The Lutheran Layman - Winter 2022 by Lutheran Hour Ministries

Winter 2022

Changing Lives with the Gospel

THROUGH YOU see pages 11-14

see page 3

Gifted for More. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 THRED Revisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Nurturing Your Faith. . . . . . . . . . 9-10 Board Nominees. . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Honoring Larry Lumpe. . . . . . . . 18 Lenten Devotions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Working with LBW. . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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Sacrifice

on the Mountain God calls us to marvel at the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. by REV. DR. MICHAEL ZEIGLER, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

prawled out on the ledge, Tommy’s feet hung over the edge of the cliff, a half-mile straight down. Seven years of sacrifice had put him here, on the verge of achieving an impossible dream. But he was unsettled, because Kevin, his climbing partner, hundreds of feet below, was stuck. Kevin and Tommy’s story is told in the 2018 documentary, The Dawn Wall. No one had ever climbed this 3,000-foot wall of granite. But it was Tommy’s dream. And he invited Kevin to join him. They were either caught up in a magnificent quest, or they were crazy. Follow Abraham in the book of Genesis, and you’ll say the same. There must have been moments Abraham thought he was crazy. How could God use an old man and his barren wife to bring forth a family to restore the world? It was impossible, like scaling a vertical half-mile of granite. How high could Abraham climb? How much would he have to sacrifice? Jordan Peterson, in his book 12 Rules for Life, provides perspective on the power of sacrifice. Sacrifice means giving up something valuable in the present to gain something better in the future. Let’s say you have extra food. Instead of gorging yourself, you could save some for later. What are you doing? You’re sharing with your future self. You also decide to share some with your hungry neighbors. Your generosity makes them more willing to sacrifice and share, not only with you, but with others. Generosity multiplies. You wonder, “How much better could the future be if I made all the right sacrifices? What would be the greatest possible sacrifice for the greatest possible future? Would I sacrifice what I love most to achieve it?”

The place I get stuck on the mountain with Abraham is when God calls him to sacrifice his son (Gen 22). God showed Abraham that the route up to the dawn of the new world is the way of perfect sacrifice. And God shows us that the only way out of our fearful clinging to what we’re afraid of losing is through losing ourselves in the sacrifice of Jesus (Luke 9:24). God made the sacrifice He wouldn’t let Abraham finish. On the mountain of the Lord, the Father made the perfect sacrifice to secure our future. And He will not leave us stuck below. Halfway through their quest up the Dawn Wall, Kevin got stuck at “the crux”— the most difficult section of the climb. Tommy had done it, but Kevin couldn’t. So, they agreed that Tommy would finish alone. Ten days into the climb, the world marveled as it became clear that Tommy would accomplish the impossible. He would become the first to scale the Dawn Wall. But shockingly, Tommy turned back. He sacrificed the glory of a solo climb. He would not finish unless Kevin finished with him. “We’re doing this together,” he told him. After 19 days of climbing, they reached the summit. God calls us to marvel at the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. Sprawled out on the cross, He did what we couldn’t. And there’s more. Risen from the dead, Jesus turns back to call you into the crux. “Take up your cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Rom 12). God doesn’t need your sacrifices. But your neighbor does. You don’t have to be afraid to share. You don’t need to fear losing what you love, because Jesus secured the perfect future. And He vows not to finish this climb without you. =

God doesn’t need your sacrifices. But your neighbor does.

Vol. 93, No. 1 Winter 2022 Chad Fix, Editor

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

LHM.ORG

Partnership with Barna Group Continues with Gifted for More Research by MEGAN MCDANIEL

n 2018, LHM embarked in a partnership with Barna Group—an industry leader for research-based insights about faith and culture, leadership and vocation, and generational groups—for a critical study of faith in America. After evaluating our own spiritual conversations, and the spiritual vibrancy of our households, we began looking outward, starting right where we live. Gifted for More, the latest report produced in partnership with Barna, provides crucial research to help today’s church flourish and grow and help Christians understand and use their gifts well— inside and outside of church walls.

What is Gifted for More? Gifted for More: A New Framework for Equipping Christians to Share Their Abilities and Skills in Everyday Life offers the U.S. church a fresh framework for gifts. This report follows Christians through phases of their own journey: from being aware of their gifts, to being intentional with their gifts, to being generous with their gifts. According to research found, “when it comes to their giftings, abilities, or skills, 54 percent of practicing Christians are aware of their gifts. They know and understand their gifts at least very well. Thirty-eight percent of practicing Christians are intentional with their gifts. They are not only aware; they also have gifts they know they want to develop and have already put some effort into developing these giftings in some way. Twenty-seven percent of practicing Christians are generous with their gifts. They are not only aware and intentional; they also believe their gifts are intended for the benefit of others—and they invest in others’ gifts too.” Learn more about the Gifted for More monograph at lhm.org/gifted.

“As we discover our gifts and put them into practice, our gifts are strengthened.”

Why is this study important? “There are two worrisome trends in our modern understanding and utilization of gifts, which Gifted for More aims to address. First, people understand gifts in the context of occupation. Second, pastors understand gifts in the context of church service.” Every Christian has skills to share for Kingdom work, but nearly half of practicing Christians (47 percent) are not yet even aware of their own gifts and talents. That’s why LHM partnered with Barna to create a new report where together, we studied three crucial topics: 1. The extent to which U.S. adults and practicing Christians feel aware of their gifts, with an eye on how churches may or may not be helping people discover their gifts. 2. How people are personally growing their unique skills and abilities, as well as how others—including worship communities—are investing in them. 3. How people are sharing the abilities and skills God has given them to generously serve others—and how the sharing of Christian gifts can sharpen the vision for the local church. If you’re ready to help the people in your congregation discover, grow, and share their unique gifts and talents for Kingdom work, this report is for you. “As we discover our gifts and put them into practice, our gifts are strengthened,” says Rev. Dr. Tony Cook, vice president of Global Ministries for LHM. “The community becomes stronger. Therefore, it’s vital to discover our gifts for the benefit of others in all areas of our lives. Through the discovery and intentional use of our gifts, Christians can make a positive impact in the lives of those around them, demonstrating what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world today.”

What are your gifts? Curious about the aptitudes, innate abilities, and acquired skills that make you unique? Take the EveryGift Inventory to see your gifts in 12 distinct areas. Discover your gifts today by visiting everygift.org. = Megan McDaniel reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work around the world.

Look out for two new books based on the Gifted for More research coming later this year! Discover Your Gifts:

You have gifts! And you are a gift to the world around you. Because every human is fearfully and wonderfully made, each one of us has something to offer to the world. But we have not always identified or developed our gifts well, nor deployed them effectively.

Discover Your Gifts Workbook:

All of us have gifts that can be used for the common good. This workbook has sessions on 12 different kinds of gifts, from artistic and technical gifts to entrepreneurial and civic gifts. Every session defines and describes what each gift looks like and gives examples of how the gift can be used in four distinct vocations of life: church, family, work, and society. The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022 | 3

CHANGING LIVES Around the World with the

byMEGAN MEGANMCDANIEL MCDANIEL by

The lessons encouraged Hillary, and he now has a positive outlook on faith.

Laos

Ome is 23 years old. She comes from a non-Christian background but learned about Jesus through an LHM–Laos outreach program. She wanted to find out more about Jesus, so she enrolled in the ministry’s Bible Correspondence Courses (BCCs). Ome joined the online program and got involved in its youth fellowship. Through the power of God’s Word, Ome became a Christian. She recently got baptized and is attending a local church to grow in her new faith.

Through the power of God’s Word, Ome became a Christian.

4 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022

Hillary is 54 years old and is currently in a local prison. He felt like he never got attention from his family, which caused bitterness and led him to criminal acts. He rejected religion because he thought it was not manly enough. However, during his lengthy prison sentence, his view on religion changed. He joined LHM–Kenya’s Bible Correspondence Courses while imprisoned and wanted to learn more about Jesus. The lessons encouraged him, and he is now more positive about his restored Christian faith. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Hillary became a Christian. He even reached out to LHM–Kenya staff requesting a Bible. He is looking forward to reading his Bible and growing in his new-found faith.

Kenya

Mexico

Jose is 20 years old and recently connected with LHM–Mexico. He shared his story with some staff members revealing that he struggles with addictions. The staff members encouraged him to reach out to a Christian counselor. He was open to the idea because he had heard the Gospel message at a rehab center he attended. He now meets with the counselor every week and signed up to participate in a weekly Bible study, too. Jose is thankful for the LHM–Mexico staff and looks forward to learning more about Jesus.

Jose now meets with the counselor every week and signed up to participate in a weekly Bible study …

Gospel Dujal is 44 years old and is married with three children. He works as a fisherman and in his spare time serves as the president of the evangelism commission at his church. Over 10 years ago, Dujal participated in an Equipping the Saints workshop hosted by LHM–Madagascar. He learned the importance of sharing the Gospel and was eager to share it with his fellow fishermen. He was especially interested in sharing the Gospel with people in his area who were mostly nonChristians. Dujal then enrolled in LHM’s BCCs to learn more about the Bible and grow in his faith. He also attended a Bible school in a different city for two years to prepare himself for sharing the Gospel. After he graduated and became president of the evangelism commission, Dujal and his wife started prayer groups in different rural areas. During this time, his only source of income for his family was his fishing career. He was spending more time sharing the Gospel with others because he knew there was a tremendous need, but he wasn’t earning enough money to provide for his family. He stopped his evangelism efforts to focus all his time on fishing and found himself making even less money than he did before. Dujal and his wife decided they needed to go back to sharing the Gospel no matter how difficult it might be at times. They were able to receive a little support from the local church to continue their evangelism efforts and continue to serve as volunteers for LHM–Madagascar.

Madagascar

Lutheran Hour Ministries develops culturally relevant programs and resources to reach people in more than 60 nations who may not be familiar with the Gospel. Below are just a few examples to show how God has been using LHM recently to change lives around the world with His Good News. … after many years Sergey has found meaning in life through Jesus.

The devotions give Rosa strength and encouragement while she is busy with her daily life.

Russia

Dina came across a Bible Correspondence Course hosted by LHM–Russia on accident, but she is glad she did. She enrolled in the “Basics of Christian Faith” course and learns something new from the Bible during each lesson. She shared with LHM– Russia staff that she liked how the course helped answer some of her questions about faith. She took trips to local churches and was eager to find a church that she could call home. Dina also appreciated the topical booklets that were given out during the course which helped her dig deeper into certain biblical topics. Dina is attending church services and working on growing in her new faith.

Rosa has been an active supporter of LHM–Argentina for many years. She recently shared with LHM– Argentina staff that her daughter, who is going to school in another city, reads their daily devotions every day. The devotions give her strength and encouragement while she is busy with her daily life. Rosa also shared LHM–Argentina materials with her three nieces who do not go to church. Rosa is happy that her nieces want to learn more about Jesus, and she encouraged them to get involved with LHM–Argentina.

Argentina

Puerto Rico

Lottie lost her fiancé in a tragic car accident. She was looking for answers after the accident and came across an LHM–Puerto Rico Facebook post about dealing with grief. She was familiar with LHM–Puerto Rico’s Facebook Live events and decided to reach out for a booklet on grief and loss. Lottie is looking to the LHM–Puerto Rico staff for guidance during this difficult time and appreciates their support. They shared the Gospel message with her and encouraged her to find comfort in the Lord.

Sergey is a veteran with disabilities who recently started learning about Jesus through reading books. He shared that when he first started reading the materials, he often questioned the content. However, as he continued reading additional materials, he noticed his attitude changed. He shared that his life has been difficult, but after many years he has found meaning in life through Jesus. He is thankful for LHM– Kazakhstan staff who gave him topical booklets and readings for him to learn more about Jesus. =

Kazakhstan

Lottie was familiar with LHM–Puerto Rico’s Facebook Live events and decided to reach out for a booklet on grief and loss. The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022 | 5

Online Adaptation: THRED Adjusts in an Online World

… offering a message to viewers … that God loves them and gives them hope for the future.

by PAUL SCHREIBER

utheran Hour Ministries’ THRED has hit the five-year mark in its social media ministry. Its special blend of online videos, topical blogs, conversational threads, in-depth articles, and popular video series like THRED Pops and The Jesus Dialogues offer a spectrum of content and an inviting forum for people to dialogue about life, faith, and Jesus. “Our experience at THRED is that people are seeking intelligent, provocative, spiritually-based social media interactions. They want to engage others in a real-life, real-time conversation where they can share their point of view and not be harshly judged or given pat answers to their complex questions,” said Rachel Tichich, digital development manager for LHM. “THRED’s direction in 2022 and going forward will equip Christians for digital outreach in deep and meaningful ways. Applying what we have learned, we will continue to create fresh content that is timely and grounded in truth. Our goal is—and always has been—to inspire and equip Christians to share their faith through winsome digital interactions that lead to vital spiritual conversations,” Tichich added. As LHM worked with Barna Group to create and produce The Spiritual Conversation Curve, THRED shifted and grew to connect and align its content and strategies with this exciting philosophy of outreach. From the beginning, THRED’s goal has been to connect churched and non-churched people in spiritual conversations. Using the Curve, THRED staff and volunteers began to realize this goal by employing the paradigm of “gaining a hearing,” “giving good news,” and “guiding towards faith” THRED in their online exchanges. continues Expanding on this approach is THRED’s to be a vital current work with Historic, a digital consulting firm which is reviewing THRED’s component layout and content arrangement. Historic in LHM’s goal will make recommendations on THRED’s of “Bringing visual identity, including aspects of logo Christ to the placement, color palette, its use of banners, font types and sizes, and overall structure, Nations.” according to Jason Broge, LHM’s director of design and development. “It’s important for THRED to optimize its digital opportunities,” he added. THRED continues to be a vital component in LHM’s goal of “Bringing Christ to the Nations.” The world we live in now— and surely many years to come—will contain the internet, or something like it. LHM’s work to develop digital strategies to bring people together online is crucial. People are seeking; people are hurting; people are lost. Sometimes the only place they will go to connect with others is online. If their search takes them to THRED, there’s an open and honest conversation about life, faith, and Jesus, waiting for them. = Paul Schreiber reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work in the United States.

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Shining the Light of Christ Through Satellite Television by CHAD FIX

utheran Hour Ministries’ ongoing partnership with SAT-7 continues to co-produce and air new, culturally relevant satellite television programming. Through broadcasts geared to different audiences on SAT-7’s Arabic and PARS channels, this partnership is offering a message to viewers across the Middle East and North Africa as well as several countries in Central and South Asia that God loves them and gives them hope for the future. In early February, the second season of New Light debuted. This starting date for the new broadcast season of 39 episodes was chosen to fall after the Orthodox Christmas. Each new episode premieres on Friday evenings and is then rebroadcast three additional times per week on the SAT-7 Arabic channel to potentially reach tens of millions of viewers in more than 20 countries spanning from as far west as Morocco to as far east as Iraq and the Persian Gulf. The 55-minute talk show discusses pertinent issues related to youth and young adults, such as marriage, values, toxic relationships, volunteering, disappointment, success and failure, and life skills. Each episode features a realistic initiative that encourages viewers to start something practical to learn and achieve more. The program provides discussions with youth and experts, with spiritual lessons related to each topic. This year’s broadcasts will feature three hosts instead of two to increase the dialogue and interaction on each broadcast. One of the new hosts joins New Light from a popular morning radio program in the region and the other hosts are young men from Egypt and Jordan. After successful support for the children’s program Golpand since 2018

and the youth program Hashtag in 2021, LHM has initiated support for an additional Persian-language program through the SAT-7 PARS channel to reach adults in several countries across Central and South Asia. The program is called Signal and has a magazine format addressing current issues for adults, with guest speakers, positive news stories, Bible study, worship, and music included on each episode. Quite often they bring a psychologist onto the program to address the emotional and mental impacts of the stories being covered on the broadcast. Recent programs have featured topic titles like “Generational Incompatibility,” “Spoiling a Child,” “Self-Improvement,” “Mental Health,” and “Powerful Personality.” Another major strength of the Signal program is its close work and collaboration with SAT-7’s audience relations team who are vital in making deeper connections with viewers, which in turn enables the team to provide viewers with the prayer support and encouragement they need. Each broadcast also shares some of these powerful viewer testimonies. Through these real-life stories of transformation, Signal seeks to engage its audience on a deeper level and encourage isolated Persian believers. “Rather than only hearing from a pastor or well-known figure, we want to share the everyday stories of Persian people and how their lives are being transformed by Jesus,” shares the producer of Signal. “We want our viewers, especially those who are isolated, to feel connected to a community that can encourage and support them. As Persianspeaking believers we may be scattered all over the globe, but we are one!” = Chad Fix oversees the corporate communications of Lutheran Hour Ministries.

New Year, New Opportunities by KURT BUCHHOLZ, President & CEO, Lutheran Hour Ministries

henever a new year begins and you start flipping through the first pages of your calendar, it is natural to look back over the past 12 months and think about everything that has happened. But how do you make this a useful process rather than just a cataloging of achievements and hardships? Looking back is only helpful when you turn your reflection into action. When you “remember forward” you can prepare for a new year that promises to be even better than the last. This is exactly what we are doing at Lutheran Hour Ministries. The change of the calendar carries us straight into ministry opportunities God has waiting for us. By the time you are reading this, we will be knee-deep in exciting projects for the new year that share the hope of the Gospel with people who need to hear it. Following is just a snapshot of how God will be impacting millions of lives with the Good News of Jesus Christ through LHM in 2022: • Our successful Vivenciar.net platform, already a popular resource across Latin America, will reach Spanish-speaking audiences in the United States with answers addressing spiritual questions and shifting cultural values.

… we are sharing Christ’s love and hope with people around the world who need it now more than ever.

• Satellite television programming in partnership with SAT-7 will beam the light of Christ into the lives of individuals in 20 Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa as well as new audiences of Persian-speaking individuals in Central and South Asia.

• Inspired by LHM’s successful Living for Tomorrow program from the 1990s and early 2000s, a new digital outreach project will build upon what we learned from the original initiative while expanding it through social media as compared to the traditional media previously used.

• Thousands of elementary and middle school students will participate in our newest Gospel Adventures multimedia voyage. Our “trip” to Zambia will allow participants to meet local Zambians, discover the sights and sounds of the country and culture, and learn about Gospel work there.

• Beyond our culturally relevant work that currently reaches into more than 60 countries—including places where the people might have no other opportunity to hear of Jesus—an International Internship Program is in development to help expand our ministry into areas we have yet to reach.

• At THRED.org—already proven to reach unbelievers and the de-churched and start conversations about life, faith, and Jesus— we will embark on a bold innovation which promises to engage more congregations and individual Christians in gaining a hearing for the Gospel online.

Through these efforts, as well as radio broadcasts, Bible-based print and online resources, and so much more, we are sharing Christ’s love and hope with people around the world who need it now more than ever. God and His Word are a refuge for us during the ongoing uncertainty of the times in which we are living. This work is essential, and the impact is incredible. Your missionary zeal and support are the reasons why our ministry will not only continue but expand. Thank you for partnering with us to carry Christ’s love around the world. We are excited to be on this journey of a growing Gospel movement with you! =

• Our ongoing partnership with Barna Group has paved the way for us to collaborate with them in producing the products and services connected with our latest project, Gifted for More. Not only is this a first for LHM, but it is the first time Barna has worked this closely with a partner in developing joint materials based on research.

In this year’s Lenten Devotions, we encounter Jesus the Man sent to redeem a lost world. Born in the flesh, Jesus became like us. Taking the form of a Servant, He emptied Himself. Bearing our sins to the cross, He gives us newness of life through His victory over death won for us by His resurrection from the dead.

LHM.ORG/LENT The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022 | 7

Sharing His Heart Social Media for the Gospel Offers Hope for Years to Come to Ugandan Man by MEGAN MCDANIEL

by CHAD FIX

Binkley joyfully signing the endowment paperwork.

orn and raised in Kalb Hollow in North Nashville, Tennessee, Odell Binkley has a heart for sharing the Gospel. With a background in construction and real estate, Binkley held a real estate broker’s license for 50 years. His occupation gave him the opportunity to meet new people and connect with many. Being in the business for so long, Binkley has seen a lot of change in trends and markets. When asked what he thought about the current real estate market, Binkley laughed and said, “I want to be in this current real estate market!” “Odell is a very colorful character with a goal of making someone smile each day,” says Dean Ehrenheim, Senior Ministry Advancement Counselor for LHM. “On one of my recent visits, we attended Bible Study with neighbors from his retirement center. While there he bellowed out a wonderful song in what seemed to be Italian. When he finished, he asked if anyone knew what the song was about. No one did. He said, neither do I and laughed. He made it up on the spot.”

“I wondered why the Lord has let me live so long. I finally know why; He’s given me time to grow in my faith.” Binkley’s connection with LHM began when he discovered The Lutheran Hour and the Daily Devotions. He looks forward to receiving the Daily Devotions in his email inbox every day. Since he sometimes struggles to read small print, the audio messages of the Daily Devotions and The Lutheran Hour sermons are a helpful way for him to still enjoy the Word of God. At 90 years old Binkley says, “I wondered why the Lord has let me live so long. I finally know why; He’s given me time to grow in my faith.” After building a relationship with an LHM Senior Ministry Advancement Counselor (SMAC) for over a year, Binkley understood 8 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022

the variety of planned gifts that are available to him and was eager to plan a lasting gift with LHM. He had set up an endowment with his church in the past, and when asked by his SMAC if he was interested in an endowment with The LHM Foundation that would reach globally, he quickly said yes. Binkley liked the flexibility of being able to add to his endowment over time and instead of waiting until he passes on, he wanted his partnership with LHM to make a difference right away. Working with his SMAC and other planned giving staff at LHM, they came up with an endowment plan. He decided on starting his endowment with LHM in memory of his loving wife, Mary Evelyn Regg Binkley. Binkley knew this was an opportunity to remember her life and impact the lives of others at the same time. After going through the process, Binkley shared that starting his endowment with The LHM Foundation was simple and straightforward. He joyfully said, “I enjoyed working with the LHM staff and would recommend contacting the gift planning team to anyone interested in a planned gift.” _______________________________ Giving through an endowment gives security and control to supporters. This type of gift sustains your ministry impact into the future while allowing you the freedom to determine how your contributions are used. LHM receives the proceeds of the funds to use for ministry while the initial investment into the fund is protected for perpetuity. When endowments are established with The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation, you can elect to have the fund support specific areas of ministry or the area of greatest need. The best part of this type of gift is that as investments grow, the impact on ministry over time will far surpass your initial investment. If you are interested in impacting Gospel ministry for years to come, contact LHM’s gift planning staff at 1-877-333-1963 or lhm-gift@lhm.org. =

s people around the world continue to navigate challenging times, LHM’s efforts to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a hurting world are even more urgent. While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many LHM ministry centers to limit or modify typical inperson outreach activities, it has also opened doors for reaching people in new ways. In Africa, LHM continues to invest in social media to reach new audiences. Despite many people across this continent often lacking access to or not being able to afford to purchase high-speed data on mobile devices, LHM recognizes that this form of outreach will be increasingly important for sharing the Gospel with urban young adults. LHM is overcoming additional restrictions and obstacles in Uganda to use social media for offering messages of hope and encouragement with an audience suffering and longing for the Gospel. The LHM–Uganda staff recently received a direct message from a man named Haben. He initially called our staff in Uganda to ask for prayers for his wife who was suffering from health issues. During ongoing conversations with our staff, Haben revealed that he was a former Christian, but had left his faith for another religion as a young adult. An elder in his family had converted to another religion and had even encouraged the other family members to follow. Through the years, as more members of the other religion came to his area, Haben felt like he was treated as an outcast because of his Christian history. In his conversations with our staff, he mentioned that he was unhappy with his life and felt that God was leading him back to faith by placing small, seemingly random occurrences in his path. He counted among those occurrences the recent message LHM staff had sent him via social media. Haben wrote, “I really feel like God is asking me to make this change and your random message seems to confirm what I am feeling inside my heart. Pray for me as I would like to become a Christian once again.” As Christians, we know this message was not random. God is truly using our ministries—and technologies—to reach people and open their hearts to Him through the Holy Spirit. Please pray for Haben that he finds comfort and confidence as God restores his faith in Jesus. =

God is truly using our ministries—and technologies—to reach people and open their hearts to Him through the Holy Spirit.

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

Out and About

elcome to this Nurturing Your Faith study on the Christian life together. With your Bible and journal at the ready, begin reading below. After reading the commentary and studying the Word, you’ll be prompted to watch a video online. May God bless your study!

INTRODUCTION Last year Gallup surveyed people asking about institutions like police, doctors, military, business, media, and so on. They asked, “How much confidence do you, yourself, have in each one—a great deal, quite a lot, some, or very little?” How would you answer that question about the institutional church? Here are the results Gallup got: Great deal, 19%; Quite a lot, 18%; Some, 34%; Very little, 26%; None 3%; and No opinion, 1%. (Confidence in Institutions, accessed 11/02/2021, https:// news.gallup.com/poll/1597/confidenceinstitutions.aspx)

REFLECTION • How do your feelings compare to other people in your church or study group? • How do you think your answer might be different from people who have walked away from church or never had an association with church? There were no Gallup surveys when Peter wrote his first epistle, but from historical documents we know that the overwhelming outsiders’ view of the church was very negative. Might views of the church be more positive if we are out and about in our neighborhoods and communities doing good works?

L E A R N I N G F R O M T H E W O R D Read 1 Peter 2:9-12. To learn about evangelism in post-churched North America, we need to take off our cultural blinders. An 18th-century scholar, Johann Jakob Wettstein, wrote, “If you wish to get a thorough and complete understanding of the books of the New Testament, put yourself in the place of those to whom they were first delivered by the apostles as a legacy.” (qtd in Klauck, The Religious Context of Early Christianity, 2.) Let’s do that! “You are” begins the famous verse 9, and then lists descriptions of who we are. The first cultural blinders we take off are about the word “you.” People raised in a Western culture like the United States and Canada, read “you” and think singular, That’s about me. But here, and most of the time in the New Testament, “you” is plural, as they say in Texas, “all y’all.” Keeping in mind that “you” is usually plural reminds us we’re all together in our faith and hope in Christ. Peter’s purpose is to encourage believers. The descriptions that follow “you are” tell the recipients of the epistle they are highly honored by God even though they are shunned and shamed by many people around them. “You are a chosen race” (v. 9). Race makes us think of ethnic groups and divisions, which existed in the first century just as today, and which resulted in similar attitudes: We are Jews, but others are Gentiles. We are Romans, but others are barbarians. We deserve honor, but you’re shameful. Peter points to the only lineage that matters. He says you are honored not because of outward, perishable qualities but because God is your Father (see 1:3). So “the honor is for you who believe” (2:7a). “You are … a royal priesthood” (v. 9). Here’s another cultural blinder to take off. Today we distinguish rather clearly between laity and

professional clergy, but there was nothing like that in the first-century Roman Empire. Back then, your town would be filled with many priests serving in numerous cults and temples; some priests were fulltime, but many we would classify as lay. In fact, there were a whole variety of arrangements. Some people served as priests because it was what their family did, others because they were elected to serve the government that way. Some even purchased the office of the priesthood! And some people served for just a short time—for example, one year—while others served for life. Normally there was no requirement that the priest have a reputation for being good or holy. “Royal” is a gentle jab against one of the cults, the worship of the divine caesar. Like the Old Testament priesthood (See Exodus 19:6; Revelation 1:6), the congregation as a whole has a mediating function: to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through Christ, to intercede with the public for God, and to speak God’s words. And remember, we’re conditioned to think individually. Royal priesthood is not about laity participating in pastoral duties, but about the whole congregation, “all y’all,” serving this way for the sake of human society. “You are … a holy nation” (v.9). Our modern understanding of “nation” includes defined boundaries, capitals, military, and so on. Nations in the first century are more like people groups such as Romans, Jews, Persians, Celts, Germans, and the like. These nations were scattered through the vast empire, mingling with one another yet ethnically distinct. There were more Jews living outside of Israel (the “diaspora” or “dispersion,” see 1:1) in the first century than in Israel. Your status as a holy nation transcends earthly affiliations because

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you are “a people for His own possession” (v. 9). The King James Version translated “for His own possession” with the word “peculiar.” In the 1600s, it meant belonging distinctively to someone; today it means odd or eccentric. Isn’t that the way many in the unbelieving world see us? We sometimes go against the conventional wisdom of the nation because we are a holy nation, just as the One who called us is holy (see 1:15-16). Our life together has a purpose. God didn’t want ancient Israel to be cocooned within itself. “It is too light a thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). God wants His royal priesthood out and about, “that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (v. 9). Often used for evangelism, this verse is one of two in 1 Peter that talk about doing evangelism verbally. The other is 3:15. Peter’s evangelism program is good works and word. He wants us to be out and about with people, making them curious about what motivates our goodness.

REFLECTION

• How does reading verse 9 with an “all y’all” understanding change the way you think about this popular verse? • What often tempts believers to be “cocooned” within themselves instead of “out and about” among the nations?

The first major portion of the epistle ends by drawing on Hosea 2:23. “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (v. 10). Peter contrasts God’s honor upon believers to the dominant culture’s view that these Christians were of no account, “not a people.” Most were not citizens (universal citizenship did not come to the empire until 212 A.D.). Largely from lower strata of society, they weren’t worth bothering with. Mercy refers to acts of kindness people do for one another because they are in a relationship. Even though they didn’t receive loving-kindnesses from those around them, they had mercies in abundance from God who has brought them into His covenant (see 1:2-3). Now that they’ve been encouraged by who they are, what should they do? Be out and about! Verses 11 and 12 lay out guiding principles. Untamed emotions can war against your salvation. Submit them to the will of God (cf. 1:14; 4:2). When you’re out and about, make sure your conduct is “honorable.” The word translated honorable means more than having a good conscience that you did the right thing. Honorable means doing what is right in a way that people notice and begin to have second thoughts about how they have been mischaracterizing you, so “they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (v. 12b). That’s the day when Christ will be visible in all His power and glory, the day of final judgment (see 1:7, 9, 13). May the words and conduct of the royal priesthood in our time bring misinformed people to true faith!

Watch the video at lhm.org/studies from Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour, and then come back here to finish the study. • What do you think about Philip Yancey’s assessment that Jesus preferred to spend more time with “sinners” than with “saints”?

REFLECTION

• Dr. Meyer says we benefit the most from being out and about. What benefits have you seen from being out and about in your neighborhood and community?

Life together is out and about! Martin Chemnitz, a 17th-century theologian, wrote: “The worship which is pleasing to God, internally and externally, both in our spiritual and outward life, is summed up in the Decalog (the Ten Commandments). In the Second Table (commandments 4-10) not even one word calls attention to the solitary life; but concerning our duties toward our fellow man in society in our common life together, not one or two or three precepts are used, but the entire Second Table had to be set forth to protect and enhance our common life” (Loci Theologici, 8, 717).

CONCLUSION Chemnitz was called the “second Martin” because he did much to pass on the teachings of the first Martin, Martin Luther. Luther says, “Now when you have Christ as the foundation and chief blessing of your salvation, then the other part follows that you take Him as your example, giving yourself in service to your neighbor just as you see that Christ has given Himself for you. See, there faith and love move forward, God’s commandment is fulfilled, and a person is happy and fearless to do and to suffer all things. Therefore, make note of this, that Christ as a gift (i.e. grace) nourishes your faith and makes you a Christian. But Christ as an example exercises your works. These do not make you a Christian. Actually, they come forth from you because you have already been made a Christian. As widely as a gift differs from an example, so widely does faith differ from works, for faith possesses nothing of its own, only the deeds and life of Christ. Works have something of our own in them, yet they should not belong to you but to your neighbor” (qtd in John Barclay, Paul & the Gift, 110). Once you were an alien people, Strangers to God’s heart of love; But He brought you home in mercy, Citizens of heav’n above. Let His love flow out to others, Let them feel a Father’s care; That they too may know His welcome And His countless blessings share. (LSB 646:3)

P R AY E R Lord, send us out and about so that we may seek Your grace more zealously and intercede for others more passionately. Give us opportunities to share Your love more fervently. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

D O W N LO A D S T U DY G U I D E A N D V I D E O AT L H M . O R G / S T U D I E S 10 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022

Changing Lives with the Gospel

THROUGH YOU

2021 Annual Ministry Impact Report

by CHAD FIX

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, While the last two years have challenged all of us in our personal, congregational, and professional realms, Lutheran Hour Ministries quickly responded to this changing world. As I look at the products and services that we create for God’s Church, for God’s people, and for those who do not yet know the message of Jesus Christ, I see that He prepared us perfectly to be bold in this time. Through the grace of God and the dedicated work of our talented staff and volunteers, what a blessing it has been to put our efforts towards expanding our global impact and reaching even more people with the hope and comfort of the Gospel! Let’s not forget that, while many organizations are having trouble surviving or being forced to shrink

their efforts, LHM has been growing. Why is that? Most importantly, we rely on our faith and the grace of God during these difficult times. I also believe it’s because we focus on the ministry before us rather than that of the past, that we are seeking a true assessment of what we are accomplishing and changing when necessary, and that we are connecting in meaningful ways with the hearts and minds of our constituency. This may sound simple, but it’s not. If it were simple, everyone else would be doing the same thing. We could not accomplish any of this without the ongoing generosity from people like you. Thank you for being part of our global ministry family, your unwavering passion to share the hope of Jesus with a hurting world, and your continuous financial support as we

respond to changing times with a changeless message. You remain in the LHM family’s prayers now and always, that God might grant us all a measure of comfort and lift us up in care and love. I invite you to explore this year’s ministry impact report to see just a few ways God is working through you to help individuals worldwide find hope, comfort, and relief in the Gospel. I hope you are humbled to see how He uses our talents and treasures to change lives by making His Gospel known.

Your Partner in HIS Mission,

KURT BUCHHOLZ PRESIDENT & CEO, LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES

A Y E AR I N RE VI E W How God Changed Lives Through LHM in 2021 Following are some of the ways in which LHM was abundantly blessed by God during the last year thanks to your generous support.

IMPACTING PEOPLE Globally LHM’s culturally relevant programs reach more than 150 million people each week in more than 60 countries. Although many in-person activities are still suspended due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic, this created more opportunities for sharing the Gospel through mass media. LHM continues to partner with SAT-7 for sharing Christ’s love through satellite television programming. In addition to the New Light talk show discussing pertinent issues related to youth and young adults on SAT-7’s Arabic channel in the Middle East and North Africa, LHM expanded its program support on the SAT-7 PARS channel to reach more Persian-speaking individuals in Central and South Asia. Hashtag is a weekly program focused on older children and youth where the host tells a Bible story and helps viewers apply lessons to their lives. In addition,

the weekly Signal program addresses current issues for adults, with guest speakers, positive news stories, Bible study, worship, music, and viewer testimonies included on each episode. LHM also initiated a partnership with PAK7 this year to help develop new children’s video programming in Pakistan called Bedtime Stories based on a successful SAT-7 Arabic channel program. The goal is to share Bible stories and Pakistani cultural stories to engage children with Bible truths. In collaboration with Trans World Radio Asia, LHM started a radio broadcast titled “From Despair to Hope” for listeners in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. The 15-minute program airs from four stations in Indonesia and is then made available online and through a podcast to bring hope, encouragement, and practical help to people suffering from job loss, ill-health, financial issues, and isolation from family and

friends. Listeners who want to learn more about God can then respond to receive LHM resources such as audio Bible radios, booklets, and BCCs. Outreach efforts in Kenya and Cameroon continue to expand through vocational training programs where LHM educates young women in a practical skill that helps them earn money to provide for their families. Women are also introduced to the Gospel and enrolled in Bible courses to learn more about Jesus. A catastrophic flood last summer destroyed LHM–Ethiopia’s office and ruined its inventory of thousands of Gospel tracts, booklets, Bibles, and BCC lessons as well as its public address system and digital projectors used to share the Gospel at large-scale events. Thanks to the generous response from LHM donors like you, our Ethiopia team was able to continue sharing the Gospel with people who desperately need to hear it with minimal interruption.

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The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022 | 11

IMPACTING PEOPLE Digitally In addition to touching the lives of around one million listeners a week on more than 1,800 traditional radio stations throughout North America, The Lutheran Hour is also heard today on new media platforms such as a podcast, mobile app, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Sirius XM satellite radio. A new podcast, The (Im)Partial Church, debuted in 2021 with hopeful content about race, culture, diversity, and the Christian faith. Over the span of 10 episodes, deaconess and professor Janine Bolling and her brother, Rev. Dr. Gerard Bolling, gave listeners powerful insights on cross-cultural friendships, prejudice, the power of language, forgiveness, being an outsider, what a good neighbor is, and how we’re all members of a multi-ethnic family. Their spirited conversations were full of colorful details drawn from family life—both past and present. The third year of the successful Gospel Adventures

program visited the southeast Asia country of Thailand. Just like previous adventures, Thailand Trek offered elementary and middle school students a fiveday curriculum, videos, interactive website, theme music, optional game and snack activities, and an overarching biblical theme. This virtual experience also offered a challenge to participants to help raise funds to create LHM goody bags for the LHM—Thailand team to distribute during their school visits throughout the year. More than 1,000 teachers, parents, and other educators registered for Gospel Adventures: Thailand Trek— giving more than 30,000 students a firsthand look at how God so loves the world. LHM’s successful Vivenciar.net platform, already a popular resource across Latin America, is now reaching Spanish-speaking audiences in the United States with answers addressing spiritual questions and shifting cultural values. The digital platform offers guidance, support, and direction to individuals seeking help about relevant topical

issues through live chats, blog posts, articles, e-books, and courses. Since young adults are often gravitating to the internet seeking answers, including millions who are curious—or have doubts—about Christianity, Vivenciar.net offers a space where trained volunteers can listen to what people have to say about specific situations in their lives and accompany them in these moments with biblically-based support and guidance. In Latin America, LHM launched a digital content platform in Spanish called Lugar De Fe, with materials focused and directed specifically to help suffering people at this time of the pandemic. As a dynamic platform, Lugar De Fe is focusing on pandemic issues first, and soon it will offer all LHM Spanish materials according to thematic seasons, as well as digital materials and programs from the ministry centers in the region. The platform is filled with a variety of materials and content that are offered for download, like e-books, videos, webinar content, podcasts, and more.

IMPACTING PEOPLE Right Where They Are In 2018, LHM embarked in a partnership with Barna Group—an industry leader for research-based insights about faith and culture, leadership and Learn how toand lovegenerational your neighbors groups—for a critical study of faith in America. vocation, and yourevaluating neighborhood with tools After our own spiritual conversations, and the spiritual vibrancy that you make athis difference ofwill ourhelp households, past year we began looking outward, starting right right in we yourlive. ownDuring community. where a time when individuals are searching for hope, and community is more important than ever, we are answering the question, “How can I bring hope to my neighborhood?” The newest research topic, Better Together, helped us learn more about the types of people who are taking initiative in their communities—who gather, donate, serve, create, teach, mobilize, and innovate, alongside other passionate neighbors, to meet needs around them. From this research, a new box of faith-based materials was developed to complement and expand LHM’s growing inventory of Barna-based tools. Contents of the Better Together kit include fascinating research and expert commentary that speak powerfully to the possibilities of shaping neighborhoods in healthy ways. Its book, booklets, and monograph provide a handy reference when thinking about how to live out the Christian vocation of neighbor, and a Neighborhood Bingo game is perfect for getting to know your neighbors. Drawing from insights learned from the Better Together research, LHM LHM.ORG/TOGETHER established The Hopeful Neighborhood Project this past spring. The Hopeful Neighborhood Project is a collaborative network committed to 12 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022

improving neighborhood well-being around the world. The resources and online network equip and encourage neighbors to work together, using their gifts and the gifts of their community, to pursue the common good of their neighborhood. At LHM we’ve identified three important steps toward healthier, more hopeful neighborhoods. First, discover the gifts. Second, imagine the possibilities. And third, pursue the common good. When put into action, these steps can help us make real connections with our neighbors, increase neighborhood well-being, and work toward a world where everyone is recognized as a gift from God with gifts to share. Various aspects of the research findings and their application served as the foundation for presentations given at conferences across the United States in 2021, including the LWML Convention, National Youth Workers Conference, Best Practices Heartland, Siebert Lutheran Foundation’s Inspired to Thrive Conference, and many others. Attendees of the Lutheran Laymen’s League virtual events learned in the spring what Households of Faith are, why they matter to God, and how to nurture the faith of individual households. The fall event then reviewed the basics of Households of Faith, highlighted new interviews with single households that have grown in spiritual vibrancy, and taught about spiritual coaching, both within the household setting and in the congregational setting.

MINISTRY BY THE NUMBERS Bringing Christ to the Nations— and the Nations to the Church through

70,000

Engaged Constituents

People Reached with the Gospel Globally Every Week

295

Staff Members

150 million+

Countries Reached by Ministry

60+

Annual Responses to Outreach Efforts

1,235,670

Annual Referrals to Churches and Christian Communities

People Trained in Sharing their Faith Last Year New Bible Correspondence Course Students Enrolled Around the World Last Year Listeners to The Lutheran Hour® Each Week

45,499 119,640 39,478 1 million

North American Stations Airing The Lutheran Hour

1,800+

People Connected with Christian Communities Annually

15,960 The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022 | 13

20% - OTHER INCOME

15% - FUND DEVELOPMENT

9% - ADMINISTRATION

LHM Board of Directors (As of January 2022)

4% TENANT RENT Consolidated Operating

Consolidated Operating

Expenses

Income

% - DO

R NO

U 76

I 76% - M

International Lutheran Laymen’s League and Subsidiaries Consolidating Statement of Activities (in thousands) Year ended May 31, 2021, with comparative totals for 2020 INT’L LUTHERAN LAYMEN’S LEAGUE

LHM FOUNDATION

2021 CONSOLIDATED TOTALS

$34,572 1,610 3,722 39,904

$285 5,682 5,967

$34,857 1,610 9,404 45,871

$31,972 1,542 472 33,986

OPERATING EXPENSES Ministries 24,966 Building tenant services 1,151 Administration and Fundraising 7,908 Operating Expenses 34,025

534 534

24,966 1,151 8,442 34,559

25,458 1,165 8,067 34,690

OPERATING SUPPORT AND REVENUE Donor support Building tenant rent Other income, net Operating income

Operating Income in Excess of Expenses

2020 CONSOLIDATED TOTALS

5,879

5,433

11,312

(704)

Endowment and other fund distributions

997

(997)

Change in Net Assets

6,876

4,436

11,312

(704)

27,810 $34,686

17,389 $21,825

45,199 $56,511

45,903 $45,199

Net Assets, Beginning of Year Net Assets, End of Year

Lutheran Hour Ministries is the registered d/b/a name for the International Lutheran Laymen’s League. A copy of the full audit report is available online at lhm.org/report.

The LHM Board of Directors and The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation want to thank you for being part of the LHM family in 2021. The work that we are blessed to do is only possible because of God’s grace and the tens of thousands of passionate lay members and volunteers who partner with this ministry every day. Please continue to remember us in your prayers as we work to discern and follow the Lord’s guidance for LHM. 14 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022

Chairman Kurt Senske Austin, Texas

Secretary Patricia Ross Tulsa, Oklahoma

Vice Chairman Douglas Werth Arrington, Tennessee

Treasurer Gene Partlow Williamsburg, Virginia

Directors Linda Arnold Oswego, Illinois

Virginia Miller Rochester, Minnesota

Melanie Braun Tempe, Arizona

Michael “Mick” Onnen Stanton, Nebraska

Jim Dankenbring St. Louis, Missouri

Robert “Bob” Rauscher Scottsdale, Arizona

Vincent James Boston, Massachusetts

Edith Schoepp Onoway, Alberta, Canada

Jonathan Laabs Roselle, Illinois

Gordon Tresch Williamsville, New York

The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation (As of January 2022) Officers Phil Daniels Chairman Tampa, Florida

Lynn Scudieri Secretary Naples, Florida

David Leege Vice Chairman Alexandria, Virginia

David Lanius Treasurer St. Louis, Missouri

Jeffrey Craig-Meyer President St. Louis, Missouri

Lois Engfehr Assistant Secretary Collinsville, Illinois

Trustees Kurt Buchholz LHM President & CEO Grant, Minnesota

Lloyd Probasco Grand Island, Nebraska

Thomas Dankenbring St. Louis, Missouri Glenn Gerber Murrieta, California

Robert “Bob” Rauscher Board of Directors Representative Scottsdale, Arizona

Mercedes Hendricks Laguna Hills, California

Kurt Senske Int’l LLL Chairman of the Board Austin, Texas

Scott Homan St. Louis, Missouri

Jane Wittlinger Longboat Key, Florida

Aaron Pawlitz St. Louis, Missouri

Sharing the Gospel on a Global Stage by DR. KURT SENSKE, Chairman, Int’l LLL Board of Directors

ne of the things that most excites me about Lutheran Hour Ministries is the endless opportunities to share the message of Christ with a world that desperately needs to hear it. That is why I look forward to seeing the LHM float in the Rose Parade each year as the only Christian presence in the parade. As a self-funded project of the Southern California District of the Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL) and the Lutheran Hour Ministries Float Committee, the float provides a Gospel witness to viewers everywhere, from along the parade route in California to tens of millions of televisions all around the world. I was privileged to be asked to ride on the LHM float during the 2022 Rose Parade. Arriving in Pasadena I had high expectations. As I reflect on my time, it is without a doubt that the experience exceeded my expectations. I am in awe of the thousands of volunteers, known as the Petal Pushers, who worked tirelessly day and night in often challenging conditions to make the stunning and impactful LHM float and nine others a reality. Witnessing firsthand the painstaking and meticulous attention to detail that is necessary to build these floats is something I did not completely comprehend

The float featured Jesus standing alongside modernday disciples and a cross firmly fixed to a solid rock from which flows a stream of living water.

until seeing it in person. Being a part of cutting stems, placing roses on foam palettes, carrying the palettes to the allocated float, placing the appropriate flowers into their section on the float, applying small beans and other natural materials to create text and logos, and so much more is something I will never forget. It was also inspiring to hear the stories from volunteers who came from across the country about why they wanted to participate in this experience. For many this was a “bucket list” item—the fulfillment of a childhood dream—after watching the parade on television for many decades. For others it was the opportunity to share their faith as they worked sideby-side with people from various backgrounds while conducting their tasks throughout the week between Christmas and New Year’s. No matter what brought them together it was clear they had the same goal—to be part of creating the magic that would roll down Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard on January 1. Both before the parade and as I rode on the float along the fiveand-a-half-mile parade route, I was grateful for the opportunity to spread the Gospel message with millions of people worldwide that “Jesus Teaches,” a message as

relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. It was invigorating to observe the vast majority of spectators along the parade route excitedly cheering us on. Children and adults were quick to wave and eagerly yell ‘Jesus’ as we passed by. In a world that often seems to be gravitating more towards division rather than unity, it was refreshing to see people coming together for a common purpose and celebrating the joy that comes with knowing Jesus.

I was grateful for the opportunity to spread the Gospel message with millions of people worldwide that “Jesus Teaches.” As Chairman of the LHM Board of Directors, I know that I speak for the entire organization in thanking the Petal Pushers, Southern California LLL District, and LHM Float Committee for their amazing and dedicated efforts as together we are Bringing Christ to the Nations— and the Nations to the Church! =

LHM Sunday 2022 Discover LHM by choosing a day for members of your congregation to learn about our mission and ministry.

Download our FREE LHM Sunday materials at

lhm.org/lhmsunday The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022 | 15

Raising Healthy Children with Spiritual Nutrition by PAUL SCHREIBER

as figuring out how to study the Scriptures with your child or teenager been a challenge? It is for many adults. The will is there, but actually doing it can be such a hurdle. LHM Learn’s latest course, 5 Ways to Engage Scripture with Your Child, is designed to get you over the obstacle of exploring the Bible with your kids. This mini-course features five activities to engage Scripture with your child. These activities involve reading, memorizing, studying, using devotionals, and responding to God’s Word. As we all know, kids learn by example, and the things they see adults do sets a lasting pattern for kids’ behaviors later on. This course helps adults come alongside their children, learning with them, as together they engage in these five fruitful activities. By reading the Bible, we understand God’s love for us and how we are to love others. This course suggests several children’s storybook Bibles and student study Bibles produced especially for the readability of those age groups. As we read the Bible, we internalize its truths by memorization. This helps kids—and adults—gain a top-of-mind awareness of God’s Word. Added to this is the intentional practice of biblical truth by

observing, interpreting, and applying it to our lives. All these good habits mature our faith; they also nurture the budding faith in the lives of our children. Of course, as Christians we need spiritual refreshment, too; that’s where devotional times come in. In a group context, devotions enlarge one’s perspective of the text, triggering questions and often sparking discussion on what the Bible means for us today. From this interaction with Scripture, we want our kids to respond to life by encouraging them to turn to God’s Word for help when they’re angry, afraid, lacking confidence, needing wisdom, and so on. This LHM Learn course includes PDF resources on Bible verses for memorization and key passages kids can use in response to life issues. Also included are fun artwork PDFs to create Bible margin artwork and to create 3x5inch cards for some handy and colorful Bible encouragement. Links are provided to LHM’s Barna-based Households of Faith kit and to the Project Connect booklet, Helping Your Child Have a Relationship with God, written by Mary Oldfield, who is also the author of this course. You can find this and all LHM Learn courses by going to lhm.org/learn. =

Don’t Let Your Thrivent Choice Dollars Expire! Eligible Thrivent members have until March 31, 2022, to direct any remaining 2021 Choice Dollars. Help us share the Gospel around the world by directing your available Choice Dollars to LHM today! Learn more at

lhm.org/choice 16 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022

2022 Candidates for the

INTERNATIONAL LUTHERAN LAYMEN’S LEAGUE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS by CHAD FIX

he following individuals are this year’s candidates for open positions on the Int’l LLL Board of Directors in compliance with Article III of the current bylaws. Contributing members of the ministry who register with Lutheran Hour Ministries’ headquarters by March 15 will be able to vote in the 2022 election if they are also members of a congregation of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod or Lutheran Church–Canada. Eligible members can register at lhm.org/voter by entering the unique ID and PIN found on the postcard received in February. If you are not able to go online, you may place this postcard in an envelope and mail it back to LHM at 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St. Louis MO 63141. Individuals returning the postcard in an envelope postmarked by March 15 will receive a paper ballot. The election runs from April 15 through May 15. To be counted, online and paper ballots must be received by the chosen tabulation firm no later than May 15. Results will be reported this summer in The Lutheran Layman.

HAVE A SAY IN WHO REPRESENTS YOU!

BOARD NOMINEES (listed in alphabetical order; vote for four) ERIC BROWN

KRISTI MATUS

of Adel, Iowa

of Boxford, Massachusetts

An accomplished school business official, Brown prepared, maintained, and analyzed a general operating budget of $240 million for the Rochester Public Schools (Minnesota) before moving to Iowa in 2021. As business manager, school business official, and school board secretary/treasurer of the Adel DeSoto Minburn Community School District, he oversees finance, human resources, payroll, school nutrition, and student registration. Brown previously was a senior accountant for Foster Group, Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa. He served as treasurer at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Rochester and was honored with the Rising Star Award by the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials. Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Concordia University, Nebraska.

Matus serves as corporate chief financial officer/chief operating officer of Buckle, a tech-enabled, financial-services company, and provides leadership to the finance functions as well as all shared services (HR, IT, Legal, etc.). Previously, she was an executive advisor at Thomas H. Lee Partners, CFAO at athenahealth, and held executive leadership positions at Aetna, USAA, and Thrivent. Matus currently chairs board committees for Equitable, Alliance Bernstein, and Cerence, and previously served on the boards for Concordia Plan Services and Concordia University Texas. A lifelong Lutheran, she received a Distinguished Service Award from Concordia University, Nebraska in 2014. She earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh.

KIRK FARNEY

DONALD SCIFRES

of Hinsdale, Illinois

of Greenwood, Indiana

Farney has been vice president for advancement, vocation, and alumni engagement at Wheaton College since 2014. He oversees alumni and parent engagement, the Center for Vocation and Career, development, gift planning, donor services, marketing communications, and media relations, and holds faculty status in the history department. He previously was an executive in the international banking arena for 26 years. Farney chairs the strategy committee on Thrivent’s board and served on boards for Wheat Ridge Ministries and Concordia University Chicago. A practicing historian and accomplished author, he holds bachelor’s degrees in finance and agricultural economics, master’s degrees in business administration, theological studies, and history, and a Ph.D. in American religious history.

Scifres is president of mergers, acquisitions, investments & strategy at K Launch. He is also co-founder and general partner at VisionTech Partners. His extensive board service includes Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Bloomerang, SmarterHQ, and the Indiana District of the LCMS. Scifres is a founding member of Indiana University’s School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering Dean’s Council and has served on many school boards, including Lutheran High of Indianapolis. He holds a B.S. in technology from Purdue University and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2014. Scifres earned executive education certificates from the University of Virginia and Cornell University. He and his wife, Jill, co-chair a national cabinet for LHM.

KRISTI KIRK

KURT SENSKE

of Cedar Park, Texas

of Austin, Texas

An experienced administrator with a history of success in implementing strategic initiatives and leading teams, Kirk has more than 20 years of increasingly responsible positions in higher education. She has served as provost/executive vice president at Concordia University Texas since 2016, where she is responsible for accomplishing the university’s mission and vision by overseeing day-to-day operations. She currently chairs her congregation’s capital campaign and serves on the board for Acts of Love. Kirk frequently leads Bible studies or presents at Lutheran events. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University Texas, a master’s degree from the University of Texas, and a doctorate in leadership in higher education from Capella University.

Senske spent 23 years as CEO of Upbring (formerly Lutheran Social Services of the South), a multi-state agency with nearly 1,000 employees, after working as assistant to the president for Concordia University Texas, practicing law, and serving as a political consultant. He now consults for several foundations and nonprofit/ for-profit organizations. Currently chair of LHM’s board, he was board chair for Thrivent and Thrivent Charitable and served two terms on the LCMS board. Senske completed undergraduate studies in business administration at Concordia University Texas and Valparaiso University. He holds a law degree from the University of Illinois, earned a Ph.D. at the University of Texas, and has authored five books. = The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022 | 17

Photo from Kim Helleson.

“People enjoyed working with him because his word was his bond.”

Congregation Spotlight:

How YOU Can Join LHM’s Mission by MEGAN MCDANIEL

Congregation: Immanuel Lutheran Church Location: Tonasket, Washington Congregation size: Around 50 members Contact person: Sandra Sutton How does your congregation support LHM? We usually have two occasions a year to directly support LHM. All of our Lenten service offerings go to LHM. In addition, our congregation has 12 monthly missions each year, one for each month. The congregation voted long ago that each month a set amount of money would automatically go to whatever mission was chosen for the month. Members can designate additional funds for the monthly mission in their offerings. LHM was one of our chosen missions this year. In addition, we use printed materials from LHM for visitors to pick up. During the summer months we have an outreach to hikers using the PNT trail. The trail runs from Glacier Park in Montana to the Pacific Ocean. It passes through our area and we offer a place to rest, refuel, and communicate. Hikers pick up materials we offer and it has been a great ministry for us. What was the motivation behind supporting LHM? Immanuel feels that getting God’s saving message out is an important part of our mission. LHM does that. You have a very good track record for spreading God’s Word and we want to assist LHM through our mission dollars. What has been your members’ feedback? What do your members like about LHM? There is a fervent desire to support LHM’s mission. As far as feedback from members, we feel that the dollars we send to you are well spent and you have stayed focused on spreading God’s Good News around the world. If your congregation would like to learn more about how you can support LHM’s mission, contact Robin Forsythe at 314-317-4152 or robin.forsythe@lhm.org. If you would like to make a gift of support, visit lhm.org/give. = 18 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022

Lumpe Passes to Glory

by CHAD FIX

ormer Lutheran Hour Ministries Executive operating officer before retiring in 2016. “People Director Laurence E. “Larry” Lumpe of St. enjoyed working with him because his word was Louis, Missouri, died November 3. He served his bond.” two stints as LHM’s executive director, from After three decades in the banking industry 1989-1996 and 2007-2009. including serving as president of five banks, From the moment Lumpe first became president of the Missouri Bankers Association, involved with the International Lutheran and on the governance committee of the Laymen’s League (Int’l LLL) as an elected American Bankers Association in Washington, member of its Board in 1973, he left his mark D.C., Lumpe decided to devote his time and on LHM’s ministry through various volunteer efforts over the last several decades into fulland staff roles spanning nearly a half century. time service to his Lord. In addition to 14 years on the In addition to his work with LHM, Int’l LLL Board of Governors as he served as a Board member for vice president, treasurer, financial Heit’s Point Lutheran Ministries, “Larry’s secretary, and chair/member of spent time as an estate planner and steadying many committees, he also served of development for the influence always director LHM beyond his time as executive Missouri District of The Lutheran helped make director as a part-time gift planning Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), and sure things were held several roles with Concordia counselor for major gifts and volunteer trustee for The Lutheran Historical Institute (including Board going right.” Hour Ministries Foundation. president and executive director). “Larry was a true servant of the Lumpe was named outstanding Lord who worked tirelessly to make sure that development officer of the LCMS in 1988, raising LHM always shared the story of the one hope of more than $10 million that year for churches, all human beings everywhere—Jesus Christ, Our agencies, districts, the Int’l LLL, LWML, and the Savior—in ways people can understand,” says LCMS. In 2012, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, LHM President & CEO Kurt Buchholz. “The staff honored him with the Christus Vivit award given and volunteers who were blessed to work with to a layman or church professional whose life Larry recall with fondness his calm presence exemplifies “an evident and sustained devotion and quick smile. I am grateful for the legacy of to the Lord and a diligent and effective use of leadership he left to us all. We pray for peace and gifts in support of the church and its mission.” comfort for his family and friends.” He is preceded in death by his beloved wife “Larry’s steadying influence always helped of 69 years, Carol. He is survived by his three make sure things were going right,” says Larry children, Patricia (Bruce) Hawkins, Cherri Pritchett, a long-time LHM staff member (Marvin, dec.) Waites, and Loren (Edith) Lumpe, who served as chief financial officer and chief as well as five grandchildren. =

Your Thrivent Choice Dollars Help Share the Gospel Through LHM by CHAD FIX

Not What We Expected: God’s Suffering Servant

by PAUL SCHREIBER

From the first devotion, “Servant of the Lord,” Vo speaks of Jesus as a person people wouldn’t expect.

ith Christmas 2021 not long behind us, LHM’s 2022 Lenten devotions by LHM Theological Writer Dr. Kari Vo, Suffering Servant, now direct our thoughts to Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. As in Vo’s well-received Daily Devotions, each day’s meditation is based on a Scripture verse that centers our focus on the Christ, God’s Son, our Savior. From the first devotion, “Servant of the Lord,” Vo speaks of Jesus as a person people wouldn’t expect. Even though centuries earlier, Isaiah spoke of Him as a “Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as One from whom men hide their faces,” people didn’t get it. No surprise, really; chances are we would have missed it, too. After all, the appeal of One “despised and rejected,” full of “sorrows and acquainted with grief,” only goes so far—even if He was to bear “the iniquity of us all.” Vo writes, “Jesus wasn’t what people were expecting. In God’s eyes He was like a root out of dry ground—we would say, like a drink of cool water on a hot day. But to us? He was nothing special. And so we ignored Him—rejected Him—and then turned on Him and put Him to death on a cross. That was the end of Him, we thought. Who could have predicted the resurrection?” Indeed, who? Who could have predicted that atonement for our sins would come from the death—and coming back to life again—of God’s own Son? But that’s the grace of God at work—giving us what we don’t deserve, rescuing us from what we do. Throughout these devotions, Vo shows a Savior at work—welcoming, enduring, healing, forgiving, persisting in His push to the cross and the glory that awaited three days later. Suffering Servant can be read or heard, beginning Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at lhm.org/lent. You can also receive these devotions as a daily email during Lent. This year’s original Spanish devotions, Por ti y por mí (For You and for Me), can also be read, heard, or received as a daily email, beginning March 2. These have been written by Rev. Antonio Schimpf, a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina (IELA). As in years past, Rev. Héctor Hoppe reads the texts. Visit paraelcamino.com/cuaresma for the details. English and Spanish versions can be downloaded and printed for personal or group use, and LHM encourages you to do so. =

Mobile, audio, low-ink print options, and Spanish also available!

inston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Indeed, it is through giving that we enrich our lives and the lives of others. This generosity is central to our Christian faith. Thanks to eligible members of Thrivent, the impact of God’s work through Lutheran Hour Ministries has been multiplied over the past decade by their generous gifts to the ministry through the Thrivent Choice program. With Thrivent Choice, you support the causes you care about to change lives by recommending where some of Thrivent’s charitable outreach funds go. Since the program’s inception in 2010, eligible members have used this program to direct hundreds of millions of dollars to churches and nonprofit organizations nationwide. The program has especially been a great blessing for LHM, bringing in more than $1.5 million to help share Christ’s

message of hope with a hurting world. If you still have Choice Dollars available from 2021, the deadline to designate those funds is March 31, 2022. Please consider using those blessings to take part in God’s mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide through LHM. Thank you for sharing the hopeful Gospel message through Thrivent Choice! Supporting LHM through Thrivent Choice is easy. Go to thrivent.com/thriventchoice and search under “Lutheran Hour Ministries” or “LHM”. Or call Thrivent at 1-800-847-4836. You can also find eligibility requirements at this website. Please remember that you must go through the gift direction process every time you receive notification that Choice Dollars are available. Recurring direction of Choice Dollars to organizations is no longer offered by Thrivent. =

SPRING 2022

LLL VIRTUAL EVENT How Christians Can Be a Welcome Influence in Their Neighborhoods

SATURDAY,

MARCH 5 11 A.M. – 1 P.M. CST

Registration open until March 3rd!

Join us for this live event where you will receive training from The Hopeful Neighborhood Project Coach, Sara Johnson, and LHM Director of Community Engagement, Jennifer Prophete, on the importance of discovering the gifts in your neighborhood.

To learn more and to register, visit LHM.ORG/LLL2022 The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022 | 19

We are grateful for this relationship with the LCMS Foundation so we may provide stewardship and a service for the benefit of our donors.

Expanding Gift Opportunities to Impact Ministry

uilding on a decades long close relationship, in February 2018, Lutheran Hour Ministries began a new level of partnership with The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) Foundation. Through this partnership, LHM’s ministry advancement counselors draw upon the expertise of the LCMS estate planning counselors to provide the best possible gift planning experience for our donors. This partnership benefits LHM through access to the LCMS Foundation’s nationwide availability and knowledge of local attorneys. While all LHM ministry advancement staff have successfully completed and graduated from the LCMS Foundation’s gift planning courses, they don’t practice this type of work as often to be as knowledgeable and efficient as the LCMS Foundation staff. “It has been my experience that donors feel a sense of security and accomplishment for finalizing plans that most people fail to complete; it affords them peace of mind,” says LHM Chief Development Officer, Major & Planned Gifts Terry Biesboer. “I find it overwhelming to see how our donors are very generous and hungry to share the Gospel more and more each day as the country and our world changes. My team is equipped and prepared to work with individuals and couples using their guidance and input to accomplish what they would like to see, both for their family and chosen ministries.” We are grateful for this relationship with the LCMS Foundation so we may provide stewardship and a service for the benefit of our donors. LHM’s gift planning services only cost the donor their time; donors only incur monetary expenses

20 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022

should their plan necessitate utilizing an attorney. “We are so thankful for The LCMS Foundation and their partnership with us,” says LHM Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Jeff Craig-Meyer. “They have been a great resource for us, and I look forward to seeing this partnership grow in the future.” LHM donors benefit from this partnership because they can better understand the benefits of gift planning and giving from a Christian perspective. They generally discover they are able to give more to their favorite ministries and family by not doing anything more than just packaging it differently. LHM has such loyal donors that this partnership winds up being brought into many conversations.

Rad Finch, LCMS Foundation gift planning counselor for the Iowa East District, presents a check on behalf of a donor to LHM Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Jeff Craig-Meyer.

by MEGAN MCDANIEL

“At the LCMS Foundation we value the partnership with LHM,” says Rev. Phil Krupski, senior vice president for gift planning services at The LCMS Foundation. “The long-standing trust between LHM and its constituents creates the opportunity for our gift planning counselors to feel right at home, helping God’s people see the opportunities He has given for support of ministry that go way beyond what they could imagine. Quietly God has accumulated His abundant gifts in our lives to facilitate the work of His Church. It is truly a blessing.”

About The LCMS Foundation The LCMS Foundation was created in 1958 by The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod to provide Christian estate planning services to LCMS members, and to help ministries invest or endow the gifts members leave them in their wills or estate plans. More specifically, the Foundation has two purposes. First, it provides planned giving services to LCMS members, helping them make sure their God-given assets—things like retirement accounts, their home, or land—will leave a positive, lasting impact upon the people they love, but also the congregation or ministries they care about most. Second, it provides investment services to LCMS ministries, helping them be good stewards and grow the gifts their members and supporters have so generously provided. Essentially, the LCMS Foundation pools together the assets of hundreds of ministries to gain access to the type of highly attentive investment services usually reserved for large corporations. =

Traditional Outreach Activities Resume in Some Asian Countries by MEGAN MCDANIEL

uring the past several months, most countries in Asia have remained under lockdown due to an increase in COVID-19 cases across the continent from the Delta and Omicron variants of the virus. This forced LHM ministry centers in those countries to close and staff to work from home with an increased focus on sharing the Gospel through digital means such as social media. Thankfully, the situation is starting to improve in several Asian countries, with daily cases dropping and restrictions being lifted. This has allowed several ministry centers to resume some of their traditional in-person events and activities. In Thailand, many minimum-wage workers lost their jobs, day laborers have been unable to find work, and many small businesses had to close for long periods or go out of business permanently due to the pandemic. To help provide relief, the LHM–Thailand team was involved in a program called “Giving with Love” that focused on helping people who were suffering

The 400 individuals who received the relief bags expressed their gratitude for the practical support and the hope they got from reading the booklet.

physically, emotionally, or financially because of COVID-19. The team prepared 400 packets for two churches that contained two facemasks, a container of hand sanitizer, some gummy candy, and the LHM booklet, Why Do Bad Things Happen? These items were added to basic food supplies in the churches’ relief bags. The 400 individuals who received the relief bags expressed their gratitude for the practical support and the hope they got from reading the booklet.

We are very excited about this new partnership and have supplied 1,500 LHM audio Bibles. LHM–Malaysia is thankful for their partnership with Open Doors Malaysia that recently connected them with the Food Distribution Ministry of the Gospel Hall. Their organization’s mission is not only to provide food relief to the indigenous people during the pandemic, but also to train and equip indigenous Christian leaders to share the Gospel among their own people. When they heard about the LHM audio Bibles, they were very excited to learn more since they are powerful and perfect tools for their outreach efforts. They organized two training workshops to teach Christian leaders how to use the audio Bibles to conduct Bible studies in homes and villages of the people living in remote areas. We are very excited about this new partnership and have supplied 1,500 LHM audio Bibles. We are thankful for the hard work of our ministry center staff and volunteers who continue to share the Gospel with those who need to hear it, even during uncertain times. =

Annual Golf Tournament Raises Record Amount for Ministry by MEGAN MCDANIEL

s the sun came out on the beautiful fall morning of October 4, 2021, around 120 excited golfers prepared to hit the course for the 29th annual St. Louis Zone Golf Classic at Westborough Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri. Many of the golfers are faithful players each year, as well as some Concordia Seminary students that attend through sponsorship opportunities offered each year that allow them to play and stay for the program and dinner. After golf, golfers and guests gathered for a dinner banquet led by the guest of honor, Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour and Speaker Emeritus. A live auction and awards ceremony rounded out the evening. “This event is something we look “It was a great forward to every year,” says Melissa Bohlmann, associate director of shared opportunity to services for LHM. “It is exciting to see gather together how all the planning and preparation as brothers and that goes into the event comes together sisters in Christ to for a full day of fun and fellowship that raise support for ultimately furthers LHM’s mission. As the mission and 2022 marks our 30th anniversary of this event, we are looking forward to making ministry of LHM.” this the best year yet.” Over 29 years ago, the Lutheran Laymen’s League–STL Zone golf tournament committee members joined together and created the tournament out of the desire for an event to raise money locally to support the mission of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Each year, the golf tournament committee chooses a Lutheran Hour Ministries ministry or project to dedicate the proceeds to. This year, a record number of over $95,000, including a generous matching gift from The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), was raised to support LHM ministry projects. In the nearly 30 years that this tournament has been held, LHM has received around $850,000 that will continue our mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church. “It was a great opportunity to gather together as brothers and sisters in Christ to raise support for the mission and ministry of LHM,” says Jeff Craig-Meyer, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for LHM. “And, to have Dr. Dale Meyer provide uplifting remarks during the post golf dinner hour was a treat for everyone in attendance. Great day—great event!” Special thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, and participants who help make this event possible. = The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022 | 21

“Our (LBW) mission is to provide all people in the world who are blind or visually impaired with free access to the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

Sharing God’s Word with People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired by CHAD FIX

orking with individual Christians, congregations, and like-minded organizations are vital to expanding ministry. They allow Lutheran Hour Ministries to share the Gospel around the world with all who need to hear it by widening the networks through which we can share our programs and resources. One of these ongoing relationships is with Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW), an organization founded in 1943 in response to a shortage of Braille Bibles for people who were blind in Germany. What initially was thought to be a one-off request for the development of a single German Braille Bible has turned into the world’s largest non-profit producer of Braille, specialized large print, and audio Christian materials.

“… if people are asking for the Gospel, how can we ever say no?” When LBW founder Helene Loewe Koehler received a letter from someone who had benefitted from the initial German Braille Bible, she wrote in her journal, “I think about how much time and effort went into producing one Braille Bible. How in the world can we keep up with demand? But if people are asking for the Gospel, how can we ever say no?” Through the creation of a modern Braille press and the support of 22 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022

family and friends, local Ladies Aid Societies, and volunteers from various Lutheran churches, Koehler began expanding production of materials into other languages and titles. As production grew, demand also grew. Several years later, through the encouragement of The Lutheran Hour Speaker at the time, Rev. Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, Koehler expanded into large print production. LBW currently produces approximately 150,000 volumes a year through the dedication of 3,000 volunteers in 115 production centers throughout the United States. To date, LBW has shipped more than 15 million volumes and millions of other pamphlets, calendars, and other materials, in almost 40 languages, to 164 countries. Thanks to the generosity of their volunteers and donors, every single volume of material has been distributed free of charge—leading to millions of people being reached with the Gospel through their efforts. “Our mission is to provide all people in the world who are blind or visually impaired with free access to the Good News of Jesus Christ,” says LBW Vice President of Ministry Advancement Daniel Jenkins. “More than 253 million people today are blind or visually impaired, of which 241 million of them are unchurched. This makes our materials a great resource for individuals who are often disconnected from God’s Word.

Jenkins adds, “Our longstanding association with Lutheran Hour Ministries is extremely valuable since there is a close alignment between our organizations in wanting to share the Word of God with people in ways they can understand without it being a financial burden.” One of the popular LHM resources available through LBW are the weekly sermons from The Lutheran Hour. LBW began producing the sermons in Braille in 1951 and today produces and distributes almost 8,000 Braille sermons each month. One recipient from England wrote, “You have been supplying me with wonderful Braille materials for more than twenty years and I have used them to spread the story of God’s love. Now my wife has gone to be with Jesus, and I am eighty years old, but that’s not too old to work for the Lord. Moses started his work at eighty and Aaron at eighty-three, so I will keep working if you keep supplying. God bless you for making this possible.” In 1959, LBW expanded into large print production due to the substantial number of requests that LHM was receiving from elderly listeners who had poor vision but did not read Braille. These efforts continue today with more than 12,000 specialized large print sermons of The Lutheran Hour being produced and shipped each month in 18 point on glare-reducing paper.

The Lutheran Hour sermons transcribed to Braille or offered in large print are available by calling LBW or visiting their website. These are not only requested by individuals of all ages, but are often used by orphanages, schools, and churches around the world as Bible studies or worship services for people who are blind or visually impaired. “I know when I read Jesus’ name because I can feel His love travel up my arm and to my heart,” says Tim, a 13-year-old from India. “I was born blind and have never seen a person’s face, not even my own parents’ faces. But now I know, when I get to heaven, Jesus is the first face I will see,” says Lucy, a 14-year-old from Mexico. Other popular LHM resources offered by LBW are the library of Project Connect booklets in Braille, large print, and audio and The Journey Home Bible study lessons available in large print for prison inmates. LBW is also working with LHM to offer the seasonal devotions for Advent and Lent from the past five years. “We are grateful for this ongoing relationship with LHM and look forward to exploring additional opportunities for working together to share the Gospel with even more people who are blind or visually impaired,” says Jenkins. To learn more about Lutheran Braille Workers, visit lbwloveworks.org. =

“What better way, than with lights pointing to the ultimate Source of Christmas.”

Christmas Cheer and Christian Witness Light up Central Florida by PAUL SCHREIBER

fter more than a year of school. Spreading the Good News planning, St. John Lutheran was the church puppet team, the Church and School in Ocala, adult choir, St. John’s fourth/fifth Florida, presented “The Ocala grade choir, the adult and school Christmas Light Spectacular.” This handbells groups, and the praise team. month-long Christmas extravaganza In all, some 3,500 children visited was hosted at Ocala’s Florida Horse Santa; each one went home with a Park, in north-central Florida. treat courtesy of St. John and a copy of Pastor Jeff Shanks of St. John Lutheran Hour Ministries’ children’s Lutheran wanted his church to share booklet, The Christmas Journey. the joy of Christmas with others in Pastor Shanks, his wife Anette, and their community. “What better way,” other volunteers visited with dozens he said, “than with lights pointing to of people in the walk-through area, the ultimate Source of Christmas.” answering questions about St. John Dedicated men volunteered their and why the church was doing this. time and talents to build stages, “We were able to share who we were construct a Santa House, and set up and what it meant to us to ‘Welcome the walk-through area for visitors. everyone, as we follow Christ, grow Financial sponsors backed the in faith, and serve with love.’” project, and numerous volunteers, Shanks shared another story about mostly from St. John, handled a woman in her eighties who was in everything from taking tickets and hospice care and wanted to see Santa directing traffic to greeting visitors one last time. After speaking with some and cleaning up. volunteers, they gave her a copy of The More than 40,000 guests visited the Christmas Journey before she left. Spectacular with some 10,000 cars To give kids and parents at a local traveling the 1.8-mile drive-through, interfaith homeless and transitional with its 350-plus light displays. After shelter a chance to see the Christmas their car ride, visitors enjoyed an Spectacular, the local LLL group expansive walk-through area, which stepped in. Using St. John’s school included a train ride, jump houses, bus, they picked the residents up, live entertainment, cruised through “We were able to share the light show, and and an enormous manger scene with a who we were and what it brought them back 25-foot-high star over the church. There meant to us to ‘Welcome to the stable. they purchased some everyone, as we follow gifts for the children Glad tidings of great Christ, grow in faith, joy were provided and wished them a by both church and blessed Christmas. = and serve with love.’”

Show your kids how God works in the lives of people in another part of the world. This interactive experience brings Africa right to your home or classroom through videos filmed in Zambia and a full curriculum!

Sharing Jesus with Children and Parents in Guatemala

here is tremendous opportunity to share God’s love and reach out with the Gospel in Guatemala. LHM–Guatemala responds to the spiritual hunger across this Central American country through a variety of strategies, including its highly successful Project JOEL program that tackles tough topics for youth struggling with conflicting moral and social choices—from relationships to gangs to drugs— in an honest, relevant manner, rooted in God’s love for them. Through its official recognition by the Guatemalan’s government’s Ministry of Education, LHM is allowed to bring the Gospel message into public and private schools through Project JOEL events. While the pandemic has restricted the onsite presence of our ministry staff in schools, LHM–Guatemala has found new ways to reach out through digital means. As a result, more than 2,500 students have benefitted during this time through the Google classroom tool. The ministry center’s director and her team of a psychologist and digital design expert also created new topical digital materials for sharing, conducted seminars over Zoom, and led presentations on Facebook that reached audiences from children to the elderly, with specific themes for each presentation or resource.

An important part of LHM– Guatemala’s ministry to children and youth is including parents in the activities. One example was on the topic of suicide, which has increased rapidly among young people during the pandemic. According to the World Health Organization, 77 percent of suicides occur in lowand middle-income countries like Guatemala, where many people suffer in silence and are in great need of hearing the message of the Gospel that we share in Christ Jesus. A Facebook Live presentation, “Facing the Idea of Suicide,” was well attended by youth and parents and included lively interaction with the presenters. Participants also received a special booklet on the topic. Emilia was 13 years old when she participated in Project JOEL at her school several years ago.

Start Your Holy Week with a Special Virtual Event by CHAD FIX

he Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation hosted a virtual event last November for members of The Hoffmann Society to learn about “The State of the Global Economy.” The Hoffmann Society is a group of around 3,000 dedicated Christians who have a vision for future generations hearing the Gospel message and have provided for LHM beyond their lifetime through a planned gift to help accomplish this goal. Participants logged into Zoom for a one-hour presentation to hear a report from the leadership of The LHM Foundation as well as a market executive from its investment advisor, Central Trust Company. Attendees also heard how their gifts are being used through LHM’s robust global ministry efforts and learned about planned giving options and recent updates to tax and estate planning laws. Due to the success of the fall event, The LHM Foundation is hosting another virtual event this spring and inviting all LHM donors to attend. Join us on Monday, April 11 at 4 p.m. CST for a one-hour presentation that will include: • LHM President & CEO Kurt Buchholz sharing a short ministry update on how you being a valued part of the LHM family is sharing the Gospel with millions of people around the world; • LHM Chief Development Officer, Major and Planned Gifts Terry Biesboer offering details about how giving through endowment helps sustain your ministry impact into the future while allowing you the freedom to determine how your contributions are used; and • Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, providing hope and encouragement through a short devotional message. This event is free, but registration is required. Visit lhm.org/spring2022 and sign up today. All registrants will receive a link to access this live presentation via Zoom the day before the event. = 24 | The Lutheran Layman Winter 2022

by CHAD FIX

Last year she graduated from high school. During the pandemic she became depressed and found our online ad for the virtual seminar on suicide, which reconnected her to our ministry and to God and His love and mercy. An important part of LHM–Guatemala’s ministry to children and youth is including parents in the activities. LHM staff developed a series of six online workshops under the theme of “Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting.” In addition to the content presented by Christian educators and psychologists to strengthen parenting skills, the message of the Gospel permeated the entire program, showing how God wants parents to educate their children according to His Word, in discipline, care, and love. Christmas is always a special time for our ministry in Guatemala to touch people’s lives with the unique message of the love of God in Christ. Two television stations aired at no cost the LHM specials dubbed in Spanish, El Pastorcito (“The Little Shepherd”) and Botas Rojas Para Navidad (“Red Boots for Christmas”). These broadcasts provided a tremendous opportunity to reach millions with the message and meaning of Christmas, sharing Christ with Guatemalans and bringing them to the church by the power of the Holy Spirit. =

We Are Called to Be Providers You can provide the power of the Gospel around the world, and you can provide for your family at the same time. With a charitable gift annuity to LHM, a gift is made to our organization that can provide you with a secure source of fixed payments for life.

To learn more, contact LHM’s gift planning staff at 877-333-1963 or lhm-gift@lhm.org.

The Lutheran Layman - Winter 2022

Articles inside

Gifted for More

Honoring Larry Lumpe

Working with LBW