Thred visitors can test the water or dive in, engaging with other bloggers and with LHM volunteers in conversations they might not have otherwise.

“How we show up matters,” Tichich added. “We can impact the digital world by loving our online ‘neighbors.’ It’s our part of who we are as followers of Jesus.” u Paul Schreiber reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work in the U.S.

The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 5

Engaging in the Digital Mission Field … continued from previous page

Spiritual Growth Resources in the United States Individuals can reflect Jesus in their words and actions, whether they take place in the grocery store or online. People need to know Jesus. This creates a unique challenge for Christians. Many wonder how they can live for Christ in an internet culture where God is often not appreciated. LHM wants to do more than find ways to share the Gospel more effectively as an organization; it also wants to help you discover how to live for Christ in all aspects of life.

That’s why many resources are available online to connect with people at any stage of their individual faith journeys.

— The Lutheran Hour — LUTHERANHOUR.ORG

— LHM Learn — LHM.ORG/LEARN

The weekly sermons of The Lutheran Hour dive into sections of Scripture that tell the story of our Savior. In addition to listening on local radio stations, you can also access The Lutheran Hour wherever you listen to podcasts, on the Daily Devotions app, and on media platforms like iHeartRadio, Spotify, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Sirius XM satellite radio.

These online courses and webinars cover five faith-strengthening categories and use an array of multimedia elements to help you gain a hearing for the Gospel message and reach out with the love of Jesus Christ in your everyday lives.

— Gospel Adventures — GOSPELADVENTURES.ORG Gospel Adventures is a free, five-day curriculum for grade school- and middle school-aged youth. Watch videos each day that open kids’ eyes to another place on the globe!

Use the printable curriculum to walk children through the experience of meeting kids just like them from another part of the world. Play games, do crafts, and taste snacks of this new culture. Sing about God’s love and discuss the God sightings you see throughout the week.

— Gospel Adventures Show — GOSPELADVENTURES.ORG/SHOW The Gospel Adventures Show is a weekly audio program that takes young listeners on a Bible journey with hosts, Ben and Noah, to learn valuable biblical lessons from some of the most-loved Bible characters. Each 30-minute episode has a theme, Bible verse, Bible story, interactive activity, and a story from a kid. Find the episodes wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Gospel Adventures website.

— Video-Based Bible Studies — LHM.ORG/STUDIES More than 30 video-based Bible studies from LHM tackle relevant issues from a biblical perspective and are perfect for large or small group study. Each multi-session study is supported with a discussion guide and additional resource links. Some studies are also available with Spanish subtitles.

LHM WANTS TO HELP YOU DISCOVER HOW TO LIVE FOR CHRIST IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE. 6 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

— Daily Devotions — LHM.ORG/DEVOTIONS Daily Devotions from LHM will help strengthen and encourage your faith as you do the same for others. Have them delivered right to your inbox, podcast the audio devotional, access them on your mobile device through the FREE app, or listen with Spotify, iHeartRadio, Alexa, or Google Home.

Seasonal devotions for Advent and Lent are also available in both English and Spanish.

— Digital Research Kits — LHM.ORG/BARNA LHM’s ongoing research with Barna Group has one goal: understanding how evangelism can be most effective in this digital age.

Designed for church leaders, these kits include a digital copy of a monograph, a slide deck, links to video presentations, a discussion guide, and more. A separate kit is available for each of the annual research topics: Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age, Households of Faith, Better Together, and Gifted for More.

— CPTLN Mobile App — LHM.ORG/APPS The CPTLN (Christ for All Nations) app is a mobile hub for LHM’s Spanish resources, programming, and media content that has been crafted for Hispanics by Hispanics. The app includes Para el Camino sermons, the Sentido Latino podcast, sermon notes, Daily Devotions, Project Connect booklets, Bible studies, reflections, Vivenciar.net, and a Bible app.

This is our first smartphone app entirely in Spanish, offering a convenient way to connect Hispanics to Jesus and equip them to share the Good News of the Gospel with others. u Megan McDaniel reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work around the world.

F

Exponentially Increasing Our Global Impact

Share the Gospel on GivingTuesday by CHAD FIX

by KURT BUCHHOLZ, CEO, Lutheran Hour Ministries

G

or decades, Lutheran Hour Ministries has proclaimed the Gospel to the world through a unique ministry model that identifies and equips local laypeople to build their presence and impact through established ministry centers, using specific strategies and tactics contextual to the culture and language in which they serve. But with billions of people today still not having heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, our mission to provide people worldwide with the opportunity to find answers and relief in the Gospel is even more urgent.

As we navigate a shifting world culture, we know we must adapt current ministry approaches while developing new ones to be most effective. Building upon our extraordinarily successful model of hiring local staff, we are investing in an innovative approach to global ministry expansion called the International Internship Program. This program is focused on uplifting the next generation of Christian leaders to do ministry in their local context, in their native language, in a very contextualized way. This approach will lead to LHM hiring and equipping intern teams to conduct ministry in 12 new areas over a three-year period.

Earlier this year, we completed the first step in this program’s development by identifying four hub locations from among our existing ministry centers to serve as training centers for these intern teams. I had the privilege of visiting each hub location to share with staff our vision of how this program will radically increase our global Gospel impact. We held a “Train the Trainer” session online in July for the staff members from these ministry centers to provide them with a toolbox of philosophical and educational support that will help them effectively equip the new intern

teams to be as successful as possible.

Each new intern team will consist of three people: a programming person to focus on children’s ministry, a digital person to create websites and engage the audience online through social media platforms, and an audio/ visual person who will develop content to be used in mass media and online social media platforms.

One of the three interns will also serve as team lead to oversee administration, management, and fund development functions for the new ministries.

We are excited to announce that our first four intern teams will be located in Peru, Nepal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kyrgyzstan. Team leads have been identified for all four areas and we expect to have all three positions filled for the Peru and Nepal teams within the next month. We continue to actively search for talented individuals to complete the teams in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kyrgyzstan.

Now that the Train the Trainer session has been completed, each hub will work with their interns on ministry action plans, so these teams can begin conducting ministry in their home countries

by May 2024. At that point, we will start over the cycle of hiring and training new intern teams and then completing their specific operational plans to begin ministry in an additional four countries by May 2025.

Your ongoing generous support has put us in a position to embark on this ambitious plan that will exponentially increase our Gospel impact. We welcome your prayers as we bring these new intern teams onboard and begin work in countries where we have not previously had an on-the-ground ministry presence, allowing us to reach more people with the hope and comfort of the Gospel. u

lobally, there are billions of people who have not yet experienced the transformative love of our Savior. Many of these unreached people live in places where they have had little or no opportunity to hear about the love of God in Jesus Christ.

Because of our ability to leverage local resources, Lutheran Hour Ministries is uniquely positioned to go out into the world and grow, nurture, and expand the body of Christ. For decades, LHM has proclaimed the Gospel to the world through a ministry model that identifies and equips local laypeople to build their presence and impact using specific strategies and tactics contextual to the culture and language in which they serve.

This Giving Tuesday (Nov. 28), we invite you to embrace that you are now entering the mission field, wherever you are. Through LHM’s engaging Gospel resources and your financial support, you can join us in Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church.

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has served as an unofficial kick off to the end-of-year giving season by inspiring tens of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity through support of the causes that mean the most to them.

Watch your email inbox or check LHM’s home page and social media accounts in the coming weeks to learn how your financial support of LHM on this annual day of giving will make your gift go even further. u Chad Fix oversees the corporate communications of Lutheran Hour Ministries.

know your IRA options!

IRAs are more than they used to be. Now you can turn your IRA’s Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) into cash for life through a Charitable Gift Annuity or Charitable Trust. Both offer you attractive lifetime payments.

There are simple restrictions, but we can help you.

Contact our gift-planning staff today to learn more!

1-877-333-1963 | lhm-gift@lhm.org The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 7

Using Thrivent Action Grants to Resource Your Congregation

by PAUL SCHREIBER

D

id you know Thrivent members In Wisconsin, Mary Lou Thur of Trinity can take advantage of a $250 Lutheran Church and School in Oshkosh Thrivent Action Team grant has applied for and received several to equip their churches with Thrivent Action Team grants. Her most Lutheran Hour Ministries resources? recent application is for a project called When a congregation puts on a fundraiser, “Sharing Jesus with Children and Family.” educational event, or service activity, The grant was used to “purchase booklets Thrivent offers seed dollars to help and Christian resources to hand out resource the project. and make available For this year’s for children of our Trunk or Treat/ church, school, and Oktoberfest community,” Thur event, Our Savior said.

Lutheran Church Once the necessary in Centerville, information is Texas, applied for gathered for the a Thrivent Action application, Thur Team grant to said, “It took me purchase LHM about 10 minutes to Project Connect apply. And almost booklets, including immediately it was an assortment of approved. Within a Take advantage of the children’s booklets week a box arrived Thrivent Action Grant to hand out to kids. with the Thrivent and equip your church “Along with the Action Team credit with LHM booklets for candy, we placed card and supplies. I kids and adults today!

LHM’s children’s used the card to order booklets in the kids’ candy bags. We also the booklets. I still have some money moved the Project Connect display near left, which we may use to print a brief the registration entrance, so we could witness handout with our congregation’s point out possible interesting adult information on it.” booklets,” said LHM Ambassador Charlie You too can apply for a Thrivent Action Leslie.

Team grant for your congregation. The Recently, Our Savior hosted its process begins at thrivent.com/aboutCenterville Independent School District us/membership/thrivent-action-teams back-to-school appreciation luncheon for where Thrivent members complete a faculty, staff, and administration. Ninetysimple application. Once approved, two people were served food provided they receive their Thrivent Action Kit, by the Thrivent grant. Leslie gave the which includes a leader’s guidebook, invocation for the meal and encouraged banner, team T-shirts, thank-you notes, guests to take booklets from the church’s a Community Impact Card, and digital Project Connect display stand, which was tools to use through the Thrivent Action near the event’s photo booth. Children’s Team Hub. After that, your volunteer team booklets were also given to school takes action—and when the project is personnel to share with their students. completed—shares its story. u

8 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

Impacting Lives Through Bible Correspondence Courses

by CHAD FIX

B

ible Correspondence Courses (BCC) are a critical program offered by many LHM ministry centers around the world. The courses introduce the Gospel to people who do not know Jesus, and reinforce a biblical understanding for people who are growing in their faith.

Ministry staff present BCC content according to the needs and characteristics of their local cultures and typically offer multiple courses under a variety of titles. Over the past year, nearly 57,000 people worldwide registered for a BCC and more than 40,000 individuals completed their first course.

BCCs are LHM–Ethiopia’s most popular program. When someone responds following an outreach activity like film screenings, rural rallies, and musical performances, LHM– Ethiopia invites the respondent to begin a BCC as the next step in his or her spiritual journey. Courses are offered in the Amharic, Oromiffa, and Hadiya languages. To date, around 200,000 Ethiopians have enrolled in LHM’s BCCs.

Several students recently shared how God uses these courses to have a profound impact on their lives.

“This BCC strengthened my relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, and I am grateful for this experience. When I read and searched the course materials, I came to a better understanding of the faith.”

– Dawit “I have come to understand God’s love and grace better than before. The teaching encouraged me to ignore earthly and worldly experiences and focus on God’s Word and ministry, so I can continue to grow in my spiritual life.”

– Mihretu

“I am grateful for the opportunity to study and equip myself via these courses. It is my prayer that God might give you more wisdom and grace to extend this teaching to help us stay away from the false teachings going around.”

– Wondimagegn

“Previously, I was not serious about reading the Bible, but now I read my Bible every day due to what I learned through this teaching. The courses also challenged me to change my understanding about life and encouraged me to be strong and engaged in the ministry.”

– Genet

“I hope that the seeds being sowed via these courses will bear significant fruit in many places all over the world. I believe this activity will result in saving souls and bringing them to Christ while also helping believers to better understand the love of Christ.”

– Admasu u

NURTURING Y O U R FA I T H :

Patient Urgency SESSION ONE

Map, Means, Model

W

elcome to Nurturing Your Faith. This five-part study engages the Gospel according to Mark as a map, a means, and a model the Holy Spirit uses to make Jesus’ followers into people who “fish” for other people (see Mark 1:17). But, in our time, many Christians are reluctant to engage in spiritual conversations (dialogue about God, faith, or lack of faith). Many feel ill-equipped to speak of Jesus in everyday situations. This study will help participants become more eager to experience the blessings of spiritual conversations and patiently urgent for more people to participate in God’s kingdom coming in Jesus.

A M A P FO R K I N G D O M E X PA N S I O N In Mark’s ancient biography of Jesus, we can discern the beginnings of a map that traces the expansion of God’s rule and reign around the world. It launches, not from a palace or a fortress, but a wilderness (see Mark 1:3). Mark follows God’s map, beginning in the same geographical wilderness through which ancient Israel wandered (see Exodus 16, Deuteronomy 8:15-16). The Kingdom journey starts in a wasteland, where the ground is barren, and God’s people have fallen. God meets His people there. And He makes a way. In Jesus, barren ground turns green (see Mark 6:35, 39; compare Isaiah 35:1-2). The blind see. The deaf hear.

The mute speak. Even death will be undone. From the wilderness, from the cross, from the Crucified—God’s people renewed in the risen Jesus expand the Kingdom to the nations (see Mark 13:10), “everywhere,” in every direction (see Mark 1:28).

How does God’s kingdom expand? Mark’s Gospel offers both a geographical map and a metaphorical one. A metaphor is a word-picture. Metaphors supply images for things that are hard to imagine, such as God’s kingdom expansion. Jesus gives many images for how the Kingdom comes. It’s a net thrown (see Mark 1:16), a seed sown (see Mark 4:15), a light shown (see Mark 4:21), and even a burglar! The Kingdom-bringer plunders the strong man’s stolen goods and makes them his own (see Mark 3:27). These images create a colorful, mental “map” of the many ways the Kingdom comes.

1. Of those metaphors for God’s kingdom expansion—fishing with a net, planting seeds in the ground, lighting a house with a lamp, or a break-in by a burglar—which is easiest for you to picture in your mind? What experiences does the image evoke for you?

2. Why do you think Jesus uses so many metaphors in His teaching?

What advantages does this offer in communication? What are the risks?

T H E M E A N S FO R K I N G D O M E X PA N S I O N Many metaphors, however, express a single means: God’s Word (see Mark 4:14). God rules and reigns

by His Word. Jesus brings the Kingdom because He speaks God’s Word. He can speak God’s Word with authority because He is God’s beloved Son (see Mark 9:7). When He speaks, and when people listen, He brings them into God’s family (see Mark 3:35). Then, He puts the Word in them, so that they may speak and bring others into God’s gracious rule and reign (see Mark 3:14; 13:9-11). Kingdom-expansion is urgent! Those who refuse to listen will lose everything (see Mark 4:25). There is no time to waste. The Word must go out.

Jesus is up for the task (see Mark 1:38). His disciples? Not so much. They don’t understand (see Mark 8:21). They’re starting to see the Kingdom, but it’s still a little blurry (see Mark 8:24). They stumble and fall (see Mark 14:27). They need His Word as much as anyone else: “Go, tell His disciples … that He is going before you” (see Mark 16:7).

Today, Jesus keeps meeting His followers right where they are—in the wilderness; believing but doubting (see Mark 9:24); seeing, but not all the way; going, yet still gripped by fear (see Mark 16:8). His saving Word is not only for others. It’s for us, for me, for you. Jesus gives an urgent task: “Speak the Word!” And He patiently performs the task for us, and in us: “Hear My Word.” Again and again and again.

Read Mark 13:5-13, and reflect on the following questions: 1. Listening to Jesus in Mark 13:5-13, where do you sense His urgency?

How do His words also convey His patience and offer hope?

2. Considering our calling to expand God’s kingdom, what do you need from Jesus now—more patience, or more urgency? Why?

continued …

The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 9

continued from previous page

Watch the video at lhm.org/studies

by Dr. Michael Zeigler

1. What was something from the video that stood out to you?

2. What steps will you take to rise to Dr. Zeigler’s challenge and listen to the entire Gospel of Mark?

(Do you have access to an audio Bible? Do you have an opportunity this week? Will you listen on your own or with a group? Will you listen on a walk or while driving or doing chores?)

A M O D E L FO R K I N G D O M E X PA N S I O N In Mark’s biography of Jesus, we hear God’s Son model patient urgency with His disciples. Jesus is urgent for His Father’s coming Kingdom, yet patient with the process by which it comes. He patiently converses with His followers on the journey and urges them to take the next step with Him. Wherever people are, Jesus meets them there. And He meets us, mapping the journey before us, and providing the means to complete it. He is patiently urgent with us, and models patient urgency for us. We follow Him, engaging others in spiritual conversations for the sake of God’s coming Kingdom.

Having a “spiritual conversation” with someone— what does that look like and sound like? A spiritual conversation is a type of “deeper” conversation. It begins in “small” talk about daily happenings. We call it small talk, but we shouldn’t think it’s unimportant. It is vital! It builds rapport and fosters trust. When trust is present and time doesn’t feel rushed, spiritual conversationalists will go deeper. Each person is already immersed in the story of their own life. If conditions are right, they are willing and sometimes eager to talk about it. When at least one of those persons maps their life-journey

immersed in Jesus’ story, Jesus will more naturally enter the conversation. That’s because people tend to talk about the stories they’re immersed in and further immerse themselves in the stories they talk about.

As followers of Jesus, we know it takes time to build trust and venture into deeper conversations with others.

We know we must be patient. And this patience is invigorated with urgency because Jesus’ story isn’t just one among many other equally interesting options. He is the Creator, Judge, and King over all stories. His is the story that makes ours possible, the final ending to every story, whether we realize it or not. And so, we follow Him. We learn to recognize Him not only as the central Character of our story and the Model for our lives, but also the Author—the One who is actively, urgently, patiently molding us into His image.

Are you ready to take the next steps with Jesus?

• Ask God to help you experience more of the blessings of spiritual conversations.

• Devote time preparing for future conversations by immersing yourself in Mark’s Gospel.

Get a jump-start on listening to Mark by viewing the bonus video at lhm.org/studies by Dr. Michael Zeigler: “A Dramatic Re-telling of Mark 1:1-2:12”

1. What was one word or phrase that stayed with you from Mark 1:1-2:12?

2. How is God speaking to you through this word?

MORE INFO For additional information on the Gospel of Mark and having spiritual conversations, consider the following online resources: 1. Gospel of Mark Movie » youtube.com/watch?v=rh9yjReuWH0 A live-action presentation of Mark’s Gospel, with actors portraying the events and conversations while a narrator reads the text, word for word.

2. Gospel of Mark – Performed Live by Max McLean » youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz7sbgsselWMIDnxcTORi4BS5792r0Ta3 A solo performance of Mark’s Gospel by renowned actor, Max McLean.

Dear Father, Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Let the words and deeds of Your beloved Son, Jesus, take root in our hearts, so that we may bear abundant fruit for Your kingdom, through the Messiah, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

3. Free Online Audio Bibles » biblegateway.com/resources/audio » open.spotify.com/search/audio%20bible Choose from over 10 versions of free audio Bibles in English (plus other languages).

4. Audio Bibles Available for Purchase and Download » amazon.com » audible.com

D O W N LO A D S T U DY G U I D E A N D V I D E O AT L H M . O R G / S T U D I E S 10 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

Transforming Lives in the Digital Age

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

T

he rise of digital communication has affected nearly every aspect of our personal and professional lives, including how we share the Gospel with people who have not heard about the transformative love of our Savior. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected through technology, the digital realm presents unique opportunities for individuals and organizations to engage in the mission field like never before.

While traditional approaches to ministry remain essential, harnessing the power of the digital world extends the reach of the Gospel and transforms lives in new and innovative ways.

It is exciting to be involved with an organization like LHM that is successfully leveraging technology to make His Name more widely known. The ability to navigate this new world has substantially increased LHM’s Gospel impact and plays a critical role in the ministry sharing the Gospel more than 195 million times each week.

• Wider Reach: Digital platforms offer a

unique advantage: the ability to reach a vast audience. With social media platforms, websites, blogs, podcasts, and online communities, the Gospel can transcend geographical boundaries, reaching people from all walks of life. Sharing the Gospel

digitally allows Christians to connect with individuals who may have never set foot in a church building, opening doors to fresh encounters, and building relationships with people who need to hear the Good News.

• Instantaneous Impact: Digital sharing

allows the Gospel message to be disseminated instantly. Through a simple click or tap, LHM staff can share a Scripture verse, an inspiring testimony, or an uplifting message.

Such immediacy ensures that the Gospel is shared in real-time, addressing immediate needs and reaching people in their specific circumstances to offer comfort, hope encouragement, and guidance.

• Diverse Methods of Communication:

Digital platforms provide a multitude of ways to engage with the Gospel message. From written articles and blogs to videos, podcasts, and online courses and sermons, there are countless avenues to convey the Good News effectively. Different formats cater to people’s various learning styles, cultures, and preferences. By using multimedia and interactive methods, the Gospel can be presented in ways that resonate with people and help them better understand and connect with the message of salvation.

• Overcoming Barriers: Digital platforms can

alleviate barriers that may hinder sharing the Gospel in person. Some individuals may feel hesitant or unsure about discussing their faith face-to-face, fearing rejection or judgment.

The digital realm provides a safe space for those individuals to engage in conversations and express their beliefs openly. Additionally, for people living in areas of the world where there is limited access to traditional religious structures, the internet and social media allow them to connect with others, find resources, and seek spiritual guidance.

• Nurturing Long-Term Relationships:

Engaging in the digital mission field not only allows for initial contact but also facilitates building and nurturing long-term relationships with individuals who want to learn more about Jesus. LHM staff provide ongoing support, discipleship, and prayer, strengthening the faith of those they encounter and assisting them in their spiritual growth journey.

The digital mission field is an evolving and powerful space to expand our critical ministry efforts. None of this would be possible without your ongoing support. I hope you are as excited as I am to see how LHM stands at the forefront of digital ministry to impact lives for eternity. u

In Jesus’ birth, God came down to earth for us. In this year’s Advent Devotions, we see how Jesus, foretold by the prophets and confirmed by God as His own Beloved Son, is the Father’s ancient promise fulfilled.

Born to save us from our sins, this lowly Child triumphed over sin and death to become our Savior.

Access for free at

LHM.ORG/ADVENT Mobile, audio, and Spanish also available!

The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 11

The LHM Foundation Welcomes New Trustees

by CHAD FIX

Access Day One of Awesome Australia NOW!

by MEGAN MCDANIEL

Gospel Adventures™ is heading to

W

hile Lutheran Hour Ministries today stands on solid financial footing thanks to the longstanding support of generous donors like you, it faces the question of how best to secure its future so that the light of Christ can be shared with future generations.

That’s why The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation was created in 2000 to collect, invest, and distribute endowment funds to help the ministry meet current challenges and provide long-term stability that furthers LHM’s mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. The LHM Foundation exists to work with individuals to facilitate transformational gifts that provide financial vitality and confidence for LHM to dynamically proclaim the Gospel today and into the future.

The LHM Foundation’s annual support for the Gospel-focused work of Lutheran Hour Ministries from endowments and gift annuities has grown to more than $1.3 million in Fiscal Year 2023. In addition, the Foundation provided more than $200,000 in ongoing support for the development of planned giving efforts in support of LHM. The LHM Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees that consists entirely of supporting members of the ministry as well as LHM staff members. This ensures that the Board remains focused on advancing the Gospel mission of LHM. The following individuals were confirmed to begin three-year terms during the Foundation’s Annual Meeting on Nov. 2: » Matt Brickler of Warson Woods, MO (1st term) » Tom Dankenbring of St. Louis, MO (2nd term) » Sue Elsholz of Birmingham, MI (1st term) » Mercedes Hendricks of Laguna Hills, CA (2nd term) » Jack Kidwell of Bay City, MI (1st term) » David Leege of Alexandria, VA (3rd term) To learn more about The LHM Foundation and how it can help you honor the Gospel legacy of your family and achieve your financial goals, visit lhm.org/foundation. u

12 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

Australia in 2024! Just like Celebrate India, Zambia Bound, Thailand Trek, Go Mongolia, and Passport to Peru, Gospel Adventures: Awesome Australia is a free online resource available to Christian schools, homeschools, churches, and individuals. The curriculum is filled with fun activities and an interactive website for students to learn about Christian children in another country.

Like the last several years, the first day of the curriculum is already available! Visit gospeladventures.org/australia to register for the virtual “trip” and access this content to get a glimpse into the newest interactive experience. As always, the full curriculum and supporting materials will be available in January for everyone who has registered.

“Good News for Every Day” Recording with Kids

Good News for Every Day was created to fill the builtin commercial breaks for the Gospel Adventures Show on radio stations that do not have commercials. These one-minute messages were recorded by kids and include a Bible verse reading from the Gospel of John and a short devotional. It was created so kids could understand it, but adults could also appreciate it. Kids enjoyed going into the LHM office in July to record these messages in the studio where The Lutheran Hour is produced.

You can listen to these short messages on the Gospel Adventures Show podcast or on select radio stations across the country.

The Gospel Adventures Show is a weekly audio program that takes young listeners on a Bible journey with hosts, Ben and Noah, to learn valuable biblical lessons from some of the most-loved Bible characters.

Each 30-minute episode has a theme, Bible verse, Bible story, an interactive activity, and a story from a kid. You can listen to the episodes wherever you listen to podcasts or at gospeladventures.org/show.

How Can You Make an Impact on Kids Around the World?

In many countries today, more than 70 percent of the population is under 25 years of age. Because of realities such as broken families and secularism, many of these young people receive little moral or spiritual education in their homes, and their values are often shaped instead by potentially negative influences such as the media, music, or their peers. One of the ways LHM reaches out to children is through various digital programs.

For example, LHM–Uruguay staff created a character named Estrellita who virtually invites children into her home each week through YouTube videos. She tells viewers what is in her heart and how the Lord teaches her to be a better person through the stories she reads in her Bible. She learns in the Bible that Jesus loves her and forgives her for her sins.

In Myanmar, LHM staff launched a free mobile app for children that includes reading, video, and audio options such as children’s Bible Correspondence Courses, children’s songs, puppet shows, and children’s booklets.

Our partner in Australia, Lutheran Media, offers a website geared toward children called Happyland.

Happyland offers a variety of digital resources like videos, activities, and stories to keep children engaged with the Gospel message.

YOU can help reach out to children around the world with the Gospel by supporting our Global Kids Fund. All the funds raised this year will help support LHM children’s programs around the world.

Visit gospeladventures.org/globalkidsfund to see how others have raised money or to make your donation. u

J OI N US FO R A CE LE B R AT ION O F OUR SH A R ED M I SSI O N !

by CHAD FIX

They’re insightful, easy to read, and thoughtprovoking.

Advent Devotions: Finding Grace and Mercy in the Clamor of Christmas

by PAUL SCHREIBER

W

e live in a time of great possible in ways that they can understand. possibilities for sharing the LHM believes we are called, equipped, Gospel. Unfortunately, we and sent to connect people to the Gospel often focus on the challenges yesterday, today, and into the future. or things over which we have little or no God uses people, like you and me, control. We frame things as problems and in miraculous ways to share His hope miss the chance to see the hope and love and make His Gospel known. Together prevalent in our everyday lives. in mission, you have taken bold steps We should take heart, though, because with LHM to reach the world with the opportunities abound for sharing the Gospel. We invite you to a special event hope of Christ with those who that celebrates the successes desperately need it: accomplished under our shared The need mission and launches our • More than three billion to go into the vision for the future! people have yet to hear the world and grow, Join us at St. Louis Union saving message of Christ.

Station on Friday, April 19, nurture, and expand • Technology allows us to 2024, for Connecting to Christ: the body of Christ engage with each other Linked by Faith, Connecting has never been more efficiently and Through His Mission, an greater. effectively than any other evening of fellowship, dining, time in history, especially as and hearing about the ministry people crave a relationship with accomplishments YOU make possible!

God and each other.

The program will include a very special • We can use our gifts to make a real guest from one of our global ministry difference right where we are, among centers and updates from program leaders real people we know and see every day. about how your support allows LHM to Our faith, put into action on a local address the global, digital, and community level, can make an immediate and opportunities before us. personal impact in our neighborhood Register today for $199 per person and beyond. at lhm.org/connect. Hotel rooms at The need to go into the world and grow, St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio nurture, and expand the body of Christ Collection by Hilton, are available for an has never been greater. Lutheran Hour additional $189 per night. Call the hotel Ministries will not rest until we share the directly at 314-231-1234 to secure your hope of the Gospel with as many souls as room under the LHM block. u

O

n December 3, the season of Advent begins. If reading LHM’s regular Daily Devotions isn’t a part of your normal routine, then our seasonal devotions are a great place to begin. They’re insightful, easy to read, and thought-provoking—each one consumable in far less time than it takes to drink a cup of coffee. Advent Devotions run from Sunday, December 3, 2023, through Saturday, January 6, 2024.

This year Dr. Kari Vo has written What Child Is This? in English, and five different authors have written El profundo amor del Padre (“The Deep Love of the Father”) for Spanish readers. Each devotion takes readers through the wonder of God’s grace in sending His Son, born in the flesh, to live, die—and rise again—for a world the Father so dearly loves.

You can receive Advent Devotions as a daily email. They can be downloaded and printed to give to others, too.

They’re perfect for personal study, small group Bible study use, or to be read or listened to in larger church contexts.

Three reflection questions prompt users to think about and discuss the day’s message. Go to lhm.org/advent for English; for Spanish, go to paraelcamino.com/adviento.

As you read and reflect on Christ’s birth in this year’s Advent Devotions, you can set your calendar ahead for Lent 2024. Dr. Kari Vo’s Lamb of God in English and the multi-authored Tus pecados te son perdonados (“Your Sins Are Forgiven”) will consider the Savior’s passion, crucifixion, and Easter morning resurrection. Plan now to enjoy these rich texts with your family and friends and be sure to consider sharing them with those you know who could use the Good News of the Gospel in their lives. u

Mobile, audio, and Spanish also available!

The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 13

Q &A WITH

DR. KARI VO

by MEGAN MCDANIEL

D

aily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries are a great way to help strengthen your faith journey. They can be read or listened to anywhere for personal reflection, used by small groups as a devotional for Bible study, or even structured as a full Bible study by using a few days at a time. The devotions continue to provide encouragement and spiritual nourishment to many and are growing in popularity. LHM’s Daily Devotions are currently the second result on Google when someone searches for the phrase “Daily Devotions.”

We recently sat down with Dr. Kari Vo, author of many of LHM’s devotions, to discuss her involvement.

CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THE TOPICS?

I’m from California. I was born in Los Angeles County and grew up in southern California, where I met my husband, who is Vietnamese and a Vietnam veteran, and came to this country as a refugee. In 1988, we moved to St. Louis for my husband to attend seminary and so I could go to graduate school. Through one of my professors, we found out there were 7,000 brand new Vietnamese refugees in St. Louis, almost completely without any English and with no chance to hear about Jesus. And here we were, two students with both! So, we started helping, and a week later, the church was born.

We still serve this community today, and my husband is its pastor.

This did a lot for my writing, as the Vietnamese taught me how to talk to people who don’t speak English as their first language and who don’t know anything about Christianity. They taught me to be as clear as I can. They have been a huge blessing to me.

The Daily Devotions I get to write come from the texts set for each Sunday in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s lectionary. We use the three-year cycle. I start by reading the text for the day and praying. I ask God to tell me what He wants me to say. Then, using my English literature training, I look for things in the text that catch my eye—that make me ask, “Why?” or “What does that mean?” I try to find out. Often you can find wonderful things about God’s love and kindness just by digging through the difficult parts.

There is always something new to be discovered. The part of Scripture that is challenging you because you don’t know what it means will sometimes come loose and reveal itself. I think God wants us to ask questions. It’s almost like God hides Easter eggs in the Bible, and if you look, you’ll find them. Ask “Why?” and keep looking until the Holy Spirit opens it to you.

Whenever I finish a group of devotions, they get sent through the LCMS doctrinal review process to make sure there are no mistakes or problems.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WRITING DAILY DEVOTIONS? I started working at LHM at the very end of 2016. About a year later, I was writing seasonal devotions for Lent and Advent. Then, about 2018, my work group made a new plan for how the Daily Devotions would be structured. We used the upcoming Sunday writings for the days I was responsible for—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Others, including Paul Schreiber, Carol Geisler, and Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, wrote other devotions.

HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THE REFLECTION QUESTIONS? A few years ago, I was looking for a Bible study curriculum for a small group, and I realized that the devotions could be used that way if only we had a few discussion questions.

So, I tried adding some. They were meant as a helpful resource for people to dig deeper into the devotional topic.

The questions try to be gradual. The first one is usually simple, something anybody could

It’s almost like God hides Easter eggs in the Bible, and if you look, you’ll find them.

14 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

‘Tis the Season of Giving

by CHAD FIX

Studying the Word of God is something anybody can do with the help of the Holy Spirit.

answer. But the second might be harder, and the third may go deep, getting into personal experience and spiritual life. Just like when you get into a pool, you get into the shallow end first. This allows people to get in and go as far as they want and stop when they want.

The reflection questions are, above all, meant to be thought about. Nobody should force someone else to answer publicly if it makes them uncomfortable.

When I write the questions, I try to remember my readers aren’t all Christian and not everybody has the same family arrangements, living experiences, and so on. I don’t want people to feel left out or overlooked.

W

hile the Christmas season can seem like it is all about gift-giving, we are blessed to know that history’s greatest gift has already been made. Jesus Christ is God’s gift to you! His life, and His sacrifice on the cross, is a gift that can transform every soul through the Savior’s love.

God works through LHM to share this gift with people around the world more than 195 million times each week. As 2023 ends, you can support this mission in one of the following ways: 1. Make a direct gift through 9 p.m. CST on December 31! You can donate online via credit card or PayPal at lhm.org/give or by calling 1-877-333-1963. Or mail a check to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63141 – just make sure it is postmarked for December 31 or earlier.

2. Give a Christmas gift to LHM in honor of a friend or family member.

3. Join a core group of ministry partners by committing to share Christ’s hope around the world through a gift of any amount each month.

Visit lhm.org/missionmonthly to sign up today!

4. Participate in a matching gift campaign where every dollar you give is matched by generous donors of this ministry.

5. Support ministry through a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA. Or consider other popular giving options such as naming LHM as a beneficiary in your will or life insurance policy, establishing a charitable gift annuity, donating appreciated securities, or creating a donor advised fund. Learn more by calling our gift planning staff at 1-877-333-1963. u

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WRITING DEVOTIONS? I love being able to make my living by digging around in the Word of God. It seems unfair that something so wonderful should be my actual daily job! And then I get to see it be useful to other people, which is even better. Everything I know has come from reading the Bible. Studying the Word of God is something anybody can do with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I know the devotions are used in many different ways. There are families who use the devotions at home with their children, and at least one Lutheran school that uses the reflection questions in their chapel.

I’ve heard of a small church in a mostly non-Christian country that used them as the basis of their sermons each week, though we soon found them better resources. There was even a couple in Eastern Europe during lockdown who read the devotions together over the phone.

I love hearing stories like this of people using our devotions right where they are. I want to see the faces and hear the stories of people who find a blessing in them. It makes me want to write more.

Do you enjoy telling others about LHM programs and ministries?

Ambassadors receive a 20% discount on LHM products!

Subscribe to Daily Devotions!

Available through a variety of platforms, LHM’s devotions can be read or heard online, delivered right to your inbox, accessed on our FREE mobile app, or listened to as a podcast with Spotify, iHeartRadio, Alexa, or Google Home. In addition, seasonal devotions for Advent and Lent are available in both English and Spanish and are perfect for personal reflection or to share with family, friends, and congregations.

Subscribe to receive LHM’s Daily Devotions in your inbox today at lhm.org/subscribe. To download the app to your mobile phone, simply go to lhm.org/apps. u

Become an Ambassador today!

Learn more and sign up at

LHM.ORG/AMBASSADOR The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 15

BEAMING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST THROUGH SATELLITE PROGRAMMING

O

by CHAD FIX

ver the past several years, Lutheran Hour widespread desperation by sharing the Good News Ministries has partnered with the SAT-7 of Jesus Christ to bring much-needed hope to their network for satellite television programming lives. “These people are ready for a change and open that shines the light of Christ into dozens to learning about Christianity, it is just they have not of countries throughout the Middle East, North heard yet,” continued SAT-7 PARS’ executive director.

Africa, and Central Asia. Many viewers watching these “This is why it is critical for us to be there for them broadcasts hear about Christ for the first time. with our programming.”

Drawing on the initial success of programming Viewers of the programs can connect with SAT-7’s on SAT-7’s Arabic channel, LHM sought additional audience relations team to get additional program opportunities with SAT-7 to reach new areas and information and resources, request prayers, and receive audiences. In 2018, LHM initiated a support partnership ongoing support. “The testimonies and feedback that with the SAT-7 PARS channel to sponsor one of we receive from our viewers is what encourages us, their live children’s programs, Golpand strengthens us, and motivates us,” shared (meaning “hope” or “Golden Advice”), that “The testimonies SAT-7 PARS’ executive director. “A sixfocuses on children ages 5-13 and teaches and feedback that year-old named Daniel called our Golpand morals and values to viewers through program to ask where Jesus is and if he we receive from could meet Him. In Iran, they have no idea games, educational videos, and dramas.

LHM’s partnership with SAT-7 PARS has of Scripture even though they are open to our viewers is grown to now include support of three what encourages learning. He started calling every week to ask additional programs for Persian-speaking basic questions. Today, Daniel is a Christian us, strengthens us, and because he shared what he learned, the individuals. These programs are all available on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and motivates us.” Holy Spirit worked on the hearts of his whole Telegram, and the SAT-7 PARS website. family and they have come to Christ.”

“Golpand is an excellent program that teaches me so • Hashtag shares important faith lessons through life much every week,” says a young girl named Roshanak. experiences and educates children and youth about “We talk about the miracles of Jesus, the things He said, God’s Word in a culturally appropriate manner. Each and the importance of love and respect. I have loved all episode introduces viewers to a Bible story or Bible the program’s topics, but especially how, as followers character, visualized by a short video. To participate of Jesus, we must always share with our friends His in the episode’s games, activities, and quizzes, message of hope.” viewers must pay close attention to the story.

Nargess contacted the channel through Signal, • New Identity, a 60-minute live format, discusses topics saying: “Although my religion is not Christianity, I am of concern to Persian women through a biblical lens. contacting you for the first time today to ask you to • Signal conveys the message of the unconditional love pray for me, so that I may be able to repay a debt. I am and everlasting grace of Jesus Christ, who is the path to hoping that Jesus will provide a miracle.” salvation despite the troubles and uncertainties of life.

“I really love Hashtag because it is through this “LHM today is funding the majority of our channel’s live program that I learned more about Jesus Christ,” says programming that reaches out to more than 140 million Hovan, a teenage boy. “If I miss an episode, I go to the people,” said the executive director of SAT-7 PARS during program’s Instagram page and watch the repeat. I enjoy a visit to LHM’s headquarters in September to speak with the games, crafts, and stories. This excellent program is both instructive and entertaining.” members of LHM’s constituent services team. “These Narin contacted the New Identity program earlier programs are door openers for Iranians and Afghans this year to request prayers. “I have been a believer for to learn more about Christ. Thank you to LHM for not some years, but my husband is not. He is difficult to only standing beside SAT-7 PARS but also investing in live with and constantly thinks about work instead of the kingdom of God to support Christians and bring me or our children. I am isolated without friends or a people to the Lord.” church where I might go to spend time with God and be People throughout this region encounter many ministered to. Please pray for me and help me to know challenges in daily life and often view their situations what I must do.” u as bleak and hopeless. SAT-7 PARS counters this

16 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

Golpand

Hashtag

New Identity

Signal

National Good Neighbor Day Exceeding Hoped-For Results by PAUL SCHREIBER

Using LHM Resources to Tell Friends About Jesus

by MEGAN MCDANIEL

I

n an effort to inspire proactive an area senior center; helped with food neighboring, The Hopeful pantry distribution to veterans and others Neighborhood Project (HNP) from in need; gathered tree limbs from elderly LHM empowered people living in citizens’ yards; conducted a coat drive; community to engage each other in held a scarecrow-making contest; did a neighborly acts on National Good food drive for military families; offered Neighbor Day (GND), on September 28. hygiene products and winter wear to area This year libraries were invited schools; harvested vegetables for to participate, and 1,145 a food pantry; held a pet supply S TA R T W ITH downloaded a free digital drive; mowed a lawn; grilled HELLO kit to promote GND in their BBQ; picked up trash; passed out NATIONAL communities. thousands of roses; pulled weeds; GOOD NEIGHBOR Overall, more helped a widow and her disabled DAY ST AR T WI TH than 1,150 ZIP son; chalked a sidewalk; provided Codes were dog and cat food; spoke words of recorded as encouragement; donated items participants to a foster care facility; helped a nationwide. neighbor in chemo; held a movie In Missouri, night; and assisted with a 4-H Day of HNP again partnered with the University of Service project.

Missouri Extension Engaged Neighboring “The number of people participating Program to promote Missouri Good in GND is so encouraging,” said Jennifer Neighbor Week, which began on National Prophete, director of community Good Neighbor Day and ran until October programming for LHM. “All the libraries 4. There was a huge boost in the number of participating from coast to coast made a Missourians impacted by acts of neighboring huge impact, too. But the 19,000-plus acts done and reported during Missouri’s 2023 of neighboring recorded in Missouri alone Good Neighbor Week: 19,652, up from a just blew our minds. We’re completely very healthy 12,850 in 2022. elated and motivated by these results More than 100 individuals to keep getting this word out because completed a survey and shared being a good neighbor and having a good their “Acts of Neighboring” at neighbor is something everyone should missourigoodneighborweek.com. Here’s experience,” she said. some of what they did: hosted a block “The icing on the cake is that multiple party; provided lunch for local fire, 911 cities, including the cities of Springfield dispatch, and ambulance departments; and St. Louis, passed resolutions for gave flowers to neighbors; assembled Missouri Good Neighbor Week and breast cancer support bags for patients National Good Neighbor Day,” Prophete at an oncology center; served meals at added. u SEPTEMBER

H E L LO

LIBRARY

Copyright © 2023

by The Hopeful Neighborhood

Project. Duplication

for personal and

non-profit use is

28

RESOURC

E KIT

encouraged.

org

orhoodproject.

hopefulneighb

“… being a good neighbor and having a good neighbor is something everyone should experience.”

G

reg Griffith serves as the lead pastor at King of Kings, a large congregation in Omaha, Nebraska, with around 3,900 members. He found out about LHM almost 15 years ago while he was serving as a pastor in Michigan. “It was a blessing to be able to easily get resources for our Bible studies and small groups that had solid content and creativity, plus video and graphics.”

Now, at King of Kings, they are working on making LHM resources available for their members. “I love the vision, purpose, and values of LHM. What stands out about LHM first and foremost, is that it is a global ministry that has the data of who they reach. Reaching out with the Gospel 195 million times each week is incredible. LHM shows us where God is leading us. Heaven is fuller because of LHM.” Griffith is also a fan of Barna Group and was excited to learn more about LHM’s partnership with them. The Spiritual Conversation Curve Cards stood out to him because they are clear and simple to understand.

Members of King of Kings have told Griffith they want to tell their friends about Jesus, but they don’t know where to start. “They are able to share the Gospel with people around them through everyday conversations, and the Spiritual Conversation Curve Cards empower them. People can share the Gospel in a way that feels authentic to them.

The cards help them know exactly what is needed of them and how they can reach out to people using the cards. Our members like that there is a clear goal for them.”

Griffith has been looking to grow King of Kings’ relationship with LHM, so we can partner together in even more ways to share the Gospel. “We are working toward making heaven fuller, the Kingdom stronger, and lives greater.”

Griffith reached out to Terry Biesboer, LHM’s chief development officer, major and planned gifts, over the summer to ask if he would be willing to be interviewed about his unique path to Jesus. Griffith has known Biesboer for about 10 years and knew that his story would be an encouragement to others as well as open doors for members to learn more about LHM’s work. Biesboer immediately agreed to the interview.

“King of Kings is a great church,” says Biesboer. “They are motivated to get the Gospel out there and encourage others to share their faith. They want people to know how easy it can be to share their faith, and LHM’s resources can help them accomplish that.” u The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 17

Tax-Wise Giving Options for End of Year

O Congregation Spotlight: How YOU Can Join LHM’s Mission

by MEGAN MCDANIEL

Congregation name: St. Paul Lutheran Church

Location: Munster, Indiana

Congregation size: 1,100 members

Contact person: Pastor Peter Speckhard

How does your congregation support LHM? We support LHM through what we call “Missions Monthly,” whereby each month our Board of Evangelism chooses some outreach or human care mission to support, and any offerings designated to Missions Monthly go to that mission.

We reach many people through our pre-k-8 school, but we don’t want to let our focus on that important ministry cut our members off from supporting other missions. We try to support a variety of local, national, and global parachurch ministries that are also Recognized Service Organizations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (the International Lutheran Laymen’s League/LHM is an auxiliary of the LCMS).

No congregation on its own can do everything the church is called upon to do, but every congregation can play some small role in everything the church is called to do.

What was the motivation behind supporting LHM? We chose LHM because of its dedication to evangelism beyond the reach or wherewithal of our local congregation and because The Lutheran Hour is close to the hearts of many of our members. We have for many years paid to have The Lutheran Hour broadcast on our local radio station in addition to excerpts of our own Sunday services. Although over-the-airwaves radio is not always considered to be at the forefront of modern communication, it nevertheless still has an audience, and we know LHM has always pioneered new media and has branched into other ways of getting the message out in the digital age.

What has been your members’ feedback? What do your members like about LHM? Probably the one thing LHM offers that seems to come up frequently in the day-to-day activity at St. Paul’s is the daily online devotion. Yes, that involves more building up the faithful than reaching the lost, but many of our members benefit from it.

Photo from Abby Cohs

If your congregation would like to learn more about how you can support LHM’s mission, contact Robin Forsythe at 314-317-4152 or robin.forsythe@lhm.org. If you would like to make a gift of support, visit lhm.org/give.

18 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

by MEGAN MCDANIEL

ur life and mission here on earth is the Great Commission itself—and doing what we can to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ shared with every person who needs to hear it.

Understanding current tax laws can open a whole new world of generosity for you and compound gifts for the ministries you care about, like Lutheran Hour Ministries. You just need the right tools. Smart giving tools make it easy to reduce your tax burden and support a favorite nonprofit like LHM as the end of the year approaches.

The following strategies are a few ways that can provide you with tax savings and allow you to make a significant gift to support our work this year.

Outright gifts of appreciated assets

Charitable life income plans

Gifts of appreciated assets such as securities or real estate are an excellent way to help support LHM’s mission and can provide you with numerous benefits: • Receive an income tax deduction, based typically on the asset’s fair market value • Avoid federal and state capital gains taxes • Avoid the Affordable Care Act Medicare tax

If you own low-yielding assets and are seeking a higher income, a charitable life income gift such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust may be worth exploring. In exchange for your charitable gift of cash or appreciated securities, you reap multiple benefits: • Receive payments for your lifetime(s) • Generate a current income tax deduction • Bypass all or a portion of the capital gains on appreciated assets • Enjoy increased financial security

Life insurance gifts Making a gift to LHM of your old, unneeded, or obsolete life insurance policy can provide you with the following benefits: • Receive a charitable income tax deduction • Reduce your taxable estate • Preserve your cash and savings

Charitable life estates If your estate plans include leaving your residence (home, farm, vacation home) to charity, you may wish to create a charitable life estate arrangement. You can make a gift to LHM of your property today and receive the following benefits: • Current income tax deduction • Life use and enjoyment of the property • A lasting legacy to further LHM’s mission

Qualified Charitable Distributions from an IRA For years, you have been able to direct your IRA administrator to send money to your favorite nonprofit, like LHM, as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD).

You now have four choices for your qualified charitable distribution: • Fund a charitable gift annuity and receive payments for life • Fund a charitable remainder annuity trust and choose fixed payments in an amount you choose for life • Fund a charitable remainder unitrust and receive payments for life • Make an outright gift to our organization

Have you already included LHM in your will and have not shared this decision? Let us know! You are a member of The Hoffmann Society, a faithful group of more than 2,000 individuals who have professed that they want to support the cause of sharing Christ’s Name during their life and after they go on to their eternal glory.

When you match your will to your personal values of faith, love, and family, you’ll experience peace knowing your affairs are in order and that they reflect your heart. Visit lhm.org/christianwill today to find your place on the legacy journey.

For more information, contact LHM’s gift planning staff online at lhm.org/giftplan, by email at lhm-gift@lhm.org, or over the phone at 1-877-333-1963. u

Empty Boxes Radio Special to Air This Christmas

C

hristmas is a time of discovery, and it can happen even when you think you’re well versed in the story. So it is for the teenage boy in Empty Boxes who muses over some of life’s big issues and comes to a fresh understanding of God’s love in the birth of His Son Jesus. This is not your ordinary kind of Christmas story, but author and narrator Rev. Dr. Jason Broge didn’t want to tell an ordinary kind of story.

Broge, who is senior director of global research and development at LHM, conveys the message of Empty Boxes in large part through the interior monologue of the teenager—a technique that is made for radio. Following a Christmas Eve service, on a frosty drive home with his mom’s best friend, Ruth, the teenager gets lost in a reverie that touches on teenage angst, the loss of a friend, a regrettable search, a week’s worth of silence, and a nagging sense of emptiness.

Perhaps it’s the choppy, discordant sounds of Ruth’s radio station search that lands for a moment on a sermon from The Lutheran

Registration for LHM’s 2024 Election Begins in February by CHAD FIX

W

by PAUL SCHREIBER

Hour by Dr. Dale Meyer speaking on “meaninglessness” from Ecclesiastes that inspires the boy to examine his young life. If so, his musing takes him to a similar conclusion as that of the writer of Ecclesiastes: “Everything is meaningless.”

And it could have been left at that, but something happened that Christmas Eve service. Filling in for his dad as usher, the boy assisted with the distribution and lighting of candles. And then the pastor’s message—Jesus, the Light of the world— like the lit candles and the Advent wreath that illuminated the church—dispels the darkness, conquers the meaninglessness of life without Him, and fills the empty boxes of our lives.

“There are so many reasons why the holidays can bring about a sense of emptiness,” said Ashley Bayless, LHM’s director of production,

YOUR VOICE. YOUR VOTE.

ant to have a say in Lutheran Hour Ministries achieving its mission?

As part of the ministry’s annual election process, you can help decide who serves on our Board of Directors in 2024 and beyond.

Anyone who has given a gift to LHM between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023 (and is also a member of a congregation of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod or Lutheran Church—Canada) will receive a postcard in early February with details on how to become part of the voting membership in 2024. Eligible constituents will have the option of registering online to receive an electronic ballot (the preferred method since it saves substantial ministry dollars) or mailing back the postcard to receive a paper ballot for the annual election that takes place April 15 through May 15.

Since a new voting membership is established for each election cycle, you must sign up to participate in the 2024 election regardless of whether you registered (or voted) in previous years.

The 2024 election will include a vote for open positions on the Board of Directors as well as important proposed Bylaws changes that are being recommended by the Board of Directors. You will be able to view information about the slate of candidates and the potential Bylaws changes in the next issue of The Lutheran Layman. You are then encouraged to register to vote

by March 15 to ensure your participation in the 2024 election process. u

This is not your ordinary kind of Christmas story!

who plays Ruth in the drama. “One of the things I like most about Empty Boxes is how Broge helps us see Jesus at work in the everyday. As you hear the boy reflect on his life, you can see God’s handiwork and faithfulness throughout his life, and it reminds us how God is at work in our lives, too.”

Empty Boxes will be available for radio stations to use anytime in December; it will also be available on The Lutheran Hour website, podcast, and app in mid-December. u

November 28, 2023

You Are Now Entering the Mission Field Share the Gospel message this GivingTuesday through your financial support and active engagement with LHM resources.

LHM.ORG/GIVINGTUESDAY The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 19

CHANGING LIVES Around the World with the

byMEGAN MEGANMCDANIEL MCDANIEL by

Gospel

Daniel shared how the film show message had motivated him to be courageous in his life.

Thailand

Tamonchon is a car mechanic who has followed a non-Christian religion his whole life. After coming across LHM–Thailand radio programs and listening to them for a while, he reached out to the LHM–Thailand staff for answers to his questions.

The staff members referred him to a local church where he could go to learn more about Christianity and talk with the pastor. He started going to church, joined a Bible study group, and enrolled in LHM– Thailand’s Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC). Tamonchon said, “I enjoy listening to the LHM radio programs. After studying the BCC, I got a basic understanding of the Bible.

I was baptized earlier this year and now I have peace in my heart. I can tell that I have a much happier life.”

“I enjoy listening to the LHM radio programs.”

20 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

Daniel is 24 years old and is unemployed. He grew up with his aunt and uncle after losing both of his parents, but after several years they kicked him out of their house, and he had nowhere to go. This led to several hardships in his life. He recently attended a film showing hosted by LHM–Uganda and began talking to the staff after the event.

He shared how meaningful the film show was and how the message had motivated him to be courageous in his life. He continues to stay in touch with LHM–Uganda staff and is learning more about Christianity through their topical booklets and materials.

Uganda

Gloria now has a new perspective on her life.

Mexico

Fabiola recently attended an outreach event hosted by LHM– Mexico. After the event, she took her three-year-old granddaughter to the LHM–Mexico Bible class for children.

She met an LHM volunteer who prayed with her and helped answer Fabiola’s questions about Christianity.

The volunteer also referred Fabiola to a local church where she could continue learning more about Christianity.

Fabiola’s daughter has been in prison for the last few years, so Fabiola cares for her granddaughter full time.

She works as a house cleaner, so she can bring her granddaughter to work with her. Now Fabiola is attending church services and is reading topical booklets from LHM–Mexico.

She even asked for extra copies of a booklet to share with her neighbors.

“I feel very blessed to have people like you helping me,” says Fabiola. “God has sent you because I was lost, and even though I still have many questions, I trust in God and will continue to pray to Him to provide hope for my situation and my daughter’s.”

“I feel very blessed to have people like you helping me.”

Gloria is 58 years old and works as a handy craft vendor in the city where she lives. She is a widow with two adult children who also work with her for their business. She went to the LHM–Paraguay ministry center office and began talking with the staff. She shared her trials and concerns with the staff, who prayed with her and gave her topical booklets based on her current situation. A few days later, she sent the staff a message thanking them for the materials and sharing how she now has a new perspective on her life after reading about the hope and comfort provided by the Gospel message.

Paraguay

Individuals around the world are reached more than 195 million times each week with the Gospel through Lutheran Hour Ministries’ culturally relevant programs and resources. 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.

Peter is thankful for the LHM staff who continue to pray with him.

Central and South Asia

Emre is in his thirties and started following an Instagram account run by LHM staff in Central and South Asia. He saw one of their posts about a hymn and became interested in finding out more about Christianity. Emre started messaging with LHM staff and later joined their live prayer time on Instagram.

After the live stream, he messaged the LHM staff and shared how meaningful it was for him. He said he never thought someone would pray for his trials like that. The LHM staff sent him PDFs of their topical booklets and continue messaging him to encourage him with the Good News.

Emre never thought someone would pray for his trials like that.

Peter is 82 years old and works as a doctor who makes medicines out of local plants. He was raised in a traditional African family and began practicing herbal medicine as a way to honor his late father. Several years ago, he developed a health condition that causes poor eyesight. He could not afford traditional medicine and gave up hope for healing. He met LHM–Kenya staff at a holistic medical camp they hosted and was interested in learning more about the Gospel.

He received treatment for his vision from medical professionals through this camp and started studying the Word of God to better understand Christianity. He is thankful for the LHM staff who continue to pray with him and share the hope and comfort provided by the Gospel.

Kenya

Altan continues to pray with LHM–Mongolia staff and is encouraged by the materials they share with him.

Cambodia

Che Meng is 57 years old and works as a receptionist at a local hotel. She was born into a nonChristian religious family and grew up practicing that religion.

She recently was connected with LHM–Cambodia staff who shared the Gospel message with her for the first time. Che Meng wanted to learn more about Christianity and accepted a topical booklet from the LHM–Cambodia staff. She continues to stay connected with the LHM staff and is eager to learn more about God’s Word.

Altan is 35 years old and became a Christian five years ago. He started struggling with addiction and went away from his faith. He lost all hope in his life until he connected with LHM–Mongolia staff, and they shared some of their topical Christian booklets with him. They also encouraged him to participate in activities at the local church. Altan is recovering from his addiction and is getting more involved in the church. He continues to pray with LHM–Mongolia staff and is encouraged by the materials they share with him. u

Mongolia

Che Meng connected with LHM–Cambodia staff who shared the Gospel message with her for the first time.

The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 21

Watch for LHM’s Float During the 2024 Rose Parade!

T

he 135th Tournament of Roses Parade will be held on Jan. 1, 2024, in Pasadena, California, under the theme of “Celebrating a World of Music.” The iconic annual parade, beginning at 8 a.m. Pacific Time, will feature marching bands from throughout the United States, high-stepping equestrian units, and dozens of majestic floral floats.

Psalm 98 calls forth a universal song of victory proclaimed with voices, lyre, trumpets, and horns.

This is the song of God’s victory, which He has achieved through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The people of God sing a new song—a song of hope, joy, and praise.

The 2024 LHM float, “Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord,” marks the 73rd time LHM has participated in the parade and features three heralding trumpets proceeding from a hymn book. Hanging from the trumpets are banners featuring the great mantra of the Lutheran Reformation, which is God’s plan of salvation: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Christ Alone.

Salvation is a gift (grace) from God given to all of those who believe (faith) that Christ’s death

LHM Learn: New Platform, Easier Learning Experience

by PAUL SCHREIBER

22 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

by CHAD FIX

League, the LHM float is the only Christian float in the annual parade.

The float carries on a mission The people to provide a Gospel witness to of God sing viewers everywhere, from the a new song— 5.5-mile parade route in Pasadena to televisions and computers a song of around the world. There are several hope, joy, television channels, streaming outlets, and social media platforms and praise. televising the 2024 parade. Check your local listings for the best viewing options. and resurrection is for you (Ephesians 2:4-9).

Hundreds of individuals are still needed to The LHM float invites viewers to meet—or help decorate the LHM float as well as others meet anew—the Source of hope and joy that completed by the Petal Pushers’ decorating cannot be taken away by anything that the team of around 4,000 volunteers. Petal Pushers world throws at you. Come, see, hear, and volunteers must be at least 13 years old and experience God’s goodness. commit to at least one eight-hour shift during Riders on this year’s float include Jeff Craigthe month of December. Shifts are available Meyer, LHM’s president of United States on the four Saturdays prior to Christmas (Dec. Ministries; Monta “Boom” Ekwanit Denow, 2, 9, 16, and 23) as well as the week between director of LHM–Thailand; Eden Keefe, Christmas and New Year’s (Dec. 26-31) until the the new president of the Lutheran Women’s floats are completed.

Missionary League (LWML); and pastors and To learn more about the LHM float, volunteer laypeople from throughout Southern California. opportunities, or ways to support this project, As a self-funded project of the Southern visit petalpushers.org. u California District of the Lutheran Laymen's

LHM Learn, LHM’s online resource for Bible-based courses, provides learners with courses to help strengthen their faith and empower their outreach. In October, LHM Learn transitioned to a new platform: Reach360. The new system gives users “a sleeker, simpler, more mobile-friendly experience. They will appreciate the shorter and easier registration process along with enhanced tools to search for and find courses in the library,” said Chris Macky, instructional designer for LHM. “When users log in to the new platform at lhm.org/learn (same web address as before), they will notice that their ‘Learn’ page clearly shows the courses that are in progress along with those they have completed. They can pick up right where they left off or find a new course in the Learning Library.

This new library gives users several options to sort courses and filter searches. If a user is logging in for the first time, the best place to start

is by viewing the micro-learning course called, ‘Orientation to LHM Learn,’” Macky said.

For those who already use LHM Learn, all its original courses have been transferred to the new platform, along with additional options like micro-learning courses and learning paths. Micro-learning courses are short, bite-sized courses that can be completed in less than ten minutes. “Learning paths are collections of courses, organized in a sequence, that create a path toward deeper learning. Once users have entered a course, they will find that navigation is very similar to their previous experience,” Macky added.

The new system gives users “a sleeker, simpler, more mobile-friendly experience.”

“The best part of this new platform is its mobile-friendly design. Many people access learning content on their phones or tablets in addition to their computers and laptops.

This new platform provides a clear appearance and easy navigation on any size device. And, of course, access is always totally free!” Macky said.

LHM Learn offers courses in five categories centered on a CalledEquipped-Sent paradigm. Designed for individual, self-paced learning, courses feature Scripture-based lessons, detailed graphics, video and audio segments, discussion questions, and prompts for reflection. Categories are Christian Foundations (basics of Christianity from biblical, theological, and historical perspectives); Cultural Concepts (understanding 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); and Spiritual Reflections (devotional thoughts meant to strengthen and encourage). To begin your learning, go to lhm.org/learn. u

GOSPEL ADVENTURES™ is headed to ...

Reaching Youth and Families in Paraguay by CHAD FIX

A

s adolescents struggle with conflicting moral and social choices, Project JOEL is the main field program for children and youth offered through LHM– Paraguay to tackle tough topics— from relationships to sex to drugs— in an honest, relevant manner, rooted in God’s love for them. The program is officially authorized by the Paraguayan government to be accepted in public and private schools. Ministry staff collaborate with participating schools to incorporate a variety of Project JOEL activities into classroom curriculum.

A trained psychologist and educator who serves on staff leads the Project JOEL program across 14 schools, ensuring students in both public and private settings can express their faith. Alongside her team, she integrates various field programs into the Paraguayan cultural calendar, leveraging national celebrations and special occasions to resonate the Gospel’s message with youth.

Alongside these Project JOEL activities for youth, LHM–Paraguay staff often host talks at schools to connect with parents. A recent presentation, “Mission and Challenges of the Family in Our Time,” highlighted the factors

“How good it is to hear advice and find support for my concerns.”

that hinder communication and harmony within the home. After the talk, each participant received a brochure titled, The Family.

Enzo, the father of a third-grade student at the school, attended the presentation. His wife died of cancer, and he has raised four children (three young adult daughters in addition to the thirdgrader). Enzo retired from the police force and currently works independently as a gardener. When his daughter finishes school each day, she accompanies Enzo to his job sites since there is no one else at home.

Following the event, Enzo shared with LHM staff some of the challenges the family has faced and how he has always worried about providing his daughters with the best of things while also protecting them and preparing them for the future. He thanked the staff for the information they presented, especially for showing solutions to several of his worries. “How good it is to hear advice and find support for my concerns,” says Enzo.

After a few days, Enzo wrote a letter to the staff thanking them for their willingness to listen to him and for the brochure he received. He said that he spoke with his children about the teachings offered in the booklet and that they were working together to find ways to solve their problems.

He also appreciated everything being presented from a Christian perspective and asked to be connected to a local congregation to grow in his faith. u

COMING IN JANUARY 2024!

Get ready for a journey across the outback and through the Gospel!

Register today for a sneak peek at the FREE 5-day curriculum!

The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023 | 23

31 Years of the

ST. LOUIS ZONE GOLF CLASSIC

by MEGAN MCDANIEL

N Puppet Shows Share God’s Love in Cambodia by CHAD FIX

C

ambodia’s population is extraordinarily young, with 90 percent of Cambodians younger than age 55 and half of the population being younger than 25. Working with pastors and principals, one way that LHM– Cambodia reaches the youth population is by hosting puppet shows in local schools. They also bring a supply of various storybooks to each event, so the kids can take the Good News home with them, too.

As children grow older, the LHM–Cambodia staff coordinates soccer competitions, Bible study groups, music concerts, and other events to stay connected and works with pastors and other Christian leaders to maintain ongoing relationships.

In addition to sharing God’s Word with children through these puppet shows, LHM staff also

inety-four golfers gathered and hit the course on October 2, 2023, for the 31st annual St. Louis Zone Golf Classic at Westborough Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. After golf, players and guests gathered for a dinner banquet with remarks led by Jeff Craig-Meyer, president of United States Ministries at LHM. A live auction and awards ceremony rounded out the evening. The annual tournament has raised more than $1 million in its history to support our mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. u

reaches school administrators and teachers. Sophany is the vice principal at a school where a recent puppet show shared the story about the Prodigal Son. After the show, staff members summarized the story and emphasized key messages such as how God made heaven and earth; we are all children of God but are lost; God sent His only Son to die on our behalf; and whoever believes in His Name will become His forgiven children.

Sophany was raised in a non-Christian religion but was intrigued by the message. She was uplifted to hear that God loves us dearly and asked the staff members to stay in contact, so she could learn more about Jesus. We pray that the Holy Spirit works in her heart so that she and her family members can learn more about the Christian faith. u

Celebrate the Season with Christmas Specials

Visit our broadcast guide to see which of our Christmas TV classics are airing near you.

LHM.ORG/GUIDE 24 | The Lutheran Layman Fall 2023

Celebrate the Christmas season by listening to this special hour-long radio drama.

LUTHERANHOUR.ORG