New Grants Will Help Expand Ministry in Kazakhstan and with Hispanics in the U.S.

by CHAD FIX

During the recent LWML Convention, Lutheran Hour Ministries received two of the 31 mission grants approved by the LWML for the 2023-2025 biennium. The LWML accepted LHM’s grant submissions titled “Sharing Christ to Women and Children in Kazakhstan” and “Expanding Gospel Outreach to Hispanics - U.S.” Each grant was approved for $100,000 as part of the $2.35 million mission goal adopted by the LWML voting body.

“Expanding Gospel Outreach to Hispanics - U.S.”

The primary focus for this grant is to reach those who identify as Hispanic in the United States and speak Spanish primarily. One in five people in the U.S. is Hispanic, with the country being the second largest Spanish-speaking country today. By 2060, it is expected that Hispanics will constitute more than 27 percent of the American population. There are extremely limited Hispanic Lutheran Christian resources today supporting the church at large for Hispanics. The grant will help share the Gospel with:

• Hispanic Families: Through a variety of Hispanic resources, LHM can reach the Latino population in the U.S. with a Christ-centered message that is applicable to daily life in American culture.

“Sharing Christ to Women and Children in Kazakhstan”

The primary focus for this grant is to work through churches in the region to share God’s love with:

• Women and Children: LHM–Kazakhstan partners with churches to reach out into the broader community, including remote areas to share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ to wives and mothers and their children.

• Families and Youth: Through children’s programs and youth programs, LHM makes God’s love visible among families and youth.

• People of the Region: Using a variety of digital platforms and materials, people will be able to hear the Word of God in their language, strengthening and encouraging them in the faith.

• Latino Communities: Working with LCMS ministry leaders, churches, districts, universities, and seminaries, LHM can reach out to the Hispanic population with the Good News of salvation.

• The Hispanic Population: Through LHM’s media outreach technology, such as Para el Camino, Sentido Latino, and Vivenciar.net, Hispanics will be able to hear God’s message of salvation in Spanish, strengthening and encouraging them in the faith.

“We are so very thankful to the LWML for these mission grants to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Kazakhstan and to Hispanics in the United States,” says Lois Engfehr, LHM’s director of grants and foundation relations.

“We are extremely grateful for the continued partnership with the LWML,” says LHM CEO Kurt Buchholz. “It is a true blessing to be able to come together in mission to share God’s Word with those who have not heard it.” u

As we head toward fall, Christmas is not far behind. This year LHM is again offering original Advent devotions in both English and Spanish. What Child Is This? is written by Dr. Kari Vo, while El profundo amor del Padre (“The Deep Love of the Father”) has multiple authors. Each devotional series covers the Advent season from Sunday, December 3, 2023, through Saturday, January 6, 2024.

As you use these brief messages for personal inspiration or as part of a group devotion, consider the depth of God’s love for us as He Himself comes to us in the form of Man. “When Jesus is born into the world, that is God Himself coming to be our Savior. And that says that we matter to Him—so much that He won’t delegate our salvation to any lesser person. God came Himself, to rescue us and make us His own beloved children. He didn’t care what it cost Him. That is how much He loves us,” said Dr. Vo.

And as God has given Himself to be our Savior, we are transformed, and “our life changes when we recognize that God’s love is in our hearts. …, because … the love of God is perfect. His love is patient and kind; does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. His love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (taken from El profundo amor del Padre’s December 22 devotion).

Five writers contributed to the Spanish Advent devotions: Dr. Leopoldo Sanchez, Deaconess Perla Rodriguez, Ms. Melissa Salomon, Mrs. Abigail Ramirez, and Rev. Héctor Hoppe, who also reads the Spanish devotions. Chris Macky, instructional designer for LHM, is the reader for the English version. Both versions will be available online for reading/listening beginning Sunday, December 3, at lhm.org/advent and paraelcamino.com/adviento.

Both devotions are available as a daily email during Advent and can be downloaded and printed, too, beginning in October. These messages are ideal for self-study, passing along to others, and for use in a group context. Each devotion includes reflection questions that prompt discussion and expand their usefulness. A church member in Talca, Chile, agrees: “Excellent contribution to the work in our congregation. The Advent and Lent devotionals have been a great blessing to all the families.” u