The Lutheran Layman

THE

LUTHERAN L AYMAN May - June 2019

Giving Kids a Hands-On

Outreach Experience!

see page 3

Nurturing Your Faith. . . . . . . . . . 7; 9-10 Resource of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Providing Hope in Kenya. . . . . . . . 12 Sentido Latino Now Weekly . . . . 17 Changing Lives Globally. . . . . . . . . 18 Puerto Rico Dedication . . . . . . . . . 19 SAT-7 Appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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SPEAKING UP

by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

One Platter He brings us to one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all—one multicolored platter for all to share.

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ear my home in South St. Louis is one of my family’s favorite restaurants. But be warned: if you go to eat here, you won’t get your own plate. You won’t get your own silverware. Instead, you’ll get a stack of flat, spongy bread. Then you and your fellows will take turns scooping up bites from a large, shared dish of delicious Ethiopian fare. In contrast to a typical American restaurant, where each person gets their customized, individual dish, the Ethiopian way is more communal.

This style of eating is a good picture of the biblical word, “fellowship” (Acts 2:42). When people share life and depend on each other, that’s fellowship.

Rather than valuing privacy and independence, biblical fellowship is made possible by a bond of self-giving love. This love is on display in the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. By the power of His resurrection, the Holy Spirit poured this love into our hearts (Romans 5:1–8). By His sacrifice, Jesus created a bond of love strong enough to unite people across nations and languages, bridging generations and cultures.

I recently participated in a meeting of Lutheran Hour

L AYMAN

Ministries’ newly formed Global Ministries division. This organizational restructure is helping me see LHM in a new light. We are not a United States ministry that happens to do work overseas. We are a global ministry, which also does work in North America. It’s a subtle, yet important shift—one that I experienced firsthand in that meeting. I heard updates on LHM’s work in countries like Sri Lanka and Russia, Brazil and Cameroon. I listened as our regional directors collaborated with our St. Louis-based staff to create resources that support local outreach. I am thrilled to be a small part of this worldwide team.

By His sacrifice, Jesus created a bond of love strong enough to unite people across nations and languages, bridging generations and cultures.

Multicultural collaboration is a tremendous blessing for God’s people. The seeds of the Gospel have been sown in many societies. Each of them, in relation to Christ’s kingdom, has strengths and shortcomings. For example, North American culture

tends to focus on the individual.

This is a strength because it promotes personal responsibility.

It’s also a shortcoming, because it encourages a “me first” attitude, contrary to Christ-centered humility (see Philippians 2:3).

When I see how Jesus has formed other cultures for His purposes, He helps me adjust for what’s lacking in my own. For example, a friend of mine named Rod, when he was in college, had a roommate from Libya. Rod admitted that he tended to isolate himself from others (I have the same tendency). However, Rod’s roommate wouldn’t go for it.

On weekends, he and the other Libyan students would insist that Rod be with them. They would go to McDonald’s, order a bunch of food, come back to the dorm, spread out all the burgers and fries in one big pile in the middle of the table, and everyone would eat together.

Our motto, “Christ to the Nations,” reminds me that Jesus does not come from my culture.

Jesus comes from the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. He came to judge and redeem all cultures. He brings us to one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all—one multicolored platter for all to share. n

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2 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019

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

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Giving Kids a Hands-On Outreach Experience!

by Megan McDaniel

I

magine you’re in second grade.

Your teacher says you are going to take a break from regular school work this week. Is this week standardized testing, you think? No, we are taking a trip to Peru, your teacher says. Peru? Your parents didn’t sign a waiver for you to go to Peru.

Then, she says, Peru is coming to us!

Everyone from grades kindergarten through fifth gather together in the cafeteria, and you are eager to see what this magical trip to a faraway country is about. The videos start, and you are immediately immersed in Peruvian culture where you and your classmates meet kids from Peru who are your age and share the same faith. They teach you what it’s like to be a kid in Peru, and they take you on field trips to explore historic sites and landmarks. You’re playing games and eating snacks, and just like that, you have forgotten that you are still in your own school—because you’ve embarked on your Passport to Peru!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Having the chance to share God’s Word with people around the world by traveling to other countries on mission trips has always been a part of the church’s outreach program for teens and adults. However, until now, there have been very few opportunities for children to get the chance to serve and experience outreach in the same hands-on manner.

Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) has partnered with Group Publishing, a leader in creating innovative children’s ministry resources, to give children the chance to “travel” the world, experience other cultures, and see how the Gospel is being spread around the world through a program called Gospel Adventures.

This new partnership takes 2019’s adventures all the way to Peru, so participants are able to explore the Amazon River, Machu Picchu, and more remarkable landscapes through an online multi-media experience.

“Our preschool students had a great time ‘visiting’ Peru,” says Kristin, the lead preschool teacher at Trinity Lutheran Academy in Athens, Georgia. “Parents reported that the children were going home each day with new facts and information about the country and people there.”

The program features practical information about the country of Peru, like the geography, location on the

map, Peruvian history, and Spanish lessons, as well as cultural teachings for children about the food, culture, animals, people, landscapes, and places of Peru all from the comfort and safety of their home or classroom.

“With high-quality videos and engaging activities, the curriculum helps kids learn about life and culture from kids like them—but who live in another part of the world,” says Ashley Bayless, curriculum development manager for LHM. “Kids are constantly surprised how life isn’t all that different in other places around the world. Kids go to school; they help with chores; they play soccer with their friends—and yet life can still look very different: new foods, different transportation, another language.

One of the greatest similarities, though, is God’s love for all His children, no matter where they live in the world.

Gospel Adventures helps kids and adults alike know His love for them! This is one of the messages kids will learn in this year’s trip to Peru,” she adds.

This newly designed program includes more opportunities for participants’ interaction through hands-on activities, exercises, and exciting ways to learn about how the Gospel reaches people around the world. Gospel Adventures: Passport to Peru kicked off in see next page

… until now, there have been very few opportunities for children to get the chance to serve and experience outreach in the same hands-on manner.

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019 | 3

Giving Kids …

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VENTU R AD ES

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GOS PE

January, and we have already seen how children have benefitted and learned from this free five-day program.

Children ages three through 11 in Sunday school classes at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, “loved the program. They liked that there were interactive elements—their favorites were the LEGO house activity, the jump rope game, and making maracas. They enjoyed sharing new foods as a group experience—some they loved and some they didn’t, but almost everyone tried everything,” says Chelsea, one of the church’s Sunday school teachers.

PERU

ABOUT PERU:

PROGRAM FEATURES:

Peru has a population of 32 million people and most of them are Spanish-speaking. Located on the western side of South America and just south of the equator, Peru is the third largest country in South America, after Brazil and Argentina. The country is 496,222 square miles, which makes it just smaller than the state of Alaska. The landscape of Peru is divided into three regions: The Costa (coastal plains), the Sierra (Andes highlands), and the Selva (Amazon Basin rainforests).

Peru is home to Machu Picchu, which is one of the seven man-made wonders of the world.

Machu Picchu, an ancient mountain village, was created by the Incan empire and was publicly unveiled a little over 100 years ago, in 1911.

Another interesting landmark in Peru are the Nazca Lines. They are man-made designs in dirt plains that are so large they can only be fully viewed from the sky.

Additional School Activities Created for

GOSPEL ADVENTURES:

Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran School in Alliance, Nebraska, incorporated Gospel Adventures into an art project. Students in third and fourth grades drew toucans to represent one of the many animals in Peru.

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“It was amazing to see God’s hand at work around the globe, and to be able to ‘meet’ people in faraway places.”

Gospel Adventures gives kids in Christian schools, churches, and homeschools, as well as even some adults, an inside look into the day-to-day lives of people like them around the world through music, videos, and fun characters.

Children can see, through the instructional videos, that there are children who share the same faith as them who are located all around the world.

Not only do participants get to see how people live and work in other countries, but they get to see God’s work in action with examples of how they can share the Gospel with people in these areas through prayer and designated chapel offerings.

“It was amazing to see God’s hand at work around the globe, and to be able to ‘meet’ people in faraway places,” shares Kristin. “Gospel Adventures helped students connect and realize that kids in other countries are not much different from them.”

St. John’s Lutheran School in Mattoon, Illinois, celebrated “Passport to Peru Night” as a start to National Lutheran Schools Week. Their event was meant to be a fun way to educate students about Peru and it included rain forest decorated halls, activities, and cultural items on display from a local Peruvian woman. The children all received passports to take with them to each activity station and got them stamped at each event. Some of the stations included art projects, a rain forest project, a food station with Peruvian desserts, a Peruvian dance lesson, and a station to turn milk cartons into coin banks used to collect money for LHM.

HOW IT WORKS:

HOW IT IS BEING USED:

Although many schools took part in the program during National Lutheran Schools Week (January 27 through February 2), Gospel Adventures can be downloaded and utilized at any time throughout the year. Anyone can register their home, school, or church for the program at gospeladventures.org. The teacher (or parent) receives curriculum as well as access to the interactive webpage. Videos are pre-recorded so the instructor in charge of sharing the content can determine the flow of activities based on the child’s school schedule.

Depending on the child’s age, the program features two curriculum styles. There is an interactive curriculum for grade school-aged children and an online experience for middle school-aged children. The grade school curriculum is set up to be teacher-led and allows for interactions between the teacher and students.

On the other hand, the middle school option gives older kids the chance to dive into Peruvian culture at their own pace on the interactive Gospel Adventures website.

Since the curriculum is so flexible, schools are encouraged to decide if they want to implement the program in individual classes, or if they want to gather all the students to participate in a school-wide Gospel Adventures activity together, depending on the individual school’s needs.

This year’s Gospel Adventures experience featured children who are native to Peru leading us on the adventure and sharing the many interesting facts and stories.

Hundreds of schools took part in the program as a fun activity during National Lutheran Schools Week; other schools used the flexibility of the program and fit it into their own school curriculum schedule during another time frame. So far, nearly 35,000 students have participated in this year’s program.

If teachers choose to integrate the Gospel Adventures curriculum into their regular school curriculum, it could easily fit in a religion class, geography, or even a Spanish class. The layout of this program affords teachers the option to adjust the program to fit their students’ needs during whatever class they see as the best fit.

“At the end of the program, we took a few minutes during one of our church services so our kids could stand up and recite the theme verse from each of the five lessons,” says Chelsea. “Some of our older members loved that these little kids were speaking scripture to them and the little ones were so excited to have something to share with the congregation.” see next page

“Some of our older members loved that these little kids were speaking scripture to them and the little ones were so excited to have something to share with the congregation.”

Students in kindergarten through second grade at Community Lutheran School in Readlyn, Iowa, gathered together each morning during National Lutheran Schools Week to participate in Gospel Adventures. The students enjoyed “traveling” to Peru and getting involved in the fun games and activities. In addition to the Gospel Adventures activities, a member of their sister congregation shared some of her Peruvian items like shoes and clothing for the students to see. They also got to touch and see some items made of real llama wool from Peru.

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019 | 5

Giving Kids … continued from previous page

HOW CHILDREN CAN SUPPORT LHM’S MISSION: As a way to support the program, schools and churches can choose to collect donations from the children through chapel offerings or change drives to put toward LHM ministries similar to the one they saw during the Gospel Adventures: Passport to Peru program. With your support, LHM is getting closer to reaching our goal of raising $50,000 for the Global Kids Fund by the end of 2019.

Children have donated almost $200,000 to support Lutheran Hour Ministries’ global ministry work since 2012. Gifts given to this year’s fund will go directly toward youth programs in Central and South America that train children and teens on biblically-based guidance for making positive life choices. (See page 16 to learn more about these programs.)

Donations can be made online at lhm.org/give or mailed to the LHM headquarters at

With your support, LHM is getting closer to reaching our goal of raising $50,000 for the Global Kids Fund by the end of 2019.

660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141. You can also raise funds by purchasing a bulk amount of Gospel Adventures CDs from group.com, reselling them for $1 or $2 more than the list price at church, school, work, etc., and then sending the profits to LHM to support the Global Kids Fund.

Jill’s third grade class at St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in Arnold, Missouri, had a creative way to raise money to support LHM. Her students made friendship grams and sold them to students in other grades during the week they participated in Gospel Adventures.

They also made some sweet treats to go along with the grams. The third graders sold the friendship grams and treats for 50 cents each and sold 468, giving them $234 that they generously donated to LHM. Thank you to the students in this class for supporting LHM’s mission!

Interested in using Gospel Adventures: Passport to Peru in your church or school? It is not too late to get your school or church signed up.

Visit gospeladventures.org to register, or to download the sample curriculum for day one to see what this program is all about. The design of the Gospel Adventures program makes it great to use during summer activities, Bible studies, or even at home with your children or grandchildren!

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WHAT’S NEXT?: Wondering what’s next for the program?

Lutheran Hour Ministries plans to continue Gospel Adventures by “traveling” to Mongolia in 2020.

Since Christianity is a minority religion in Mongolia, there is tremendous opportunity to share God’s love and reach out with the Gospel.

LHM conducts outreach in Mongolia through mass media, technology, and interpersonal channels.

We look forward to going on a Mongolian adventure with you next year! Look for more information soon on how you can get involved!

About Mongolia

Mongolia, now nicknamed, “Land of the Blue Sky,” is the second-largest landlocked country in the world and basks in sunshine more than 70 percent of the year. It is located between Russia and China in northern Asia and has a population of three million people. Genghis Khan, an ancient Mongolian warrior, united Mongol clans and become the country’s ruler in 1206. The capital, Ulaanbaatar, was founded in 1639 and has relocated more than 20 times before settling in its current location.

Two of Mongolia’s native animals are snow leopards and the two-humped bactrian camel.

Mongolia was once an agricultural economy, but now they have revitalized their modern economy by tapping into their natural resources and exporting them. Natural resources that can be found in Mongolia include copper, gold, coal, and other deposits. The country is also one of the leading producers of lucrative cashmere wool. n

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

New Layman Bible Study Ponders our Christian Calling(s)

by Paul Schreiber

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he idea of being called by God into the body of Christ is a profound, spiritual honor. It’s a passage from darkness to light, from blemished to clean, from condemnation to righteousness. The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 1:4 that God “chose us in Him (Jesus) before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.” As such we’ve been given both a divine honor—and a tall order. Nurturing Your Faith: Called takes a look at God’s invitation to listen to His voice and receive the new life He offers in His Son Jesus Christ. It then reminds us that as Christians we have a responsibility to share the Good News of Jesus with the world.

In this issue of The Lutheran Layman, we open this Bible study with Part 1: “Called by God” (See full Bible study on pages 9 and 10.) Using Ephesians as a basis for the entire study, this first session considers 1) God’s offer of faith; 2) the righteous people we become through His gift of belief; and 3) how—as called believers—our lives in Christ are lived in obedience to God and service to one another. During this study, we will see that while God calls us from the world to Himself, He also wants us—as members of the body of Christ—to extend His gracious call to others, to make His Name known.

Subsequent sessions of NYF: Called will help learners acknowledge the calling Christians have to share their faith; grasp how God works through their calling to be a light to others; and gain valuable resources and tools for making the sharing of their faith a real and proactive part of their daily lives. As with NYF: Prayer, an online component is available featuring

relevant Scriptures, further ideas to consider, questions for self-reflection, and video segments with Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, acting as study host.

NYF: Called is about holding tight to our calling as a member of God’s family; it’s also about extending God’s invitation to others. “People are looking for a place to belong, and are having trouble finding it. Every person you meet was made for this family, even if they don’t realize it yet. They might be looking for it in friendships, teams, companies, clubs, multi-player games, or social networks. These merely human relationships will always fall short,” Zeigler says.

God calls us, and through His Holy Spirit we respond, gladly. Called away from the world and to His body, we know His work in our lives is instrumental in the blessing of others.

He so much as tells us so. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

As with NYF: Prayer, released sequentially in the previous four Layman issues, NYF: Called will be compiled into a DVD-based resource after its final session is out.

NYF: Called is ideal for individual or group study and can be used in combination with other recent releases from Lutheran Hour Ministries such as the Project Connect booklet How to Talk About Your Faith, the three-booklet “sharing Jesus bundle,” and the LHM Learn course, Prepared to Respond: The Spiritual Conversation Curve. n Paul Schreiber reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work in the United States.

“ F O R W E A R E H I S W O R K M A N S H I P, C R E AT E D I N C H R I S T J E S U S F O R GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD P R E PA R E D B E F O R E H A N D , T H AT W E S H O U L D WA L K I N T H E M ” (EPHESIANS 2:10).

Find peace

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Give a gift through your will and find peace as you look to the future. You can provide for the people and causes that matter to you.

Contact the gift planning team at Lutheran Hour Ministries to learn how you can grow God’s kingdom through your will.

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S E E F U L L B I B L E S T U DY O N PA G E S 9 & 1 0 The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019 | 7

Spiritual Conversations Named “Resource of the Year”

by Chad Fix

L

utheran Hour Ministries is excited to announce that Outreach Magazine has named our Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age monograph—produced in partnership with Barna Group—as a Resource of the Year for Evangelism.

The recognition is featured in the March/April 2019 issue of the magazine.

“The acknowledgment of our research by a widely-respected Christian publication like Outreach is a testimony to the timeliness of the research as well as its relevance to a wider Christian audience,” says LHM President & CEO Kurt Buchholz.

The magazine’s 16th Annual Resources of the Year highlight the past year’s best books and curricula for church leaders and bring deserved attention to resources that can help churches better engage in effective outreach to share the Gospel and reach communities for Christ. More than 170 resources published between Nov. 1, 2017 and Oct. 31, 2018 were submitted for consideration and placed into 11 categories. An expert in each category, ranging from evangelism to leadership, and spiritual growth to theology and biblical studies, evaluated the resources and chose what they considered to be the best.

“These are unique days for the church in North America as it learns

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“The importance of data like this may drastically challenge the conclusions we’ve made about evangelism …” how to flourish in a post-Christian era, and Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age delivers pertinent information for reaching people in the modern world,” says evaluator Peyton Jones, a church planter, trainer, and author of Reaching the Unreached: Becoming Raiders of the Lost Art. “The statistics are attractively presented in text form with various visual graphic summaries.”

Because technology and rapid cultural shifts have changed the culture, Spiritual Conversations explores how we define evangelism, how sharing faith is perceived, and what a good evangelist looks like.

The content is broken into four parts: “Sharing Faith: Then and Now” examines not only how evangelism has changed over time but also how Christians’ view of sharing their faith has altered; “Digital Faith Interactions” looks at the impact social media and online avenues have had on spiritual conversations; “Spiritual Conversations from Both Sides” takes a deep dive into what both the sharer and hearer of the Gospel perceive; and “Eager to Share” offers a glimpse into what today’s evangelist looks like.

“The book reports helpful

information such as how people feel during an evangelistic encounter,” says Jones. “For example, 71 percent of Christians report feeling a sense of peace during a spiritual conversation, while only 40 percent of non-Christians do. But more than half of nonbelievers say that they felt appreciative after their last spiritual conversation. The importance of data like this may drastically challenge the conclusions we’ve made about evangelism, and change our approach to it.”

“There is much to unpack in this study and plenty of implications for how we can encourage more and better spiritual conversations,” says Rev. Dr. Tony Cook, LHM’s vice president of Global Ministries. “But perhaps the most potent finding is that the less people think about God, the less they talk about God; and, simply put, people are thinking about God less and less. It may sound dire, but there is also good news. The more people think about God, the more they want to talk about God, about their beliefs, and about their faith experiences. Active and engaged Christians remain eager to discuss spiritual matters, even as society

“… Christians can begin to make the connections between their everyday, ordinary life and the faith that sustains them—and to tell others the Good News of Jesus.”

around them grows increasingly reluctant to do so.”

The research included in this monograph helps churches come alongside believers and empower them with confidence to talk about their faith. In doing so, Christians can begin to make the connections between their everyday, ordinary life, and the faith that sustains them—and to tell others the Good News of Jesus.

You can purchase your own copy of Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age, as well as the recently released Households of Faith monograph based on the LHM/Barna research theme for 2019, by visiting shop.barna.com.

In addition to the March/April issue of the printed magazine, you can find the full list of 11 category winners at outreachmagazine.com/resources/ outreach-resources-year.

Outreach Magazine is the gathering place of ideas, insights, and stories for Christian churches focused on reaching out to their community— locally and globally—with the love of Christ. Started in 2002, the magazine serves as a fresh stream of practical resources and tactics for pastors, church leaders, volunteer leadership, and laity who are passionate about outreach by sharing the innovations, research, and insights practiced in thriving ministries. n Chad Fix oversees the corporate communications of LHM.

NURTURING YO U R FA I T H : PA R T O N E

Called

by God

Watch video introduction with Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler at lhm.org/studies

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his Bible study in the Nurturing Your Faith series focuses on our calling as Christians by God into the body of Christ. To do this we will look at Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We will consider God calling us to faith from unbelief through His Word, through Baptism, through Holy Communion, and through the witness of other Christians who, upon hearing their call to share the faith, were instrumental in our receiving of God’s gracious gift of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Then it is our turn: as Christians, we, too, have the responsibility—the privilege—to share the Good News of Jesus with others.

Called from the World The letter to the Ephesians, one of four “captivity letters,” is typically grouped with Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon and attributed to Paul’s ministry output while imprisoned in Rome in the late 50s/early 60s of the first century. In this six-chapter epistle to Gentile believers, he articulates God’s work in extending His call beyond the Jews. “In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will” (1:4b-5a). This is an adoption that Paul says is made available to those who were “separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (2:12b).

For all those Gentiles (non-Jews) throughout the world, this is some very good news: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (2:13b-14). This is the call to faith God has extended to each and every one of us. From Abraham (see Genesis 11:27-12:9) and Moses (see Exodus 3-4) to David (see 1 Samuel 16) and the prophets, God has been calling us—to turn to Him, to repent and lay down our lives, to trust in the knowledge that, as Paul so eloquently says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (1:7).

Questions: 1. Called—do you feel called by God? Can you “put a finger on” when it was that God called you? How did your life begin to change once you understood you were called by God? 2. Do you think it’s possible to be called by God—and miss it? How might that happen—how might we miss a calling from God? If you missed a calling, do you think God re-issues another?

3. Do you think God makes dramatic calls to people today like those recorded in the Old and New Testaments? Can you give an example of such?

continued on next page

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God-given Newness There is a unity and oneness that accompanies the call of God on our lives. That is, God’s Spirit works through His Word, our Baptism, and Holy Communion to bring us to faith.

Empowered by God at work in our lives, we are not to be conformed to this world but instead, transformed, renewed—new creations, messengers of reconciliation, ambassadors for Christ (see Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21). And with this calling—this summons from God to a new life—we are changed, but first we must die to ourselves and any hope of making ourselves righteous before Him. Paul writes, “For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:19-20).

Paul’s letters attest that he was all-in when it came to his new life in Christ—no matter what the worldly consequences. The impact of his call was such that for the sake of the Gospel, he could press on and endure in a manner like Jesus, even to the point of physical pain (see Galatians 6:17). “I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (4:1-6).

Entering His Service Our calling to faith necessitates a new perception from us. Though welcomed by God into His family and blessed with eternal salvation, it’s not all about us. God works through people in our lives (Luther’s “masks of God” or the concept of God working through people’s vocations) to further His kingdom on earth. As Christians, we are to be conscientious of the life we live as Jesus-followers; the call we received demands our best and to give it unstintingly.

At times our calling will require sacrifice, helping a colleague or friend or stranger who may need our assistance. In these individuals, too, God can be masked, as Dr. Gene Veith reminds us: “If we are masks of God, even when we do not realize it, it is also true that God is masked in our neighbor. Particularly when our neighbor is in need—when he or she is sick, hungry, thirsty, naked, a prisoner, a stranger—Christ Himself is hidden. ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren,’ the Lord says, ‘ye have done it unto Me’ (Matthew 25:40).”

Paul wants no less than for every believer to share this mindset of Christ. “That according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (3:16-19).

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he called life is one that walks in the light; it comprehends the new life God gives us and acts accordingly, seeking to love and serve God while loving and serving our neighbors.

As Paul says, it’s “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might” (1:18-19).

Being called by God is both a calling to something (God, others) and a calling away from something (self, world). It’s God gracing our lives with the opportunity to serve Him as a member of the body of Christ. It’s also realizing He has already ordained great things for us to do in the service of that body. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (2:10).

10 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019

Questions: 1. Do the Christians you know seem to take their callings seriously? How does the life of a Christian who takes his or her calling seriously differ from those Christians who are nonchalant about their calling?

2. How far down into our lives should our callings go?

Do they leave any room for us and our personal likes and dislikes? Does a calling from God prevent the individual from being “true to themselves” in their own personal interests? Can we prepare ourselves beforehand (study, practice, learning a skill) that God may then include in our calling?

3. How can we act on our calling to ensure we are following God’s will for our lives? While God’s calling is a singular event of sorts, it’s also something we act on throughout our lives. How do we participate in our calling to ensure we are daily seeking to follow God as He leads?

Questions: 1. Called by God—that seems like a huge thing— what can you do in your life to serve others (in the meantime) when your particular call may be unknown or unclear to you?

2. How might Paul have felt thwarted at times from fulfilling his mission as an apostle? How might he have “gotten around” difficult circumstances to continue his work? What were the tools and resources Paul used to stay close to God, to hear Him, to continually recognize the direction God wanted him to go?

3. Loving others is central to the Christian life regardless of our day-by-day situation. Is loving others a calling? What might that look like? Our callings should not become a reason to boast. How do we make sure that even when our calling is received/accepted we love others as Christ loved us?

Pray Heavenly Father, that You would call us to serve You is a profound mystery. Nevertheless, we accept Your gracious calling and, empowered by the example of Jesus and the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit, seek to live lives worthy of Your Son, our Lord and Savior. In His Name we pray. Amen.

ON THE MOVE

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

Doing What the Lord Has Given Us

F

or many years I had the privilege of teaching at Concordia University– St. Paul in their Director of Christian Outreach program. I felt privileged because those I was called to serve alongside were truly gifted in teaching the faith to students who hoped to one day serve as leaders in the church. There are times I am certain I learned more than the students!

One of my teaching assignments was a team-led class with Rev. Dr. Tom Trapp focused on congregational ministry. At one point during the semester Dr. Trapp would challenge the students by holding up a packet of pumpkin seeds and declare that he knew exactly how many pumpkins he would harvest from that packet of seeds. It usually took a while before one of the students would realize that the only way he could be certain about the harvest was to not plant the seeds. By not planting the seeds he could be certain his harvest of pumpkins would be zero, but if seeds were planted the harvest was no longer in his control.

I think Paul had this idea in mind when he wrote of his work among the people of Corinth. “Who is Apollos? Who is Paul? They are servants who helped you come to faith. Each did what the Lord gave him to do. I planted, and Apollos watered, but God made it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is important because only God makes it grow.”

(1 Corinthians 3:5-7) People in Corinth were beginning to focus on the means of Gospel proclamation instead of the goal. They were focusing on Apollos’ watering and Paul’s planting and had forgotten the purpose of these activities— making disciples. Paul quickly turns this aside in verse 8, “The one who plants and the one who waters have the same goal.” We—you and I and Apollos and Paul—all have the same goal. We are all simply servants.

This is what excites me about efforts through Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Together we are witnessing incredible growth, unexpected growth, and ongoing growth. God is blessing our efforts far beyond what my humble imagination could have conceived. More than 125 million people being reached each and every week with the Good News of Jesus! Amazing!

But, to paraphrase Paul’s words, “What is Lutheran Hour Ministries? We are only servants who are doing what the Lord has given us to do. We have planted and watered, but God has caused it to grow!” We must not lose perspective. Our Lord Jesus is, by His Holy Spirit, blessing our efforts to accomplish His mission. This organization is made up of servants, each one doing the tasks the Lord has given.

What about you? What about your congregation? You are called to get the seeds of the Gospel out of the packet and into contact with the soil of human lives. Beginning in your own home town, your own neighborhood, and extending to all corners of the globe you can plant and water and then watch for how the Lord of the harvest will use your efforts to bring forth a harvest for His kingdom. When you share your faith with your neighbor or you invite your friend to a Bible study, or financially support a global mission effort like SENT, you are part of this marvelous agrarian metaphor. You become a servant, doing what the Lord has given you to do in this wonderful work of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church! n

We are all simply servants.

“ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is important because only God makes it grow.”

(1 Corinthians 3)

LHM Learn

Outreach Resources at your fingertips!

These online courses and webinars cover five faithstrengthening categories and use an array of multimedia elements to help you gain a hearing for the Gospel message.

Check out the more than two dozen courses!

Register for FREE at lhm.org/learn today!

More Courses Coming Soon!

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019 | 11

“I am happy that God by His grace has saved and transformed my life.”

LHM Programs Offer Hope to Kenyan Women Facing Desperate Situations

by Chad Fix

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o many, Kenya is a country blessed with abundant wildlife and tourism. Kenya is economically stable, and its capital of Nairobi, is home to many international firms and agencies.

Beneath its image of opportunity and prosperity, however, lie enormous struggles with poverty and disease. Since the global recession occurred in 2008, Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi has seen the unemployment rate of people under age 30 jump to nearly 40 percent. Especially vulnerable in this environment are young women, many of whom have little or no education or any other resources that could help them achieve independence. They are often abused sexually and forced by their families into selling small wares without a license or prostitution— both of which are illegal in Kenya—to provide economic support for their parents and younger siblings. Often a woman arrested for one of these crimes is jailed for months as she awaits sentencing.

Like too many young Kenyan women, Angalia turned to prostitution to survive. Not only did that career prove insufficient to pay her monthly bills— according to journalists in Nairobi, many young women typically earn about $10 a day—it left her feeling guilty. She distanced herself from attending church as she had during childhood. Now she felt unworthy of returning.

12 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019

One day, during a chance encounter, someone invited Angalia to a monthly fellowship activity hosted

by Lutheran Hour Ministries staff and volunteers in Kenya. She continued to attend and, after several visits, she felt the Lord nudging her to separate herself from prostitution.

Angalia participated in Reaching Rahab, a Christcentered and holistic outreach ministry for urban young women to help rescue them from lives on the streets or in prison and rehabilitate them through counseling and basic entrepreneur and vocational skill training. Some of the basic skills they learn include typing, hairdressing, sewing, and basic accounting.

Soon she had the skills she needed to run her own small secondhand clothing business, her current endeavor. She also completed LHM’s Bible Correspondence Courses, which helped her mature in her rediscovered faith.

“I am happy that God by His grace has saved and transformed my life,” Angalia says. “My family has accepted me back, and now I have a sense of acceptance and belonging.”

Angalia is just one of many women that LHM– Kenya has helped over the past several years through Reaching Rahab. While in prison, a young woman begins counseling sessions and voluntary Bible studies with a ministry center volunteer. After

her release, the participant continues to meet in support groups and is enrolled in vocational training.

Once she completes the training, she can work as a hairdresser, office secretary, or as an entrepreneur licensed to sell wares at a roadside kiosk.

“When a young woman is arrested for prostitution, she is often jailed together with her infant or toddler child(ren),” says Eric Gates, LHM’s regional director for Africa and the Middle East. “Women as young as 17 or 18 spend months or even years in prison along with their young children until they can arrange to pay for their release. Infants and children are being raised in unsafe jail surroundings with no hope of safe and healthy surroundings for their children. Without intervention, this tragic cycle of poverty, crime, and devastation is likely to continue.”

Together with Reaching Rahab, LHM–Kenya staff also host a project called Prison Mums. This provides young women a second chance by giving start-up seed support for individuals who find themselves serving short-term prison terms for minor crimes like selling vegetables without a license and who have come to faith while in prison.

In addition to facing economic struggles, many of these women also encounter health issues due to their way of life. According to a recent World Bank/United Nations report, women involved in prostitution in Nairobi have one of the highest HIV infection rates in Africa: approximately one young woman in every three.

Personal and public resources for treatment are scarce, which means the prospect of dying from HIV/AIDS is much more immediate than in the West.

“These ambitious programs truly rescue young women from the cycle of poverty and abuse and their devastating effects.”

The HIV Counseling and Testing unit has become an important part of LHM–Kenya’s work. Mission teams have incorporated voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) services into their outreach events.

The teams routinely test people for HIV and help those who are HIV-positive develop ways of coping with the condition while those fortunate enough to be free of the virus are counseled on how to maintain their health and lead a God-pleasing life.

“These ambitious programs truly rescue young women from the cycle of poverty and abuse and their devastating effects,” says Gates. “Not only do these programs help women provide for themselves and their young children; they also provide the unconditional support and love of Christian volunteers motivated by their love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” n

Using Technology to Share the Good News in China

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hile it’s uncertain just how many Christians there are in China today, it is no secret that the church of Jesus Christ is growing rapidly there—both in congregations officially registered with the Chinese government and in unregistered house churches across the country. Lutheran Hour Ministries’ work has been instrumental in responding to two of the challenges connected with this explosive growth—training lay evangelists and supplying reliable resources in sufficient quantities.

For several years now, LHM has used the distribution of MP3 players as one way to share the Gospel with people in China. The MP3 players are primarily used as a congratulatory gift for those who have worked through and completed the Equipping the Saints witnessing-training programs offered through partner congregations.

The people who receive the MP3 players have made a commitment to Jesus after completing the ETS program and willingly want to share their faith and teach other people what they have learned through the program.

The players are also given to illiterate people in need who want to hear about the Gospel as well as many “grassroots” people living in rural, farming communities who want to hear God’s

Word from wherever they are. Sometimes it is hard for these people to travel to a town or village with a church, and often there is no option of a local Christian church, so the MP3 player is their only source of continually hearing the Gospel and learning the catechism.

The goal of the MP3 player distribution is for recipients to not only expand their knowledge, but to use the devices for sharing the Gospel with their friends and family since it is easier to carry an MP3 player instead of a Bible. The MP3 players hold more than just a recorded version of the Bible. They also come equipped with audio Bible classes, hymns, a question and answer catechism, and the foundation of faith based on Lutheran theology to serve as a “good teaching” tool.

Gunya NaThalang, LHM’s regional director for Asia, shared a story about a time when she was visiting a famous temple in the northern part of China. When she got to the temple, there were thousands of children there; for as far as she could see, there were people. She was getting ready to leave and she went to use the restroom. While looking for the ladies restroom, she heard a sound that she knew she had heard before. She followed the sound and came across a custodian cleaning the floor with an LHM MP3 player around her neck. The woman had the

by Megan McDaniel

catechism playing out loud through the MP3 player’s speaker. After Gunya introduced herself, the custodian was so excited and thrilled to meet someone from Lutheran Hour Ministries who had helped make the MP3 player program possible.

She was very grateful for the program and shared with Gunya how she plays the recordings out loud so everyone around her can hear them, too.

“By distributing the devices, people like the lady working at the temple are able to play the recordings out loud for many people around them to hear,” says Gunya. “It is a great opportunity for people to gather in groups and listen to the recordings together and then have a discussion afterward.”

LHM gives out 1,000 MP3 players a year, and every time the people ask for more because they are so impactful and such a treasure for the people who receive them. They are especially popular with younger generations who love to have new pieces of technology. The MP3 players are 8 GB and come with a rechargeable battery.

Since LHM started distributing them in 2012, they have upgraded to better versions every couple of years to make sure they are always high-quality and last several years. n

“It is a great opportunity for people to gather in groups and listen to the recordings together and then have a discussion afterward.”

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019 | 13

“… our hearts and passions resided in LHM’s transforming mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations— and the Nations to the Church.”

SENTto Make a Difference “As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.”

M

y husband Jim and I were sitting in our home enjoying our morning coffee on a sunny October day in 2014 when the phone rang. On the other end was President and CEO of Lutheran Hour Ministries, Kurt Buchholz. He was calling us with wonderful news about the future of LHM and wanted to make sure he shared it with us. The news he shared included information about a new comprehensive funding initiative that would launch in 2015.

LHM’s strategic plan and new initiative included bold plans to share the Gospel with millions more people than were currently being reached. This plan also included an exciting new digital platform to reach younger generations who had drifted away from the church.

Along with Kurt’s exciting news came a bold request. Kurt was now asking us to serve as co-chairs of this new funding initiative named SENT! So many thoughts were going through our heads. We were thrilled to be considered for the position, but we thought to ourselves, were we the right people to lead a great initiative like SENT? At first, this task seemed too big for us to accept.

After many prayers and conversations, we decided to accept the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful new initiative. Our prayerful decision was based on the undeniable truth that our hearts and passions resided in LHM’s transforming mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. How could we say no?

What ultimately led us to accept the invitation of serving as co-chairs was the fact that a stark reality exists in the world today. That reality is that billions of people live without the hope of Jesus Christ.

Two-thirds of the world’s population does not follow Christ. More and more Americans, both inside and outside the church, are pledging allegiance to the “morality of self-fulfillment,” which is rapidly becoming the culture’s moral norm. Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion and is projected to surpass Christianity in the second half of this century.

We have had big hopes for this initiative since the beginning. The impact of SENT, I hope, will be to reach as many people with the great message of the Gospel … everywhere; not just in our own community or our own country, which we certainly need, but throughout the world.

As Jim and I look around the world, at our children and our four grandchildren, at the kind of world that they might be growing up in, they’re going to be faced with a lot of skepticism. Skepticism of the church’s relevance. Skepticism of there being a God. It is our hope and prayer that this type of initiative, this type of effort, is just going to meet that skepticism head on and convince our world that there is not only a God, but there is a God with the message of hope.

“How could we say no?”

14 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019

by Vickie Dankenbring

The SENT Initiative is a bold global initiative to answer the pressing challenges and realities of the 21st century. This initiative is called SENT because together we are sent! In John 20:21, Jesus instructed us to continue his work in the Great Commission, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” This is why we have provided our commitment and support, along with yours and many others, toward the SENT Initiative.

The impact of the SENT Initiative has reached many individuals around the globe.

Today you can join a movement of believers who want to see LHM touch more lives with God’s Word. For more information on how you can get involved with the SENT Initiative, visit lhm.org/sent, email us at SENT@lhm.org, or call 1-800-944-3450. n Jim and Vickie Dankenbring are St. Louis natives who met in a CPA prep course and quickly discovered their shared love of three St. Louis specialties: Cardinals baseball, frozen custard, and toasted ravioli. Jim, a managing partner at Spencer Fane, and Vickie, a sales consultant for the women’s clothing company, Etcetera, currently serve as national volunteer co-chairs for the SENT Initiative. Jim grew up in the Lutheran church and Vickie joined after they got married.

In their spare time, the Dankenbrings enjoy golfing, traveling, and entertaining friends and family.

LHM’s Barna-Based Outreach Tools Continue to Increase by Paul Schreiber “The outreach resources developed through our partnership with Barna Group are merely the tip of the iceberg.”

It’s nice when a plan comes together.

Years one and two of the Lutheran Hour Ministries–Barna Group partnership are producing fruitful results. You’ve already read in these pages how the 2018 monograph Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age (see the Outreach Magazine award story on page 8) is helping believers talk about God in ways that are genuine, empathic, and more perceptive of the other person’s spiritual posture.

For 2019, the Households of Faith monograph is similarly enlarging the conversation on what makes our homes “vibrant” and hospitable places where

members grow in their faith and where outsiders are welcome. “Taken together, these studies drill down into how we communicate the Gospel and how we shape our homes into places where spiritual conversations can thrive and then, by God’s grace, spill out into the world,” says Rev. Dr. Jason Broge, director of design and development for LHM. Inspired by this research and in keeping with LHM’s Gospel mission, a variety of resources are being produced for Christians to empower their witness. Books like The Reluctant Witness (Discovering the Delight of Spiritual Conversations) from InterVarsity Press and the booklet How to Talk About Your

There’s Still Time to Host an LHM Sunday! by Megan McDaniel LHM Sunday kicked off February 3, but it is not too late for your church to host an event in 2019. The promotional materials can be used on any Sunday throughout the year, which makes it flexible and easy to fit into your congregation’s calendar.

LHM Sunday is a great opportunity for your church to learn about how LHM is sharing the Gospel with people around the world through the SENT Initiative.

In order to make it as simple as possible for churches, LHM provides a promotional video, bulletin inserts, postage-paid giving envelopes, a sermon outline and Bible study focusing on John 20:21, and a PowerPoint slide. These materials are all free and can be downloaded or ordered at lhm.org/lhmsunday.

Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Oxford, Florida, is just one example of a congregation that recently hosted an LHM Sunday. Senior Pastor Rev. James Rockey told his congregation that “LHM is the best thing going in the Lutheran Church” before

Faith: An Introduction to the Spiritual Conversation Curve are vital reads for those who want to bring their faith to the fore when speaking with others.

Don Everts, content development manager at LHM, and the author of both texts, knows that talking about Jesus can be a pleasure—and a challenge. “Christians, I believe, want to share their faith. It’s just that so many things get in the way—including ourselves. In fact, maybe it’s more ourselves that get in the way than anything else. We’re worried about giving offense or not knowing the answers, and so we’re immobilized— hamstrung as it were—reluctant to speak and therefore silent about Jesus.”

Addressing these widespread concerns among laypeople and church-workers is a handy, userfriendly treasure chest of faith-sharing resources that LHM is adding to regularly. At LHM Learn (lhm.org/ learn) you will find four Outreach Essentials courses (a fifth is coming soon) designed to enhance one’s witness. Four booklets—our “Sharing

introducing Ambassador Donna Battard to share a short presentation about how LHM reaches people around the world. In addition to showing the LHM Sunday video, Battard also hosted an informational table highlighting LHM resources before and after the service, inserted materials such as the By the Numbers

“LHM is the best thing going in the Lutheran Church.”

Jesus Bundle”—offer three texts penned by Everts on Jesus and faith in the Savior; the fourth booklet is an illustrated kid’s booklet about Jesus.

Another new resource is the Spiritual Conversation Curve. This at-a-glance model gives users a quick assessment tool to gauge someone’s spiritual posture. It helps users consider their conversational approach with others. There’s also the handy Curve Card, a business cardsized tool with space to make quick notes as you relate to and pray for that person you want to talk to about Jesus.

“The outreach resources developed through our partnership with Barna Group are merely the tip of the iceberg,” says Rev. Dr. Tony Cook, vice president for Global Ministries. “What we’ve learned—and will learn with the 2020 Barna study—clarifies LHM’s vision, even as it redefines previously held notions about the way Christians share their faith. As a result, we can create resources, like those mentioned here, that empower people’s witness as they share the love of Jesus.” n

card into the church bulletins, and passed out prayer card packets to congregation members. The church’s outreach chair also presented information on the Men’s Network as an encouragement for men to formally organize a men’s ministry to complement their successful women’s ministry. Overall, Amazing Grace hosted a highly successful LHM Sunday.

LHM Sunday allows congregations nationwide to become involved with global outreach efforts through Lutheran Hour Ministries. LHM wants to work with people in churches to bring the Good News of the Gospel to anyone who hasn’t heard it.

If your church has already ordered the materials, and hosted an LHM Sunday, thank you! If not, talk to your pastor about getting an LHM Sunday date on the calendar. If you still need to order the materials, visit lhm.org/lhmsunday to view the videos and slides as well as download printable PDFs of the promotional materials. Or, we can also send you printed bulletin inserts for free, so you can include them in your services.

To request the LHM Sunday kit with the bulletin inserts, please call our response center at 1-800-876-9880, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CST). n The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019 | 15

Project JOEL Continues to Impact the Lives of Youth … and Volunteers! by Megan McDaniel

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n many countries around the world, most of the population is under age 25. Because of circumstances like broken families and secularism, many of these young people do not receive spiritual education in their homes, which means they are shaping their values based on their peers and the media.

Lutheran Hour Ministries–Panama developed a program called Project JOEL (Jóvenes con Espíritu Libre, or youth with a free spirit) to address this issue by making a positive impact on youth in Latin America who may otherwise be influenced in other ways. Using games, sporting events, puppet shows, workshops, and songs, Project JOEL implements Bible studies into schools to share the Gospel with unreached youth. By partnering with the schools, the teachers can reinforce what the young people learn through Project JOEL, which helps make the outreach even more successful.

The children and youth involved in the program respond well to it and always look forward to the next time they gather together. Some types of outreach events that take place through Project JOEL include summer activities with themes where the students play games that encourage motivation, teamwork, and education while focusing on biblical values.

LHM–Panama developed a summer school program for youth where they worked through the theme of Who is Jesus? with teaching tools, songs, dramas, and animal puppets and masks. The Project JOEL coordinator represented the apostle Peter and guided the kids through the Bible story.

Another event was “the craft of the cross” where children and youth folded and cut paper into the shape of a cross while listening to the story of Jesus and how He died to forgive our sins.

During the “Month of the Bible,” children colored posters, played games, and were all given their own copy of the New Testament to keep and read.

Project JOEL also opened doors for LHM to conduct a Red Boots for Christmas tour consisting of Christmas parties with dramas, games, movies, and crafts. Toys, food, and clothing were distributed to participants through the program. Geovany is a young man who has been involved as a faithful supporter of the Red Boots campaign for the last two years. While there are small churches in the area, the work LHM does reaches hundreds of other teens and adults from the local community, which gives Geovany a big responsibility that goes beyond a Christmas celebration.

He says, “Being a volunteer has taught me to understand more about the importance of teaching values. It motivates me to try to be better and to live in the day to day by sharing my faith with others. This is my second year and every time I want to get more involved. This is a great blessing for the children of the community, as well as for my life.”

Geovany is just one example of how the program not only impacts the children it is teaching, but the volunteers who are involved as well. Jordy is an 18-year-old recent high school graduate. He was raised in a Lutheran family but faces challenges and hardships like anyone does. Jordy participated in Project JOEL as a volunteer, which touched his

life greatly. He has been able to share his musical talent and his love for children has allowed him to grow through this program. He has volunteered to teach children in the schools which affirms that he is glorifying the Lord.

Yolanda is a mother of two and an avid supporter of Project JOEL since it started at her children’s school last year. After completing a training session covering Project’s JOEL’s strategies and available resources, she began consistently volunteering at the school and became so invested in it that she hosted the graduation and end-of-year celebration events.

“I was interested in collaborating to help improve the lives of the children,” she says. “At the same time, my life has been transformed by the Word of God by sharing it with the children through the various talks and teachings. I’m very thankful for being able to volunteer in this work.”

Norma has spent the last 15 years of her life pouring herself into sharing the Word of God in schools around her area. This year she retired after dedicating her time to establish the strategy of comprehensive reading with the Bible, the social work of students contributing to the Red Boots tour, and the School on Bible-Based Values for parents.

Since its introduction in Panama in 1996, Project JOEL has been recognized by the governmental Ministry of Justice offices in Panama and Guatemala for its positive impact on youth. The program’s success has led to it being adapted for use not only in other ministry centers throughout Latin America, but in numerous other places around the globe. n

“I’m very thankful for being able to volunteer in this work.”

16 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019

Sentido Latino Podcast Goes Weekly by Paul Schreiber

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n March 28, Sentido Latino— Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Spanish-language podcast—began airing weekly. Program hosts Rev. Luciano Vega-Ayala and Deaconess Noemi Guerra present themes of daily life which address the cultural, moral, and social challenges Hispanics face daily in their lives in the United States.

Drawing from a rich and time-honored Christian-Latin perspective, the program hosts tackle issues with insight and humor, engaging listeners with a lively exchange of good advice and godly wisdom for their journey.

The podcast’s vision and mission are born out in its title. “Sentido Latino” means Latin sense, and its tagline, “Donde tu vida tiene Sentido” means where your life makes sense.

The program objective is to raise and discuss issues and values that directly impact the family, spiritual, and community life of U.S. Hispanics.

According to Producer Beatriz Hoppe, “Through Sentido Latino we want to accompany you in this adventure called ‘life.’ And if during our walk together you get to meet the Author and Giver of

life, we will have achieved our goal.”

Launched in April 2018, Sentido Latino has been airing its 15-20-minute podcast bi-weekly. The shift to a weekly format now gives the program’s growing listener base greater frequency to tap into its diverse topic list. These focus on issues both immediate and relevant to Hispanics integrating into the cultural fabric of the United States. Vega-Ayala and Guerra have discussed raising children, cultural identity, goals, single moms, anger management, priorities, forgiveness, feelings of inferiority, guilt, and the “American Dream.”

Upcoming program titles over the next couple of months highlight the family-oriented nature of many of the individual podcasts: “How to Show Respect to Your Spouse,” “Discipline that Bears Fruits,” “Stressed-out Parents,” and “The Importance of Being a Father.”

When asked of Sentido Latino’s mission, Vega-Ayala said, “My hope for this podcast is twofold. First, to reach the Latino population in the U.S. with a Christ-centered message that is useful, straightforward, dynamic, and applicable to its daily life in American

“Through Sentido Latino we want to accompany you in this adventure called ‘life.’ ” culture. 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.”

To make the most of podcasts, the program website sentidolatino.com adds value by giving transcripts of every program, spurs listener engagement with articles and suggestions for real-life application, and offers

free downloadable resources. Its accompanying Facebook page (sentidolatino) engages a wider audience with daily inspirational quotes and images that can be shared via Facebook and other social media.

“Un camino mejor” (A Better Way), a weekly one-minute reflection, is also shared via the web, Facebook, and WhatsApp with an even larger audience. n

How comfortable are you when sharing your faith?

Discover what God’s Word and the latest Barna research reveal about how even the most reluctant witness can talk about faith in natural ways.

Based on research from Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age, Outreach Magazine’s 2019 Resource of the Year in Evangelism, this book offers fresh insights and best practices for fruitful everyday conversations.

Learn more at lhm.org/conversations The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019 | 17

Changing Lives Around the World with the Gospel

Lutheran Hour Ministries develops culturally-relevant programs and resources to reach people in more than 50 nations who may not be familiar with the Gospel.

Below are just a few examples to show how God has been using LHM recently to change lives around the world with His Good News.

by Megan McDaniel Korto and Christina have been attending the teen mothers training programs offered by LHM–Liberia. Korto is 22 years old and has a threeyear-old son. She is learning how to sew through the classes and plans to use her new skills to work as a seamstress and save up money to get herself through nursing school.

Christina is a 21-year-old single mother with a four-yearold son. She was abandoned by her son’s father when she was eight weeks pregnant and had to drop out of school following her son’s birth to raise him. With no formal education and parents who are experiencing significant health problems, she is grateful to be able to participate in the classes to learn the sewing trade so she can make money to provide for herself and her son. Both women have benefitted greatly from the teen mothers training programs and continue to consistently participate in them.

LIBERIA

CHILE

Nancy is a 55-year-old housewife who contacted LHM staff for the first time in 2013 to request a booklet titled Depression. Nancy was experiencing great depression and the disease had left her without strength to fight and live her life to the fullest. Her outlook on life was very pessimistic and she was faced with several family problems that troubled her even more.

She became interested in several programs and resources offered by LHM–Chile, especially the SMS program where Bible verses are delivered to people’s cell phones to provide strength and encouragement. Step by step, LHM’s resources helped to change her pessimistic outlook. She began to understand that the Lord loves us and cares for us because we are His children and that it is important to read His Word and pray. This knowledge has provided her with a stronger attitude to face the challenges, illnesses, and problems in her life.

Today, Nancy continually searches for LHM booklets at the literature stand of the health center where she is a patient. “I like these booklets because they have very interesting topics that I can learn from and share with my family and friends. Please continue to send me the Bible verses that I love so much because they help me in my daily life. Thank you to all who make this work possible. God bless you!”

18 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019

UNITED STATES

One afternoon, Carol was driving through western Missouri when she faced car troubles causing her to pull off to the side of the road. A little while later, a young man named Bobby noticed her pulled over and stopped to offer assistance. They got to talking about several topics including life and religion. Bobby shared that he is not religious, which prompted Carol to tell him about The Lutheran Hour and how she listens to it every week. She said he can download the sermons on the podcast app and listen to them whenever he wants. Before they parted ways, Carol gave Bobby her contact information in case he thought of any more questions about their discussion. A couple weeks later, Bobby reached out to Carol and told her that he has started listening to The Lutheran Hour and shared how the messages have positively impacted his life.

RUSSIA

After working through “The Basics of Christian Faith” course produced by LHM– Russia, Ekaterina discovered that salvation comes from faith alone, not by good deeds, and not by suffering. She says, “Good deeds are only the result of our faith in God, but not the other way around.”

For Ekaterina, the courses were “the first time when faith looked like something naturally fitting into my real life, not like something unachievable that can be seen only from afar.”

She especially liked the fact that LHM’s course material is presented in a light manner with jokes and stories, which makes them easier to digest, but they do not stray away from the core message of the Bible. In addition to the entertaining presentation of the material, Ekaterina said she enjoyed that the classes had a “warm atmosphere” and [she had a] lack of fear to ask the teacher a question, even if it was just a naïve one.

Yeonok is 61 years old and has spent the last 27 years inside a women’s prison. She was familiar with the Christian faith as a young adult and was baptized shortly after arriving in prison. Yeonok is now the Christian group leader and leads Sunday worship each week by singing hymns and reading the sermon text out loud for other prisoners to hear. A pastor from a local Christian church connected Yeonok to LHM staff to find out what materials they may have available to assist her in sharing the Gospel.

Through this connection, LHM–South Korea has recently sent Yeonok 37 Lenten devotionals to equip her to further share the Word of God with women in the prison. n

SOUTH KOREA

ON THE MOVE

by Kurt Buchholz, President & CEO, Lutheran Hour Ministries

Your Support Fuels a Global Gospel Movement It takes all of us, working together, praying, and generously giving, to make any of this a reality.

W

ords cannot sufficiently express the energy and joy I receive through witnessing firsthand the personal passion, dedication, and Gospel work done by our staff and volunteers all around the world. This happened yet again earlier this year when several Int’l LLL Board members and I visited two of our ministry centers in Southeast Asia. Specifically, we traveled to Thailand and Cambodia and, aside from a bout of stomach ailment, the trip was wonderful.

These Board monitoring trips are essential for both the Board and I in order to assess the stewardship of resources given by each of our members to ensure that the message of Christ is proclaimed around the world.

The wonderful answer to that question continues to be a resounding YES! The busyness of ministry was as

apparent as the passion for reaching the lost and the joy of faith in the dedication of each and every LHM staff person and volunteer we met. Multiple messages recorded and released on radio and internet, street events sharing resources with passers-by (and people stopped and stayed to visit!), Equipping the Saints workshops for evangelism training at local congregations … the list of activities goes on and on. Many of these activities require staff to travel hours away from their homes on public busses before spending the day leading workshops followed by a latenight return. The commitment of your faithful LHM local teams are incredible.

At every turn they do not hesitate in their thanks and appreciation for your support and prayers as they carry out their daily work to share Christ in their communities.

I can’t help but wonder what our North American societies would be like if more believers served and witnessed to their neighbors as I see happening in the growing church around the globe.

It is that wondering, that desire, and that Gospel passion that is driving us to do the research, teach what has been learned, and create the resources to fuel a movement here in North America to do just that. If you haven’t seen the newest research and resources being developed, I encourage you to do so.

One pastor joyfully exclaimed, “Thank you, LHM, you have taught me that I have been thinking about and doing evangelism wrong. I am so excited to implement this new approach!”

And guess what—the materials released to date are just the tip of the iceberg. Your LHM staff have been hard at work developing a three-year suite

of resources that are just now hitting prime time. And already the next three years are in the planning stage!

What an awesome global undertaking and an awesome joy to see dedicated Gospel workers overseas as well as here at home Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church! We didn’t gather hundreds of staff and thousands of volunteers spanning the globe alone. I pray you see yourself in these stories; in each of the articles in this issue; and in every bit of research, training, and Gospel resource that is produced ... as well as what is still in planning and production! It takes all of us—working together, praying, and generously giving—to make any of this a reality. Thank you for your continued partnership in ministry! n

New LHM Ministry Dedicated in Puerto Rico by Chad Fix Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and unincorporated United States territory that is still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Maria in 2017.

The storm left behind massive destruction and some parts of the island have been without energy for a year.

Nearly two years later, normal life is just now being restored for many people on the island who have been thirsting for hope. To help meet this pressing need, a new LHM ministry center in Mayaguez was dedicated March 24 during the Puerto Rico Mission Foro to support the local church, Principe de Paz, and the LCMS Disaster Response and mission teams, bringing relief, spiritual care, and hope to the distressed people of Puerto Rico. Rev. Jay DeBeir,

LHM’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, was joined by Rev. Charles St-Onge, area facilitator for The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, and Dr. Ross Johnson, director for LCMS Disaster Response, for the official dedication ceremony.

LHM began efforts in Puerto Rico last year as a satellite office connected to our ministry in Nicaragua.

Now, as part of LHM’s new North America region, the Puerto Rican ministry will work in conjunction with Beatriz Hoppe, LHM’s regional coordinator for Hispanic Ministry in the U.S. This will allow LHM– Puerto Rico to use all available Spanish programs and materials such as booklets, radio spots, social media, and vivenciar.net to share the Good News

with the puertorriqueños, with a focus on people living in the cities of Mayaguez and Ponce.

The ministry has many opportunities available for solid mission work since the local church and mission teams will be working with LHM’s new local coordinator, Yaritza Rosa, to develop strategic outreach programs. Yaritza has a degree in social work and her people-oriented approach will build connections in the community. Her past work in the community centers of Mayaguez will also allow LHM to use those same centers for outreach programs.

We thank God for opening this door to bring His message to the people of Puerto Rico and bring more Puerto Ricans to the church! n

We thank God for opening this door to bring His message to the people of Puerto Rico and bring more Puerto Ricans to the church!

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019 | 19

Enduring Tradition:

LHM Easter Specials Continue to Click with Viewers by Paul Schreiber

O

ffering seasonal television specials during Lent has long been a part of Lutheran Hour Ministries’ media history—and watching them has been a decades-long pastime for viewers as well.

“Quality Easter programs that are varied, artfully produced, and help carry the Good News of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to a wide audience have been a mainstay at LHM,” says Jim Arand, manager for Audio Development. “While the storyline or presentation may differ according to the target viewers to be engaged, the message of hope in Christ remains constant. It’s something that LHM and Lutheran Television (LHM’s longtime Gospel media ministry) can be both proud of and thankful for,” he adds.

Over the years, LHM has offered numerous Lenten and Easterrelated specials as programming for both television and radio markets.

Many readers may remember The Day That Shook the World, a special Easter show that ran in place of a regularly scheduled This Is The Life episode. Another biblical drama, “The Witness of Thomas,” aired on TV stations during Lent and spoke to this disciple’s crisis of faith. For radio listeners, “The Coffee-Grinder Man” told of one man’s special ability to communicate the Gospel to others.

Today, three programs provide the core of LHM’s Easter-related programming: Easter Is, The Puzzle Club Easter Adventure, and 3 Days.

Easter Is This animated TV special features Benji and his dog Waldo. Benji is tasked with drawing a poster at school that reflects the spirit of Easter but, in the process, loses his beloved dog. His search leads him on a series of bizarre adventures that ultimately results in not only his reunion with Waldo but a deeper appreciation of the Easter message and its offer of new life for all people.

The Puzzle Club Easter Adventure The Puzzle Club features Christopher, Korina, Alex, Sherlock, and Tobias. This animated springtime special centers on the hunt for a missing cat and the decisions the children face when their trusted friend, Tobias, becomes suddenly ill. There’s excitement and adventure as these clever detectives solve their “case” and learn about the true meaning of Easter in the process.

3 Days The high drama marking the three days between Good Friday and Easter Sunday are portrayed in this poignant and moving special. Grief, confusion, utter despair, and unsettling questions haunt Jesus’ followers as they watched their Lord and Master die and then wonder what they could have done to stop it. This skillfully acted program gives viewers an insider’s look at Jesus’ Passion and conveys a powerful message of hope in the Savior’s victory over sin and death.

If you’re interested in having your local television affiliate run one or more of these programs in 2020, please call Sharmon at 1-800-876-9880. n

Voting for Board of Directors Ends May 15!

by Chad Fix 20 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019

The annual election for the Int’l LLL/LHM Board of Directors is underway! Thanks to the nearly 3,000 members who registered to vote this year to fill the four open positions on the Board. Your active participation in our voting process allows you to have a say in who will determine the direction of LHM’s global ministry in 2019 and beyond.

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 next issue of The Lutheran Layman. n

These faithful believers are a key part of LHM’s planning for the future and will ensure that the Gospel is shared with future generations.

Share the Gospel with Future Generations N

by Megan McDaniel

o one wants to think about the time that our lives here on earth will end. It can be scary and overwhelming trying to make sure your loved ones will be taken care of without you. We know we will surely be missed by our family and friends, but how can we leave a mark on this earth that will positively impact the lives of people around the world who we have never met? One way to make a difference is by sharing the gift of the Gospel beyond your lifetime when you remember Lutheran Hour Ministries in your will.

By including LHM in your will, you can ensure that the Gospel can and will continue to spread to future generations. There are several ways to include LHM in your estate.

• If you feel a strong connection to a certain program or ministry center, you can choose for your gift to go to that specific area.

Buchholz Appointed to SAT-7’s International Council by Chad Fix Lutheran Hour Ministries is pleased to announce the appointment of LHM President & CEO Kurt Buchholz as a Partner representative to the SAT-7 International Council. This is the first time a Partner from North America has been chosen for this appointment as these positions are typically held by European Partners. The appointment is for a one-year term.

SAT-7’s International Council works in conjunction with its International Management Team and SAT-7 Partners for guidance of the organization’s mission, vision, and ministry. The Council is composed of church ministry leaders from countries in which SAT-7 is working and three representatives from SAT-7 Partners.

“We’re excited to be considered a valued Partner by SAT-7 and look forward to having greater visibility among their leaders that will lead to additional opportunities for continued collaboration,” says Buchholz.

LHM has partnered with SAT-7 the past couple years to develop a weekly Gospel variety program in the Arabic language that dramatizes real-life problems and struggles for young people and their families. This satellite program has brought God’s love and mercy to millions of viewers in more than 20 countries spanning from as far west as Morocco to as far east as Iraq and the Persian Gulf.

The success of this programming has initiated additional opportunities in the Farsi language with SAT-7’s PARS channel. This partnership provides funding for staff, the design and implementation of a new content webpage, and production for a live program that focuses on children ages 5–13 and teaches morals and values through games, educational videos, and dramas.

SAT-7 was the pioneer in Christian satellite television in the Middle East and North Africa and is now the most watched. To learn more about the mission and ministry of SAT-7, visit www.sat7usa.org. n

Spanish Podcast

• You can set up an endowment to make sure your gift lasts as long as God’s mission through LHM. • There is also an option to direct your gift to the area of greatest need which gives LHM the financial freedom to use your gift in the way that will be most effective in spreading the Word of God to unreached people who desperately need God’s love.

All individuals and families who inform Lutheran Hour Ministries of our place in their estate planning are included in The Hoffmann Society. This group of around 2,000 members has generously remembered LHM and professed that they want to be a part of our mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church even after they have passed on to their eternal glory. These faithful believers are a key part of LHM’s planning for the future and will ensure that the Gospel is shared with future generations.

If you would like more information on how you can ensure LHM continues to proclaim the glory of our Savior to the lost and unreached even after you leave this world, go online to lhm.org/giftplan or contact LHM’s gift planning staff by email at lhm-gift@lhm.org or over the phone at 1-877-333-1963. n

Sentido Latino deals with the cultural, moral, and relational challenges that the Hispanics who live in the United States face in their daily lives.

Hosted by Rev. Luciano VegaAyala and Deaconess Noemi Guerra

New episodes now available weekly!

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019 | 21

LHM Gears Up for Busy Summer Convention Season

It’s going to be a busy summer—and we can’t wait!

by Lorri Hackett

N

o matter how sophisticated we become in our communication methods, face-to-face engagement opportunities are still the best way to connect. That’s why the staff of Lutheran Hour Ministries looks forward to “convention season” and the opportunity it gives us to have meaningful conversations about the work we are doing. We love to talk about all the ways God is using LHM to reach people with the saving message of Christ … and there is no better time than when thousands of like-minded Christians are gathered together at our major denominational conventions.

The summer kicks off with the 38th biennial LWML convention in Mobile, Alabama. The theme of In Praise to the Lord resonates perfectly with the work of LHM. Regional Ministry Facilitator Dionne Lovstad-Jones will be addressing the group during a lunchand-learn session on Friday, June 21, focusing on the impact of our digital ministries including THRED, LHM Learn, podcasts, and more. LHM’s Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Rev. Peter Kirby, will be hosting a Saturday lunch presentation around the theme of global ministry in his presentation on Declaring God’s Glory Among the Nations. Also on Saturday, LHM President and CEO Kurt Buchholz

will bring greetings to convention attendees on behalf of the LHM staff during the morning’s general session.

Additionally, LHM will sponsor an opportunity for hands-on outreach via the Servant Connections. “Bringing Christ to the Nations: Gospel Notecards to the World” will give participants the opportunity to write notes of encouragement to LHM staff and volunteers in our 36 ministry centers around the globe. Our booth presence will focus on LHM Learn, Gospel Adventures, digital resources, and the impact our global ministries have had through culturally-relevant outreach around the world. We also look forward to introducing our new Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler and his wife Amy, to the group during a meet-and-greet in the booth.

After time spent with the LWML in Mobile, it’s off to Minneapolis for the LCMS National Youth Gathering (NYG) from July 11–15, 2019. This event provides thousands of youth and adult leaders the opportunity to come together as a community of God’s people to learn more about Jesus Christ, the Christian faith, and their Lutheran identity. The theme of this year’s event is Real.Present.God, and we’re excited to introduce this group to some resources that will help

them share this God with peers and friends. During NYG, LHM content development manager Don Everts will lead a session focusing on faith-sharing among youth, based on much of his personal experience that he shares in his newest book, The Reluctant Witness: Discovering the Delight of Spiritual Conversations.

We are looking forward to engaging with young adults in our booth and introducing them to the recently unveiled Spiritual Conversation Curve and sharing with them how God uses even reluctant witnesses and everyday events to do what He does best: bring good news to those who need it. The booth will also provide an opportunity for the teens to become part of a digital mosaic comprised of “selfies” taken throughout the event and shared via the hashtag #eagertoshare. LHM is excited to be in the mix with thousands of youth and their adult leaders.

We will round out our summer of conference engagement by attending the 67th convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod in Tampa, Florida from July 20-25. Joy: Fully Lutheran will be the focus of the convention based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. LHM will be on site at this event to talk to attendees about the many new resources we have available

for congregational and personal use.

And it’s always important to remind this group that all LHM resources are funneled through the LCMS doctrinal review process, making them not only top-notch resources, but doctrinally sound as well.

Yes, it is stacking up to be a busy summer for the staff of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Yet the opportunities to engage with constituents and spend time in conversation and fellowship are energizing and encouraging.

Returning to the office with stories of how LHM resources are being used in congregations and communities across the United States and around the world is just one of the benefits of being present at these conferences. Being reminded that we are part of a larger body of Christ in both mission and ministry and that we are not alone in our goal to share Jesus with those who don’t know Him helps to renew us as we return to the daily work that allows us to make that happen. It’s going to be a busy summer—and we can’t wait!

If you will be attending one of these conferences, be sure to look for us so you can stop by, say hello, and learn more about how LHM’s global work is impacting the world. n Lorri Hackett serves as associate director of strategic engagement for LHM.

We love to talk about all the ways God is using LHM to reach people with the saving message of Christ …

22 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019

New LHM LEARN COURSES

Help You Reach Out to Those in Prison

–Jesus

by Paul Schreiber

O

f all the types of ministry one can do—to the homeless, to the sick and infirmed, to those who are mentally or physically abused— reaching out to the incarcerated and providing them with appropriate resources may present the toughest obstacles to would-be doers. Here, one doesn’t just struggle to meet the need, one must work through a host of mental reservations and prejudices we have regarding those in prison.

Addressing this situation are two courses from LHM Learn designed specifically to help you reach out to a friend or loved one who is in prison. Behind Bars I: Called to the Incarcerated is available now and Behind Bars II: Serving the Incarcerated will be available soon.

The courses are written by Rev. Tim Carter of Salem Lutheran Church in Tomball, Texas, and Suzie Sallee, LHM’s coordinator of witnessing tools.

Do you know someone in prison? That fact alone may be insufficient for you to reach out to that person. That’s especially true when your willingness to serve that person immediately brings to mind a daunting list of why that’s a bad idea: “I’m not qualified.” “I don’t want to enable.” “I can’t forgive.”

As a list of reasons not to get involved, these are all valid. And left unaddressed, they’re probably good enough reasons not to do it.

But that’s probably not where you want to leave it, right? Getting involved with individuals in prison will likely take more than good intentions. That’s where God steps in. Sallee’s suggestion before you begin: “Cover everything in prayer. Then ask yourself the question: ‘What is holding me back?’ There are many ways to serve those behind bars. Do you want to get inside the prison? Would you like to teach a Bible study? Can you write letters to inmates?

These people are hurting and eager for someone to communicate with. A great place to begin—speak

“I was in prison and you came to Me.”

with someone who does prison ministry to see how you can get involved.”

Behind Bars I offers an insider’s view into understanding the rewarding and sometimes frustrating world of serving the incarcerated. The course’s three sessions help users see the enormous needs that exist in prisons today and how God can use us to help those on the inside. Videos feature Sallee and Carter (a longtime correctional officer on the Texas State Penitentiary death squad) sharing their personal experiences, offering a poignant look at the stark life of incarceration. Both agree that the seemingly smallest things can have a profound impact on the lives of those behind bars.

“Cover everything in prayer.

Then ask yourself the question: ‘What is holding me back?’”

This shows how readily we can serve our loved ones or friends who are in prison. Something as simple as receiving a card during inmate mail delivery can have a huge effect, according to Carter. A piece of mail from the outside helps fight off feelings of “rejection, worthlessness, and abandonment” which already run rampant in the minds of those doing time. It’s truly astounding how so little a thing can make so big a difference.

Behind Bars I has sound, practical information learners can use immediately as they wrestle with the ambivalence of serving those in prison.

“Common personal barriers are named in the course, and learners are given sage counsel in how to move past them in order to follow their sense of calling to the incarcerated,” says Chris Macky, instructional designer for LHM. “The authors of this

course are deeply committed Christians who have walked this path many times, reaching out to the incarcerated with love and concern. Their wisdom is grounded in the heart of God that is revealed in Scripture, which shows us repeatedly that God notices—and is concerned with—the burdens of the incarcerated,” he adds.

As with other LHM Learn courses, a printable journal gives learners a chance to explore their attitudes and aspirations concerning working with those in prison. A discussion guide follows the sessions and helps users drill down into the material through targeted questions and concept review.

Additionally, there are helpful tips for using this course as part of a small group study, and a video transcript allows for ideas to be reviewed on paper and shared as a way to enlarge the discussion.

Behind Bars II: Serving the Incarcerated will also be a three-session course where learners gain insights into addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their loved one or friend behind bars. The objective for this course is holistic.

Videos, journal and discussion questions, relevant Scriptures, and expert commentary from those who are experienced in this type of effort will give users the tools to better understand the needs of the incarcerated. Throughout the course God’s love will be a focal point as it is in His grace and mercy that there is hope for all of us—whether behind bars or not. In the end, learners should be able to develop a feasible plan for supporting and serving their loved one during their time in prison.

For more information on these FREE courses available through LHM Learn, as well as dozens of others in five faith-strengthening categories, please go to lhm.org/learn. Registration is simple and provides you with access to all the self-guided materials. n

The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019 | 23

THRED Content Now Connects with People in Central Asia

by Megan McDaniel

I

Connect with Us Online!

Videos, events, and other LHM news and updates are available on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Join the conversation by liking and following us today! lutheranhourministries

@LHMglobalmin

LHM

n today’s society, there are so many different services that are offered on the internet ranging from shopping, dating, food delivery, television streaming, video chatting, online forums, etc. Since the internet is so easily accessible from mobile devices and laptops, teens and young adults are finding answers for their everyday questions and struggles on the internet.

Gone are the days that young people will seek out help from a pastor or adult in a face-to-face meeting. Being able to type a question or concern on your phone or computer and get almost immediate feedback is appealing to a lot of young adults.

Similar to North America’s THRED and Latin America’s vivenciar.net, LHM staff in Kazakhstan has recently launched THRED.asia to connect with people in Central Asia who are looking online for guidance on topical issues. Although THRED.asia mirrors North America’s THRED content, the information has been translated into Kyrgyz and Uzbek through local authors so that it is culturally relevant to the areas where it is being accessed.

Since young adults are already searching the internet when they need answers, LHM has tried to meet them where they are and provide answers for everyday topics. THRED.asia is a safe place for non-believers and nonChristians to have a way to get help from others when facing a hardship or trial.

Through THRED.asia, LHM builds relationships with people which ultimately builds trust. When the timing is right, LHM can then offer resources and training to help them start or grow their faith and they already have a connection to the individuals from THRED.asia. Some of the topics addressed on THRED.asia include marriage, family, loneliness, anxiety, relationships, and much more.

THRED.asia is a safe place for non-believers and non-Christians to have a way to get help from others when facing a hardship or trial.

The goal of THRED.asia is not to ask people to make a decision or question where they will spend eternity. THRED.asia is simply a common ground for non-believers to get advice and help from others. Since there is no requirement or obligation to learn more about the Christian faith, people who use THRED. asia don’t feel pressure. They can be authentic about what is going on in their lives. If they are receptive to hearing biblically-based guidance, LHM staff and volunteers will happily share topical brochures being produced in conjunction with the website.

By using the internet instead of face-to-face conversations, LHM can reach people all over the world and people all over the world can reach LHM very easily. Conversations can happen at the user’s convenience and doesn’t have to be restricted to “working hours” as THRED.asia can be accessed at any time from any location.

THRED.asia is currently only producing written content, but the staff hopes to incorporate video resources and other features soon. n

24 | The Lutheran Layman May - June 2019