The Lutheran Layman

THE

LUTHERAN L AYMAN Your Partner in HIS Mission!

November - December 2015

The

DEADLY STING of

PERSECUTION

By Kenneth Klaus

IN OCTOBER OF 1916, SPEAKING AGAINST THE WIDESPREAD USE of alcohol, Rev. Charles F. Aked spoke these words: “For evil men to accomplish their purpose it is only see page 3

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by Rev. Gregory Seltz Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

PARTNERS in Proclaiming A

t this time of year I find myself reflecting on Will Advent, what has happened over the past months and Christmas, and what opportunities for ministry God has yet in Epiphany call us back store for us. (As Speaker, it’s easy to look forward to something much since I am already booked to speak in Pittsburgh more than ourselves? on Reformation Sunday in 2018—God indeed has We are called to the more for us to do!) This time of year we especially power of God for see the uniqueness of Christ’s church, its message, salvation: “Christ the Lord.” With all the voices calling and the joyful fact that you and I get to be at work for your attention, let’s listen to the angels of God. together as His witnesses, partners in proclaiming “The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you the Good News of Jesus Christ as this world’s good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

ONLY Hope for life and salvation. That’s what Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to Reformation, Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas Eve, you; He is the Messiah, the Lord’” Luke 2:10-11). and Christmas Day will do to you and for you, right?

Partner with angels in proclaiming Christ I’m also reminded this year that we share a very Crucified and risen, born into our world to save it. different message of Hope than the world. Paul He’s not a religious philosophy, He’s not a guru, says, “Jews demand signs and He’s not merely an example—He Greeks look for wisdom, but Hope in the flesh, Life in our He is HOPE in the flesh, isWorld, Salvation that comes to we preach Christ crucified: a LIFE in our World, all who believe, AS A GIFT! That’s stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to SALVATION that comes what we get to share with others TOGETHER! those whom God has called, to all who believe, I thank God for your both Jews and Greeks, Christ the AS A GIFT! That’s what partnership, prayers, and support. power of God and the wisdom What a joy that our partnership of God” (1 Cor. 1:22-24). All of we get to share with helped The Lutheran Hour us want hope, power, peace, others TOGETHER! get on the Bott Radio Network, tranquility, life in abundance, but expanding our listenership to this text says that God ALONE over a million people. And please, check out the HAD TO DO IT ALL, TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE— through a cross, a “suffering, service Savior” who is new “Action in Ministry” portion of The Lutheran Hour. I think you will not only be blessed, but it is “Christ the Lord.”

As time advances, you will hear politicians make something that you can share with your friends.

Keep in your prayers the new programming that we promises to fix the big things. Self-help gurus will tell you that they have a new, secret plan to unleash hope to develop. What wonderful ways to proclaim Christ’s Good News by radio, TV, digital media— your inner strength for abundant living. You will with a message that even makes the angels sing! hear others say they have “ways to pray, ways to live, ways to think” to empower you to get control God Bless you! n of all the things that overwhelm your life. There are lots of people claiming that they have “signs” to Hear Rev. Gregory Seltz on The Lutheran show you, “wisdom” to impart to you.

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The Lutheran

Vol. 86, No. 6 November - December 2015

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from page 1 necessary that good men should do nothing.”1 For the purpose of this article, I would like to amend that to: “For persecution to succeed, it is only necessary that we do nothing.” The rest of this article will attempt to flesh out the reasoning contained in that sentence.

To begin doing that we need to take a look at two men of the late Middle Ages, two men who were remarkably similar. Among those similarities we could list: they both came to realize the church had some major flaws and failings when it came to doctrine, and both these men wrote in their native language so the people could understand them. Both of these reformers had rulers who promised them safe conduct to and from their trials and both were ordered to recant their beliefs. Both were excommunicated when they refused to accept Church’s doctrines which contradicted Scripture and both condemned to death for what they believed.

And the difference between them? That’s easy: one of them was put to death and the other lived. On July 6, 1415, the persecutors of John Hus took him to the church, condemned him, and turned him over to authorities. At the place of execution Hus was refused a confessor to hear his final admission of sin; his priestly robes were removed, his hands were bound, and his neck was chained to the stake. Wood and straw were piled chin-high all around him and the fire was lit using manuscripts from another reformer, John Wycliffe. Among the final words of John Hus was a prediction that a reformer would soon come that his persecutors wouldn’t silence so easily.

A century later that prophesied Reformer, Martin “For Luther, stood on trial before high representatives church and state. Luther’s defense was rejected persecution of by those leaders, even as Luther rejected their false to succeed, doctrines. Speaking in favor of following his conscience over church councils and Popes, Luther asserted, “Here it is only I stand.” Most people thought he wouldn’t remain necessary standing very long. Indeed, there was every probability that we do that Luther would be martyred as had been so many reformers before him. If that had happened, the name nothing.”

Martin Luther would have been nothing more than

Monument of John Hus on the Oldtown Square in Prague

a grand footnote in German history.

In truth, that would have happened if it hadn’t been for the intervention of his ruler, Elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony.

You see, when John Hus was condemned, he had been deserted by his ruler who had promised to protect him. Representatives of the church managed to convince Sigismund of Hungary that he was not obligated to keep his word when it had been given to a convicted heretic. Sure, Sigismund was angry when John Hus was arrested, but the day his subject was condemned, Sigismund was conveniently elsewhere.

In contrast to Sigismund the Spineless, Luther had Frederick the Wise. When Luther left his trial, anyone was allowed to (and all were encouraged to) kill him. That was when the Elector’s representatives kidnapped Luther, gave him a secret identity, and hid him in Wartburg Castle, a place of comparative safety.

That is the story of two Reformers. The great difference between these men was while both were persecuted, one of them was persecuted and protected. Their stories tell us: for persecution to succeed, it is only necessary that God’s people do nothing. Hus died because his ruler, Sigismund, did nothing; Luther lived because Frederick interceded and the Lord willed it. Those stories of persecution and protection from persecution have been repeated for centuries on every continent on which the Savior’s story of salvation has been shared.

We shouldn’t be surprised. The Old Testament is chock full of persecution stories.

Cain persecuted and murdered his brother, Abel; Esau persecuted Jacob; Joseph’s brothers persecuted him and sold him into slavery. You would have to look hard see next page The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

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Every day Christians are persecuted. Sometimes it happens openly and viciously.

Othert imes it it subtle.

REAL PERSECUTION

(The following was written by a Christian named Moris who has faced persecutions in the Middle East for many years.)

C

hristianity, the religion of love, redemption, and salvation, has been persecuted since its very beginning.

This is unfortunate since “God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17).

When Christ began His earthly ministry, He was persecuted by Jewish religious leaders, who opposed Him all the way to the cross (Mark 3:6, John 11: 47-57). Saul of Tarsus (later called St. Paul) persecuted Christians and cast them into prison. He even witnessed the stoning of Stephen, an early Christian believer (Acts 7:54 - 8:3).

Nero, the Roman emperor, accused Christians of burning the city of Rome. Nero beheaded St. Paul and crucified St. Peter, who refused to be crucified like His master, Jesus Christ, so he was positioned with his head down.

Christians were persecuted up to the beginning of the fourth century, when the Roman emperor Constantine the Great and his mother Helena converted to Christianity.

Eventually it became the official religion. Still, Christianity faced attacks and persecution by non-Christians. Yet, the Church, rooted in Christ, was flourishing.

When Islam began in the seventh century A.D., by Muhammad, Christianity faced persecutions since the Muslim religion teaches “that the true religion before God is Islam.” Muhammad and his followers fought against people who were not Muslims. They conquered counties in the Middle East, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Europe, the Far East, and other areas.

They forced people to become “Muslims” or “Pay the Jeziah,” which is a tax for life. If they did not, then they often were beheaded.

Muslims plundered what they wanted, killing the men, and taking women and girls as slaves. A Muslim can marry many wives, and a Muslim can marry a Christian girl, but Christian men are not allowed to marry Muslim girls.

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While there are some cordial Muslims who are tolerant towards nonMuslims, those are few.

In the KORAN (the Muslim holy book), you find that the Souras (books) which were written in Mecca (one of the Moslem holy cities), are tolerant toward Christians and their Gospel.

On the contrary, other writings in the city of Medinah were completely against Christian beliefs. Accordingly, Muslims must fight any non-Muslim any time, anywhere.

Today Christians are persecuted in many Muslim countries. Search the Internet under Persecutions of Christians and you probably will find hundreds of incidents. Persecution takes place in India, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, and in Africa, particularly Nigeria, by Boko Haram and from page 3 ISIS (militant fanatical Muslims). In certain countries churches may not be built and the to find one of God’s prophets who escaped persecution when he Gospels cannot be shared. There can be no boldly delivered the message God had given him. Indeed, most of worship meetings even at homes. Christians them found what they had to say was met with disdain, derision, are not allowed to be in certain careers, or be and disregard. in certain positions. Churches were destroyed, In the New Testament it isn’t any different. King Herod responded burned, or used as storage barns for animals. to Jesus’ birth with the slaughter of infants in Bethlehem. Citizens Some churches became mosques! in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth tried to murder Him while the The One who is with us is stronger than those Pharisees and Sadducees plotted to kill Him. The High Priest of who are against us. Our Lord says: “In the world Israel went on record that it was better for Jesus to die rather than you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have have the entire nation perish (John 11:50). Even though he was overcome the world” (John 16:33).The Bible also convinced of Jesus’ innocence, the Roman Procurator Pontius says that nothing will separate us from the Love Pilate couldn’t bring himself to release the Savior. Instead, of God in Christ our he joined in the Redeemer’s persecution by allowing Him to Lord (Romans 8:38). and then allowing the Christ to be crucified.

“We must obey beIfbeaten Christians in the you’re wondering how Jesus felt about these unfair Middle East say that persecutions, He will tell you: In Luke 23, He warned, “For God rather “the blood of the if they do these things when the wood is green, what will than men” is Christian Martyrs, happen when it is dry?” The Savior was saying, “If they is like seeds for the persecute and murder innocent Me; what terrible things will the kind of growth of Christ’s do to you who have been tainted by sin?” Then, having statement which they church.” n asked the question, Jesus warns: “If the world hates you, is guaranteed to remember that it has hated Me before it hated you” and if persecuted Christ, they will also persecute you (John alienate almost they 15:18; 20). Jesus’ warning is echoed by St. Paul who, having any government. been on the giving and the receiving side of persecution,

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

It was a lesson the early church also understood.

Stephen’s stoning under the guidance of Saul and the slaughter of James, the brother of John (Acts 12:2), gave an indication of what they could expect from worldly rulers. They were not entirely surprised when, in 64 A.D., after much of Rome had gone up in flames, blame for the blaze was fixed on them and a state-endorsed persecution began. The world knows about how Christians were flung to the lions or burned at the stake. What people don’t know is those were the more gentle deaths experienced by believers.

Other Christians were sewn into the skins of wild animals and hunting dogs were encouraged to tear them apart. The faithful had parts of their bodies roasted before their eyes.

Yes, Nero was among the first to persecute Jesus’ people. He is not the last. This Past March, a Taliban suicide bomber murdered 15 believers in Pakistan, and in July, a female suicide bomber killed five Christians as they worshipped in Nigeria; videos showing the nation of ISIS beheading 15 Coptic Christian men and shooting another 15 have been widely circulated. What is not being “If the world hates told is how the Savior’s Name was on the lips of many of these you, keep in mind men as they were martyred.

This year hundreds of that it hated Me Christian women have been first. … If they stolen from their families and

wrote: “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). Paul’s statement was persecuted Me, reinforced by the Apostle Peter who told God’s people: “Beloved, do not they will persecute be surprised at the fiery trial when it you also” comes upon you to test you, as though (John 15: 18-20). something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

Remember, Peter is not speaking here without knowledge. He had dealt with persecution in the past. Years before, he and John had told the Jewish Supreme Court: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). On another occasion Peter, with the other Apostles, replied to that same body of officials, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

“We must obey God rather than men” is the kind of statement which is guaranteed to alienate almost any government. Not long after Pentecost the Apostles dispersed to the four corners of the compass. As they traveled, and when they arrived, they powerfully proclaimed salvation through the crucified and risen Redeemer. Still, with the exception of John, obeying God rather than men cost them their lives. They found that no ruler, no government, no alternative religion likes to hear they are second in the hearts, minds, and souls of their people.

sold into sexual slavery by representatives of Islam.

Their price list for Christian slaves has been published and verified by the United Nations. The rates being charged for our Christian sisters is simple: the older a girl or woman is, the lower is her price. Translating the currency into dollars: the price for a woman over 40 is $41; an adolescent girl sells for $124, and a child between the ages of 9 and 11 brings the premium price of $165.

Understand, foreign persecution of believers is not confined to the Muslim faith. Let me introduce you to Rajeshwar Singh, the head of India’s Faith Awakening Forum. He has appeared on India’s National TV and said his organization has set 2021 as the deadline to cleanse India of “Islam and Christianity.” To keep this promise money is being raised to bring Muslims and Christians back to the Hindu faith. Organizers calculate it will cost about $7,875 to reconvert a Muslim and less than half that to reclaim a Christian. Sadly, the lesser rate for a Christian has been set because Christians are supposedly easier to convert. But there’s more: in the Bshtar tribal region of the Indian subcontinent Christian schools are required to erect statues of the Hindu goddess of learning, Saraswati.2 Space allows me to share only a few of these persecutions taking place in other nations. Still, these are clear evidence that Jesus’ words remain true. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first……

If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also” (John 15: 18, 20). These persecutions continue because our brothers and sisters are, like John Hus, persecuted, see next page Whether young or old, followers of Christ have been targets.

They still are!

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

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from page 5 but not protected. In many places police and soldiers stand off to the side and silently watch as suffering, pain, and murder are inflicted upon Christians. In other nations, nations like Laos, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Yemen, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea, it is the state which leads the persecution charge against the Savior and His followers.3 The believers there understand Paul’s prophecy: “Anyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12).

What are we to do about these who are persecuted and not protected? Scripture tells us: “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (Hebrews 13:3). We can remember these people in our prayers asking they know the hope God gives (Eph. 1:18); that they be strengthened (Eph 3:16); that they continue sharing the Gospel (Eph 3:17); and bravely tell others of Jesus. (Eph.6:20). At the same time we can pray these diabolical governments will stand down from their opposition to the Savior and His salvation story. At Lutheran Hour Ministries we also ask your prayers that our work and broadcasts to countries where Christian proclamation is forbidden may be heard and bring forth much fruit.

When I graduated from the seminary more than 40 years ago, America herself was a Christian country. No, the Christian faith was not an official religion, but the Bible was still respected, the clergy was honored, and most people held our faith in the highest regard. In contrast, the Soviet Union was an officially godless nation, a nation which had banished the Deity from the lives of her people. In Russia, churches had been closed and any young person who professed a faith in the Triune God had severely limited both his education and how high he might be able to climb on the corporate or political ladder.

But then things began to change. The first indication came in 1982 when Soviet

Premiere Leonid Brezhnev passed away. Vice-President George Bush represented America at that funeral. He reported, “A coldness and hollowness pervaded the ceremony—marching soldiers, steel helmets, Marxist rhetoric, but no prayers, no comforting hymns, no mention of God. I happened to be in just the right spot to see Mrs. Brezhnev (give her final farewell). She walked up to the casket, took one last look at her husband, and there—in the cold, gray center of that totalitarian state—she traced the sign of the cross over her dead husband’s chest.”

That was only the beginning of monumental changes At LHM we also yet to come in that country which had, in the 20th century, murdered more than 100,000 of her clergy. How far has ask your prayers Russia come? In his 2014 State of the Nation address, that our work Mr. Putin claimed that Russia has become a defender of “traditional values.” He went on to state: “Social and and broadcasts religious conservatism is the only way to prevent the to countries world from slipping into chaotic darkness.” To those who would say his words are all “smoke and mirrors,” it should where Christian be noted Russia has adopted laws banning “homosexual proclamation propaganda” and others which makes it a criminal offense is forbidden to insult the religious beliefs of others. Is it just rhetoric?

Possibly, but Christianity and ethics are now being taught may be heard in all the Russian public schools. and bring forth If President Putin is pulling the wool over our eyes, he has managed to do the same to Patriarch Kirill, the leader much fruit. of Russia’s Orthodox Church. The Patriarch is also critical of western nations which he says are “spiritually disarming” their people. He said, “The general political direction of the [Western political] elite bears, without doubt, an anti-Christian and anti-religious character.”4 In other words, the Patriarch says, the west is persecuting Christians. On state run television the theologian confessed, “We have been through an epoch of atheism, and we know what it is to live without God. We want to shout to the whole world, ‘Stop!’”5 It was the Patriarch’s way of saying “from personal experience we have seen what happens when we drive God out of our lives.”

Is it possible that these critics are correct? There are some in North America who agree. A report by the Texas-headquartered Liberty Institute and the Washington Family Research Council says government agencies are trying to muzzle Christian freedom of speech. The founder of the Liberty Institute, Kelly Shackelford, said, “I have been doing these types of (Freedom of Religion/Speech) cases for almost 25 years now. I have never seen the levels of attacks like these and how quickly they are now proliferating.” Shackelford says government, from schools to social programs, is the ringleader.

Is it possible? Is persecution coming or has it already arrived in the Land of Freedoms?

1 2 3 4 The Five Stages of

The persecution process begins when the target group is stereotyped. For example, when people think of or speak about Christians, do they consistently use words like, backward, prejudiced, closed-minded, narrowminded, stuck in the past, unprogressive, sexually repressed, science haters, and bombastic? If so, move on to:

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The persecution process continues with separating the target group from the rest of society. In this case, are Christians being held up as examples of the kind of person you DON’T want to be? At this stage the adjectives used to describe believers have a heavier, negative connotation. People speak of us as being: “politically incorrect, intolerant, hateful, bigoted, unfair, homophobic, and just plain nasty, bad people.” The common person thinks Christian history is filled ONLY with dark deeds like witchcraft hunts, the Crusades, condemning the scientist Galileo, and speaking FOR slavery.

Does this sound familiar? If so, proceed to:

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

STAGE 3 in the persecution process can be labeled: “Confine and Control.” Here the government and various special-interest groups will try to muzzle preachers and not allow the church to address social issues or comment on political candidates.

People speak of removing Christianity from the public marketplace. They maintain, “If the church is to exist at all, it ought to be confined to Sunday morning church.”

Believers may see everyone and anyone is allowed to present their views publicly, with the exception of Christians. If you’ve heard of or experienced such activities, you are ready for:

Monsignor Charles Pope and Johnnette Benkovic (EWTN) help us answer that question. They say persecution is a pattern which develops in five stages.

As you read about these stages, ask, “What is our nation’s level of persecution?”

Now if you are among those who feel America is on the persecution pathway, you will wonder what should be done and how we should respond. Might I make the following suggestions:

1. Find your direction in Scripture. By

inspiration, the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation for Christians who were facing severe persecution for their faith. There the Lord spoke to Christians facing imprisonment, death, temptation, trials. He wrote to Christians who were being pressured to compromise their faith; who wanted to know how they were to overcome and survive in the face of temptation. Here, and throughout the New Testament, believers are assured they can finish their race through the “Grace and Peace,” which is given to those who trust and rely on the Redeemer.

2. DO something. Pastor Martin Niemoller spent

seven years in a Nazi concentration camp. He wrote: “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” I wonder, “Are we not to speak for our children and grandchildren… for the congregations of the future?” This is our time, our moment to take a stand.

3. Pray for your brothers and sisters around the world who are under persecution. Ask

that the Lord strengthen and encourage them.

4. Support missionaries and LHM whose broadcasts can go where missionaries are forbidden.

5. Be realistic in your expectations:

• while we don’t want retailers to force their employees to say: “Merry Christmas,” we don’t want them to forbid it, either.

• while we don’t want Christian students to be given extra credit for being believers, we don’t want them to be penalized for their faith.

• while we don’t expect to be applauded for what we believe, we don’t expect to be put down for it, either.

• we don’t expect the rights of every person to be defended—except for those who are part of the Christian community.

• we don’t expect to be profiled when nobody else is.

Feb. 7, 2016:

6. Ask your pastor to run a class on apologetics for adults AND for confirmands.

My friends, 2,000 years ago the Lord Jesus told us what would happen. If you have never read them before, look at them now. They are God’s marching orders for this, our “Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise” moment. To you, Jesus says: Luke 21:12-19 ”But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for My name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.” n

Dr. Kenneth Klaus is Emeritus Speaker of The Lutheran Hour and has widely traveled while spreading the Word of God. 1 http://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/12/04/good-men-do/ 2 http://www.ucanews.com/news/world-must-act-against-hindu-plan-for-christian-muslim-free-india/72688 3 http://listverse.com/2011/11/24/top-10-most-dangerous-countries-for-christians/ 4 general political direction of the [Western political] elite bears, without doubt, an anti-Christian and anti-religious character 5 http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/28/whos-godless-now-russia-says-its-us/?page=all

4 5 At Stage 4, CRIMINALIZATION is added to CONFINING and CONTROLLING. As they try to do their ministry, Christian pastors, parishes, and individuals will increasingly find themselves involved in expensive and time-consuming lawsuits.

Social issues, political correctness, and improper behavior will be the areas where the church will have to defend itself. More and more the church will end up defending their Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom of Religion. If your parish leaders are wondering about the legal implications of not doing gay weddings; if you’re wondering if the church’s insurance will provide coverage for a pastor who won’t suggest abortion in a counseling session, you are ready to move to:

At this stage the persecution process is out of control. A pastor who doesn’t comply with the new government rulings can face jail time; a parish which doesn’t go along with society’s new rules will find its property being taxed or confiscated. More and more laws will be enacted which will make it impossible for a parish to hold fast to its doctrinal position.

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Save the Date for LHM Sunday

n today’s increasingly post-Christian culture, Lutheran Hour Ministries’ members and partners come together to meet the greatest challenge of the 21st century: proclaiming messages of hope in the Name of Jesus Christ to hurting people at home and around the world.

The need to boldly proclaim the love of Christ is greater than ever so that the lives of billions of unreached people can be changed by the Gospel!

People like you carry this proclamation forward in responding to God’s call to fulfill the Great Commission. Learn how you and other congregation members can use LHM’s outreach training and resources by joining us for Lutheran Hour Ministries Sunday on Feb. 7, 2016 (or any Sunday that is most appropriate for your congregation to celebrate the blessings of LHM).

These outreach tools serve as the catalyst for partnering with the laity to empower them to be missionaries in their own communities.

Pastors and LHM Ambassadors will receive a packet of promotional materials in November to help plan for the event. They will also be able to order offering envelopes and brochures for FREE that explain partnership opportunities and to include in weekly bulletins or place on a display table in the narthex on the day of your event. n

To order the free materials or find out more about LHM Sunday, call 1-800-876-9880 or visit www.lhm.org/lhmsunday. Please order at least two weeks in advance of your event to guarantee sufficient time for delivery!

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

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In the southern town of Thabaung, flood relief means delivering supplies by boat.

LHM—Myanmar Director Mar Lay, right, distributes emergency relief packages at Thabaung, a town in southern Myanmar

Flood Emergency

Brings Response from Ministry Center A special mission effort is challenging staff and volunteers from Lutheran Hour Ministries’ center in Myanmar. Since early August they have traveled to multiple areas of their Southeast Asian country to meet the needs of hundreds of people whose lives are disrupted by catastrophic flooding and landslides.

H

eavy rains began sweeping across Myanmar on July 16; the resulting flooding and landslides killed at least 117 people and affected an estimated 1.7 million—driving many from their homes, killing livestock, and destroying crops on nearly a million acres of farmland. Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) typically experiences flooding due to seasonal monsoon rains from May through August. Rains during the 2015 season have been unusually severe, a condition that was exacerbated when Cyclone Komen struck the region on July 30.

Burmese families displaced by the flood-related conditions sought refuge in public shelters, churches, and Buddhist monasteries. As flood waters recede in some areas, many people are returning to ruined livelihoods and severely damaged homes and belongings.

LHM—Myanmar Director Mar Lay reports that the ministry center has reached out to flood-affected 8

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

by Greg Koenig

families in three hard-hit monsoon season ends, or perhaps even into Novemareas—Ayeyarwady Re- ber, when cyclones are most likely to develop. For gion in southern Myan- more information about LHM’s ministry in Myanmar, Magway Region in mar, visit myanmarlhm.wordpress.com. Recent the middle of the coun- images of the ministry center’s flood relief efforts try, and Sagaing Region can be viewed on the center’s Facebook page, Word in the north. The center’s of Hope Lutheran Hour Ministries—Myanmar. n staff and volunteers have provided drinking waGreg Koenig reports on the impact of ter, rice, cooking oil, salt, LHM’s ministry work globally. soap, mosquito nets, school supplies, and other much-needed items, transporting them by truck where the roads are passable and by boat where they are not.

On August 14, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod awarded Lutheran Hour Ministries a partnership grant in the amount of $10,000 to support LHM—Myanmar’s emergency outreach, particularly in the hard-hit Ayeyarwady Region.

The funds are expected to help provide rice and other necessities for an estimated 500 families.

According to Mar Lay, efforts to respond to flood survivors’ needs are likely to extend through mid-October, when the Mar Lay and volunteer Minn Thu Saw bring food and other supplies to flood survivors in villages around the town of Kyaunggon.

Consortium Uses Project Connect for Its Employees

by Paul Schreiber

Project Connect booklets are typically seen as an outreach tool.

As such these topical booklets help people who are struggling with rocky marriages, the suicide of a friend or family member, or God’s seeming absence in times of trouble. Since complex life issues like these are fairly commonplace, PC booklets make a great first line of assistance for those in need. They’re pocket-sized, written by acknowledged leaders in ministry, and are easy to display and make available.

Realizing these issues not only impact people outside the church but are just as likely to hit people working inside a church organization, Concordia Lutheran Ministries (CLM) of Cabot, Pennsylvania, looked at the situation from a different angle. This faith-based, non-profit senior and healthcare system in western Pennsylvania now has 15 Deaconesses Jackie Duke (left) and Heather Wathall PC display racks in place at more than a dozen locations—for its employees!

Facilities include residential care and independent living facilities, along with fort and encouragement (and hopefully for some, the Lord), as they persevere through their circumstances,” Duke added. hospice care.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Project Connect booklets and display racks It’s logical to think that if the booklets help employees at the facility, they in are another way your church, community center, even your local healthcare turn may help others at the facility and even beyond.

The displays are stocked and maintained by three full-time deaconesses who system can be a conduit for the Good News of the Gospel and God’s love. n work with CLM. Beyond the hundreds of on-site residents who live at CLM’s Paul Schreiber reports on the impact of various locations, the system has about 1,000 employees. The booklets are priLHM’s ministry work in the United States. marily intended for the benefit of staff; though, naturally, they are used by residents, visitors, family members, and friends who visit CLM’s residents. “Right now our goal is to provide comfort to our employees, and perhaps, consequently, to their families. At times we do use these booklets for our residents too. The de to An Ingrate’s Gui racks, however, are for the employees,” said Jackie Duke, a deaconess forAnCLM. Ingrate’s Guide to t: tm Concordia Lutheran Ministries’ decision to make PC booklets available tmetentnLifet:— Conten en Cocticenstefor na to More Con employees is another example of how versatile these topical booklets are,Matand Five Pra Are No ter Who You how many different ways they can bring benefit to others. Private, portable, and Lutheran Hour Ministries is offering Five Practices pressure-free, PC booklets connect with people wherever they are—on their a brand new booklet, An Ingrate’s Guide Life — for a More Content Are own terms. Then, with the door open a bit more, the individual may find the No Matter Who You to Contentment: Five Practices for courage to speak with someone about their situation. “We’ve been talking about a More Content Life—No Matter Who how the chaplaincy could reach out on a broader scale to our employees. We You Are. This booklet speaks to a lasting believe these booklets not only offer comfort and answers to our employees’ contentment we can know that far circumstances, but see this, also, as a way to possibly initiate a conversation. We surpasses the fleeting satisfaction we will be placing our contact information on each booklet,” said Duke. might find with material goods, a big Concerning this, here’s what Deaconess Elsa Mauritz had to say: “I think Project Connect is a great tool to have because many people are not brave bank account, or even a happy family. enough to speak with someone about their struggles, but they might pick up a booklet to read. These booklets are great resources because they address the Visit www.lhm.org/contentment need head on. They always turn the person to Christ and His salvation from sin, use promo code: LMCONTENT15. death, and the devil. They allow the person to find ways to recover or heal where Price U.S. $10.00 plus S&H. Offer valid in U.S. they are more comfortable. Then, perhaps, reading the booklet will inspire them only and while supplies last. Expires 11/30/15. to talk with someone about what they learned or how they have changed and receive more encouragement.”

Concordia Lutheran Ministries has also been providing Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Daily Devotions via e-mail to all employees with access to a computer.

These are brief meditations on God’s Word by Rev. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus for The Lutheran Hour. Advent and Lenten devotions from LHM are also made available. Together these resources give employees and others Christ-centered the • www.lhm.org/apps teachings to inform their decision-making. “We hope employees may find com-

True contentment

is an elusive thing …

fied with be completely satis While we may not of us want let’s face it, most seems a bit our lot in life—and elf as an “ingrate” r of this more—to label ones autho the what ss, that’s harsh. Neverthele use he knows he does so is beca booklet does. Why contentment true to e there’s more an and deep down insid y, famil , a wife and than a five-star home account. expanding bank thing. Even world is an elusive Contentment in this perks thrown in s met and a few ’s with our necessitie feel like something still can it ure, will always for good meas of the matter is there e to the missing. The truth peac inner of e sens our be a void if we tie insight on this world. Offering erning fleeting things of ” to implement conc some key “practices r shows how being truly autho contentment, the ective. Citing persp our to tied satisfied is very much inating view on contentment s illum author drills the apostle Paul’ of Philippians, the as found in the book true peace and satisfaction in ce of down to the Sour 6BE163 life. this

660 Mason Ridge

, MO 63141-8557 Center Dr., St. Louis • www.lhm.org 1-800-972-5442

Special20OBfoofkelerts,!

Order t 5 FREE! and Ge

Download Project Connect App!

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

9

Keep the

on

I

FOCUS

Outreach

n 2010 Rev. Dr. Mark Lason came on board as director of United States Ministries (USM) for Lutheran Hour Ministries. He over sees media production and distribution for The Lutheran Hour, various television specials, and other programs. He is in charge of evangelism training programs such as LHM’s MISSION U workshops, and the teen and young adult-focused five14. Also under his purview is the Men’s NetWork, a website dedicated to men’s ministry, and Project Connect, LHM’s topical booklet program, which features short volumes in English, with many in Spanish.

Larson was district executive of missions (20002009) for the Rocky Mountain District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. While there he oversaw the mission and evangelism programs for the district, which include Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and El Paso, Texas. His pastoral experience includes associate (1988-1994) then senior pastor (1994-2000) at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Beecher, Illinois. There he served on the Mission Board of the Northern Illinois District (1991-2000) and as board chair (1997-2000).

Larson has a bachelor’s degree in speech communications from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln; a master of divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis; and a doctor of ministry degree from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. He and his wife, Lisa, have two schoolaged children.

As mission-related activities figure prominently, LHM staff member Paul Schreiber asked Larson about how his experience comes into play at LHM.

10

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

Dr. Mark Larson and Pastor Gregory Seltz

What skill sets/experience have proven helpful to you as USM director, especially in respect to U.S. mission work?

“S

ince college I’ve had a love for evangelism and outreach. I first learned it through Dr. Leroy Biesenthal’s (see tribute to Dr. Biesenthal on page 16) Dialogue Evangelism at the University of Nebraska.

Since then I have been able to put this passion into practice through wide-ranging experiences in the church: as parish pastor with a Lutheran school, on the Mission Board of the Northern Illinois District, and, before coming to LHM, as the mission executive of the Rocky Mountain District.”

What is it that USM is doing that you are particularly pleased to see? not be more excited about LHM’s new “Icould strategic priorities, two of which fall within the

responsibilities of United States Ministries, namely, to “grow God’s Kingdom through expanded media outreach” and to “energize, equip, and engage laity for outreach.” I believe these strategic priorities are well chosen and closely align with the historic strength of our ministry.”

The Action in Ministry (AIM) segment is a new addition to The Lutheran Hour. What are your hopes for this piece in terms of audience education and response?

thus allowing LHM to nurture that relationship with the ultimate goal of referring them to a local church.”

How do you envision the Spanish-language (multi-ethnic) offerings of USM to expand in the future?

Hour Ministries has a long history of “Lutheran Spanish language and multi-ethnic ministry

dating back to the 1940s, especially when Dr. Andrew Melendez was the Speaker of the Spanish Lutheran Hour (1941-1972). This area is only growing in importance as many ethnic groups continue to expand in numbers and geographic dispersion. Everyone is aware of the massive increase in Hispanics in the U.S. in recent decades, but other groups are growing, too. Within the last few months it was announced that in California, Anglos were not only no longer in the majority, they are not even the largest minority there. Hispanics now outnumber them. At the same time, however, the LCMS is 95 percent Anglo. This needs to change! In the coming year, LHM is researching and studying ethnic ministry and consulting with the church-at-large to determine the best way forward. This could be a great area of opportunity for outreach since ethnic people tend to be socially conservative. Often they come to us because of our theology.” (See footnote)

What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve discovered from working at LHM?

brief audio/video features show the aving been here about five years, I never cease “T hese church at work, showing love in deeds and “ H to be amazed at the passion of the staff at in words of witness to God’s love in Christ. The goal is to see the church in action, not as a judgmental club, but as God’s people who show love to the world. Action in Ministry connects the Gospel with unchurched listeners in a way they will respond to,

LHM to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are united around our mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. This is true not only of the staff directly involved in ministry, but also of those providing support in numerous ways.”

The recent series of mini-booklets for kids (Learning to Pray, The Christmas Journey, Sharing Your Faith, The Bully, and The Easter Story) have been doing quite well lately.

Why do you think this is so? children’s booklets have been an unprecedented success.

“T heCheck them out at www.lhm.org/kids, including previews of the entire booklets. In just a couple of years we have distributed over 250,000! Our most recent mini-booklet, Do You Know Who Jesus Is?, sold out its initial printing of 50,000 in 30 days and had to be reordered. I believe their great popularity stems from the way they meet a need in the church. Clear, easy-to-comprehend storylines and wonderful accompanying artwork make them a winner. It is encouraging to see how churches and individuals are using them to share the Good News of Jesus with so many children.”

Sharing the Good News of Jesus is at the heart of what U.S. Ministries does at LHM. For more information on USM programs—or the many other ministry tools and resources LHM offers—visit its website at www.lhm.org. n Footnote: In the field of Hispanic outreach, Larson has served on the President’s Blue Ribbon Task Force for Hispanic Ministry (appointment by former LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick).

He also worked with the National Advisory Group for Missions, the Executive Committee of North American Mission Enablers, and Frontera Ministries. He played a key role in founding the Lutheran Hispanic Missionary Institute in El Paso.

Ch The Jouristm rne as y

LLL Canada 2015 Election Results

Voting members of the Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada elected Ian Adnams of Richmond, British Columbia, as president, and have returned Directors Calvin Ulmer of Neudorf, Saskatchewan, and Ronald Fischer of Stratford, Ontario, to their positions.

The two-year terms began on October 28 when Ian Adnams the Board of Directors met in Winnipeg. Members in Canada convey thanks to Fred Jarvis of Kelowna, British Columbia, who completed his term of service as president, and also thanked candidates who allowed their names to be included on the ballot, but who were not elected. n

STOCKING STUFFERS FROM LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES ing Learn to

Pray

The

Christmas Journey

T his holiday season, give the gift of Jesus! These pocket-sized booklets with super-sized messages are perfect stocking stuffers. These fun and colorful booklets can be used to teach kids how to pray, share their faith, and more – each in a way kids will understand and remember.

Each title in a set of 25 booklets is just $7! (plus S&H) The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

11

Volunteer Teams Make an

by Greg Koenig

Impact

ODIA B M A C

Earlier this year Lutheran Hour Ministries partnered with eight teams of volunteers who traveled to serve at six ministry centers around the world. These International Volunteer Teams took on projects that ranged from construction to outreach training to youth camps and English-language workshops.

A O e s a v t G p

“All of us went to give a little of ourselves, but we received so much more in return,” reported the Ohio group that served in Panama. That pretty much sums up each group’s volunteer adventure. Interested in joining the hundreds of people who have been blessed by the International Volunteer Trip experience? Visit www.lhm.org/teams to learn more.

MA PANA

CHILE

In August, a seven of members from congregations St. Village, Ladue trav English conversati make improveme Community Cente Constitución. “We for this wonderful in our community Director Marianela

ALA M E T GUA In late July, an 18-member volunteer team from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Napoleon, Ohio, spent a busy 10 days working with LHM’s ministry center in Panama presenting a VBS, assisting with the center’s Project JOEL youth program, and sharing God’s love with patients at a children’s hospital. They also found time to tackle some renovation projects at God is Great (Dios es Grande) Lutheran Church in Panama City.

Lutheran Hour Ministries’ outreach center in Guatemala played host to volunteer groups from several different parts of the United States:

12

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

An eight-member leader team from the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ (OAFC) evangelism organization led an outreach workshop for 25 Cambodian youth in late June and early July. Sessions focused on the use of various strategies, from puppet performances to worship practices to music, for sharing the Good News of Jesus with people—especially people their own age—who need to hear it.

IA RUSS

n-person team made up m St. Louis-area Paul, Des Peres and veled to Chile to provide ion classes and to help ents to the Lutheran er in the city of e give thanks to God l opportunity to work y!” says LHM—Chile a Bravo.

Six members of Grace Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minn., traveled to Russia June 18 through July 2 to lead an English language camp. “Twenty-three children aged 8 to 15 were actively engaged in learning the Bible using English materials that the team brought,” reports LHM—Russia Director Igor Savich. Campers also enjoyed learning English-language Christian songs and parachute games introduced by the LHM team.

WI A L A M

In late June, a team of 17 from St. Paul, Jackson, Mo., assisted with a VBS outreach to children and helped complete the construction of a community center in the town of Gualán.

Eight volunteers made up the team from St. John’s in Alexandria, Va., All Saints in Everett, Wash., and Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Bryans Road, Md. visited Guatemala City July 11-19 to lead a VBS event at a public school and help install a new ceiling in the LHM—Guatemala ministry center.

Ten members of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Mount Prospect, Ill., traveled to the East African country of Malawi in late June to help build a multipurpose hall in a village named Kachikho. “The village chief told us that when he first heard a group from America was coming to build a community center in his village, he thought it was a joke,” said team leader Sue Husar. “But our arrival confirmed it was true!” The new facility will be used as a primary school; a health care center for expectant mothers and young children; and a venue for LHM-sponsored activities such as vacation Bible schools.

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

13

The Power of the Crowd If you support causes like Lutheran Hour Ministries, you have almost certainly been given the chance to give during times of the year when your gift can be matched by other supporters. Many partners of Lutheran Hour Ministries wait until this time of year to make a special gift for the work God is doing through this ministry. But perhaps you’ve wondered, what’s the point of these matching gift campaigns?

Matching gifts at Lutheran Hour Ministries are all about the amazing things that can happen when believers come together to support a shared cause.

As we read in Ecclesiastes 4:12, “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

In order to provide matching grants, Lutheran Hour Ministries asks some of our partners to give so that their generosity can match every gift given during special times of the year. These gifts com-

bine to double the impact of each gift! What does this mean for Lutheran Hour Ministries? In very real terms for a given area or event, it means LHM can:

• Distribute 200 booklets instead of 100 • Lead ten programs for youth instead of five • Offer outreach training for two congregations instead of one

The point of the matching grant campaign is to multiply the impact of ministry partners on LHM’s calling to share the love of Jesus Christ. By God’s grace, your gifts are helping carry the Gospel further – for this, LHM is profoundly humbled and grateful!

Lutheran Hour Ministries exists by the blessing of God through the support and faithfulness of Christians who pray for, support, and lead the way for our ministry efforts in the U.S. and around the world. We give thanks that supporters like you come together to make their gifts go farther during a matching gift campaign. n G JES US — PR OC LA IM IN If you’ve been waiting to have your gift matched, now is the time! ’S R R TO M O O W A new $400,000 matching grant just began in November and will continue until E P O H T H IG R B it’s been met by our faithful partners. If you would like to double your impact 2016 ISTRY NEWS FOR IMPORTANT MIN through the current match, you can go online at www.lhm.org/MatchLayman or email us to lhm-gift@lhm.org.

Dear <Mrs. Sample>,

Thank you for your partnership in the Lord’s work.

This ministry continues by God’s grace, through your prayers and financial support. Millions search for hope, and you have their answer: Jesus Christ.

PROCLAIM ING JESUS

TOMO RROW ’S

Because of your special commitment to our mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church, I encourage you to watch the enclosed DVD and see how God has positioned us – together – to share the Savior’s love with even more individuals in 2016. As you do, please prayerfully consider a gift of support.

BRIGH T HOPE

We treasure you, <Mrs. Sample>, as part of the Lutheran Hour Ministries family. God bless you.

In Christ,

Rev. Gregory P. Seltz Running Speaker of The Lutheran Hour Time: XX min.

660 Mason Ridge Center Drive • St. Louis, MO 63141 1-800-944-3450 • www.lhm.org

VPS Appeal FY16 — LIFTNOTE —UPPER TIER DONORS ONLY Trims to 5 x 7 2/0 (PMS 301, Black) 24# VIA Natural or equivelent creme-like stock

Presorted First Class Mail U.S. Postage

PAID

St. Louis, MO Permit No. 5283

660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, MO 63141-8557 1-800-944-3450 • www.lhm.org ©2015 Lutheran Hour Ministries, All Rights Reserved

VPS Appeal FY16 with DVD — DVD LABEL 4.567 x 4.567 Standard DVD Size 4/C Process le> <Mrs. Joan Samp Center Drive> <660 Mason Ridge -8557> 63141 <St. Louis, MO

ory Seltz, from Rev. Greg IAL MESSAGE ® • DVD WITH SPEC Lutheran Hour Speaker of The Opportunity Matching Grant • New $400,000 RS

DONO OSE - Front UPPER VPS Appeal FY16 rted 6 x 9.5 Conve 24# White Wove 4/4 (Process)

New Bible Study Shows LCMS Potential

C

oming soon is the LHM Bible study We the Church: The Priesthood of All Believers with a focus on The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, especially as it emerged in the United States.

Scriptwriter Rev. Michael Newman draws from deep LCMS roots to show how a healthy balance was established between laity and clergy, how the LCMS met the challenges of “Americanization,” and how the International Lutheran Laymen’s League played a pivotal role. The study also explores the LCMS today, it’s challenges, and hurdles.

We the Church begins with the passage in 1839 of some 700 German Lutheran immigrants to Perry County, Missouri, and the early problems of settlement. Soon Pastor C.F.W. Walther played a decisive role in these believers’ lives. According to him, every Christian is a missionary to share the Good News of Jesus far and wide. A missionary contingent sent from Germany by Pastor Wilhelm Loehe fostered further development. As Newman says, “Both groups treasured sound Biblical and confessional doctrine. And both groups brought a

14

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

keen awareness of, and deep passion for, the eternal welfare of people’s souls.”

The study reveals how early LCMS congregations were highly active in sharing the Gospel as the church quickly grew to almost 3,000 congregations. Mission work involved outreach among Native Americans and people in China, India, and the Middle East. Then came a World War and a mood change. Other events followed including the flu epidemic. How did the LCMS react? What was the Christian response?

Amid downturns, the LCMS kept its focus on the Great Commission. In succeeding decades domestic mission broadened. This was best espoused by John H.C. Fritz, a pastor and later dean and professor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He said, “A Lutheran missionary who ferrets out only the former Lutherans, or the people of a certain nationality as those of German extraction, is not doing his mission work in accordance with his Lord’s explicit directions.” In 1937 Pastor L. Meyer stated the case again: “What have you as laymen done to prove to the world that your faith is a moving, living faith? What have

by Paul Schreiber

you done to bring the Good News of salvation to the world? How many of you can claim the distinction of having been the means of winning one soul during the past year?”

Then the Lutheran Laymen’s League and Dr. Walter A. Maier took steps to bring the Gospel to the wildly popular medium of radio. Beginning in the 1930s The Lutheran Hour took to the airwaves.

Throughout the 1940s and 1950s its message of salvation in Christ was winning hearts across the continent. Numbers swelled. New LCMS congregations formed. Unchurched adults came to faith in Christ.

Lutherans were taking their faith to the streets.

The LCMS was on an upward arc. According to Newman, “Being the priesthood of all believers and taking on the task of being workers in God’s great harvest field led both people and pastors to speak and reach out in the same spirit of the followers of Christ in the book of Acts when they declared: ‘For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:20). The ingredients for this growth—the DNA, if you will—was readily passed along through vibrant

onthemove

Phil Krauss ll Chairman, Int’l LLL Board of Directors

Oh, the Possibilities!

Labor Day weekend my wife Jenny and I visited a new outlet mall near our campground. We had no intentions of shopping nor did we want to stay long—we just wanted to check it out. However, we found a big, well stocked toy store, and being relatively new grandparents on a tight budget, we decided to go inside. Of course, we ended up staying for more than an hour.

Once I finished checking out the novelty items and strategy games, I moved to the front of the store to wait for Jenny who was seriously shopping for some children’s books. I found myself near the front door facing into the store when I heard the door open and a commotion enter. Before I had a chance to turn around, a young boy was standing next to me. I think he had been in an intense discussion with his parents about his desire to go someplace else as they entered the toy store—he obviously didn’t know that he had just entered a child’s paradise. I watched as this boy lifted his head, looked around, realized where he was, and said, “Whoa!” I looked into his face, and his eyes were wide and a small smile was spreading toward each ear.

Now, why were this boy’s eyes wide? Obviously, a toy store is enough to get any seven-year-old excited, but I think there was something else. I believe he was excited about the possibilities. There was a remote chance his parents might buy something for him; after all, why did they bring him and his little sister here? There was a table with toys on it to sample. There was so much stuff to see, touch, do, and play with. I mean, WHOA! a kid could really find possibilities here, right? When was the last time you were stopped in your tracks and said “Whoa!” over the possibilities?

discipleship in both Lutheran congregations and the widening network of Lutheran grade schools and high schools. Organizations such as the Walther League, the Lutheran Laymen’s League (Lutheran Hour Ministries), and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League all contributed during this time.

In the 1960s and 1970s, controversies, social issues, youth unrest, and attitudes of anti-institutionalism made churches press hard to counter a backlash. The impact of these forces is something still felt, where membership in many denominations is declining, and people in significant numbers are questioning the relevance of the church.

This situation might appear insurmountable, a downward spiral that cannot be corrected. However, great things are happening as God’s love in Christ Jesus is reaching hearts throughout the world. Lives are transformed— whether it’s in small-town Kansas or a Middle East megalopolis.

We The People promotes the reality that we are brothers and sisters in faith with those first believers 2,000 years ago who spread out from Jerusalem into Asia Minor and around the world. And we, too, are granted grace sufficient to meet the challenge. As Peter said, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

Supplementing We the Church will be video clips of various churches in action around the country as they present innovative and imaginative approaches toward outreach, highlighting the unique strengths of the LCMS and related organizations. This is a study that educates, detailing the marvelous work of God within the LCMS. Employing expert narrative, instructive graphics, and insightful commentary, We the Church will showcase the dynamic mission—and potential—of the LCMS. n

I think Jesus wants us to be transfixed with the possibilities of reaching out with His message; we should be excited about all of the souls we can help save; and when we see all of the billions of people out there who need to know Jesus, we should stop and say with our eyes wide, “Whoa!”

Only about one third of the world’s seven billion people can be called Christian (and that’s using a generous definition of “Christian”). The need is great, but this is nothing new: “Then He [Jesus] said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest,’” (Matthew 9:37-38, ESV).

So I ask you again, have you ever been stopped in your tracks and said “Whoa!” over the possibilities?

The good news is, we know some people who do. Whenever I get the opportunity to speak with the Lutheran Hour Ministries staff, from CEO Kurt Buchholz to The Lutheran Hour Speaker Rev. Gregory Seltz, and from Constituent Relations Manager Bruce Sutherland to Thailand Ministry Director Monta “Boom” Denow, and all the rest—I see that “Whoa!” expression over the possibilities. All of the LHM staff get visibly excited when they start talking about the ministry.

They see possibilities for ministry every day, even if we don’t.

I wonder what they were like when they visited a toy store at age seven? n

NOT!

Advent Devotions 2015

Available online NOW at www.lhm.org/advent The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

15

Evangelism Leader Passes to Glory

by Chad Fix

The Rev. Dr. W. Leroy Biesenthal, 90, known to many throughout The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL) as “Mr. Evangelism,” died Sept. 3. As a former LCMS staff member, he brought passion and energy for sharing the Gospel by developing and leading Dialog Evangelism and Witness Workshops offered worldwide.

Dialog Evangelism was a 16-week outreach program used by many LCMS churches, providing individuals the joy of learning how to share their faith. Biesenthal acknowledged that there was no single way for sharing that Good News, but offered the course as one way in which people could be equipped for the task.

“Dialog Evangelism seeks to share the Gospel in dialog with persons whom one meets or visits,” wrote Biesenthal. “The method is not ‘proclaiming’ or ‘declaiming’ in one-way conversation. It is not meant to be a ‘preachment,’ but rather a somewhat directed conversation which grows out of the Christian’s desire to share the Good News with someone at that point in life and understanding which best suits the situation...he dialogs the Good News,” he wrote.

Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, director of United States Ministries for Lutheran Hour Ministries, says the workshop had a tremendous impact on him. “My love for evangelism, learned through Dialog Evangelism, has continued to this day,” Larson says. “A couple of years ago, I was at a meeting on the topic of evangelism that included a number of LCMS district presidents, district mission executives and other leaders of our church. Many of them also reported that this program had the same effect on them—an enduring passion for the Gospel and a joy of sharing

it ...This outreach program clearly showed participants how to teach the plan of salvation.”

A native Canadian, Biesenthal (also known as “BZ”) graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1948. The Lord launched his 42-year career by serving congregations in Michigan. By 1950 he accepted a Divine Call from the LCMS Michigan District to start a growing mission in the Detroit area. Next BZ served alongside Dr. Erv Kolb on the LCMS Missouri District staff (1969-79) and became director of stewardship and evangelism. From 1979 to his retirement in 1990, he was on the staff of the LCMS Board for Evangelism Services — first as associate secretary and then as director of district services. He was director of the 1997 LCMS Great Commission Convocation.

He lead evangelism workshops throughout the United States, and conducted clinics overseas. He was in high demand as a speaker and authored many articles for various synodical periodicals. “We Rev. Dr. W. should give thanks to God for the Leroy Biesenthal ministry of Rev. Biesenthal and remember the blessing that he has been to the Church,” says Larson.

“Dr. Biesenthal was always genuine,” recalls Dr. Gerald Perschbacher, editor of The Lutheran Layman.

“In the 40 years I knew him professionally and socially, he articulated the Good News in comforting ways, never losing sight of its importance. When he conversed with young or old, he did not find age to be a barrier. He was a man of faith with a heart for the laity. BZ was a delightfully pleasant sharer of faith in every way.”

He was preceded in death by wife Marie in January 2014. She served the Church in many ways, as a meeting planner for the LCMS, project manager of Pentecost 2000, and hospitality chairwoman for the Concordia Seminary Guild. She also served in various key capacities with the LWML for more than 35 years. n

Two on the Float Lutheran Hour Ministries international ministry center directors Rebeca de Franco and Sathiyanathan Sathiyabalan are slated to represent LHM’s international ministries as riders on LHM’s 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade Float, a project of the LLL Southern California District. De Franco lives in Guatemala City and since 1994 serves as the director of LHM’s Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones outreach center in Guatemala. Sathiyabalan (a.k.a. Balan) lives in Wattala, Sri Lanka, and has been director of LHM’s Lanka Hope Ministries center since 2001. The float theme is “JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.” Plan to watch for the float on TV, January 1, 2016.

For more details, visit www.petalpushers.org. n 16

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

Rebeca de Franco (left) and Sathiyanathan Sathiyabalan

Partner with LHM as an Ambassador to Increase Gospel Outreach

God is calling Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) to proclaim His love worldwide to reach hurting people. But did you know that YOU can be LHM when sharing the Good News within your congregation and your community?

You can become a vital part of this global Gospel mission by signing up to be a Lutheran Hour Ministries Ambassador. This important volunteer position serves as a liaison between LHM and individual congregations to more effectively equip and energize fellow congregation members to share Christ’s Name with boldness and love.

“I was asked to consider being the Ambassador for our congregation a few years ago,” says Marvin Hesterman from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atwood, Kansas. “When I saw all of the things that Lutheran Hour Ministries is doing I thought this would be a great opportunity to help spread the Word.”

Hesterman actively promotes LHM within his congregation by hosting Lutheran Hour Ministries Sunday, encouraging members of the men’s club to sponsor weekly broadcasts of The Lutheran Hour on KNGN Radio, and passing along Men’s NetWork studies to be used in weekly Bible study classes. “We are currently going through Stuff They Didn’t Teach Me in Sunday School and have found it to be very informative,” he says.

These are just a few examples of how Ambassadors help congregations in their various outreach and ministry opportunities by keeping members informed on what programs and resources LHM has to offer to help with their missions. From leading a Bible study using Men’s NetWork materials to hosting a MISSION U witness training workshop, and from stocking Project Connect display racks with pertinent topical booklets to sponsoring an LHM international ministry center, together we can open a world of outreach opportunities to congregations and help people come to know the love of Jesus!

If you are interested in becoming an Ambassador, or if you want to learn more about this exciting volunteer opportunity, visit www.lhm.org/ambassador. You can also visit this website to find the name and contact information for the LHM Constituent Relations Manager in your geographic area if you have questions about how you can partner with our ministry in the mission of Gospel outreach. n

onthemove

by Kurt Buchholz President & CEO Lutheran Hour Ministries

Beyond

Expectations!

It was not what I expected. Having just returned from a survey trip into the Middle East, I would have to say that I encountered a different place than I was expecting to see in terms of Christian outreach opportunities.

For the past few months I have had many of you ask what we are doing in the Middle East and what more could be done there. We know it is a difficult place for Christians to live and work and even a harder place for the work of evangelism. Sharing the Gospel often comes with a great personal price for those so bold to do so. You have seen it in the news so I do not need to go into details, but you know that the chaos, instability, and number of refugees (including Christians but mostly non-Christians) are staggering. Over the past year, together we have responded to the refugees providing for both physical needs as well as reaching out with the true need we all share—the Gospel. So I commend your mission focus and courage as you continue to

We found hope and an excitement for expanded Gospel outreach. encourage Lutheran Hour Ministries to do more. And so I, along with other key leaders, took a survey trip into the region to learn what is already being done and what opportunities exist for our models of evangelistic ministries.

What we learned was not what I expected. I expected the church to be surviving and existing in fear as persecution becomes commonplace in their world. We found Christians emboldened to proclaim their faith in even more overt ways: “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). We saw growing interest in Christian broadcasting on radio and TV. We found government-sanctioned Christian channels, as well as government funding rebuilding churches that had been destroyed. We found that existing Christian ministries and churches are hungry for new partners to reach out to the people who claim Islam as their faith but are nominal in their practice or questioning that faith in light of what they see being done in the name of their religion. We found hope and an excitement for expanded Gospel outreach.

In one of the countries we visited, just 100,000 of the 80 million people identify themselves as Christian, and yet those Christians see the current turmoil in the region as a great opportunity for the church. They have great hope and excitement in a country where it is unwise to utter the word “missionary.” We talked to people who had been attacked, beaten, alienated from their families, and jailed—and still their message is one of hope in the opportunities God is placing before them.

I was humbled and challenged by these brothers and sisters: humbled by their faith and sacrifice for the Gospel and challenged to do everything you and I can to step up beside them to share a Gospel of salvation for millions who are at a crossroads of life and of faith.

Lutheran Hour Ministries is by no means new to this region of the world.

Our regional ministry center based in Beirut, Lebanon, has been reaching

people with messages of love since 1950. What this means is that LHM is uniquely positioned to move quickly, taking advantage of these new opportunities to reach millions more.

What a joy to know that God has a message personally crafted for them, at this time, under these circumstances, so that they, too, may have a future filled with hope: “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1).

God has laid a burden on our hearts here at Lutheran Hour Ministries, and I hope that He is building that same burden on your heart so that together we may join in prayer and quick action to bring the message of Christ to millions more in this region. Consider how He may be moving you specifically to be a part of this bold expansion of ministry.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11). n

2016 Online Mission Trip

January 25-28, 2015 J

oin Lutheran Hour Ministries for our 2016 Online Mission Trip and introduce your students to the world of international ministry without ever leaving the classroom! This completely online experience is designed to enrich students’ world-view as they see first-hand the importance of sharing God’s message of salvation through the ministry efforts of LHM-Guatemala.

For more information and to register visit www.lhm.org/onlinemissiontrips today!

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

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Take a ‘Trip’ to Grow

Each group embarking on an international volunteer trip has the opportunity to support and raise funds for specific projects in the country where they’ll be serving. Chad Boggs answered this opportunity by personally supporting the construction projects that he

by Brad Neathery would be working with in Guatemala. His group left for Do you want your faith to grow?

Guatemala full of excitement to serve the Lord in anTake a trip and serve. That was the other part of the world! impetus Rev. Chad Boggs had when “The culture was very different than what we were he chose to take part in an LHM volused to which gave us all a greater appreciation for unteer trip to Guatemala in June 2015. where we live,” Boggs told LHM. At the same time, Boggs journeyed with his four sons they marveled at the contentment and joy of the and other members of Zion Lutheran people, many of them orphans, that they met in GuaChurch in Red Cloud, Nebraska. He temala. People from the United States often are not In early June, an 8-member team from Zion Lutheran Church in Red eagerly anticipated the trip for himself, prepared for the living conditions that many accept Cloud, Neb. gave a fresh coat of paint to the Fundaniños Christian but hoped it would be a life-changing as normal in other parts of the world. children’s home in the Guatemala City suburb of San José Pinula. experience for his sons as well.

One child that Boggs specifically recalled is a 10The group also helped present a VBS for the children and youth Boggs was already personally con- who reside at the home year old orphan girl named Naomi. One day, he had nected with LHM through video Bible the chance to eat lunch with Naomi. He asked how her studies and devotional series he had used in the past. He chose to do the day was going and was floored when she answered, “I have everything I need LHM volunteer trip because he wanted to join and support a vital ministry of and everything I want.” Naomi did not even own the clothes she was wearing, the LCMS and felt assured by the information and materials that LHM made but “she had a peace about her that was beyond her situation in the orphanage.” accessible for him.

Humbling interactions like this took place throughout the time that Zion’s see page 21

‘Group’ Winner Selected in Fishing Tournament

Joel Brutcher

I

t was a test of skill, man over nature—specifically, fish.

Over the 22 weeks of fishing, there was a nice load of fish caught, with lunkers like Roger Elke’s 8 lb. 5 oz. walleye, Jonathan Hoppert’s 19 lb. 4 oz. freshwater salmon, and Brent Sankey’s 31 lb. 12 oz. catfish (undoubtedly one of the ugliest fish seen in this tournament) ranking among the top catches. We also received a number of entries in our “Groups” category. Results were tabulated when the Men’s NetWork North American Fishing Tournament concluded its seventh season at midnight, September 6.

This year’s re-stated emphasis on using fishing as an

outreach opportunity found Joel Brutcher lead- al and send LHM a narrative about the adventure. ing the pack with his May fishing adventure. In it For his efforts he netted the $500 gift card for his Brutcher clearly provided what we were looking story. In it he concluded, “As always, the Lord anfor: he invited a friend fishing and, as the op- swered our prayers, but we are going to have to be portunity allowed, took some time more specific on the size of the fish we to share his faith and a bit about pray for next time (ha ha). Craig agreed While it’s Jesus. In his words, “Today before with me on that one. I am continuing to God who we began fishing as we were sitting pray for Craig that the Holy Spirit would transforms in the boat I told Craig (his buddy) work in him and eventually he would come to church with me.”

I’d like to start the day with prayer, hearts, it’s still Our group entries relayed advenand he agreed. We prayed for safeour mission to tures ranging from an annual fishing ty, the safety of others, that Jesus trip and a family reunion to teachers would be present with us in the let others know fishing with kids in their classes. In boat that day and, of course, that about Jesus.

July LHM received an interesting entry we would catch some fish.” from John Nail entitled “The Campers.”

Since the Lord helped fishermen in His day, He certainly could do it again It involved an out-of-the-blue chance to talk about — thus emphasizing the role of being “fishers of God and share the Gospel with an unexpected guest who dropped in on the campsite of John and his wife men” (Matthew 4:19).

While a recent number of fishermen took Sherlyn. Their encounter highlights once more how the prompt to ask an unchurched friend or rel- chances abound to invite others into our conversaative to go fishing with them, Brutcher’s entry tion and share our faith.

While it’s God who transforms hearts, it’s still our best captured the “group” concept: go fishing with at least one other unchurched individu- mission to let others know about Jesus. n

To see all the winners go to www.lhm.org/men 18

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

by Paul Schreiber

Pack Your Virtual Bags!

LHM’s ‘Online Mission Trip’ Heads to Guatemala!

by Greg Koenig

Lutheran school students across North America are invited to join in the Students in U.S. schools will have opportunities to ask questions about Online Mission Trip with Lutheran Hour Ministries, January 25-28, for a the ministries and to support the work of Lutheran Hour Ministries— virtual mission adventure in the Central American country of Guatemala.

Guatemala with their chapel offerings. n The activity takes place during National Lutheran Schools Week 2016.

Guatemala shares a border with Mexico—along with a considerable Administrators: you can sign your school up right now at amount of history. Southern Mexico and Guatemala were home to the www.lhm.org/onlinemissiontrips/register.asp. To learn more about Maya, a pre-Columbian culture; today the region is dotted with the ruins of Online Mission Trips with Lutheran Hour Ministries or get details about Mayan cities and worship centers. Known by many as the “land of eternal this year’s event, visit www.lhm.org/onlinemissiontrips/guide.asp. spring,” Guatemala is characterized by lush forests, rugged volcanic mountains, and interesting animals such as jaguars, anteaters, sloths, and the colorful Quetzal, the country’s national bird.

Statistically, Christians comprise a larger segment of Guatemala’s population than the Christian population of any other nation in Central America. There is a great need in the country, however, for the pure message that Jesus died and rose for the salvation of the world.

Many of Guatemala’s people are confused because elements of the traditional Mayan religion have often gotten mixed • The Lutheran Hour in together with Christian teaching— sermons and archive and resulted in a poor understanding of the true God and His free grace.

• Daily Devotions Lutheran Hour Ministries has had a presence in Guatemala since the • Men’s NetWork 1950s. The LHM ministry center that is currently active there was established Bible studies in Guatemala City in 1993. The staff and volunteers use media and • Project Connect community-based programs—particularly youth and children’s ministry—to bring the hope found in the Gospel to people across Guatemala. booklet ministry The center works closely with the Lutheran Church of Guatemala to • LHM Events support its mission outreach efforts. conference app Lutheran Hour Ministries’ 2016 Online Mission Trip to Guatemala will look in-depth at LHM’s ministry and outreach across Guatemala—including its Project JOEL values education program in Christian and public schools Download for FREE at lhM.oRg/Apps! and its support for congregations of the Lutheran Church of Guatemala.

Now Available!

FREE Mobile Apps

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

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Social Media Tools For Outreach

by Greg Koenig

“If Facebook were a country, it would be the most populous in the world.” We’re familiar with claims like this that are designed to—and do—boggle our minds. Internet-based social media like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are here to stay, and their impact is not just a western-world thing, not just a developed-world thing. It’s global, universal.

Perhaps you are one of the 9,900-plus people who have “Liked” Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Facebook page or one of LHM’s more than 9,200 Twitter Followers. But have you noticed the steady infiltration of Facebook by LHM’s international ministry centers? For two examples consider LHM—Vietnam and LHM—Russia, which are discovering the power of social networks.

Vietnam

Since 2011, LHM—Vietnam Director Dinh Hai Au has watched as an increasing number of people have connected with the ministry center (known in Vietnam as Globalinks) through its use of social media.

Young fans of the center’s sports ministry began interacting on its Facebook page, encouraging its team and posting photos of themselves in logo shirts and team jerseys. To serve its fans, LHM—Vietnam created a Facebook page named Globalinks Cup 2014—to promote the center’s annual Champions’ Cup mini-soc-

cer tournament and its pilot training program, Globalinks Futsal Academy. The center also established a Globalinks channel on YouTube, where anyone can view videos of Globalinks soccer matches.

“Facebook is the most effective way to reach people of all ages now,” wrote Hai Au in 2014. The center created two more Facebook pages—Amazing Music, which is the go-to site for listeners of the center’s radio program, and the Globalinks Gift Shop, which promotes apparel and other items sold through the center’s storefront business. This resulted in 2,000 Facebook “Likes,” as well as more walk-in visitors to LHM’s shop—which enabled the staff and volunteers to establish some face-to-face relationships, which in turn led to increased word-of-mouth promotion.

Earlier in 2015, the center created a children’s-book page on Facebook called Kids’ Corner and cross-promoted it on their website and other Facebook pages. At last count, Kids’ Corner had nearly 2,500 Likes.

Through social media, says Hai Au, “more and more people get to know us day by day!”

Russia

LHM’s center in Russia has explored using social media to provide a forum for intellectual and philosophical interaction. In 2015, Yuri Bespechansky joined the LHM—Russia staff. Yuri, whose experience includes teaching university-level philosophy, created a public group called “NaCl” on VKontakte, Europe’s largest Russian-language social network.

NaCl is the chemical formula for salt; the group’s subtitle, “Christianity with Salt,” evokes Jesus’ words “You are the salt of the earth” from Matthew 5.

LHM—Vietnam’s the children’s-book page on Facebook has amassed nearly 2,500 Likes in its first year.

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The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

LHM—Russia Director Igor Savich says, “About 1,100 personal friends were sent invitations to join NaCl, and 337 subscribed.” Some are non-churchgoers or non-believers. The lively conversations about creation, the inspiration of Scripture, the human condition, and many more heavyweight topics often lead to opportunities for members and visitors to take the ministry center’s Bible Correspondence Courses.

The group has grown steadily. The Russia ministry center has also created a group on Facebook, which is called “Christianity for Seekers of Faith.”

This page and the NaCl page both prominently display the LHM logo.

Where else are Lutheran Hour Ministries centers using social media to share the Gospel? LHM’s Kazakhstan ministry center continues to use VKontakte

LHM—Russia’s new “Christianity with Salt” page on the Russian VKontakte social network invites participants into conversations about spiritual matters.

to support its youth program—which emerged from early efforts to connect youth online to talk about faith. LHM’s Middle East Lutheran Ministry has a Facebook page dedicated solely to Muslim outreach.

LHM’s centers in Nicaragua, Panama, and Chile have been “tweeting” on Twitter since 2009. LHM—Uruguay has been posting a growing number of ministry videos to YouTube within the last six months.

Used wisely, social media can be an effective means of building relationships—which can lead to conversations about Christ. As the world embraces social media, Lutheran Hour Ministries will be there to explore how to use them. n

“Everyone is handmade by God!…Everyone has value because of what God has done—created, redeemed, and called…this is why we are for, speaking up for, and affirm LIFE! It has nothing to do with political or social agendas. It has everything to do with what God has done!”

So says Lutherans For Life as it prepares chapters, groups, and congregations across North America for Life Sunday on January 17, 2016.

For details, go to www.lutheransforlife.org. Materials for the event may be ordered from Concordia Publishing House at www.cph.org or call(1-800-325-2040). n

Take a ‘Trip’ to Grow from page 18 group was in Guatemala leading a vacation Bible school and performing construction and repairs on a school building. Boggs stated, “Each member of the team had certain orphan kids that they connected with and will always remember.” It was even more rewarding for him to see his own sons experience the powerful human impact of ministry in Christ’s name. They were able to leave Guatemala with a powerful understanding of what it means to love others in Christ’s name.

Guatemala is a country with many needs, but it is also a country blessed by many missions that are reaching out to the numerous people groups living there. Boggs recalled that on their flight to Guatemala “nearly everyone was on their way in support of a mission.” Lutheran Hour Ministries gives thanks when God’s people unite to meet the needs of their brothers and sisters worldwide. This commitment to service is what allows LHM to send international volunteer teams around the globe in service to God’s mission.

“I encourage people to be mission-minded in local and international mission opportunities.” Boggs told LHM. Upon returning to the United States, the Zion team was able to give a presentation to two

churches on their experience during the LHM volunteer trip to Guatemala. These presentations were so successful that they were able to partner with the churches to fully fund the construction project in Guatemala!

Are you ready for your faith to grow? International Volunteer Trips are one way for mission-minded Christians to partner with Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Other congregations and groups have chosen to establish recurring support of a specific ministry center so they can be ongoing partners in the work God is doing. Your congregation can also register to take part in LHM’s annual Online Mission Trip to explore the culture, lives and ministry work around one of LHM’s ministry centers. Explore all these opportunities to partner with LHM internationally: International Partnerships: www.lhm.org/partner International Volunteer Trips: www.lhm.org/teams Online Mission Trips: www.lhm.org/onlinemissiontrips Lutheran Hour Ministries is blessed by the many individuals, groups and congregations that partner with our global ministry every year. If you would like to partner with our international ministry efforts, please contact Lutheran Hour Ministries at 1-800876-9800 or lh_min@lhm.org. n

Brad Neathery works with philanthropic supporters of Lutheran Hour Ministries.

.

Travel in Luther’s Footsteps in 2016

When Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church, he changed the face of Christianity forever. Lutheran Hour Ministries invites you to celebrate the life and influence of Martin Luther against the backdrop of a unique European cultural landscape by joining us on a trip to the Land of Luther, April 24-May 3, 2016. This pilgrimage promises to nurture a deeper understanding of and appreciation for our religious heritage by reliving the watershed events of the Protestant Reformation—where they happened. Our most recent trip to Germany sold out, so we expect this tour to fill up fast since space is limited.

This trip will be a great way to take part in the celebration of the Luther Decade that includes many festivities leading up to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. Led by hosts Rev. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, and Kurt Buchholz, President & CEO of Lutheran Hour Ministries, you will trace Luther’s footsteps see page 24

! e t a D e h t Save CALLED. EQUIPPED. SENT.

100 Years of Proclaiming the Gospel!

Oct. 20-23, 2016 St. Louis Union Station Mark your calendars for an exciting weekend in St. Louis to kick off a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League/Lutheran Hour Ministries! The weekend will feature top-notch speakers, time to visit with LHM International ministry center directors as well as old friends (and new!), and opportunities to learn about the bold vision that will carry this ministry forward into the next century.

Stay tuned for more details!

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

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How Good is

Grace?

by Gerald Perschbacher

He walked more than 340 miles as the crow flies and arrived tired but ready to debate.

The long walk allowed time for him to sort thoughts, to meditate, renew his physical strength, enjoy God’s creation, and talk with others along the way to the prestigious University of Heidelberg in the Holy Roman Empire.

The year was 1518. The month was April. The traveling companion was Brother Leonhard Beier, a fellow Augustinian. The main figure was Dr. Martin Luther, age 34, who for about 11 years had been an ordained priest and for more than eight years had been a Doctor of Theology on the faculty of the fledgling University of Wittenberg. He was becoming a favorite of Frederick the Wise of Saxony, the noble lord of the territory and one of seven men who elected the emperors of the Empire.

What Frederick truly favored even more was his university, a sparkling idea in the mind of an aging man who adored education and wanted the very best for the institution he began in 1502. An upstart among the older institutions of the German states in the empire, Frederick wanted his university to be THE best. That was a tall order. Even its students were older than the university!

Still, having it and making it successful were driving forces in the Elector’s twilight years. Approaching his 55th birthday, Frederick was hardly as physically energetic as he was in younger days – but his mental agility and attitude were strong and his tact even stronger. Being a relatively young institution made the Wittenberg university a fresh breeze at the end of a stale period of Germanic history. Little did he realize at the time, but Frederick was about to enter the last stage of his life with an immense amount of authority as a political powerhouse.

He was wealthy, also. Silver mines aided that cause, and his university certainly needed the funding. Furthermore, he fed his passion to collect religious relics, an endless craving that he thought would never subside. He was known in sectors as the most avid hunter of rare reliquaries that housed a piece of bone from a saint or a drop of milk from the Virgin Mother’s breast.

Simply owning the pieces made him feel close to God. However, he was not nearly as rich as the Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian I whose inherited wealth from the House of Hapsburg made him the most prominent ruler in Europe. In perspective, however, the Emperor had to meet diverse expenditures to keep control of his throne. Frederick, on the other hand, could afford to concentrate on special matters such as financing a university and its faculty, including a friar-teacher named Luther.

Who knows how many more ideas circulated in Martin Luther’s mind as he progressed in his long walk to history?

Luther rested when he arrived at the University of Heidelberg, at least 11 days of hard walking behind him. He was welcomed by the Order which was housed by the university. Members of the Augustinians were welcome on pilgrimage or for other purposes such as Luther’s. He was there to defend and to dispute in answer to the Order’s request which was driven by powers beyond its prelates.

The regional gathering was a regularly scheduled event for celibate

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The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

Shown: an artistic rendering of the garden main yard by the Augustinian Order in Heidelberg at the time of Luther’s defense in 1518.

brothers-in-the-faith to absorb the wisdom and support of fellow-faithful. But this time Luther had been requested by higher authority in his Order to defend the 95 Theses he had nailed to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg not quite a half year previous. It caused no grief to nail an announcement to the door which everyone of prominence could read when they attended church on the following morning of All Saints Day. It was not the act that was questioned. Nor was it the nail hole made in the door. It was the wording that had raised eyebrows among the religious men of power.

To some it seemed impudent.

It was the duty of the Order to renew Luther’s admiration of the Church Catholic and to correctively place him on the path deemed necessary. The Order followed an order from on high. Not high as heaven, but high as the Order could muster.

Soon Dr. Martin the Order-professor was to face the debate which opponents determined would be based on all 95 of those nailed sentences, many of which dealt with church authority and indulgences, the sale of which had impressed some who found money to be more important than trust and faith. The sale of God’s grace sickened others who bore the cross in Biblical sensibility.

The long walk to Heidelberg tempered Luther. Upon arrival his wit was strong as a knight’s sword, his word sharp and double edged when needed. His breastplate was righteousness in none other than Christ. His shield was the Word of God – the written Word and the manifested Word in the very Person of Jesus. He spoke right to the point with conviction that came from faith in the Lord of the Universe, his personal Savior. That same Savior was theirs, too, if they realized the depth of that relationship based on Holy Writ rather than the councils of men. That day the Holy Spirit was Luther’s Counselor.

Luther was well aware of the process of a disputatio. It was a dispute using nicely coined logic, documented sources, and sheer reasoning to defuse the argument and the rational apologetics of opponents who took their side either out of full belief in what they said or just because a university degree of law, medicine, or theology was in the balance. Luther welcomed the opportunity to converse. More than that, he welcomed the debate. He was not a man who shirked from confrontation when he stood see page 24

Consoling the Persecuted

A

by Greg Koenig

Jesus said: “I Was a Stranger and You Africa, and Central Asia have become much more secution by Islamists. The nations of Europe and the world are coming to grips with the need to do Welcomed Me” (Matthew 25:35) visible. Desperate people, not just from war-torn and something: Germany has pledged to care for up to

cross the Middle East today, more and more people are fleeing violence and persecution in their homelands. Since May 2013, Lutheran Hour Ministries and its Middle East Lutheran Ministry center have reported periodically on LHM’s efforts to provide food, shelter, medicines and other supplies to displaced Syrians and Iraqis in Lebanon—but it is worthwhile to consider the broader context in which this is taking place.

Currently, Lebanon is hosting approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees; Lebanon’s neighbor Jordan is hosting 600,000; and its neighbor Turkey is hosting 2.2 million. Another 248,000 Syrians have wound up in Iraq—but Iraq has its own refugee concerns: violence and instability have displaced 1.9 million Iraqis internally and driven 2 million out of the country to Lebanon and its neighbors.

In recent weeks the extent and the urgency of the refugee/migrant phenomenon in the Middle East,

ISIS-infested Syria and Iraq but also from Afghanistan, Iran, Eritrea, Somalia and other countries, are looking past places like Lebanon and Turkey, hoping to find something new and better in Europe.

More than 440,000 have made it to countries across Europe in 2015, often by paying exorbitant amounts of money to human traffickers and taking great risks.

News sources continue to present heart-rending images from this migration—refugees crossing the Mediterranean in dangerously overcrowded, rickety boats; migrants bunched like sardines at borders, on streets, and inside churches; the bodies of some of the 2,900 people who didn’t make it.

The numbers are overwhelming and the issue is complex. Across the globe, more people are displaced today than at any time since World War II; some 14 million are considered refugees. Many have been Muslims their whole lives but are now experiencing crises of faith. A significant number are Christians fleeing persecution by Islamists; a similarly significant number are Muslims fleeing per-

800,000; Britain, 20,000; France, 24,000; Australia, 12,000; the United States, 100,000.

Christians will be called upon to assist with the care of many of these people—but that will be no big surprise; we are called to do so already. So how will we respond? Perhaps the best way to begin is to ask, What would Jesus do? What would He do if He needed suddenly to provide care and feeding for a multitude? If the Gospel story commonly known as “the feeding of the five thousand” is any indication of what He would do, we can find some very good insight there: • Avoid panic: Facing thousands of desperate Muslim refugees on its doorstep, one European country has erected a fence on its border—in order “to keep Europe Christian,” in the unfortunate words of its prime minister. But Jesus looked out for the comfort of the hungry thousands; He said, simply, “Have the people sit down” (John 6:10). see next page

Thousands of people seeking refuge in Europe risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean in unseaworthy crafts of all kinds.

Photo: Public Domain

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How Good is Grace? from page 22 solidly on the subject of faith and grace.

The Good Lord knew Luther had been put through the fire of testing. His heart was a crucible ready to share its contents of Scriptural Truth. Too many layers of man’s thinking had covered the pure knowledge of God and the clear, even simple, impact of His Word. Luther chose not to debate on the 95 sentences tacked up in Wittenberg. Those were the opening bell of reform. Rather, he went for the heart of the whole matter: grace by faith without any works or merit except in Christ. That was the real thrust of reform he touted in his Heidelberg debate!

Luther’s words resonated with hope and conviction. The friar brothers noted it. So did the university students. It seemed proper to make their presence practically mandatory especially if theology was their specialty and in case their conferral was a few short weeks in the future. Other officials and dignitaries witnessed the exchange. Some caught the gist; others took the debate as a spectacle, almost a form of sport.

In a letter to Georg Spalatin, manager of Frederick’s castle in Wittenberg, dated May 18, 1518, Luther recalled, “The doctors willingly allowed my disputation and debated with me in such a fair way that they have my highest esteem. Theology seemed to be some strange thing to them; nevertheless they fought it keenly and with finesse.” Luther added that “I, who left on foot, returned by wagon. My superiors made me ride,” as traveling delegates from Order sites returned to their confines along the way. “I certainly have been quite safe during the whole trip.”

Clearly, though, every attendee realized the disputation had been an important moment – for Luther; for the university; for the Order; for the empire; but at the time few if any knew it was for the whole of mankind, present and future. n Readers are encouraged to check more on the subject: “Luther’s Works,” vol. 31, 48 and 49; E. G. Schwiebert’s “Luther and His Times” (CPH, 1950); S. Wellman’s “Frederick the Wise, Seen and Unseen Lives of Martin Luther’s Protector” (CPH), and Luther’s Disputation for Clarifying the Power of Indulgences.

Dr. Perschbacher is editor of The Lutheran Layman and has researched German and Reformation history for many years.

Consoling the Persecuted

from page 21

through the cities of Wittenberg, Erfurt, Eisenach, and Eisleben while witnessing the live recording of a sermon for The Lutheran Hour with historic scenery as the backdrop. You will also experience the bustling metropolises of Berlin and Prague.

In partnership with respected professional tour operators, Lutheran Hour Ministries hosts faith-based tours such as this to offer cost-effective travel packages to some of the world’s most fascinating places. By visiting these historic sites and hearing expert commentary from ministry leaders, you will gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for God’s Word, as well as a better familiarity with the ways that the Holy Spirit is working today through Lutheran Hour Ministries. n You can learn more about this trip, including costs, itinerary and how to register, by visiting www.lhm.org/travelwithlhm.

• from page 23

• Show compassion: In fact, the story of the feeding of the five thousand reports specifically that Jesus felt compassion toward the multitude because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).

Like Lutheran Hour Ministries in Lebanon and other compassionate organizations across the Middle East and Europe, many European churches are sheltering, feeding, and caring for thousands of migrants.

Pope Francis has directed Europe’s Catholic churches to care for refugees. According to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, congregations of its German partner church known as SELK (Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche), are reaching out in mercy to hundreds of migrants in Berlin and Leipzig— and sharing the Gospel with all who come. Now SELK is preparing to respond when Germany welcomes not just hundreds but hundreds of thousands.

• Take action, using the resources at hand: Five loaves of bread and two fish were all Jesus had to start with; so that’s how He started—and we know what happened (John 6:9-13). LHM—Lebanon’s initial plan was to care for 500 adults and 2,500 children from Syria who were living in small, underserved camps in the Bekaa Valley. Increases in resources have allowed the center to expand its capacity and reach 4,700 refugees, as well as to plan to reach 15,000 people in the future. This steady growth in care and service could be replicated by churches and Christian organizations in Europe, in North America, and wherever refugees are taken in.

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Travel in Luther’s Footsteps in 2016

The Lutheran Layman November - December 2015

Pray: Before sending out his disciples with food for the hungry multitude, Jesus gave thanks (John 6:11). God is ready to receive our thanks for the blessings we have to share—and to listen to our petitions for the strangers among us.

• Be open to opportunity: After the thousands had been fed, the disciples gathered up 12 basketfuls of uneaten bread and fish (Mark 6:43). We should ask ourselves two questions as we read this. The first question is, A growing number of European nations are closing their borders to refugees Who brought the baskets? while they debate solutions to the refugee crisis. The result: many migrant Somebody—was it Jesus families find themselves in desperate need without support.

Himself? — anticipated a Photo: Copyright Mstyslav Chernov, 2015, shared via Creative Commons (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en). surplus far beyond what would be necessary to feed the crowd. The second opportunities for the people of God to witness to question is, What might the disciples have done with homeless, weary, and persecuted people through the leftovers? Did they divvy them up—12 baskets for Christian love and generosity, He would probably 12 disciples? Or did they use them to do more good— send the church and individual followers to feed the perhaps taking them to nearby towns to give them to hungry, provide drink for the thirsty, and welcome the poor? Christ-followers should not fear to dream the stranger—and tell all of them about His love. He boldly about what can happen when God blesses our might also say, “Look for me among them, because I’ll be there as you ease their suffering; you know I witness beyond our expectations.

What else might Jesus do? Looking around—and will, just as I have promised. Disciple, you are sent. ahead—at what could be one of history’s greatest Don’t forget to pack a basket.” n