The Lutheran Layman

THE

LUTHERAN L AYMAN May - June 2018

DIGGING UP the BIGGER PICTURE see page 3

More Than We See. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 LHM Learn Presses On. . . . . . . . . 9 Celebration Event. . . . . . . . . 10-11 THRED Turns One . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Sentido Latino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 OMT to Cambodia—a Hit. . . . 19

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SPEAKING UP

by Dr. Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus, The Lutheran Hour

MORE Than We See “I am the resurrection and the life.

Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.”

A

middle-aged, slightly heavy, Scottish woman strode out from behind the theater’s side curtain. She sported unkempt hair and wore a gold lace dress which was not entirely flattering.

Those who saw her rolled their eyes and giggled. Nobody expected much of anything from the lady. That was the way it was on April 11, 2009, when Susan Boyle opened her mouth to sing.

The audience went crazy!

Sophisticated judges were apologetic for having judged a book by its cover. Quickly, the video clip became the most-watched piece of film in YouTube at the time. Her first record broke all sales records.

What I’m saying is Susan Boyle surprised the world. She was not what we expected her to be. She was much, much more.

I’m sure you agree; it’s a rare thing for someone or something to be better than we expect.

Over the years I have seen a steady stream of disappointed couples. The handsome, tuxedoclad groom who had been blissful at his wedding where he promised lifelong love to the most wonderful woman in the world says, “I was conned. She flimflammed me. She’s not the girl of my dreams.” Not to be outdone by her once-beloved,

the bride responds theologically by asking, “Pastor, doesn’t the Bible say we reap what we sow?

All I can say is ‘My knight who once was in shining armor looks pretty rusty.’”

I’m more than sure you have had a confidant reveal your secrets. You have had a friend turn on you. You have had a trusted comrade break his promises—and there’s probably more than one family member who, in a silent, subtle way, has disowned you. You have had bosses who let promises go unfulfilled and companies who demanded much but responded with little. So maybe you won’t argue so very much when I say, “People can be disappointing.”

Think of Him as Your Savior and Lord. If you do, you will not be disappointed.

On a day-to-day basis, it seems as if the Lord’s disciples were always working in a dense fog whenever it came to Jesus, His intentions, or His purpose.

He didn’t always do what people expected the Messiah would do. He didn’t behave like the

Jews expected their Messiah to behave. He didn’t raise armies; He didn’t flex His muscles, throw off the tyranny of Rome, and re-establish a new Kingdom of David.

What we need is a Savior. We need the innocent Son of God who, in order to save us, took our transgressions to the cross where He finished them off. We need the perfect Son of God who resisted every temptation that we found to be so tempting. We need to hear His Son, the only Person who can honestly say, “I am the resurrection and the life.

Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die” (read about it in John 11:25-27).

You will deal with all kinds of folks who will, both deliberately and unintentionally, let you down. But the Son of God has conquered death, so you might live forever. Think of Him as Your Savior and Lord. If you do, you will not be disappointed. n

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From the message “But Now I See” by Dr. Kenneth Klaus, heard recently on The Lutheran Hour.

L AYMAN The Lutheran

Vol. 89, No. 3 May - June 2018

Dr. Gerald Perschbacher (LL.D.), Editor

•

Andrea Thompson, Layout

Subscription: $5. Printed bi-monthly. 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, and The Hoffmann Society are ® registered marks, or SM service marks. The Puzzle Club is a service mark and trademark of Int’l LLL. All rights reserved, 2018 Int’l LLL. LHM Response Center: 1-800-876-9880

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

2 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018

W W W. L H M . O R G

DIGGING UP the BIGGER PICTURE

by Paul Schreiber

You and I are much like archaeologists when it comes to assessing the past and how it relates to the present. How? People look at the past and see different things. Each region of the world has cultures and peoples with a history. From the first—with their beliefs, language, tools, and material culture—early people groups all increased in complication and sophistication through the millennia. The know-how that built Stonehenge and the Parthenon was born out of trial and error, a quest to understand possibilities, and a drive to create something beautiful, monumental, and awe-inspiring. It worked.

When we look at each other, we see different things, too. Some lives may have been grounded early in the Christian faith (godly parents, parochial school, church attendance, family “faith talk”); for others, there was little of that. As is often the case, those on one side of the spectrum find it difficult to relate to those on the other. Our comfort zones are quickly invaded when we deal with non-like-minded people.

However, as we study people—ancient or modern—an emerging picture comes into focus. Sifting through the past adds brushstrokes to the existing sketch. We discover something new. We refine our approach, even confirm or debunk some long-held theories and pet presumptions. We gain an understanding, a new appreciation, even an unexpected kinship. Whether we’re looking at people who lived 4,000 years ago or just turned 30 this year, we find ourselves doing a kind of “archaeology” on them to see who they are and what makes them tick.

Just like archaeologists, we get in and “get dirty” to excavate the deep-down stuff.

At the level of the 30-year-old, the gut feelings, biases, likes, dislikes, and spiritual choices all have their origins. Preferences—and the reasons behind them—often are discernible through serious investigation, holding our critique until a later date. We may be tempted to “write off” someone whose mindset is different or seems weird, yet we think about building bridges, not walls. Communication happens; learning takes place; God steps into our conversations—lives are transformed. see next page

Whether we’re looking at people that lived 4,000 years ago or just turned 30 this year, we find ourselves doing a kind of “archaeology” on them to see who they are and what makes them tick.

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 3

DIGGING UP …

Today the world is aware of this story of courage and persistence through books, articles, and films that detail the lives of these missionaries and the work God did through them!

from previous page

Extreme Witnessing

By God’s grace, their research paid off!

Serving the Gospel cause of Christ while digging deeply to learn about others is similar to missionary efforts by Jim Elliot in Ecuador during the 1950s. He and others were researching the Huaorani Indians (also known as the Auca), a remote and fiercely independent tribe that settled along the Curaray River. They resisted contact with the outside world. To make inroads, a handful of dedicated missionaries including Elliot and wife Elizabeth worked painstakingly to learn tribal customs. Through persistence and several treks into Huaorani territory, these Gospel carriers reached members of the tribe. By God’s grace, their research paid off!

These intrepid missionaries were ecstatic at the prospect of encountering a people that had little-to-no contact with outsiders—let alone the Gospel. So they pressed on toward a rendezvous. Success was ultimately achieved, but it was not without cost. On Sunday, January 8, 1956, five of these missionaries were killed while reaching the tribe. Tragic as this was, the story does not end there.

Today, because of the Gospel groundwork laid and the God-guided perseverance of missionary wives who carried on after the death of their husbands, several members of the Huaorani tribe have come to profess faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Today the world is aware of this story of courage and persistence through books, articles, and films that detail the lives of these missionaries and the work God did through them!

The World We Live In The world today is vastly different than when Jesus tied His sandals. Infact, it even makes the 1950s look strange. Archaeologically speaking, however, change is the norm. We kid ourselves if we think we grasp, simply by maturity or experience, how 4 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018

people generally perceive the world or what they probably think about a given topic.

Like the apostle Paul delivering his “People of Athens” speech on the Aeropagus to a diverse mix of citizens and foreigners (Acts 17:16-34), we do well to be passably conversant with thoughts trending in our society. That does not mean we buy into those narratives. But having a familiarity strengthens our hand, giving us cards to play in further conversation. This makes us better communicators of the Gospel.

Adding to that, gaining an understanding of demographic groups in present society is a way to increase the odds of opening doors to conversation. Besides seniors and newborns, there are more demographic groups: the Boomers (born 1946 to 1964), the Gen Xers (born 1965 to 1983), the Millennials (born 1984 to 1998), and now Gen Z (born 1999 to 2015). Naturally, birth dates for such groups may vary depending on the research model. Even so, there is much for us to learn: How

do individuals respond to the culture around them? What do they think about institutions and organizations? What motivates them? How do they feel about family, friends, gender, relationships, and their place in the world? These are only a few of the questions that allow us to dig a little deeper.

Sound complicated? It can be. Fortunately, functional generalizations can be made since sufficient investigation has been done on age groups. Using data, we can estimate, even reasonably predict, how various groups will likely respond to the world and the messages they receive. In the case of Lutheran Hour Ministries plus the work of local congregations and Christian schools, this is crucial for the design and development of tools and material resources. It makes us privy to the nuance of the complex marketplace in which we live. It heightens our sensitivity to user needs.

The result: we produce materials that are appropriate and engaging to the audiences.

Fruitful Partnership This is where targeted research comes in. Going forward, LHM is working closely with the Barna Research Group to obtain detailed information on how best to connect with demographic audiences. This is especially important in society’s tech-based, social media milieu. Barna, a leader in belief-oriented and spiritually based research, has conducted more than a million interviews in its 30-year history. This depth of experience sheds fresh light on faith, culture, leadership, vocation, and generations. The company’s research objective is plain: “Barna Group provides spiritual influencers with credible knowledge and clear thinking, enabling them to navigate a complex and changing culture.” (See article on page 21.)

LHM is becoming progressively engaged in online ministry initiatives. This includes THRED, LHM Learn, upcoming Spanish-language podcasts of Sentido Latino (which targets U.S. Hispanics), and other outreach efforts. Audience awareness and understanding are a critical must-have. With this in hand, LHM is positioned to reach and serve the enormous numbers of people who get their news and data online and who regularly communicate through social media.

“… this in-depth research will impact our decision-making process at every turn.”

Hit the Target Dr. Tony Cook, executive director of USM, is a believer in targeted research. That is why he opted to use Barna for a recent survey. “Most people are unaware that Barna did a research study for LHM some 25 years ago, asking several questions that were asked on the current survey. The answers LHM received are invaluable in providing an arc of data that captures feedback and how views have changed over a quarter century,” Cook said. Acquiring this sort of user information is vital.

While producing Christian resources that edify and uplift believers is integral to LHM’s mission, it is also our aim to better connect with people on the periphery— those who are outside the church and beyond the sphere of faith-sharing believers.

“As we develop online curricula and seek a hearing for the Gospel through social media, this in-depth research will impact our decision-making process at every turn,” Cook added.

Barna’s recent survey resulted in a monograph titled Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age. The data will be presented and discussed in a series of workshops

by Cook this year. “I look forward to getting in front of churches, fellowships, and other interested lay groups and reviewing the Barna findings. This research will significantly inform LHM’s strategy, so it is important to share data with our constituency and others. This will also allow us to get fresh feedback from the field and, at the same time, keep people up to date on the direction LHM is taking.”

Key to LHM’s future mission is a more vibrant online presence through podcasts and other digital offerings. New media projects like Digging Deeper (a bi-weekly podcast featuring Cook and Deaconess Ashley Bayless) will examine the content of LHM Learn courses and some of the philosophy behind their creation. These podcasts will give listeners a way to maximize their course experience. Cook and Bayless also will discuss coming courses and answer questions.

Action in Ministry, a segment previously airing after messages of The Lutheran Hour, is undergoing modification to a live-to-tape podcast as well. This program will complement the radio broadcast and give listeners additional resources to deepen their faith and encourage their outreach. “We’re glad to see the AIM segment transitioning in this way,” said Jim Arand, manager of audio development.

“The guests and content we previously ran when AIM was part of the radio program both supported and expanded the weekly sermon. Now we can continue to do that and infuse the podcast with content not directly tied to The Lutheran Hour message.” see next page

… we produce materials that are appropriate and engaging to the audiences.

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 5

DIGGING UP … from previous page Digitizing the Connection THRED celebrated its first full year on February 1. It intersects people’s lives where they are— now. This immediacy is a strength of social media. Concerns that are posted or voiced can receive swift feedback. The interaction between THRED staff, volunteers, and the public is radically different than conventional exchanges of years gone by. The ability to keep a conversation stoked in real time can lead to positive results.

Case in point: in December, THRED covered the topics of abuse and trauma—subjects which resonated among a large number of followers.

According to Rachel Legoute, THRED’s project manager of outreach, “One woman communicated that she was a non-churched individual. She responded to an online graphic that had this quotation: ‘When it comes to abuse, you believe there is no way out. There is always a way out.’ In her response, she spoke to some of the difficulties people face when trying to get out of abusive circumstances. After some Archaeological photos courtesy of Paul Schreiber

online exchanges with LHM staff, the woman expressed her thanks for LHM’s support and its empathic understanding. Since this encounter, we have had multiple conversations with her about intentional living, and even deeper conversations including some on the topic of Christ’s incarnation!”

This is a good example of how personal connections are being made on THRED, and it shows how even distanced relationships can be nurtured and expanded—gradually and patiently. As a footnote, this woman continues to interact on THRED’s web page. Encounters like this show the potential of THRED to impact people significantly. Going forward, LHM’s use of Barna data will also help inform the THRED team’s selection of topics, giving them new and, perhaps, unexpected insights on how to reach, sustain, and serve those who interact with THRED content. As LHM better understands its constituency and 21st-century audiences in general, it can refine its mission and outreach to be more timely, issue-savvy, and targeted.

DEEPENING the WELL T

he world of the Bible—its languages and literature, history, cultures, social system, religion, etc.—can be explored in many profitable ways. Are you interested in the original languages of the Bible? Consider a college class or online coursework in Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic.

Doing so will inform your faith and give you some marvelous insights. If taking a class doesn’t fit your schedule, you can pick up a Hebrew-English and/or a Greek-English interlinear Bible—or one that has all three languages! A tool like this gives readers the Bible in the original languages (with Hebrew and Greek translations) and reveals them side by side, with a literal wording, plus English.

For general information on the Scriptures, there are all sorts of Bible handbooks, dictionaries, almanacs, atlases, and commentaries as well as works on archaeology covering various periods, regions, peoples, sites, and more. If available in your area, be sure to check museum exhibits related to the Bible, too. Often there are traveling international displays of great significance that can be viewed at museums and other institutions around the country. For instance, “The Treasures of Tutankhamen” making the rounds in the late Ancient sites in Egypt were “state of the art” when new. Today’s innovations may set new pathways.

6 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018

It intersects people’s lives where they are—now.

by Paul Schreiber

1970s was one such exhibit and was viewed by millions in six cities across the U.S. In 1922, when British archaeologist Howard Carter and his team found King Tut’s tomb and the stunning artifacts of his burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings, it was a worldwide sensation!

Still, as celebrated as this discovery is for Egypt, for students of the wider ancient world of the Old Testament there are peripheral benefits.

For instance, data gleaned from analyzing Tut artifacts (the work is still ongoing) sheds light on the Egyptian world of this boy king (1347-1338 B.C.) and, as a result, sharpens the overall picture we have of Egypt. This is a big plus for those seeking to understand the society and culture of one of Israel’s most important neighbors. (By the way, to see this exhibit at Chicago’s Field Museum in 1977, we arrived at 4 a.m. because of the crowds. After dozing for a couple of hours in some dimly lit corridor, we finally had our audience with King Tut at 3 p.m. that afternoon and, yes, it was worth it!)

As the lead article points out, understanding the process of archaeological work can carry over to many aspects of life, even communicating the faith in a “culture” beyond our own. If

All this research … helps clarify our understanding of the world we live in.

In Our Orbit As digital capabilities increase, it’s important to not lose sight of what Christ’s followers knew ages ago: take time to get to know those who are already close to us— like our fishing buddies on Lake Galilee, the women we meet at the well, the drifting, searching prodigal—even the scribes and Pharisees who seem aloof. In other words, let’s remember our neighbors, family, co-workers, and friends—people in our orbit with whom we can have real-time, face-to-face conversations, in the flesh. There’s no downtime here or loss of an internet connection.

There is no wait after posting a comment to see if someone will reply. Instead, it’s as simple and low tech as grabbing some coffee together or getting a bite to eat for lunch. It’s easy, it’s old school and, at the end of the day, it’s something we all know how to do.

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). n Paul Schreiber reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work in the United States. He has worked on archaeological projects in Missouri, Arizona, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

“… remember our neighbors, family, co-workers, and friends—people in our orbit with whom we can have real-time, face-to-face conversations, in the flesh.”

… understanding the process of archaeological work can carry over to many aspects of life, even communicating the faith in a “culture” beyond our own. you’re interested in doing some archaeology, you can volunteer on a dig. To learn how to excavate, recover, record, catalog, and preserve artifacts, this is the way to go. Each year there are projects going on all over the U.S. that are affiliated with universities and research institutions. You can find out more by going online. If you want to do some archaeology with specific tie-ins to the Bible, there are foreign digs going on in countries like Israel, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and Italy, among other places. These will put you right in the thick of it, excavating in places with direct associations to Old or New Testament events. Be forewarned—the power of antiquity in these places is great. You may find yourself getting hooked on archaeology—never to return to modern civilization again!

As a graduate student from Missouri State University (MSU) in Springfield in the early 1980s, doing overseas archaeology was big-time fun. Our job was to excavate nine tombs in the desert outside Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Age estimates of some of these burials based on artifacts date to 2500 B.C., running all the way up to the time of the Muslim expansion in the 7th century A.D. As is frequently the case in archaeological field work, this was a salvage operation. Some tombs were to be leveled and cleared for runways being built by the Saudi Arabian Air Force.

Beyond the archaeology, of course, is the present-day culture, which is another part of the overseas experience.

We were shown great hospitality (a millennia-old Arab custom) and welcomed warmly by our Saudi hosts.

We (there were four of us from MSU) worked with individuals from Egypt, Yemen, and the Sudan, digging and recording the site.

As would be expected, there are big takeaways in Middle East archaeology: meeting fascinating people and having cultural epiphanies are two that come to mind.

All this research—either as an archaeologist exploring some remote site on another continent or as an interviewer gathering data on cultural and religious trends in contemporary America—helps clarify our understanding of the world we live in. It also improves the integrity and appeal of our witness when we deepen the well of data at our disposal and can speak to topics tangential to God’s Word, but still very much connected to it. n

Paul Schreiber has experienced several “digs” that impacted his life.

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 7

Graham’s Voice is Stilled, but

God’s Word Remains

Each man, in his special way, delivered the precious message in person and via electronic communications.

After Dr. Billy Graham (right) visited with staff members at Lutheran Hour Ministries in 1973, he spent time conversing with Dr. Oswald Hoffmann in the St. Louis studio from which The Lutheran Hour originated.

by Gerald Perschbacher

D

r. Billy Graham, known the world over for his passion to share the Good News of the risen Christ, entered glory at age 99, Feb. 21. Although his voice is stilled, the impact of Gospel-changed lives is an ongoing reminder of the Living Word that transcends time and space.

Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, longtime Speaker of The Lutheran Hour (1955-1989), knew Graham for many years. The two shared the uplifting joy of sharing God’s Word with a world in need of guidance, certainty, assurance, and salvation through the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. Each man, in his special way, delivered the precious message in person and via electronic communications.

Graham was a fan of The Lutheran Hour, respecting those who stood at the program’s microphone. Dr. Walter A. Maier, founding Speaker, made a strong impact on Graham, who emulated Maier’s energetic style of preaching, a style promoted by great orators of his era. “He was a gracious and tender man and he made a great impact on many people. I wept and wept upon hearing of his death (in 1950). It was partially as a result of Dr. Maier’s death that the Hour of Decision went on radio,” said Graham, totally enamored by the impact radio made in the early days of The Lutheran Hour.

When Graham was in St. Louis, Missouri, late in 1973, he visited the Int’l LLL/Lutheran Hour Ministries office, squeezing in the visit during a busy 8 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018

week of “crusade” activities that attracted tens of thousands over several days. Interestingly, that crusade was held in the Arena, a well-established facility that seated well over 20,000—“even bigger than Madison Square Garden,” Graham told the public. Truth be told, the first public event decades earlier in that massive facility was a rally with Maier as speaker.

When Hoffmann introduced Graham to the LLL staff at that 1973 visit, he said his friend was “the man who always talks for Jesus Christ; he has given the church in this country a new idea, that it is perfectly

Colorization by Andrea Thompson.

respectful to talk up for Jesus Christ.”

Graham furthered an idea at that special gathering: “The Lord is at work in our world. Let’s don’t get our eyes on the problems. Let’s get our eyes on Jesus Christ and the opportunities and challenges of this hour.”

As he visited individuals, the guest offered one-onone encouragement for the staff to never flag in zeal for sharing the Word of God. Yet, Graham admitted the strain from his hectic travel and speaking schedule. For a time, he planned to curtail his crusade activities. But no sooner than that was said, he knew the Lord would provide the energy and ability for him to persevere. When the St. Louis crusade neared conclusion, Graham noted there would be another in some other city, then another. The string continued up to June of 2005 when he concluded his final massive crusade in New York City, an event that attracted a quarter-million people in three days.

Hoffmann passed to glory in September of that year, having witnessed the career of his friend.

The impact of these two men extended beyond crowds. Graham and Hoffmann shared their thoughts and advice with people in key positions of authority, including several presidents, heads of state, and high ranking military officers. Yet, each time they shared God’s Word, it was to the heart and soul of the individual. n Dr. Gerald Perschbacher serves as editor of The Lutheran Layman and manages the LHM Research Center Archives.

“ … we want to give participants the encouragement and essential info to have comfortable and meaningful conversations about faith and Jesus in their everyday lives.”

New Course, Fresh Research—LHM Learn Presses On

I

can start and stop them, returning later to where you left off), and they’re full of practical information you can use right now.

These courses are ideal for sharing, too. They make excellent introductions to the various subjects they present. They can be worked on in small groups, with spouses, new believers, kids in high school or college, and with friends. Send someone you care about the link above and get them started on the road to learning more about God and the love He has for us! n

W e!

O bl N ila a Av

n Redeeming Creation, a Watch.Read.Reflect. (Christian Foundations) course from LHM Learn, users will explore the various connections that exist between God’s original and perfect creation, the nature of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross, and the new creation awaiting Christ’s ultimate return at the end of time.

The course was written by Dr. Charles Arand, graduate professor of theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. His areas of interest and expertise include the Lutheran Confessions and the theology of creation. Redeeming Creation is a brief but insightful course which includes a journal page and video transcript to help users in their study of this fascinating topic.

Since January, LHM Learn has welcomed more than 800 new users and has added three new courses, in addition to Redeeming Creation. These are Everyday Opportunities (Outreach Essentials), Silent Witnesses, and Psalm of Thanks I (both Spiritual Reflections courses). Psalm of Thanks II will be coming soon. Since its August 2017 launch, LHM Learn now has 14 FREE courses available.

Integral to LHM Learn’s future coursework is Lutheran Hour Ministries’ partnership with The Barna Group. This joint venture will supply LHM with targeted research and demographic data to use in a variety of ways. One of the first fruits of the LHM– Barna engagement is the monograph, “Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age.” Findings from this survey will be instrumental in charting out plans for this year’s Barna-inspired courses: Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age, The DNA of the Eager Conversationalist, and Becoming a Conversation Partner (all working titles).

“In these three courses, we will lay out the current climate for spiritual conversations and how that has changed over the years,” said Ashley Bayless, curriculum development manager. “We will also consider what eager conversationalists (those who talk about their faith more than 10 times a year) have in common—and how we can all be more in tune to that way of thinking in our own lives. In each of these courses, we want to give participants the encouragement and essential info to have comfortable and meaningful conversations about faith and Jesus in their everyday lives.”

Beyond Barna, LHM will continue partnering with other organizations to create more courses. “In April we worked with Ambassadors for Reconciliation on a course, and we are in conversation with faculty from Concordia University Wisconsin to develop our next Watch. Read. Reflect. course,” Bayless said.

All LHM Learn online courses are FREE and require nothing more than registration to use. To sign up and take advantage of these excellent faith-building courses, visit lhm.org/learn. Courses from LHM Learn are convenient (you

by Paul Schreiber

LHM LEARN: OUTREACH ESSENTIALS

How Do You Share Your Faith Story?

The new online course from LHM Learn explores how God demonstrated His faithfulness and how you can share your personal faith story with others.

Find this course and other Outreach Essentials for FREE at lhm.org/learn today!

These courses are ideal for sharing, too.

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 9

SEE YOUR MINISTRY DOLLARS AT WORK:

Join Us for LHM’S

M

ark your calendars to join us at the historic Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee August 3-5 for an exciting weekend that celebrates the work that God is doing through Lutheran Hour Ministries around the world. This weekend offers a chance to reconnect with friends, opportunities to be energized by mission and ministry, and a chance to hear about the bold vision that will carry LHM forward to new generations.

This is just a sampling of the highlights that will make this an event you won’t want to miss—all for $199 per person (adults 18 and older) and $75 for youth under age 18.

Lodging is not included in the conference price; find pricing details in the sidebar.

CELEBRATION EVENT

FRIDAY Enjoy a casual evening of food, fun, and fellowship with family and friends. Dance to the music of 5 Star Roscoe, a band comprised of members from Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, Missouri, that will be providing music throughout the weekend.

The evening also includes a short presentation honoring the volunteer efforts of our LLL district presidents.

SATURDAY Celebrate the many blessings that God has bestowed on this ministry by hearing powerful updates from staff, volunteers, and individuals who have been touched through the ministry work being accomplished under each of LHM’s four strategic priorities:

Energizing, Equipping, and Engaging Laity for Outreach: LHM is focused on providing relevant tools and training to help congregations and individuals reach their community with the Gospel.

Includes: • Details about LHM’s exciting partnership with Barna Group; • An overview of LHM’s new online outreach resources found at LHM Learn; • Ministry success stories.

Growing God’s Kingdom through Expanded Media Outreach: LHM’s media outreach makes

FOR MORE DETAILS, OR TO REGISTER, VISIT

lhm.org/celebration.

10 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018

use of radio, video, online, and print to reach a diverse audience with the Good News. Includes: • Exciting updates about international outreach

through media expansion; • An introduction to LHM’s podcast offerings; • The presentation of the first-ever Walter A. Maier

New Media Award with special guest Rev. Dr. John

Nunes, president of Concordia College New York.

Bringing the Gospel to the Unreached Around the World: Globally, billions have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Through expanded radio and online ministry, as well as strategic personal and holistic outreach, LHM will reach millions more with this life-saving message. Includes: • An opportunity to learn about LHM’s

unique international ministry model; • Reports about culturally-relevant ministry

efforts taking place around the world; • Powerful stories about refugee relief efforts in the Middle East.

Engaging Communities in the Digital Mission Field: LHM will launch online ministries to reach new audiences and walk with them as they learn more about Jesus and the church. By God’s grace, we will bring them to a point where they are ready to go off-line and join a welcoming Christian community. Includes: • Highlights of how people in North America are being reached through THRED’s online

community; • Best-selling author (and LHM’s new content development manager)

Don Everts sharing resources and tools

to reach younger generations.

Saturday concludes with a gala celebration featuring food, drinks, music … and a big announcement to conclude the evening!

SUNDAY The weekend wraps up with a continental breakfast followed by a special sending service with communion beginning at 10 a.m.

SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL GUESTS One of the highlights of LHM conferences is having a chance to meet and talk with ministry staff from around the world. This year, staff members from five of LHM’s ministry centers will be joining us in Milwaukee.

Sathiyanathan Balan – Sri Lanka Balan joined LHM in 2001 as director in Sri Lanka, where he manages administrative activities, oversees production of programs, and establishes relationships with Lutheran and other Christian groups. He previously served the Lanka Lutheran Church as a correspondent, evangelist, and coordinator of their education project.

He was also an executive member of the Church Council of Lanka Lutheran Church for three years. Balan earned a certificate in theology from Concordia Seminary in Sri Lanka, studied short courses at Theological College of Lanka and Concordia Seminary in Nagercoil, India, and completed a diploma course in social sciences at the Open University of Sri Lanka. He and his wife Vijayamala live in Wattala.

Alphonsus Claimett – Liberia Alphonsus started as the director of LHM—Liberia in 2014 after serving for several months as the center’s audience relations coordinator. He oversees LHM ministry activity in Liberia, coordinates the ministry’s employees and volunteers, and serves as the liaison between LHM’s headquarters and the local ministry. He previously served as a junior high history teacher and vice president for administration as well as business manager for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia. Alphonsus earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Liberia and was awarded a certificate of honor from the youth department of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Paynesville. Alphonsus lives in Paynesville with his wife Florence.

Ancella Gregory – Jamaica Ancella joined LHM in 1996 and became the director in Jamaica in December 2013. She coordinates all of LHM—Jamaica’s programs, overseeing the center’s mission work and finding local partnership opportunities. She previously taught at a school and served as a supervisor in a garment factory. Ancella earned a Jamaica School Certificate, General Certificate of Education, and a Caribbean Examination Certificate. She recently received a Level 2 Certificate for human employment and resource training: early childhood education. She lives in Kingston with her husband.

They belong to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, where she is a deaconess and secretary.

Katia Sahyouni – Lebanon Katia is the audience relations manager in Lebanon and has served with LHM for more than 20 years ministering to women, ethnic groups, orphans, and refugees, as well as reaching out to children, youth, and university students. In addition to her studies in computer languages at the American Universal College, Lebanon and theology at the Luther Rice Bible Institute, Lebanon, Katia studied youth ministry, ministry in a changing world, intercultural communication and teaching the Christian faith at Concordia University-Nebraska. She has recently enhanced her communications skills by completing a degree in Graphic Design at Notre Dame University, Lebanon.

Victor Verruck – Paraguay After serving for two years as a volunteer and lecturer for LHM—Paraguay, Victor joined LHM in 2007 and became the center’s director in 2009. Before coming to LHM, Victor worked in various roles—including sole proprietorship—in industrial electricity and electronics companies. Victor’s extensive education includes training as an electronics technician with several specializations. From 2000 through 2004, Victor was enrolled in the pastoral theology program at the Lutheran Church of Paraguay’s Instituto Biblico Adolfo Dilley. He recently completed studies at Concordia Seminary to become an ordained pastor. Victor and his wife Estefana live in Barrio Cerrito, Capiatá.

EVENT ACCOMMODATIONS The Pfister Hotel Known as the “jewel of Milwaukee,” this Victorian masterpiece includes the largest collection of Victorian art found in any hotel around the world. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown, and is surrounded by entertainment, dining, shopping, nightlife, and more. It’s just three blocks from the shores of Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee Art Museum, and mere steps from the financial and theatre district.

Rooms at The Pfister are available for $139 per night plus tax when booked before July 9. Discounted overnight parking is offered for $15 per night. Call 414-273-8222 or visit lhm.org/celebration to book a room today at this special rate.

Hilton Milwaukee City Center Due to limited space at The Pfister Hotel, we have additional accommodations available at the beautiful Hilton Milwaukee City Center located just a few blocks down Wisconsin Avenue.

A shuttle will be provided to/from The Pfister regularly throughout the weekend.

Please note that you WILL be able to get your Hilton Honors rewards if you stay at the Hilton, but you must book your room using the links at lhm.org/celebration or by calling 414-271-7250 to get LHM’s discounted rate of $134 per night plus tax.

Overnight parking is available for $10 per night plus tax. n

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 11

THRED

THRED invites and encourages people to make on-the-ground connections with other believers.

Turns One

by Paul Schreiber

B

een reading a lot about THRED in The Lutheran Layman in recent months? There’s good reason. There’s a lot going on! From inception, THRED has been dedicated to making—and sustaining—online social media connections through its website (thred.org) and Facebook page (facebook.com/THRED/). Fact: Facebook alone has more than two billion monthly users on its website.

The name “THRED” is all about connections—about creating a backand-forth dialogue (a discussion thread) where the exchange of ideas is open and honest, and where—when the time is right—Jesus enters the conversation.

To put this into context: beyond Facebook, there are tens of millions of monthly connections being made between people on Twitter, Instagram, blogs, forums, chat rooms, you name it. Words and pictures flying back and forth—a lot of opportunity to share the best Good News!

The ultimate outreach goal of THRED is to invite and encourage people to make on-the-ground connections with other believers. Employing a ReachResponse-Referral model, THRED seeks to engage people where they are in their lives and thinking—right now— through its Facebook page and website.

Avenues of dialogue spark THRED’s online articles, its discussion threads, blog posts, video and graphic uploads, or something as simple as asking a question and having a reply from the THRED team.

THRED Model Here’s how the THRED model works: THRED first seeks to reach nonchurched persons with challenging and thought-provoking content that inspires reflection and interaction using multiple connection points. THRED 12 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018

strives to engage users, thus gaining their response via online discussions where they can offer their comments and perspectives. Whenever possible and appropriate, THRED volunteers or staff make a referral where THRED visitors are encouraged to connect with another believer or local community of faith, in the area where they live. (Go to the lead article in this issue to see an example of how this works.)

THRED makes its social media mark with its website and Facebook page. On its website are loads of articles on topics like society, relationships, personal issues, and God & Christianity. Click on one of these and you can drill down further. Blog posts, videos, a bit about THRED itself, and a place to ask questions all make the THRED website user friendly, with new info added regularly. THRED Pops (five-minute humorous and insightful observations from Matt Popovits) and THRED Dialogues (roundtable conversations with Chris Paavola) keep THRED content lively, varied, and always seeking new ways of generating visitor interest and user engagement.

Coordinating a group of writers to produce THRED content requires planning and time tables to keep the input fresh and the machine running smoothly. “My job has been heavily focused on THRED’s written pieces,”

said Megan Panarusky, a project manager of content for THRED. “These include longer articles that seek to communicate a Christian view on a topic in a down-to-earth, relatable way for people who don’t regularly walk in Christian circles or aren’t used to Christian language/jargon. THRED also uses blog posts that share a personal point of view to jump start a conversation,” she added.

Social Media Data With more than three million “reached” on Facebook (the approximate number of visitors who have seen THRED content in its first year) and more than eight million “impressions” (how often content was viewed by visitors reached), THRED is tracking nicely in the social media marketplace. Similarly, THRED’s website has experienced more than 62,000 different page views and more than 21,000 unique visitors, according to Rachel Legoute, project manager of outreach for THRED. THRED also utilizes “social listening” tools to sharpen its focus and effectively tailor its message. By using specialized software, THRED can scan online public forums by screening for keywords or combinations to see how they are trending. By having this data before posting, THRED team members

draft more targeted messages. Better info leads to wider connections.

Knowing what issues/concerns/topics are being voiced online gives THRED posters the chance to create a specific message. This addresses subjects more immediately as a drawing card to THRED’s website or Facebook page.

Going forward, research data LHM receives from its partnership with the Barna Group will figure into future directions THRED takes in producing content.

“A challenge we face is being relevant in a digital world flooded with content.

What will make people care about THRED?” Panarusky asked, indicating the goal to shape THRED into a go-to website where life’s tough topics are considered and answers of real and eternal value are offered. “On the flip side, the need for THRED is great.

As THRED makes new inroads and increases its digital impact, what we offer is vital—especially as a forum to help people become better listeners and more open to those with differing opinions. This can make us more useful in service to those who are—for whatever reasons—estranged from God and the hope offered through His Son,” she added.

Ongoing Process All of this is very much a work in progress. As THRED gains experience to navigate the shifting seas of social media, it gets increasingly adept at reaching people where they are—in their issues, struggles, and lives.

Important, however, is sustaining a conversation of enough duration and depth to lay bridgework toward higher things—Christ-centered things—where God does His patient and transformative work in His own inimitable fashion. n

ON THE MOVE

by Phil Johnson, Chairman, Int’l LLL Board of Directors

From Homeland to Exile—

“I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

When Did We Move?

A

long with some friends, I just finished reading a book by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, both leaders at Barna Research Group. The book is Good Faith: Being a Christian When Society Thinks You’re Irrelevant and Extreme.

It was a good, thoughtful read with challenging questions, but it doesn’t provide simple answers.

The last chapter challenges Christians to see themselves through the eyes of God’s ancient Israel following their exile in Babylon. That event was traumatic.

It put the people of God right in the middle of where they didn’t want to be.

The landscape was wrong. The food was different. The language and customs were incomprehensible. Everything familiar was taken from them, including their temple and priesthood. They were dislocated, separated from home and everything familiar, and forced to live in a strange new place. But this was exactly where God wanted them to be.

In the midst of their confusion and doubt they receive a letter from home. The prophet Jeremiah didn’t have the stature or status to draw Babylonian notice, so he had not been sent away with the exiles. In the 29th chapter of his book, he pens these words in a letter to God’s people in exile: “Build houses and live in them.

Plant gardens and eat what they produce. Get married, have sons and daughters …

Work for the good of the city where I’ve taken you as captives, and pray to the Lord for that city. When it prospers, you will also prosper.” Jeremiah is reminding them that they are right where God wants them to be, and He still has a purpose for them.

If you had to describe mainstream culture today, what words would you use?

Do you look around you, read the newspaper, listen to the radio, watch television, and wonder how you got here? You don’t remember being carried away from your homeland, but where you live no longer looks like the place you remember.

It seems like everything has changed, and not for the better. This must have been what exile felt like. Change is difficult and uncomfortable. But this change was from God. Developing relationships with people who are so different in their values and actions and attitudes toward life can be challenging. This is what we face as the people of God, living right where God wants us to be. Notice God’s call to engage culture, not on its terms but on His terms: “Work for the good of the city … and pray to the Lord for that city.” Prayer centers our attention on what God is doing, so we can see places where the Kingdom of God is breaking through. We can help rebuild houses and restore shattered relationships. We can help feed the hungry or give hope to the homeless. Wherever we are, God calls us to work for the good of the city, and in the midst of all our work we pray! We invite God to open our eyes and ears to see and to hear what He is doing. We seek His strength and Grace to effectively share His Good News with our neighbors, different as some of them may seem.

In the midst of this “exilic culture” you might ask “what good news do we have to share?” Living in the midst of a culture that more and more reflects ancient Babylon, what do we, the people of God, have to offer? Read what Jeremiah wrote in 29:11 “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.”

That is Good News! Wherever we find ourselves we are exactly where God wants us to be, because He is with us wherever we are. This is just what our Lord Jesus promised to His disciples in Matthew 28:20. “And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.” Israel was not alone in its exile, and neither are we. This time and this place are exactly where we have been called, so that, in the midst of this exilic culture, we continue Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. n

We are Expanding Our LHM Podcasts!

Be inspired by the life-changing outreach ministries being carried out by churches and individuals all across our globe on Action in Ministry!

Catch the new AIM podcast on iTunes today!

But this was exactly where God wanted them to be.

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 13

Worth Quoting

“ ‘Christian’ America is gone. Many think that Jesus was just a normal person with sins. Morality is whatever benefits my desires. The Ten Commandments are off the public square and out of many hearts. That makes this new time an opportunity, a strange blessing to understand anew, or understand for the first time, what faith really is and how faith changes us … . When the darkness is thick around you, be like the wise men who followed the star to Jesus (Matthew 2:1-11). The changes that disturb your calm and the crises that rock you are times for you to consciously practice faith. Follow the promises of God to the confidence that awaits you in Jesus Christ.”

– Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer on The Lutheran Hour, January 7, 2018

Here are a variety of recent quotes taken The Lutheran Hour. These are good for sharing with family, friends, even strangers.

When using a quote, please provide proper credit.

“The world is changing. Way back in 1930, when Dr. Walter A. Maier first spoke on The Lutheran Hour, the world was different … children said ‘excuse me’ when they walked in front of you. Back then, a man’s reputation was every bit as important to him as the money he was making. Companies were committed to their employees, not to a multi-million-dollar bonus for a CEO who was making plans to get out before the company had to file for bankruptcy. Back then, athletes were still amazed they were being paid for playing a game they enjoyed … .

“Jesus’ words … His actions … showed He possessed the unlimited power of God to amend, abridge, and override the rules of nature … He proved His power by healing …

(Mark 2) … . If you have looked at Him—I mean, really looked at what He has done to save you, then I’m convinced that you, too, must feel compelled to confess, ‘Jesus is the Authority in my life because Jesus, God’s Son, is my Savior from sin. He is the Lord who has given His life for my life.’ In this simple statement, you are joining with hundreds of millions of others who have confessed a truth which never changes: ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved’ ” (Acts 4:12).

– Rev. Dr. Kenneth Klaus on The Lutheran Hour, January 28, 2018

Proclaiming Our Savior Beyond Our Lifetimes T hinking about the future can be difficult, especially if that future extends beyond our lives. We want to make sure everything is taken care of and we have done all we can to make the world a better place. But that doesn’t mean it’s pleasant to think of the world without us.

A Russian poet named Anna Akhmatova addresses this topic in one of her writings: “Preserving my generous bequest, You will live long and worthily.

Thus it will be. You see, I am content, Be happy, but remember me.”

Akhmatova wasn’t talking about a life of faith, but she addressed something that is true for all Christians. During our life we are to take advantage of all the abilities and opportunities which God lays before us to make sure our lives bring glory to Him. But we are also to do as the prophet Joel said, “Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation” - Joel 1:3. In this way we can be content knowing that those who come after us will have the chance to bring the truth of Christ to a world in need.

This mission is why so many faithful Christians have chosen to remember Lutheran Hour Ministries in their wills and estate plans. When you and I leave this world, we 14 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018

want to know that there will still be dedicated followers of Christ who are working to proclaim the glory of our Savior to the lost and unreached.

There are so many ways to remember Lutheran Hour Ministries in your estate: you can give to a program or ministry center that is important to you—or you can set up an endowment to ensure that your gift will last as long as God’s mission through Lutheran Hour Ministries. You can also make a gift to the area of greatest need that will ensure that LHM has the financial freedom to do whatever work we are called to around the world.

Individuals and families who have informed Lutheran Hour Ministries of their estate plans are included in The Hoffmann Society, a group of more than 3,000 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. This group of faithful believers helps support this organization every day and are a key part of Lutheran Hour Ministries’ planning for the future.

Many people have included LHM in their final plans and have not shared this decision. If you are one of these people, you are a member of The Hoffmann Society! For more information, or to tell us we’re in your estate plans, contact LHM at lhm-gift@lhm.org or 1-877-333-1963. n Chad Fix oversees the corporate communications of LHM.

by Chad Fix

“Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.”

– Joel 1:3

“We’re hearing a lot about Millennials today, young adults between 22 and 35-years-old. In many ways they are different from older generations.

They grew up with computers and cell phones; they’re called ’digital natives.’

They tend to distrust institutions. Think about how key institutions failed them.

For example, many were raised in divorced homes. Government seems to be failing them. Their generation may well inherit the massive debt that America is now facing square-in-the-face. And—many are not buying into the church … .

Jesus’ Word continues to meet people where they’re at, and He doesn’t want to leave us there. His Spirit strives to bring us all into deeper repentance and faith in the Good News of God. What young persons can you meet where they’re at, and tell them all that God has done in your life?”

– Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer on The Lutheran Hour, January 21, 2018

“What word other than ‘amazing’ could have been used by those who had been first to see an open tomb; who received the resurrection news from the angelic messengers and had the opportunity to personally meet the living Lord? (See Luke 24:22; Mark 16:8.) Once Jesus had said (John 10:18), ‘No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.’ The day Jesus died, our sins died with Him. The day Jesus defeated death by His own authority, the grave was transformed. Rather than being the gateway to an eternity in hell, for all who believe in the Christ as their Savior it became the portal to paradise. All this because of the amazing, astounding authority of the Christ, God’s Son, our Savior and Lord … . But now, I have to ask a question: Who is the authority in your life? Understand I’m not asking who has the power … I want to know who has the authority … and there is a difference between the two.”

– Rev. Dr. Kenneth Klaus on The Lutheran Hour, January 28, 2018

“How do you feel about God? This is within you. It’s internal. It’s subjective. This is the way most Americans understand faith. This is why the majority of Americans say it doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere in your feelings and don’t hurt anyone. The Bible does recognize this internal, subjective aspect of faith, how you feel. When Jesus was asked what commandment is the greatest, He answered, ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul … .’ (Mark 12:29-30). Heart and soul is within you, internal, subjective. But now we have to ask, what is the object you love with all your heart and soul? You have deep feelings, but do they have a focus? Might it be that when your feelings of faith seem to be getting weaker, you are focusing more on your feelings than on God, the object of faith?

“The second way of understanding faith is far and away the most important.

Jesus says, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’ (Mark 12:29-30). Loving the Lord God means looking outside of yourself, totally outside yourself to Someone greater than your feelings. This second aspect of faith in the Bible is not in you but outside of you. It is not internal but external. It is not subjective but objective. This second aspect of faith comes to you; it doesn’t well up within you.

It is a truth that is greater than yours or my feelings. It is a focus for your life, for your heart, soul and mind that is outside of you. And what is this external, outside-of-you focus? It is God coming to you through His Son Jesus Christ.”

– Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer on The Lutheran Hour, December 3, 2017

These and other messages on The Lutheran Hour are archived online at www.lutheranhour.org.n

Give a Gift to LHM Through Your Will Your life has been saved through the Gospel. You can help share the Gospel with future generations by remembering Lutheran Hour Ministries in your will.

If you would like more information about impacting others in this way, contact Lutheran Hour Ministries at lhm-gift@lhm.org or 1-877-333-1963.

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 15

“… we address several issues that U.S. Latinos face in their personal lives as citizens in the U.S. and in their faithwalk as Christians.”

Sentido Latino Helps Navigate U.S. Culture

by Paul Schreiber

T

his spring, Lutheran Hour Ministries features Sentido Latino, a podcast that addresses the needs of a growing, yet little understood subset, of the Spanish-speaking U.S. population from Latin America: Latinos. Hosted by Rev. Luciano Vega-Ayala and Deaconess Noemi Guerra, this 15-20 minute, biweekly podcast will entertain even as it informs and promotes family values. “Sentido Latino means ‘Latin Sense,’” according to Beatriz Hoppe, LHM’s manager of the Office of the Speaker of The Lutheran Hour.

“Its meaning is further explained in its tagline, ‘Donde tu vida tiene sentido.’ In English, this is ‘Where Your Life Makes Sense.’”

At its heart, Sentido Latino will encourage and assist Latinos as they navigate two very different U.S. cultures—the American, with its stress on economic and secular enterprises, and the Latino, with its concern for relationships, community, and spiritual matters. Addressing issues from a Latino-Christian worldview, the program will help listeners tap into

Sentido Latino is hosted by Rev. Luciano Vega-Ayala and Deaconess Noemi Guerra.

the rich heritage of wisdom the Latino culture has at its disposal—principles that will help guide these individuals through tough moral and relational challenges. Show notes for each podcast add value by introducing the topic; bullet-pointing the program; offering website links and other resources; and providing quotes or images that can be shared via Facebook and other social media.

Consistent with reaching a vast audience of some 58 million Spanish-speaking individuals in the U.S., Sentido Latino utilizes and promotes LHM’s Christ-centered resources to equip believers in their faith-walk and to draw others to the Savior. In this respect, the program will pursue LHM’s long-standing charge of connecting individuals to churches in their community and help fulfill its mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church.

When asked about desired outcomes for the program, host Vega-Ayala said, “My hope for this new podcast is twofold. First, to reach the Latino

population in the U.S. with a Christ-centered message that is straightforward, dynamic, and applicable to their daily life in the American culture. And second, to engender in them a desire to learn more about the Word of God so that eventually they get connected to a local Christian community.”

As Latinos migrate to the U.S., there are language issues they face. These issues can create a substantial disconnect between many first-generation, Spanish-speaking immigrants often busy with earning a living and the U.S.born children they raise who are schooled in English. This results in two cultures and languages in the same home. The disparity is compounded when first generation parents haven’t learned English due to work and/or time constraints, yet their second-generation children are learning it every day through daycare, babysitters, their friends and, of course, school.

From her experience, Guerra spoke to pressing needs beyond the language issues Latinos face in the U.S. “We have cultural challenges, racial and social differences (Mexicans versus Puerto Ricans, etc.), and even religious hurdles. Through the Sentido Latino podcast, we address several issues that U.S. Latinos face in their personal lives as citizens in the U.S. and in their faith-walk as Christians.”

Hoppe expressed her optimism for Sentido Latino’s ministry value and its potential for outreach. “I have two big reasons to be excited and very thankful to God. We are launching a program that will address the needs of an overlooked segment of the population.

And we’re making an intentional effort to reach a multicultural audience.” n

VOTING ENDS MAY 15!

HAVE A SAY IN WHO REPRESENTS YOU!

16 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018

The annual election for the Int’l LLL/LHM Board of Directors is underway! Thanks to the nearly 3,400 members who registered to vote this year to fill the five open positions on the Board.

Based on a Bylaws change approved by the membership last year, there is no longer a separate vote taking place for the Officer positions of Chairman or Vice Chairman beginning this year. Once each year’s election is complete, the Board will appoint these Officer positions from among sitting Board members (just as the Board already does for the Officer positions of Secretary and Treasurer).

If you registered with LHM’s headquarters before March 15 and received a ballot either electronically or through the mail, please remember that your vote must be submitted online by May 15 or in an envelope returned to the independent tabulation firm by that date. Election results will be available online by the end of May and will be announced in the July/August issue of The Lutheran Layman. n

ON THE MOVE

by Kurt Buchholz, President & CEO, Lutheran Hour Ministries

A Mission Worth Celebrating Together We have one mission—HIS mission, and we embrace it together as partners.

I

n June 1917, a group of 12 men met on the eve of a Synodical Convention in Milwaukee because they felt called to address a serious financial issue in their church body. However, what they soon learned was that the issue could be resolved only through many people who were committed to working together.

That was the spirit in which the Lutheran Laymen’s League was conceived, and it has been the organization’s heartbeat ever since.

We are thousands of individuals whom God has called to the task of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church—but who, by His grace, achieve so much more by working together in community. We have one mission—HIS mission, and we embrace it together as partners.

If God could work through those 12 laypeople in 1917 to lay the groundwork for achieving such incredible Gospel

impact over the next 10 decades, imagine what the next century of ministry can be like with not 12, not 1,200, not 12,000, but 120,000 or more called, equipped, and SENT laypeople driving forward in faithful service to make the Gospel known!

Members like you never fail to encourage me to keep focused on our mission because there is so much more to do today and into the future. With billions of people still unreached with the Good News, our work is not even close to being done. We know that bold new strategies are required for sharing the love of Christ.

That’s why we feel called to expand our vast global reach into new areas previously unreached by the Gospel.

It’s why we are reaching out to new generations through digital platforms to speak to them about the issues they struggle with most—and then

making the personal connections that are vital to supporting them in their faith journey. And it’s why we continue to leverage new mass media technologies to meet new audiences wherever they’re consuming media.

We realize that no one person or organization can reach the world’s entire unreached population on its own, which makes it more important than ever for us to continue walking side by side with laypeople like you to spread the Good News of salvation and eternal life through Jesus.

I am so looking forward to August 3-5, 2018, when we will return to our ministry roots by gathering for an LHM Celebration Event at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. We will see firsthand the impact of these strategies and how God is opening our eyes to the people whom

He knows are crossing our paths … both those people that need to encounter Christ and those “next generation laymen” who will be companions along that very path. The weekend will also be a chance for all of us to connect with friends we may only see every couple years at an Int’l LLL convention, praise together the Lord who has called us in joyous worship, and renew our passion for our shared mission as we boldly enter our second century of ministry.

I hope that you will save these dates to join your Int’l LLL/LHM family in Milwaukee as we celebrate the mission that God has for us today and into the future. Visit lhm.org/celebration today to find additional details about this exciting weekend’s schedule of events, to register, or to learn how to book your hotel room. n

Intensive Training Energizes Ministry Center Leaders

by Chad Fix One of the great advantages of the ministry model deployed by LHM internationally is hiring local staff who know the language, understand the culture, and know best how to communicate the Gospel in their context. This allows culturally relevant programs and materials to be developed that appeal to people within a certain country or region.

Once a year LHM makes it a priority for all ministry center directors and the regional director from each of the four international regions to come together for a week of training, strategic planning, team-building, and fellowship. Traditionally, these workshops are held within the region, usually somewhere accessible to all participants. This year, nearly 30 staff members from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East (see photo) were blessed to gather together in March to participate in a unique workshop sponsored by a Christian media association. Held biennially in Thailand, the conference features a week of intensive training on a variety of topics. Volunteer experts from around the world attend and lead these training track sessions.

In addition to nearly 40 seminars and workshops, this year’s event offered four

days of pre-training within 18 different areas of emphasis from which to choose.

Many of LHM’s attendees enrolled in the training track covering social media.

The content shared in these workshops helped them strategize on how to create a social media presence with intent to reach specific audiences, and then offered ways to utilize various platforms to best engage these new audiences.

Other topics included using mobile-captured media to create short films, engaging scripture to help people through specific crises or trauma, using storytelling to share God’s Word in diverse cultures, creating local arts and music to capture attention and witness, developing radio programming and websites, and producing culturally-intelligent media that connects with the audience. All content tracks highlighted the importance of identifying and being aware of the culture with whom you are engaging.

Our attendees felt energized by sharing time with more than 700 attendees from various organizations around the world. “I received great insights for the work that we do,” says Berhanu from Ethiopia. “Thank you for giving me and the others the opportunity (to learn) and may God bless our efforts to extend ministry works.”

“The training gave me an opportunity to learn from other stakeholders the key aspects of doing effective ministry,” says Isaac from Kenya. “I took part in the track about using arts and music and gained valuable insight into media analysis, audience research, and contextualization of the Gospel.” n

“I received great insights for the work that we do.”

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 17

Sharing the Gospel Online—

and through Dance— in Latvia

“… it is your relationship with God, come as you are.”

E

mils is a 19-year-old high school senior who lives in a small town in the northern part of Latvia. Just like many young people nowadays, he can’t imagine his life without social networks.

“I like to spend time with my friends, although we mostly talk virtually instead of getting together in person,” he says. “I like Snapchat and Instagram because you can always find something interesting there. If I leave my house to go out somewhere in my town, it has to be something special.”

Emils’ best friend Karlis is a member of the local Lutheran congregation and has invited Emils several times to join him for the Sunday service. While Emils has attended a few times, he didn’t feel comfortable in the setting.

“I do believe in a higher power, but I felt like I don’t belong there,” says Emils. “I didn’t know all the rituals and the songs. Karlis always tells me to just sit and enjoy because there is no right or wrong in this situation. It is your relationship with God. I know what he means, but I always felt like church is for older people, not for me.

I thought that others will judge me for not knowing something. I guess there were all these stereotypes in my head—how you should look and what you should do to be suitable for church.”

One day Emils was chatting with Karlis on Snapchat when he was asked if he wanted to learn some hip-hop dance steps. Karlis sent him an online poster advertising an event coming to town—Lutheran Hour Ministries would be offering dance classes for children and teens.

“I thought this would be a great reason to do something outside of the home,” says Emils.

To his surprise, the dance teacher was a young

18 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018

boy who dressed and talked the same way as Emils.

“He seemed perfectly normal” says Emils.

“This dance teacher told us that there is a music style called Christian hip-hop. He told us that you can listen to the contemporary music, and this music can be without any aggression or bad words. And you can praise Jesus through this music! I was totally surprised! It didn’t match with all the stereotypes in my head. So, you really can be modern and stylish and be a Christian? Just as my friend Karlis said: it is your relationship with God, come as you are.”

The next Sunday he asked Karlis if he could attend church with him. “I am considering becoming part of the congregation,” he says. “It is just like being in a big family—there will be good days and there will be some bad days, but the most important thing is now I feel like I do belong there.”

Using “There were all these social media to reach stereotypes in my head— people like how you should look and Emils is why what you should do to be LHM–Latvia suitable for church.” repurposed its stunda.lv website last fall. In today’s world, young people are increasingly going online in search of digital solutions, connections, and relationships. Stunda.lv, as well as THRED in the United States and vivenciar.net in Latin America, allows LHM to meet them where they are by creating online spaces where people of diverse backgrounds can join authentic conversations about life and faith and provide opportunities to share the message of Jesus with individuals looking for answers. n

Grant Supports LHM’s Mission Outreach in the Middle East and North Africa by Chad Fix Lutheran Hour Ministries was honored to recently receive a $10,000 grant from the Marco Lutheran Church Foundation in support of its mission outreach efforts in the Middle East and North Africa (see photo above).

The check was presented to Tom Rehkop, LHM ministry advancement officer, during the 11 a.m. service at Marco Lutheran Church in Marco Island, Florida, on Feb. 11.

“Marco Lutheran Church is very dedicated to Christian outreach in the southwest area of Florida,” says Rehkop.

“We greatly appreciate their eagerness to partner with Lutheran Hour Ministries to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world.”

The Middle East and North Africa region continues to experience tremendous turmoil and suffering. Because of that instability, the opportunity for individuals living in the region to hear the Gospel proclaimed is often limited at best. However, LHM now has a tremendous chance to provide hope to people across more than 20 countries in the region through a new variety television show developed in partnership with SAT-7 that dramatizes real-life problems and struggles for young people and their families. The funds received from this grant will also help with LHM’s continued refugee relief program that provides humanitarian assistance to individuals in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.

“We believe that we are called, equipped, and sent to share the love of Christ in the world,” says Lois Engfehr, LHM grants manager. “In spite of the turmoil in the region, we see great opportunity to expand our ministry efforts into those countries with large non-Christian populations.

That’s why we are so blessed by the continued partnership with Marco Lutheran Church to help us carry out this lifechanging work.” n

“We believe that we are called, equipped, and sent to share the love of Christ in the world.”

Online Mission Trip to Cambodia

Was a Big Hit with Kids

by Chad Fix

T

he 2018 Online Mission Trip to Cambodia took place Jan. 22-25 during Lutheran Schools Week.

Nearly 600 teachers, parents, and other educators registered for the trip this year—which means tens of thousands of students saw firsthand how the Gospel is shared in another part of the world.

The “trip” provided four days of content on an interactive website including videos, photos, online curriculum, and discussion questions to allow participants to explore Cambodia’s culture, discover how LHM is meeting the needs of the local population, and reflect on what it means for their daily life. By the end of the four-day journey, participants developed a deeper understanding of life in Cambodia and an appreciation of the work of God’s people in Cambodia.

“The trip was such a joy and our students really responded,” said Nancy Shewmaker from Concordia

uoy nehw noissim dna yrtsinim labolg ssenti W ot pirT noissiM enilnO 8102 ruo rof MHL nioj uoy ,ecneirepxe enilno siht hguorhT !aidobmaC si lepsoG eht woh dna evil elpoep woh ees lliw .dlrow eht fo edis rehto eht no derahs

… tens of thousands of students saw firsthand how the Gospel is shared in another part of the world.

Christian Academy in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where several classes participated in this year’s online mission adventure. “Some classes made food associated with the culture and one student even noticed that his clothes had been made in Cambodia.”

OMT also shows students all the different methods and opportunities that Christians worldwide use to share the Good News, and many students put this lesson into practice by personally giving to a milk bank campaign to support ministry work in the profiled country. Another exciting aspect of the trip for students was the ability to download postcards and coloring pages to fill out and send back to LHM. More than 2,000 cards were returned this year and will be

distributed to Cambodian children through LHM’s ministry center.

“We enjoyed learning so much about Cambodia and looked forward to submitting our postcards and our collection of donations,” said Deborah Martinez from Shield of Faith Christian School in Monrovia, California. “We even tried some insects that we learned are a part of the Cambodian diet. Thank you LHM for opening our eyes to the great need of sharing Jesus there.”

It’s not too late to join in the excitement! The OMT content for Cambodia has been slightly retooled and repackaged as a free course on LHM Learn. It makes a great addition to VBS week, Sunday school sessions, and Bible study classes. Visit lhm.org/learn to register and then you will have access to all the family-friendly course materials to share with friends and family members. n

Stay tuned for information in the coming months about plans for 2019!

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tisiv ,retsiger ot dna noitamrofni erom roF

AIDOBMACTMO/GRO.MHL

Online Mission Trips LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES

Witness global ministry and mission when you join LHM uoy nour ehw n2018 oissim dnOnline a yrtsinim lMission abolg ssenti WTrip to Cambodia! Through for ot pirT noissiM enilnO 8102 ruo rof MHL nioj this will uo y ,ecnonline eirepxe enexperience, ilno siht hguorhT !you aidobm aC see how people live and

One student from St. Paul Lutheran School in Grafton, Wisconsin, went the extra step and wrote her postcard in Cambodia’s official language, Khmer!

spirT noissiM enilnOOnline Mission Trips

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 19 Witness global ministry and mission when you join LHM for our 2018 Online Mission Trip to Cambodia! Through this online experience, you

Feeding Hungry Souls in Paraguay

“This course taught me about the importance of work, and therefore, I changed my attitude towards it.”

LHM’s Project JOEL program continues to have great success providing youth throughout Latin America with biblically based guidance in making healthy lifestyle choices. The program is integrated into school curriculum in some countries, but also supplements its educational content by incorporating opportunities for holding sporting and cultural events. As a strong outreach program throughout the region, Project JOEL is reaching more than 35,000 students in public and private schools who are impacted annually by God’s Word in their lives, and consequently impacts their families.

“This course … changed In Paraguay, this impact is seen through a new my attitude … .” program offered to mothers of students in public schools where Project JOEL is being carried out. The “Bread of Life” program, developed and implemented by LHM–Paraguay Director Victor Verruck and his wife Estefana, is offered for free as a three-month training course consisting of weekly sixhour classes where ladies from low-income families are taught to bake different kinds of bread and pastries. Estefana, who previously owned her own bakery, volunteers to lead the classes and offer her professional baking skills with the attendees.

For some of the ladies, this program is a source of income by not only teaching them how to bake but also sell their homemade products within their neighborhoods. During the time of fermentation during each class, Victor and his wife offer short presentations on topics such as parenthood, home violence, marriage, relationships, communication, and sexuality that are of concern to the women. It also provides time for God’s Word, the eternal Bread of Life, to be shared and impact the lives of the women, many who knew very little about Christ before participating in the classes.

“I learned a lot and had the opportunity to participate and interact with members of the Lutheran Church to learn more about our Savior Jesus Christ,” says one attendee. Another participant adds, “This course taught me about the importance of work, and therefore, I changed my attitude towards it.” n

A Quarter Century of Blessings LHM–India Director Rev. David Chinnayan— known to us at LHM as C. David—has announced his intentions to retire at the end of the fiscal year on May 31. He was honored for his nearly 25 years of service in front of LHM staff members from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East while the group was in Thailand in March to attend training. Rev. Dr. Douglas Rutt, LHM’s executive director of international ministries, delivered a message of thanks before lunch on the first day of meetings and then presented Rev. David with a plaque. The group also celebrated the upcoming retirement by hosting a farewell party at Kantok Cultural Show Restaurant in Chiang Mai. Rev. David was a pastor in the Nagercoil Synod of the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC) and a missionary in the IELC’s Bombay Mission Field before beginning his service to LHM in 1994 as a program officer. He took on the role of assistant director from 2002 through much of 2003 and has now served as director in India for the past 15 years.

Under his leadership, LHM–India 20 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018

by Chad Fix

“We pray for God’s blessings on him and his family as he enjoys this next chapter of life.”

now has two locations—the main center in Chennai and a satellite center in the giant city of Mumbai— that work to spread the Good News of God’s grace to tens of thousands of Indian people who have never had the opportunity to learn about Jesus.

Through the use of internet technology, the Left to right: Gunya Na Thalang, Rev. David Chinnayan, and Dr. Douglas Rutt.

ministry center has expanded its radio-style outreach—from a weekly broadcast on traditional radio to broadcasting 24 hours a day online. The center also reaches out to Tamil-speaking Indian people through television broadcasts twice a week.

Recognizing the cultural influences of music, dance, and drama, the ministry in India brings the Gospel to live audiences through devotional songs, short dramas, and dialogues. LHM–India also reaches out to those interested in the Gospel through cassette ministry, printed literature, and Bible Correspondence Courses in six official languages: Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi Marathi, Gujarati, and English.

“We are grateful for Rev. David’s leadership and his innovative efforts to share the Gospel with tens of thousands of individuals over the last two decades,” says Gunya Na Thalang, LHM’s regional director for Asia.

“We pray for God’s blessings on him and his family as he enjoys this next chapter of life.” n

oup

r G a n r a B h it w g An Evenin

Good News for Children this Summer and Beyond

by Paul Schreiber s the end of school approaches, it is time for teachers to order LHM’s popular kids’ booklets. These superb little page-turners make great gifts for departing students or thoughtful giveaways to youngsters going to VBS this summer.

Now released is Let’s Be Disciples, latest in the collection. Illustrated by Masaru Horie, the booklet carries clever rhyme work by Witness Tool Coordinator Suzie Sallee and other LHM staff members.

These handy booklets engage youngsters with Bible stories and Christian principles.

Being pocket-size makes them ideal for kids to tuck in their backpacks, keep a few handy for their friends, or slip one in the pocket of someone with whom they want to share some Good News.

Kids can easily take them anywhere, and the stories are fun and easy to read.

“These booklets have really caught on with kids! Not only are we distributing them to dozens of places in the U.S., but many of them are in translation, so kids in foreign countries are reading—and sharing—them, too. We are quickly approaching the one-million mark for booklets being used in the United States, in addition to what has been translated around the world! This has made the release of Let’s Be Disciples even more exciting.We are thrilled to add this seventh release to our series,” Sallee said.

The other six titles in this kids’ mini-library are: • Do You Know Who Jesus Is? • Sharing Your Faith • Learning to Pray • The Easter Story • The Christmas Journey • The Bully There are occasions throughout the year when these booklets would be a welcome addition in the hands of a youngster. For instance, Learning to Pray works well as a gift booklet for kids in their Sunday school classes.

Sharing Your Faith and The Bully can be given out before the school year begins. The Easter Story and The Christmas Journey are great for handing out during Lent and Advent. And, of course, Do You Know Who Jesus Is? works any time of the year. On a side note, we know of many who pass out these titles in Halloween candy bags or drop them into Christmas stockings.

Kids love them no matter how they get them!

Individual booklet titles come in a pack of 25 and cost only $7 plus shipping.

You can preview them by going to the LHM website at lhm.org/kids and clicking on a specific title. n

“These booklets have really caught on with kids!”

LHM, in partnership with Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis and Send Me St. Louis, welcomed Barna Group President David Kinnaman to St. Louis April 18 for a presentation to a packed house of around 300 pastors and church leaders. Kinnaman discussed the research gathered in partnership with LHM about Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age and shared a newly-released monograph with attendees that is based around the same topic. Kinnaman also spent time at LHM’s offices for meetings with LHM President & CEO Kurt Buchholz, Executive Director of United States Ministries Rev. Dr. Tony Cook, and other staff. n

Follow little Georgia as she tells her friends what it means to be Jesus’ disciple sent into the world to share

the Good News!

Go to LHM.ORG/KIDS to download or purchase your copy today!

Visit lhmgift.org/storefront or call 1-800-876-9880 to order!

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 21

T

The Impact of Good News

he International Lutheran Laymen’s League through Lutheran Hour Ministries remains committed to reaching the unreached with the life-transforming Gospel. While the world has changed over the last 100 years, the love of Christ is changeless. Ministry programs remain while others have come and gone; however, the legacy of mission is rich with threads of people and places woven together with one thing in common—the need to be saved by the only Savior whose death and resurrection can bring forgiveness and eternal life.

WALTER A. MAIER • 1930 THE LUTHERAN HOUR

the key is prayer

Amid the ebb and flow of hope and despair, tossed about as you are on the raging seas of doubt and distrust, there is an Anchor which will hold you fast and keep you safe from the rocks of destruction. I want you to see in this divine Christ, the Onlybegotten of the Father, the greatest Friend humanity has ever known, the greatest Love the world has ever witnessed, the greatest Power that had ever asserted itself on this earth, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

WALTER A. MAIER • 1924 THE WALTHER LEAGUE MESSENGER Our life is like the dial of the clock. The short hand is the Hand of Discipline; the long hand, the Hand of Mercy. Slowly and surely the Hand of Discipline must pass, and God speaks at each stroke; but over and over passes the Hand of Mercy, and both hands are fastened to one secure pivot, the great unchanging heart of a God of Love.

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ANDREW MELENDEZ • 1960 THE LUTHERAN HOUR As children with all spiritual and material rights and privileges, we have a key that opens the coffers of divine blessings so necessary for our soul at all times. This key is prayer, prayer in the name of Christ. Didn’t the Lord tell us, “whatever you ask the Father in my name He will give it to you?” But again, do you know which is the right key? It is the prayer that our own Savior taught us. This prayer not only addresses all spiritual and material needs, but it also nurtures the sweet relationship that unites us to the Triune God Almighty. How great it is to pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven ...”!

OSWALD HOFFMANN • 1983 THE LUTHERAN HOUR God wants you to have the joy of His salvation, right here and now.

God wants you to be unfettered from the slavery of sin by the grace of His forgiveness. He wants your life to be ennobled with prayer, praise, and thanksgiving. He wants you to have a healthy mind and a sound body, all working together.

OSWALD HOFFMANN • 1955 THE LUTHERAN HOUR

a new identity

No one can share the Gospel, unless he has it himself. We say this without boasting or arrogance—we believe that through the grace of the Lord JesusChrist we shall be saved.

What makes us so sure? Jesus Christ Himself—and God’s Holy Word telling us about Him. All the world knows that Jesus Christ lived—and that He died.

We know—and this gives our belief its meaning— that He alone of all men rose from the dead, and was declared to be the Son of God with power.

HERMAN GOCKEL • 1970 THE LUTHERAN LAYMAN What the church of [the future] will need is communicators who, while remaining faithful, at the same time are resourceful and imaginative enough to translate [religious] clichés into a language which will be meaningful to a new day.

This will not be easy. Nor will it come naturally. It will call for charismatic leaders, speakers, writers, editors— dedicated craftsmen in the never ending school of Spirit (see 1 Cor. 12:4-11).

Pray God that He give these precious gifts to His Church.

GREGORY SELTZ • 2013 THE LUTHERAN HOUR You are never going to know who you are until you know yourself in and through the grace of Jesus Christ. He is your Creator, your Redeemer, your Life.

Your Power to love and forgive, your Confidence to serve, your Hope to live an abundant life now and forever!

God calls you to a new identity! He calls you to be a forgiven son or daughter of Jesus Christ. And when you understand the overwhelming grace of this new status, this new identity, earned on your behalf when Jesus lived, died, and rose again for you, that is the strength to live differently in this world.

Quotes on these pages are from the LLL/LHM 100th Anniversary book, Called. Equipped. Sent., available for ordering at shoplhm.org or by calling 1-800-876-9880.

PHYLLIS WALLACE • 1990s WOMAN TO WOMAN His mercies are fresh every morning, and His forgiveness is total no matter what we’ve done.

He wipes clean the slate for the sake of His Son, our ultimate advocate, who stands with us.

That’s been a hard lesson for me. I can too easily keep track of my wrongs and lose sight of my “rights.” That’s Satan—he tracks past failures and disappointments, but he has no clue about the future. Otherwise, why would he have thought that nailing Christ to the cross would put Him out of the picture for good?

Instead, it brought Christ back into the picture forever, for my forever and yours!

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2018 | 23

ANNIVERSARY MILESTONES …

Here is a list of milestone events that mark the history of the LLL and LHM. Other dates can be added as time goes on. This list is offered as information and a reminder to pray for the ongoing efforts of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church.

JANUARY

APRIL

AUGUST

1- First Lutheran Hour Float appears in Tournament of Roses Parade, 1951 11- Dr. Walter A. Maier, first Lutheran Hour speaker, passes, 1950

12- Lutheran Hour Ministries launches outreach in Slovakia, 1993

31- “This is the Life” premieres, 1952

FEBRUARY 4- The Lutheran Hour begins foreign broadcasts, 1940 10- The Lutheran Hour resumes broadcasts, 1935

MARCH

MAY 9- Int’LLL begins involvement with Orphan Grain Train, 1992 31- The Lutheran Hour organized, 1930

JUNE 11- The Lutheran Hour suspends broadcasts partially due to lack of funds, 1931 22- Lutheran Laymen’s League founders gathers, 1917

5- “Ayer Hoy Y Siempre” (in Spanish) begins on radio, 1978 JULY 8- First Lutheran Hour message 19- First issue of The Lutheran recorded in former Communist Layman (originally named nation, U.S.S.R., 1992 LLL Bulletin), 1929

SEPTEMBER 25- Dr. Oswald Hoffmann begins first season as Lutheran Hour speaker, 1955

OCTOBER 1-

2- 3-

The Lutheran Hour declared “nation’s largest religious broadcast,” 1937 First Lutheran Hour broadcast, 1930 Largest Lutheran Hour rally ever held, Chicago 1943 (25,000)

NOVEMBER 23- “Red Boots for Christmas” debuts on TV, 1995

DECEMBER 3- First LLL constitution approved, LLL becomes official, 1917

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! AUGUST 3-5, 2018 • THE PFISTER HOTEL • MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN Join us for an exciting weekend filled with fellowship and stories from those impacted by the work God is doing through Lutheran Hour Ministries!

REGISTER AT LHM.ORG/CELEBRATION TODAY! Check the event page frequently for the latest information!

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