MWorking the System
by REV DR . MICHAEL ZEIGLER, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour ®
iss Jill was my fourth-grade teacher, which meant I had to learn her system. It was a point-keeping system designed to encourage good behavior and dissuade bad behavior. And since she was our model for good behavior, she participated in the system with us. But she was also the judge, and she didn’t hesitate to dock your points. I lost all mine one day. But that’s another story. Her system was a temporary tool designed to help us (sometimes unruly) kids get along. She used this system because she loved us, even when she was frustrated by us, because she saw us with the love of God. Miss Jill was a Christian. Because of Jesus, she believed that God loves the world and that He loves us as individuals in it. In her eyes, we were gifts from the God who created us—each with many gifts that could be cultivated and shared, gifts that would reflect God’s love for the world. That’s why Miss Jill used the system.
The Bible teaches that, because God loves us, He uses the temporary “systems” of the world for a similar purpose. In one place, the Bible refers to these systems as “the elementary principles of the world” (Galatians 4:3); or elsewhere, as the “work of the law” written on the human heart (Romans 2:15). Ultimately, God’s goal is not that we would be stuck under this system, but that we would fully be His children—mature children who don’t need a system, who model our behavior after God’s love. This goal is possible because God is not only our judge, the keeper of the system, but also a participant in it. God the Father sent His Son to become part of the system. Jesus was born
among us, was crucified for us, and raised to new life so that God’s love could shine on all people. Jesus became like us so that we could become like Him, so that God’s love could shine on others through us. God uses the systems of this world to move everyone along toward this goal.
As part of the Christian church, our mission is to form a community in Jesus where God’s love can shine through us to all people. In the Christian school I attended, Miss Jill taught us how: first, to know that God loves us, and second, to know that we are called to love people who live in systems. And to love them you must learn the system. It takes much wisdom, experience, and practice to do this well because every system is a little different. And all are flawed, yet also still grounded in those basic principles of the world—God’s Law etched onto every human heart.
Miss Jill taught us how: first, to know that God loves us, and second, to know that we are called to love people who live in systems.
Christians are called to raise up people who know that God loves them unconditionally, who aren’t slaves to any system, but know how to love people in those systems. That means you must know how to work the system, how to “do what is honorable in the sight of all” (Romans 12:17), and how not to lose all your points. But the points don’t tell you what you’re worth. Jesus does. One day he will return to raise us from the dead and make a new beginning. These temporary systems will be laid to rest. Like a fourth-grade classroom, we’re not supposed to stay in these systems forever. But for now, the only way to love others is to work in them. u
Adapted from a message for The Lutheran Hour aired November 3, 2024.
Antonio lives alone and suffers from kidney disease. One day, he heard an LHM–Nicaragua radio program and contacted the ministry to ask for a booklet on loneliness. As he listened to more broadcasts, he regularly requested materials to learn about the Word of God. Antonio now understands that God will not abandon him, even during difficult times, and appreciates LHM staff keeping him in their prayers.
us share Christ’s love with people like Antonio by visiting LHM.ORG/GIVE or sending a gift in the enclosed envelope.
Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones, Esta Es La Vida, Para el Camino, Thred, The Hoffmann Society,
Sharing the “Best Days” of Jesus’ Life Through the 2025 Rose Parade
by CHAD FIX
The annual New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, is an enduring American tradition that brings people worldwide together to celebrate the beauty of flowers and creativity through stunning float designs.
Volunteering for the parade’s float-decorating process through the Petal Pushers is a fantastic way to observe the magic of this event firsthand, make new friends, network, and share expressions of the faith that gives true meaning to this experience. This dedicated group of around 4,000 volunteers spends the week between Christmas and New Year’s each year attaching thousands of roses, carnations, lilies, mums, and other flowers and natural materials to create the majestic elegance of the Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) float and seven others.
“This has been a tremendous learning experience,” says Sandy Dowd of Cleveland, Ohio. “I had no idea the amount of detail that was involved in building and decorating just one float, let alone the dozens of floats in the entire parade.”
“The most memorable part has been the beehive effect where each person fulfilled his or her specific role in the process and contributed to the overall goal in a coordinated and efficient manner,” says Sandy’s husband, Paul.
“It was exciting to see the
transformation of the floats throughout the week, from the creativity of the artists who designed them to the variety of natural materials that were used to create them,” says Christy Varrato of Mahwah, New Jersey. “It was so rewarding to see how the floats progressed from beginning to end. I couldn’t wait to see the finished product.”
Some of the Petal Pushers decorated the LHM float, the only Christian-themed float in the parade. Building off the parade theme of “Best Day Ever,” the 2025 Lutheran Hour Ministries float entry was titled “Behold! Jesus the Savior is Born” and marked the 74th time the ministry has been part of the parade. The float featured two heralding angels calling viewers to the birth of Jesus and to the church where Jesus may be found.
The stained-glass windows of the church highlighted some of the “best days” of Jesus’ life.
“I felt blessed and grateful to be in Southern California serving as the
hands and feet of Jesus while working on this float that shared His message of hope with the world,” says Doug Riske of Athens, Wisconsin.
“I have been petal pushing for thirty years and always look forward to the worldwide witness of the LHM float,” says Joyce Kelly of Chula Vista, California.
“We spent a lot of time putting ground rice onto the angel for the LHM float,” says Ben Wehrspann of Jesup, Iowa, who was joined by his daughter Lydia and their German exchange student, Roxanne. “We are so glad this float can be a witness in the parade, although we felt added pressure when we found out we were working on the side of the float that would appear on television.”
The Wehrspanns were among the many volunteers whose participation in the float-decorating process was a family affair, even if their family “members” were not blood related. “I love coming here each year to volunteer and engage with my ‘weekly family’ of volunteers that I have met through
The 2025 LHM float entry “Behold! Jesus the Savior is Born” marked the 74th time the ministry has been part of the parade.
the years,” says Cymantha Makeley of Phoenix, Arizona. “My grandson and I camp out in the same spot the night before each year’s parade so we know we will have a great view. The week has become a treasured annual tradition for the two of us.”
“I have volunteered as a Petal Pusher since I was a student in high school,” says Phoenix resident Rachel Pekern. “I was so excited to have my thirteen- and sixteen-yearold daughters join me this year and get to experience what I also first did as a teenager.”
The LHM float is a self-funded project of the Southern California District of the Lutheran Laymen’s League and is not included in LHM’s operating budget. We are grateful for everyone involved in the district’s efforts, members of The Lutheran Hour Ministries Float Committee, the ongoing leadership of Dick and Lynn Gast, and the thousands of Petal Pushers volunteers.
“I was filled with pride and joy seeing all the hard work come to fruition, and knowing that we had a hand in it,” says Kirstin Stellfox of Lansing, Illinois. “This week has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to see the floats in person.” It's never too early to think about next year! There are tasks for anyone 13 or older to volunteer for one shift or the entire week. Learn more at petalpushers.org u
Chad Fix oversees the corporate communications of LHM.
CHANGING LIVES AROUND THE WORLD with the Gospel
by MEGAN MCDANIEL
Uganda
Namutebi is 22 years old and was raised by a single mother with her four siblings . When Namutebi and her siblings were old enough to start working, they all took jobs in their community to help the family make ends meet She grew up not going to church but always asked her mother who God was . Her mother told her to pray to God, but she did not know what that meant One day, she attended a film screening hosted by LHM–Uganda near where she lives She learned about God and His love for us Through the power of His Word, Namutebi became a Christian. She shared, “I have learned of Christ’s love, for He shed His blood for us; I have a broader knowledge, and this time, I am able to believe in Christ. Thank you for your ministry, and yes, it is true there are lots of people who grow up with no knowledge about Christ, so keep up the good work ”
Namutebi learned about God and His love for us .
Rabia is excited to continue learning more about Jesus .
Rabia had been to church in the past but wanted to ask deeper questions about Christianity. She reached out to LHM staff in Central and South Asia through WhatsApp to inquire about Jesus. After a lengthy conversation and several days of back-and-forth messages, Rabia began attending worship services at a local church She is staying in touch with the LHM staff and is excited to continue learning more about Jesus
Central & South Asia
Panama
For the past two years, Andrés has been part of a group of children who are responsible for puppet shows offered through LHM–Panama’s Project JOEL program at his school Andrés says, “I love reading to the group, and I bring the booklets home to share with my siblings . Each reading session becomes an exciting adventure through dramatization, singing, and explanation. This year, we have started visiting other classrooms with a group from my class to read to other children ” Because of dedicated volunteers like Andrés, Project JOEL has expanded across the school and effectively spreads messages of positivity and hope with students of all ages .
“I love reading to the group, and I bring the booklets
”
home to share with my siblings .
“I serve at a small church in my neighborhood, and I learned about the concert through a friend ”
LHM–South Korea hosted a concert where a local band performed a variety of familiar songs . Before each song, an LHM staff member explained the background and stories behind the song, so the audience would better understand the message . The audience enjoyed the calm, classical pieces and clapped along to the upbeat songs One of the attendees was Maeng, a 68-yearold woman . Maeng said, “I serve at a small church in my neighborhood, and I learned about the concert through a friend, so I came with my friends as an outing.” She added, “The concert was composed of easy and enjoyable pieces, so even if you are not very knowledgeable about music, you can appreciate it while directly communicating with the performers. I think it is a good thing that the church can do for the local community since it is a cultural event held at a small church and there is no pressure ” Her friend, Choi, added, “I am impressed that LHM is working with churches to provide opportunities for the general public to enjoy cultural activities like this.”
South Korea
Individuals around the world experience the Gospel through Lutheran Hour Ministries’ culturally relevant programs and resources nearly 235 million times each week. 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 .
Thailand
Adul is 61 years old and has always practiced a non-Christian religion . He struggled with alcoholism, but was confident that he could take care of himself . He learned about LHM–Thailand and enrolled in their Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) As he studied the Word of God, Adul realized that he can’t change himself on his own . He joined a Bible study group at the local church and started making changes in his life Through the power of God’s Word, Adul became a Christian. Adul said, “I am thankful to LHM–Thailand and the church for the booklets and BCC . I got a chance to study them and now I understand God’s love . I wanted to change my life, so I look to God to receive strength I look forward to being baptized soon.”
“I am thankful to LHM–Thailand and the church for the booklets and BCC . ”
Larnoy continues to regularly attend church on Sundays and was recently baptized.
Larnoy is 18 years old and previously attended a youth program hosted by LHM–Laos . During the youth activities, she heard the Gospel message for the first time. After hearing about Jesus, she talked with the staff and volunteers from the program and expressed her interest to learn more They answered her questions and encouraged her to attend worship services at a local church. After attending a few services, she was eager to read the Bible to dig deeper into God’s Word and joined a Bible study group at the church Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Larnoy became a Christian. She continues to regularly attend church on Sundays and was recently baptized.
Laos
Russia
When Kalashnikova started college years ago, she did not believe in God But her mother wrote Psalm 91 on a piece of paper when she went off to school, and over time, Kalashnikova memorized it She believes that God has helped her and her family over the years, and she recently enrolled in the Bible Correspondence Courses offered through LHM–Russia. She also has read through the ministry’s topical booklets and learned more about Christianity. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Kalashnikova became a Christian. She trusts in God and her relationship with Him is growing.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Kalashnikova became a Christian.
“Jesus changed my heart, and now I have hope . ”
Kimmis is 13 years old and recently watched a film showing in her village that was hosted by LHM–Kenya. After the film, her life was transformed as she found purpose, hope, and love through her newfound faith . “Jesus changed my heart, and now I have hope,” says Kimmis. An LHM–Kenya staff member witnessing her transformation remarked, “Her testimony embodies the impact of our ministry—bringing hope and purpose to lives through the love of Christ ” u
Megan McDaniel reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work around the world.
Kenya
The Voice You Can Trust Speaks to Inmate Desperation, New Hope in Christ
by PAUL SCHREIBER
“Most of the world has no clue. They have no idea what this place feels like. If you’ve never been in prison, you can’t understand the sinking feeling. … The free world thinks we all belong here, and they hope we stay here. … The longer we’re stuck in this place, the more we hear voices in our heads telling us to get used to those sinking feelings.”
So begins The Voice You Can Trust: Encouragement for the Incarcerated, a new Project Connect booklet written by Rev. Tim Carter. He is associate pastor and director of Life Care ministry at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Columbus, Indiana. Before that, he was involved in the execution of more than 150 inmates on the Texas State Penitentiary death squad.
The Voice You Can Trust speaks to the difficult, pressurized environment of prison life. Sadly, scores of inmates never come to trust in Jesus and remain stuck in the deadly pit the hellish voices in their heads have dug. “This booklet written for prisoners urges them to remember that God won’t leave them stuck in that pit. It encourages them to spend time with Him daily, diligently seeking Him in His Word, and following Him—as hard as that might be—day by day,” says Suzie Sallee, LHM’s community facilitator for congregations.
“This booklet is written in a style that aims to break through an inmate’s distrust of most people, including ‘church people,’” Carter says. “Satan uses life inside a prison to break down an inmate’s hope of a future and even their will to live. If we are ever going to lift up inmates that Satan has torn down, we need to dismantle the lies he has used to harden their hearts.
“My hope is that inmates will realize that coming to faith, believing in, and following Christ is the only pathway out of the predicament they have fallen into. I pray that the almost impenetrable shell around the hearts of most inmates will be penetrated by God’s Word, replacing desperation with hope, rejection with acceptance, darkness with light, and condemnation with redemption,” Carter says.
The Voice You Can Trust is a timely resource for the incarcerated. “We want everyone, including those who are imprisoned, to know that it is by God’s grace that we are saved in Jesus. It’s an important message for us all,” says Ashley Bayless, vice president of global content at LHM.
To order copies beginning in late February, go to lhm.org/projectconnect u
Paul Schreiber reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work in the United States.
Join Us Online March 26 for LHM’s Annual Meeting
by CHAD FIX
Lutheran Hour Ministries has been sharing the hope of Jesus for more than 100 years, positively impacting millions of lives every day. But now, more than ever, the world needs the Gospel.
Did you know there are more than three billion people worldwide who have not yet heard the saving message of Christ? Many of these people, especially those living in other countries, have had little or no opportunity to hear about the love of God in Jesus Christ. There is an urgent need to bring the hope of Jesus to those who don’t yet know Him.
LHM is responding to Christ’s call for reaching the world with the hope of the Gospel under three priorities: impacting people globally, through digital engagement, and right where they are. God is using your involvement in this life-changing ministry to accomplish amazing things. People around the world today experience the Gospel nearly 235 million times each week through LHM programs, resources, or services. While we thank the Lord for these tremendous blessings, we know our work is not done because He wants the Gospel message to be shared even further.
Mark your calendars to join us online Wednesday, March 26, at 11 a.m. Central Time for the Annual Meeting of the Members for the International Lutheran Laymen’s League/Lutheran Hour Ministries. This one-hour presentation will include
• CEO Kurt Buchholz sharing an overview of ministry highlights made possible through your generous support;
• CFO David Lanius providing an update of the organization’s finances for Fiscal Year 2024;
• Director of Hispanic Ministry Rev. Germán Novelli highlighting ways that LHM is reaching a rapidly growing audience of Hispanics in the United States with the Good News of the Gospel;
• LHM–Latvia Director Artis Purins detailing the culturally relevant ministry strategies used to connect people in his country with Christ’s love.
This virtual event is free, but registration is required. Sign up today at lhm.org/annualmeeting to hear how God uses your support of this ministry to transform lives. u
Now, more than ever, the world needs the Gospel!
HAddressing Life’s Challenges with Biblical Truth
by DR KURT SENSKE, Chairman, Int’l LLL Board of Directors
ave you ever noticed that a common theme emerges whenever you read about leadership, coaching, social change, or even human interaction? To connect and engage with others effectively, you must meet people where they are. Meeting people where they are means understanding and respecting their current situation, perspectives, and experiences and then communicating in a way that is natural to them.
This approach highlights why Lutheran Hour Ministries’ unique ministry model is so successful. For decades, LHM has shared Christ’s love with the world by identifying and equipping local laypeople to develop ministry programs contextual to the culture and language in which they serve. Since staff members understand the local needs, LHM can create customized programming and resources on its own or work through partner organizations to address the particular issues that people are facing. This allows staff to establish personal relationships that open doors for shining the light of Christ into even the darkest places on the globe.
I am extremely excited to see how a new multilanguage project in partnership with SAT-7 will positively impact lives across the Middle East
and North Africa region. Reconnecting the MENA to Hope offers unique programming on all three of SAT-7’s channels for adults to focus on the audience’s felt needs in different contexts and help these individuals find hope in Christ. Using topical content from LHM’s Project Connect booklets as a framework, each channel has created a brand-new program to introduce people to the Gospel by addressing the challenges of daily life with biblical truth. Each channel’s program is tailored to the unique language, culture, and felt needs of its audience, and points viewers to additional resources to help them further explore the topics covered.
• Airing on SAT-7 ARABIC, Heartbeat presents the rationality and relevance of the Christian worldview during turbulent times. The program features discussions and insights about how faith applies to everyday moral, ethical, and personal dilemmas. Presented by a local pastor in a video podcast setting, Heartbeat also links to a downloadable audiobook that refers to additional teaching from the booklets.
• SAT-7 TÜRK’s new series, Let’s Talk About This, discusses common challenges faced by people
Bring the Gospel message to life with Easter resources from LHM!
Our products are free, easy, and digital so that you can use them in your home, on-the-go, or wherever you may be this Lenten season.
in Türkiye. Offering a biblical perspective on relevant issues, such as depression, suicide, emotional abuse, and dementia, the show introduces viewers to a God who is present in their daily lives. Twelve different Project Connect booklets have been translated into Turkish as downloadable resources to allow viewers to dig deeper into the series’ various themes.
• GPS airs on SAT-7 PARS to confront critical life and faith topics that help viewers in oppressive contexts navigate personal and regional challenges. Episode topics include, “Why Do Bad Things Happen?”, “Parenting with Purpose,” and “Journey Through Anxiety.” QR codes are incorporated into each episode to direct viewers to additional downloadable resources that have been adapted from LHM’s booklets. Expanding the impact of our ministry efforts through critical partnerships like this one with SAT-7 would not be possible without your ongoing generous support. Thank you for being a vital part of the LHM family. May God continue to richly bless LHM as we serve as His hands and His feet in our communities and around the world. u
How YOU Can Join LHM’s Mission
by MEGAN MCDANIEL
Congregation name:
Congregation size:
St. John Lutheran Church
Location:
Seward, Nebraska
2,786 baptized members
Contact person: LHM Ambassador Ryan Foor
How does your congregation support LHM?
St. John hosts an annual Lutheran Hour Ministries weekend in February, which includes a dedicated envelope offering to support LHM. St. John also has a strong Project Connect ministry with regular church-year-themed narthex displays highlighting LHM resources. We also have a display at the Seward County Fair in August that shares Project Connect resources for children and adults in our larger community.
What was the motivation behind supporting LHM?
St. John has long supported LHM, and many of the members recognize the far-reaching efforts of their donations to LHM. Members see the impact that only $5 can have on sharing the Gospel within our community and beyond. Our pastors use relevant Project Connect booklets as they provide pastoral care throughout the year.
What has been your members’ feedback? What do your members like about LHM?
Some of the resources that have caught the attention of our members are the children’s Project Connect booklets. In fact, we had a generous member donate $500 to ensure that all families in our day school would receive five different booklets. This member’s donation also provided a copy of “30 Days of Household Devotions” to each day school family. At the Reformation Sunday narthex display, nearly 50 copies of “The Bible in a Year” were shared with members and visitors along with “What Lutherans Believe” and “A Treasure Revealed: Martin Luther and the Events of the Reformation.” Each Christmas and Easter, we share copies of “The Christmas Journey” and “The Easter Story” for children. At Christmas, we make available “What Is Christmas?” Two of the most popular resources throughout the year are the “Prayer Outreach Cards” and “LHM Daily Devotions Bookmarks.” The new LHM stickers have also been popular. We share them with adults and children to display on their computers, water bottles, or anywhere they would like to promote LHM! Food draws people to our narthex displays! Sharing a cookie or piece of chocolate is a great way to draw people into the display and send them along with an LHM resource.
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 .
Any Season’s Perfect for Being a Good Neighbor
by PAUL SCHREIBER
We may think of being neighborly as mostly a warm-weather activity. But there are plenty of helpful things we can do when winter’s chill sets in. Drawing inspiration from Don Everts’ book, The Hopeful Neighborhood: What Happens When Christians Pursue the Common Good, we can connect with those who live nearby to create a more hopeful neighborhood.
While personal issues may keep us inwardly focused, we shouldn’t let that dampen our enthusiasm toward those who live closest to us. Everts reminds us that “While it is true that Christians throughout history have pursued the common good … Our current reputation would suggest that somewhere along the line we Christians have forgotten that we are created and called to pursue the common good.”
“We feel hopeful in our neighborhood and you can, too, no matter what type of neighborhood you live in.”
It’s about being there for others. Case in point: “We moved to our neighborhood seven years ago, and despite a multi-year pandemic, we build more connections by just being available. We haven’t done anything big or elaborate—just said yes to invitations, spent time outside, committed to remembering our neighbors’ names, and looked for opportunities to build on common connections. And now I would say our neighborhood feels like home. Our neighbors are the people we call when
we need anything. We feel hopeful in our neighborhood and you can, too, no matter what type of neighborhood you live in,” says Jennifer Prophete, director of The Hopeful Neighborhood Project from LHM. Simple gestures like inviting neighbors over to watch a sporting event can build rapport quickly. You may have found some friendly competition among neighbors who cheer on their favorite sports teams. Perhaps they don’t have the cable or streaming option of watching particular games. Giving them the chance to see their team in action in the Super Bowl or March Madness is a big deal to sports fans and a treat they’ll remember. For those outdoor-minded folks, cold weather fun like sledding, ice skating, or hockey can be topped off with an evening of getting warm by a fire pit, enjoying some mulled cider and good conversation.
No matter what time of the year it is, The Hopeful Neighborhood Project (HNP) is ready with ideas to assist you where you live. To learn more, go to hopefulneighborhood.org and request a FREE Starter Kit. It includes an “I Love My Neighborhood” journal, access to HNP’s inspiring online courses, an email subscription with hopeful tips, and free coaching/conversation from a helpful neighborhood facilitator. u
Photo from St. John
The Gift of Life NURTURING YOUR FAITH:
Life to the Full SESSION ONE
INTRODUCTION
It was 9:03 p.m. Eastern Time, on a clear-skyed Monday night, April 8, 1974. Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. A baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. Bottom of the fourth inning. Dodgers pitcher Al Downing on the mound. The windup, the pitch. And with one signature swing, Henry Aaron hammers the baseball over the left-field wall. The crowd goes crazy, because he has just broken the record that no one thought would ever be broken. He has just hit his 715th home run, one more than Babe Ruth.
Seven weeks later, on a bright Sunday morning at St. John’s Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, I was born. I mention it because anytime I’m at a birthday party and people start talking about what happened the year they were born, the television footage of Hank Aaron rounding the bases rolls through my mind.
We often measure our lives by the events that take place while we’re alive, whether
world-famous events or the red-letter days of our own personal lives. This is a chronological way of marking life—clocks and calendars—the quantity of our life.
But that’s only one way to measure our lives and how well we are living them. There is another, deeper measure of our lives: our “quality of life.” While we spend much of our life measuring it by clocks and calendars, the quality time we spend in life is often the true measure of how well we live our lives. It can’t be measured in numbers. It’s measured in moments that make memories, and the stories we tell around the kitchen table. It often comes through cherished relationships, or prized accomplishments, or experiences that light up our lives with meaning, even learning a hobby that gives us joy.
In other words, there is life … and then there’s LIFE. The quantity of our lives is a given. But the quality of our lives is a gift.
1. What was one thing that happened the year you were born? How do you think it has shaped your life?
2. What relationships or events in your life have given it the most meaning?
LIFE TO THE FULLEST
(Read John 9:1-41.)
The quantity of our lives is a given, but the quality of our lives is a gift. This naturally leads to a question: Where does this gift come from, and how do we receive it? What Jesus says out loud in the middle of a long, drawn-out event that takes up two whole chapters (John 9-10) almost seems to come out of nowhere: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b).
Some translations use the phrase “to the full” rather than “abundantly.” Either way, it provides the short answer to our question: Jesus came to give us this abundant life as a gift. We receive it by simply following Him in faith.
If only it were that simple for us to experience it, too. The trouble comes in the fact that this quality of life can be elusive. Relationships get broken. Experiences don’t meet our expectations. We short-circuit things with bad choices. In other words, sin happens, and this forces us to dig deeper.
In John 9, Jesus encounters a man who is blind from birth. Jesus spits on the ground,
makes mud, and rubs the salve on the man’s eyes. Jesus then tells him to wash his eyes in the pool of Siloam. When he does, he opens his eyes, and he sees for the very first time. This sets off a chain of controversies involving the man, the Pharisees, the man’s parents, the disciples, and Jesus. The events culminate in a final encounter between Jesus and the man, who now sees Jesus face-toface. And things come full circle in the man’s simple profession of faith: “Lord, I believe” (John 9:38b). Just as God formed humankind from the dust of the earth, breathing the first human being into life (see Genesis 2:7), so Jesus forms a new creation out of this man born blind from that same earth mixed with the water of His own breath.
We are never given the man’s name. Which means that, in some sense, the man born blind stands in for all of us. We are often blind to the very life of God before us, and yet, Jesus enters into our darkness with the soft sound of His voice and the tender touch of His hand. Washed in the pool of our own Baptism, our eyes are opened to see things as they truly are and to see Him as He truly is. Just like the man born blind, we are raised to new life, a new creation in Christ.
The context of John 9 thus illuminates at least three things
about this full, abundant life of John 10:10:
1. God is the Source of all life, from the beginning of time to its end, and in every day in between.
2. We find the most vivid life a human being could ever live in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Perhaps even more amazing, He gives that life to us, a free gift through faith.
3. The life Jesus gives is everlasting in every sense of the word. The word He uses here for “abundantly” or “to the full” actually has no “fullest.” The word literally means extra-ordinary, overflowing, gratuitous, even unnecessary … above and beyond any measure, quantity, or expectation.
Which means this life has no end. There is always more where it came from. And we don’t have to wait for it. It comes to us in the here and now, in the living relationship Jesus invites us into, the present moment in the chronology that is our life. We receive it in the simple words we can say in good times and in bad, in every day we open our eyes from the darkness of sleep to draw a new breath: “Lord, I believe.”
1. When have you felt life “to the full” or “abundantly”?
2. Where do you go, or what do you do, when you feel your soul running on empty?
Watch the video by Dr. Travis Scholl: Session 1 - “How Is This Life Lived?” at lhm.org/studies
DON’T JUST SIT THERE …
[Jesus said] “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b).
There is one final aspect to Jesus’ promise of life that we haven’t touched on yet. The gift of abundant, to-the-full life that Jesus wants to give us never happens in isolation. This isn’t a “me-and-Jesus” kind of life. This life happens in community.
When we think about those times in our lives when we experience life to its fullest, isn’t it almost always the case that there are other people around us that make our lives feel so full? And this has been true from the beginning. “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18b). If our eyes are open enough to see the light, we can see this “quality of life” happening all around us, in our fellow human beings and in the life of the world in all its forms. This is life where the total is greater than the sum of the parts, and sometimes it goes beyond words to even try to describe it.
So then, what actions can we take to experience this life? Well, unfortunately, even Martin Seligman’s PERMA doesn’t come with a three-step plan to achieve it. Sometimes, the only thing we can do is to stop in the middle of our dizzyingly hectic lives long enough to open our eyes to what is happening right in front of our nose. Sometimes, it’s as simple as taking two steps back from the situation we are in to observe how God is at work. Sometimes, all it takes is to reach out to a friend or neighbor to share in the joys or sorrows of life. When I was growing up, my parents had a big throw pillow that sat in a lounge chair in our family room. What made it unique was that it played with the old cliché, “Don’t just sit there, do something!” The pillow was bright red, and in bold white letters, all caps, it said: DON’T JUST DO SOMETHING … SIT HERE!
Sometimes, that’s all we need to experience God’s gift of life. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a).
1. Looking over your schedule for next week, when might you anticipate that God might open your eyes to His presence?
2. Looking over your schedule from last week, when did God open your eyes to His presence in a way you could have never anticipated?
Heavenly Father, lead us by Your Holy Spirit into the abundant life You would have us live in Jesus. In His Name we pray. Amen.
Connecting the World THROUGH CHRIST
by CHAD FIX
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We live in a world where you get what you pay for. Lucky for us, our God is not a “you get what you pay for” god. Our God is the “you get what I paid for” God. We sure didn’t earn the Gospel and all it entails by luck or fate. It is simply a gift: a gift for us, not because we deserved it, but freely given because the Giver wanted to provide it for His own reasons.
As we enter a new year of ministry, opportunities, and challenges, I pause to reflect on what God is doing for Lutheran Hour Ministries through His gifts. One important way God has blessed us is through the gift of partners in the harvest fields. Around 365,000 individuals like you are currently connected to LHM through our resources or the sharing of your time, talent, or treasure in support of the organizational mission. In addition, nearly 300 passionate, dedicated, and talented staff members joyfully share the hope of the Gospel daily. This unwavering commitment is one reason LHM was recognized in the Top Workplaces 2024 awards as published this past summer by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. As the nation’s leading employer recognition program, Top Workplaces celebrates organizations for their people-first commitment to workplace excellence. It is extremely rewarding to have a respected independent agency recognize the quality of workplace that our team has worked so hard to build. Most important, we genuinely like working on God’s mission together!
God has maximized each of our individual gifts during the past year to allow people around the world to experience the Gospel through LHM programs, services, or materials nearly 235 million times each week. While this growing Gospel impact is a tremendous blessing, we know that God wants us to reach much further so the billions of people who woke up this morning in spiritual darkness can experience His transformative love. This is why He has provided us with the resources to expand ministry to Peru, Nepal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kyrgyzstan; embark on a bold plan for a multidivisional global mission rooted in localized regional leadership; and make additional ministry investments here in the United States.
As you explore this year’s ministry impact report, I hope you are inspired to see how your involvement is bringing the hope of the Gospel into people’s lives. Thank you for being a vital part of the LHM family!
Your Partner in HIS Mission,
Kurt Buchholz CEO, Lutheran Hour Ministries
A Year in Review
How LHM’s Gospel Impact Grew in 2024
Following are some ways in which LHM was abundantly blessed by God during the last year thanks to your generous support. To see a copy of our full annual ministry impact report, visit lhm.org/report.
Impacting People
GLOBALLY
Impacting People THROUGH DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
HM’s International Internship Program is expanding global ministry more exponentially by uplifting the next generation of Christian leaders to do ministry in their local context, in their native language, in a specific way. Our first four teams in Peru, Nepal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kyrgyzstan completed training and began ministry in their home countries. Each of these ministry expansion teams consists of three local people—an intern focusing on children and youth ministry, another on digital outreach through social media, and one on multimedia content creation. These areas of outreach reflect the core of LHM’s work around the world.
LHM’s partnership with the SAT-7 satellite network continued with a fifth season of Arabic-language programming. Catalyst engages young adults from more than 20 countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa by fostering dialogue between four co-hosts and small, informal groups of young adults about topical issues relevant to the people living there. Largely unscripted, these discussions serve as a “catalyst” to encourage the audience to interact with trained evangelists who are staffing social media pages and response centers to answer questions and share more information about Christ’s love. Airing five times a week for 26 weeks, Catalyst ranks among the top three most popular Arabic programs.
LHM–Cameroon celebrated the milestone of its tenth graduating class of participants from their successful Divine Sewing School. This holistic program transforms young women’s skills—and lives—by training students on proven, marketable skills. The young women learn how to dye cloth, create
and cut clothing patterns, sew, and custom tailor their creations to financially support themselves upon graduating from the program. The relationships established during this long-term course help LHM staff and volunteers share their faith as trusted friends to these young women.
LL G
LHM–Uruguay reaches around 1,000 people each day through its longstanding “Messages of Hope” program. Using materials from CPH’s Portals of Prayer, the program offers a Bible reading and invites recipients to reflect and meditate on those words, ending with a prayer related to the biblical message for the day. Fulfilling the staff’s desire to introduce innovative strategies each year for providing this uplifting content, LHM–Uruguay started presenting the material in video format. This upgrade provides a more dynamic experience for daily WhatsApp messages and encourages ongoing interactions with new audience members.
When the summer monsoon season limited outdoor youth sports outreach camps, staff for LHM–India engaged young people through an online singing competition. Children across the country shared their talents by singing a Christian song and uploading it for the competition that took place over a four-week period. The competition became so popular that it was expanded to include individuals of all ages who were divided into five categories totaling 175 entries.
ospel Adventures™: Awesome Australia took around 35,000 grade school- through middle school-aged children on this year’s interactive virtual learning experience. Through five days of free curriculum in two age-appropriate formats, kids learned about the foods, animals, people, and places of Australia while being introduced to kids just like them who carry their faith through dayto-day life. In addition to the successful classroom program, a second season of the Gospel Adventures Show provides fun, engaging, and meaningful audio content focused on a Gospel theme and Bible verse for parents and their young children. Each episode is available online, as a podcast, and on more than 55 radio stations across the United States. The 92nd broadcast season of The Lutheran Hour® launched in September and included a new introduction and updated arrangements of “A Mighty Fortress” and “Lift High the Cross” The Lutheran Hour continues to proclaim the Gospel on more than 1,700 traditional radio outlets throughout North America in addition to being available online, as a podcast, and on platforms such as iHeartRadio, Spotify, and Sirius XM satellite radio. In August, the program celebrated 1,000 broadcasts on the American Forces Network for service members and women on U.S. bases and ships around the world. Special radio dramas for Easter and Christmas were also available online and offered to radio stations for airing during the Lent and Advent seasons.
A new “Connected by LHM” app allows individuals to get many of LHM’s resources in one place on their Android devices or iPhones. In addition to being able to read and listen to LHM’s Daily Devotions, users can also read and listen to The Lutheran Hour sermons, view Bible resources, and link to LHM’s topical booklets, Bible studies, and more.
Vivenciar.net continues to be an instrumental platform for reaching Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking individuals worldwide. More people than ever are searching online for guidance on topics like stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, and other relevant issues. Vivenciar invites visitors to download topical e-books, watch videos, and talk to LHM’s team of 50-plus volunteers from throughout the Latin America and Caribbean region. In the last year, around 255,000 people have accessed the platform and more than 5,000 started a conversation with volunteers for biblically based support and guidance.
Our “by Hispanics, for Hispanics” approach to crafting content continues to resonate with a growing digitalfirst Hispanic audience that is hungry for Christ-centered resources. On Facebook, Para el Camino has surpassed 75,000 followers and Sentido Latino is approaching 60,000; within a single month, the number of Para el Camino sermon plays quadrupled; and a single Para el Camino post quoting Isaiah 48.17 resulted in more than one million impressions, 15,000 likes, 2,000 shares, and 1,000 comments.
Impacting People RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE
High school students who want to share their faith with friends have a new resource: Spiritual Conversations: Sharing Life, Faith, and Jesus with Friends This curriculum was developed from LHM’s partnership with Barna Group and ties into research gathered around Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age. Through seven lessons, students learn practical and useful ways to talk to friends about life and faith by interacting with one another, evaluating other high schoolers who role play conversations, and putting these tools into practice together. The key to helping friends on their spiritual journeys is to listen well, so that they can recognize where they are on their journeys and respond graciously. Schools, Sunday school classes, small groups, and youth groups are all benefiting from this easy-toimplement—and fun—resource.
The latest Nurturing Your Faith Bible study wrapped up its fivesession series in the fall issue of LHM’s corporate publication, The Lutheran Layman Patient Urgency was written and hosted by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, and provided participants a closer look at the Gospel of Mark. It speaks to being patient and attentive in our witness to others while understanding there is an urgency to the message we share about Jesus.
Called to Serve: Utilizing Your Gifts as Veterans was developed from LHM’s Gifted for More research conducted in
MINISTRY BY THE NUMBERS
Numbers as of the end of Fiscal Year 2024 (May 31, 2024)
partnership with Barna Group, along with a specially commissioned study of veterans’ gifts. This research focused on the gifting of veterans and how they see their gifts being used— and useful—in life beyond the military. These important insights, combined with biblical teaching on how God has created each of us as a gift with gifts to share, serve to invite veterans into a community with others to utilize their unique gifts within their family, church, and community. As a small group Bible study, Called to Serve is intended to be hosted by a church with veterans in their congregations and community. The videos are supported by a leader guide that provides discussion questions and activities.
Reach
The number of times people around the world experience the Gospel through LHM programs, services, or materials each week.
Nearly 235 million
Referrals
Responses
The number of times people intentionally provided contact information last year for follow up in response to LHM’s culturally relevant outreach efforts.
1,950,948
The Hopeful Neighborhood Project (HNP) from LHM was part of the first-ever faith track at the 2024 Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Conference, a secular event which has been held for almost 50 years. HNP staff helped facilitate three different faith workshops with trusted partners to help attendees connect work and faith. HNP also continues to partner with the University of Missouri County Extension’s Engaged Neighbor Program in support of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. In addition to asking for nominations for Missouri’s most engaged neighbor and gathering reports on Acts of Neighboring throughout the week, the program added recognition this year to honor Missouri’s most neighborly cities.
The number of times LHM referred people to local churches and Christian communities last year for spiritual growth and nurturing.
266,268
Equipping
The number of times individuals completed an LHM ministry activity last year that equipped them to share their faith more effectively.
418,961
Engaged Constituents
The number of individuals who are actively connected to LHM through its resources or the sharing of their time, talent, or treasure in support of the organizational mission.
364,994
International Lutheran Laymen’s League and Subsidiaries
Consolidating Statement of Activities (in thousands)
Year ended May 31, 2024, with comparative totals for 2023
LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES BOARD
OF DIRECTORS (As of January 1, 2025)
Officers
Kurt Senske Chair Austin, Texas
Kristi Matus Vice Chair Lakewood Ranch, Florida
Directors
Karl Abraham Lochaber-Ouest, Quebec, Canada
Linda Arnold Oswego, Illinois
Melanie Braun Tempe, Arizona
Ryan Bredow Gilbert, Arizona
Jim Dankenbring St. Louis, Missouri
Mark Duesenberg Rocky River, Ohio
Donald Scifres Secretary Greenwood, Indiana
Eric Brown Treasurer Adel, Iowa
Kirk Farney Hinsdale, Illinois
Vincent W. James Boston, Massachusetts
Virginia Miller Rochester, Minnesota
Rev. Tom Pfotenhauer Pastoral Advisor Woodbury, Minnesota
Gordon D. Tresch Williamsville, New York
THE LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
FOUNDATION (As of January 1, 2025)
Officers
Mercedes Hendricks Chair Laguna Hills, California
Jeffrey Craig-Meyer President St. Louis, Missouri
Please continue to remember us in your prayers as we work to discern and follow the Lord’s guidance for LHM.
David Leege Vice Chair Alexandria, Virginia
Trustees
Matthew Brickler Warson Woods, Missouri
Kurt Buchholz LHM CEO Grant, Minnesota
Phil Daniels Tampa, Florida
Thomas Dankenbring Kirkwood, Missouri
Sue Elsholz Birmingham, Michigan
Cory Hillmann St. Louis, Missouri
Scott Homan St. Louis, Missouri
David Lanius Treasurer St. Louis, Missouri
Heidi Hove Stillwater, Minnesota
Vincent W. James Board of Directors Rep. Boston, Massachusetts
Jack Kidwell Bay City, Michigan
Aaron Pawlitz St. Louis, Missouri
Lloyd Probasco Grand Island, Nebraska
Kurt Senske Int’l LLL Board Chair Austin, Texas
Lenten Devotions Point to Christ as Our Servant-Savior
by PAUL SCHREIBER
Christ as Servant and Savior is the theme for LHM’s 2025 Lenten devotions in English and Spanish. In English, Dr. Kari Vo has penned Servant of the Lord. In Spanish, El Siervo sufriente (“The Suffering Servant”), was written by Rev. Dr. Leopold Sánchez, Christian Morales, Deaconess Perla Rodríguez, Abigail Ramírez, and Rev. Dr. Héctor Hoppe. Both devotions speak to Jesus’ ministry in terms of His service to mankind and the salvation He offers everyone.
Suffering was never far from Jesus, so He gets it when our lives are difficult. In El Siervo sufriente, we are reminded that “Jesus understands what it is
to be desolate in times of need, so when we suffer that kind of challenge, we can trust that Jesus understands our pain, and we have the assurance that our God will never forsake us.”
Nancy Kellerhals, administrator for LHM’s U.S. Hispanic ministries, says, “When you feel like life is running you over, or when the struggles are wearing you down, we find comfort remembering that we have a Savior, Jesus Christ! Just as Easter Sunday showed that not even death could hold Him back, so we are also certain that because Jesus won, we too will win.”
In Servant of the Lord, we are reminded how Jesus drew people unto Himself. “During the next
IThe Transformative Impact of a Message
by CHAD FIX
n a world where daily noise often drowns out spiritual calm, a simple message can serve as a source of hope. LHM–Chile uses the WhatsApp platform to deliver hope through some 8,800 Bible verses provided to nearly 400 subscribers over the past two years. These messages not only share God’s Word but unite recipients in prayer by supporting personal and congregational petitions. Through every word sent, and every prayer offered, LHM–Chile is planting seeds of faith, hope, and love in the hearts of individuals seeking comfort and guidance.
Renné reached out requesting prayers for finding a job. Weeks later, he shared his gratitude: “I finally got the job, and along with it came peace, tranquility, and prosperity. God strengthens us in the waiting … but the reward soon comes. Thank you for your prayers.”
Jael responded in a moment of need: “You don’t know how much I needed a positive word today. Thank you for taking the time to deliver a message from the Bible just when I needed it most and for including me in your prayers.”
Nélida expressed joy for the spiritual connection: “My heart rejoices in receiving your messages and knowing that you pray for me and my family. May God the Father bless your lives and ministry. Peace from our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
More than simply a messaging program, LHM–Chile has found this program to be a mission that unites souls, strengthens spirits, and reminds us that God’s Word never returns void. u
three years, Simon and his fellow disciples will find out [who Jesus is]. Because Jesus has come into the world to go fishing—not for fish, but for people. He wants to catch them all. And so Jesus is calling Simon, and Andrew, and us too—to learn from Him how to share our faith, so that we can bring more and more people into Jesus’ nets.”
“Jesus loves to teach us everything about life in the Kingdom, and part of that is sharing the Gospel,” says Chris Macky, LHM’s content development manager and the Lenten devotion reader. “Jesus invites me, just as He invited His disciples, to follow Him and learn from Him. He calls
all of us to catch people, and it is a privilege to do so with His help.” Lenten devotions begin Ash Wednesday, March 5, and conclude on Easter Monday, April 21. You can find them at lhm.org/lent and paraelcamino.com/cuaresma. The Tears of Hope radio drama, which is adapted from a This is the Life television episode, will once again be available online this year at lutheranhour.org. u
What if it’s ENOUGH to just be who God made you to be? Instead of striving for your “best” self … just be yourself. “The Search for Self” is a digital download from Thred designed to nurture your faith and help you understand your purpose.
REGISTER FOR OUR ANNUAL ELECTION! It’s time!
The 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 2025 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 .
INTERNATIONAL LUTHERAN LAYMEN’S LEAGUE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025 Candidates for the
Board Nominees
(listed in alphabetical order; vote for four)
Kirk Farney of Hinsdale, Illinois
Farney is vice president for advancement, vocation, and alumni engagement at Wheaton College, where he is also on the History Department faculty He previously was an international banking executive for 26 years. An LHM board member, Farney serves on the investment committee for Thrivent Charitable and Impact Investing and was on boards for Thrivent Financial, Wheat Ridge Ministries, and Concordia University Chicago He earned 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 . His published works include Ministers of a New Medium: Broadcasting Theology in the Radio Ministries of Fulton J. Sheen and Walter A. Maier.
Michael Fiffik of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Fiffik is managing member of Fiffik Law Group, P.C., and concentrates his practice in small business, elder law, and estate planning . Born in Germany, his many distinctions include the 2011-2025 lists of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (business, corporate, and real estate law) He has numerous appearances in national media including U.S. News & World Report, CNN, and Yahoo! Finance. Fiffik chairs the Board of Elders at Ascension Lutheran Church A regular Bible-study leader at Ascension, he has used many LHM resources. He is on the board for Hope Grows, a nonprofit supporting caregivers, and recently completed board service for the Ohio Valley Thrivent Financial Member Network, Concordia Lutheran Ministries, and Concordia Foundation.
Heidi Hove of Stillwater, Minnesota
Adopted from South Korea, Hove is a trustee for The Lutheran Hour Ministries Foundation and cochair of LHM’s CONNECT national cabinet with her husband, Dave She serves on the advisory board at Trinity First Lutheran School, is secretary for the school council at Concordia Academy, and volunteers for Open Cupboard Food Shelf and New Life Family Services Hove previously was a realtor, marketing manager for Wilson Learning Corporation, and volunteer/child sponsorship coordinator for Journey 28:19. A member of Woodbury Lutheran Church, she served on the church council and was a short-term missions team coordinator She holds bachelor’s degrees in business/marketing and economics from St. Catherine University in St Paul, Minnesota
Donald Scifres of Greenwood, Indiana
Scifres is president of mergers, acquisitions, investments & strategy at KLaunch He is also co-founder, general partner, and board member at VisionTech Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm. His extensive board service includes LHM, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Bloomerang, and the Indiana District of the LCMS A founding member of Indiana University’s School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering Dean’s Council, Scifres has served many school boards, including Lutheran High School of Indianapolis He holds a bachelor’s degree in technology from Purdue University, has served on the Purdue Polytechnic Institute's Dean's Executive Council since 2012, and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. He and his wife, Jill, co-chair LHM’s CONNECT national cabinet.
Kurt Senske of Austin, Texas
Senske is founder/principal of a consulting firm serving mission-oriented organizations. He 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 Currently chair of LHM’s board, he previously chaired boards 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.
Many Thai schools are open to programs and activities from outside groups that help introduce their students to Western culture. The ministry team at LHM–Thailand takes full advantage of this openness and regularly visits schools to present English-language programs or educate children about selected Western holidays. During the month of December, the LHM staff visited 13 schools to share a message about Christmas that many children and teachers might never have heard before.
The two-hour program included songs, games, fun activities, and the animated video Little Shepherd to explain the true meaning of Christmas to nearly 3,800 students. After the students watched the video, a few of them dressed in costumes matching characters in the video to further bring the story to life in those schools on that day. Staff members also asked questions about the video to ensure that the students understood the story and its meaning.
Each student received a gift that opened into a cross with a heart to help the children understand that Jesus is the true present that we celebrate at Christmas. In addition, the gift sets contained a pencil case,
by CHAD FIX
Sharing the True Meaning of Christmas in Thailand
candy, a cookie, and the LHM booklet Do You Know Who Jesus Is? for the younger children; and a pencil case, pen, notebook, and the Christmas of Hope booklet for the older students.
In addition to the Christmas School Outreach program, LHM–Thailand hosted several other events during the Christmas season. On December 21, staff members led the singing and fun activities at a Christmas party hosted by a Lutheran church in Bangkok for nearly 100 people from the community. The pastor gave a short message about why Christians celebrate Christmas followed by activities that allowed church members and the LHM team to interact with attendees and share with them the good news about Jesus. On December 25, LHM–Thailand organized a booth along the street in front of their ministry center. They talked with people passing by early in the morning on their way to work and during their lunch time. Each person who stopped at the booth received a gift set containing a small bag of goodies and the Jesus Never Fails and Christmas of Hope booklets. The LHM–Thailand team thanks God that they could share the Gospel message with around 300 people and receive their contact information for additional follow up. u
Ensuring Gospel-Based Ministry for Years to Come
by MEGAN MCDANIEL
Supporting Lutheran Hour Ministries has always been a part of Bob Schrock’s life. His dad was an active member in the local Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL) zone for many years, and listening to The Lutheran Hour® was a part of his family’s weekly routine. Bob, now at age 90, fondly remembers listening to Dr. Walter A. Maier on the radio when he was a child.
Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1954 through 1957. He was stationed in Germany during the Cold War. His unit had four eight-inch cannons, and Bob was chief of Fire Direction Control.
Once he was discharged from the Army, Bob took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled in Greer Technical School in Chicago. There he studied the machinist and tool and die trades. After his graduation, he returned to Michigan and continued his education by taking night classes in mechanical engineering and business.
Bob spent a number of years working in the plastics and horticulture industries. In 1978, he launched the R. Schrock Company where he helped design and build equipment for greenhouses. He retired at age 75.
In 1962, Bob joined the Lutheran Laymen’s League. Through the years, he held various roles and served as president of the Michigan Monroe Zone for about six years. Bob was honored to meet several Speakers of The Lutheran Hour, including Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Meyer, Dr. Klaus, and Dr. Seltz.
The R. Schrock Company sponsored The Lutheran Hour radio broadcast in Ann Arbor for
Shining Christ’s Light in a Dark Place
by CHAD FIX
I“Any time there is a service or radio program, the message never deviates from God’s Word . That is something I truly appreciate . ”
three years, as well as other LHM radio programs. In 2023, Bob had the honor of meeting Daniel, the LHM–Madagascar ministry center director. When Daniel was in the Detroit area, he met with Bob and viewed his collection of World War II memorabilia. Bob had two authentic WWII military jeeps. The highlight of Daniel’s visit was driving one of the jeeps and firing the 50-caliber machine gun. “He really enjoyed that,” Bob recalls. Until the jeeps were sold, Bob could often be seen driving a jeep in one of the local parades while proudly wearing his Army uniform.
Bob’s church, Christ Our King, in Saline, Michigan, uses a variety of LHM resources. There is a Project Connect rack where topical booklets are available
ncarceration can bring regret, repentance, and sadness. Many LHM ministry centers send staff and volunteers into local prisons to share Christ’s hope with individuals who are separated from the outside world. Inmates participate in devotionals, receive Christ-centered materials, and can enroll in Bible Correspondence Courses.
Prison visits have become part of the outreach conducted by LHM–Indonesia. Staff members work with a volunteer who himself was once incarcerated, so he understands the need for God’s comfort in these dire circumstances all too well. Orphaned at an early age, this volunteer’s life spiraled into tragic choices like drugs and violence that landed him in and out of jail. While he was serving a 20-year sentence for one of his crimes, he learned more about the hope of the Gospel and began meeting with a pastor who visited the prison. He promised himself that when he left prison, he would serve God. He now shares the Gospel with all who are open to hearing it.
“We visit this prison every month to tell inmates that God loves everyone without exception, even the most sinful people in the world,” says the director of LHM–Indonesia. “Each time several people ask for prayers. We pray the Holy Spirit continues to work on their hearts.” u
for anyone to pick up and take home. These booklets provide a message of love and hope to people who are struggling. The men’s breakfast club uses LHM study materials for their Bible studies. The Lutheran Hour radio broadcasts and Daily Devotions are enjoyed by many parishioners as well.
Bob chooses to support LHM because the ministry is based on the Bible. He says, “Any time there is a service or radio program, the message never deviates from God’s Word. That is something I truly appreciate. And LHM does a super job of sharing the Gospel around the world.” Bob’s parents also supported LHM and their worldwide ministry efforts. They established an endowment many years ago. Bob also has decided to include LHM in his will to ensure the Gospel message will be shared for generations to come. In addition to this estate gift, Bob has recently pledged a gift intention to LHM through the CONNECT Initiative to reinforce his desire for all people to know Jesus and the peace He brings to our troubled world.
To learn more about how you can support LHM’s global ministry efforts through various giving options, contact LHM’s gift planning staff at lhm-gift@lhm.org or 1-877-333-1963.
Do you have a will that includes LHM? Many people have included LHM in their final plans and have not yet shared this decision. If you are one of these people, please let us know! For more information or to tell us we are in your estate plans, contact LHM’s gift planning staff. u
Double the Impact of Your Gift
by CHAD FIX
Thousands of students across the United States have already embarked on Gospel Adventures: Wild About Kenya, a virtual program that introduces them to Kenyan culture, daily life, and the amazing ways God’s Word is transforming lives abroad.
Since 2019, around 225,000 students have participated in Gospel Adventures, discovering how Jesus connects us across cultures and continents. This year, we hope to inspire even more children to see God’s work in action—and you can help make it happen!
Thanks to a generous, limitedtime Matching Grant from a
private foundation, every dollar you give will be doubled—up to $75,000. That means your gift has twice the impact for deepening children’s understanding of God’s love through not only Gospel Adventures, but other LHM spiritual growth resources for parents and teachers to use in bringing the Gospel to life for thousands of children and youth. To support this challenge grant opportunity, visit lhm.org/gospeladvmatch. You can also mail a check to Lutheran Hour Ministries at 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr., St. Louis MO 63141, and write “Gospel Adv Match” in the memo field. u
New Learning Path for LHM Learn Addresses Anxiety
Has anxiety been getting the best of you lately—or maybe for quite a while now?
A new learning path called Journey Through Anxiety, composed of two parts from LHM Learn, is now available. Based on the Project Connect booklet of the same title by AmyRuth Bartlett, these courses offer insights in defining anxiety and help in moving through it. In Part 1, “The Landscape of Fear,” users chart a pathway toward understanding anxiety. In Part 2, “Freedom to Flourish,” users apply strategies to getting unstuck in anxiety in the move to a confident and flourishing life. Anxiety is a real problem in the world today. Created in God’s image, we are made to relate and create, to be in intimate relationships with God and each other. But anxiety (relentless worries, perceived threats, panic attacks,
Christ-Centered Solutions for Real-Life Issues
by CHAD FIX
Lirrational fears) disrupts this harmony, replacing it instead with shame, self-doubt, and avoidance. It’s a vicious cycle that can continue as long as we allow it to—but we don’t have to allow it to.
This is where Journey Through Anxiety can help. “These courses are designed with rigorous, scientific foundations, but presented in a way that is completely understandable, and even with a bit of fun,” says Chris Macky, LHM’s content development manager. “The game board illustration with signposts along the way lets users know how they’re progressing through anxiety-based obstacles and barriers in their journey toward their ultimate objective: freedom to flourish,” he adds.
Naturally, we want to move past our anxieties and leave them in the rearview mirror. To do that requires an honest, no-nonsense self-
utheran Hour Ministries offers an extensive library of topical Project Connect booklets in the United States that connect God’s Word to a variety of real-life issues. Many of these booklets are translated into various local languages by LHM ministry centers around the globe based on the relevance of issues facing a specific culture. Mongolia has one of the world’s highest rates of alcoholism. It is a leading cause of disease and death within the country and is responsible for tearing many Mongolian families apart. One of LHM–Mongolia’s recent outreach visits addressed the critical need for translating a booklet related to battling alcoholism.
LHM staff met a 53-year-old widow who had been married to an alcoholic. They had two sons together and tragically the older son passed away last year from heart failure due to complications from his own battle with alcohol. She is now forced to rely on the generosity of her younger son for her survival.
When the LHM team visited with her, they noticed that her ger (a traditional Mongolian home) was not well insulated for the winter; therefore, they came back with necessary materials such as felt to winterize it for her. While they were there, they invited neighbors over and shared tea while having conversations about the Gospel, hoping to bring her some comfort and community. At the conclusion of their visit, she shared that despite the difficulties she faces in life, she knows God has a plan for her. The team is now working to connect her to a local church so she can grow in her newfound faith. u
by PAUL SCHREIBER
appraisal and then resisting the urge to quick fix our way out of discomfort. Course exercises prompt users to explore their anxieties and to consider creative approaches for navigating through them. “By doing this the user is escorted through each barrier via very practical activities they can do right now,” Macky says.
In whatever level of anxiety we live in, Christ is there with us. As the author of Hebrews says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). You can find more about LHM Learn’s course offerings by going to lhm.org/learn. There you will see these courses plus several others. They are categorized under the headings of Christian Foundations, Cultural Concepts, Everyday Insights, Outreach Essentials, and Spiritual Reflections. u
How do you balance your heart for sharing the Gospel with the rising costs of daily living?
Consider a gift to Lutheran Hour Ministries that pays you: a Charitable Gift Annuity. With this gift, you will enjoy the security of predictable payments for your lifetime (and the lifetime of a loved one, if you choose) no matter what happens with the economy.
Contact LHM’s gift planning team to learn more or get started.
New Programming Brings Hope to a Hurting Region
People living throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region face a variety of daily hardships that lead to many living in fear and becoming hopeless. Lutheran Hour Ministries is deliberately and strategically increasing its outreach across multiple platforms to reach the Arabic-speaking region with the hope of the Gospel. LHM is successfully using AM radio, social media, satellite television, and streaming video content to accomplish this goal.
A new multi-language project in partnership with SAT-7 involves the development of a brandnew program on each of SAT-7’s channels for adults: SAT-7 ARABIC, SAT-7 PARS (for Persian speakers), and SAT-7 TÜRK (for Turkish speakers). The Reconnecting the MENA to Hope project uses selected topical content from LHM’s Project Connect booklets to address the challenges of daily life by offering hope in Jesus through unique satellite broadcasts, digital and social media, and direct follow up.
“Jesus often connected with people at their point of need,” says SAT-7 CEO Rita El-Mounayer. “He was then able to introduce them to a spiritual truth that resonated with their situation and set them on a journey of faith. That is what we are aiming to do through this project. This is the first time that a crosschannel project like this has been launched, and we are very grateful for our partnership with LHM, without which this project would not have been possible.”
Lutheran Hour
Ministries is deliberately and strategically increasing its outreach across multiple platforms to reach the Arabic-speaking region with the hope of the Gospel.
“We are coming together to create projects that mutually meet the needs of people who have not yet heard the Gospel within the region, meet the needs of SAT-7, and then meet the needs of LHM, in that we want to expand that Gospel proclamation throughout the world,” says LHM CEO Kurt Buchholz, who also serves as a member of the SAT-7 International Council.
Learn more about these new programs in Kurt Senske’s chairman column on page 7.
Another new program titled What’s Up marks LHM’s sixth season of collaboration with SAT-7 to produce original Arabic-language content designed to reach youth and young adults. What’s Up offers a fast-paced, youth-centric program that addresses key issues that youth often face, such as disappointment, parental pressure, and challenges in finding their place in the modern world. Each episode includes reallife stories of young people and innovative segments, such as short dramas, biblical reflections, and social media reels.
In addition to new Arabic programming in partnership with SAT-7, LHM staff have launched Teach Me How to Pray on YouTube and TikTok. The program provides Christians with wisdom and deeper spiritual understanding of prayer while offering non-Christians valuable insights into Christian life and prayer practices. YouTube subscribers grew from 1,000 to
15,800 in just three months. On TikTok, the number of followers increased to more than 3,500 in less than 60 days. Further highlighting this program’s impact, more than 600,000 people have been reached through these platforms and 11,000 people have responded in just the past quarter.
A captivating new weekly video series on YouTube called Adventure with Jesus introduces Jesus to children across the Arab world. The series offers a fresh perspective, tailoring its content to diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds to reveal the true identity of Jesus in a relatable and inspiring way.
On top of these new developments, social media continues to provide regular messages of inspiration. More than one million people currently subscribe to LHM’s main regional
by CHAD FIX
Facebook page, and thousands engage with regional staff for spiritual growth.
A young man named Hassan recently came across an LHM Facebook page and was intrigued by the messages about overcoming fear. Originally from Gaza, he and his extended family moved to a different part of the Middle East where they have grown tired and hopeless from relentless war and violence. He began to engage in one-on-one conversations with the LHM team and, over time, he
felt understood and believed that the staff members genuinely cared for him. LHM staff members were able to slowly share the Good News of Jesus with him. Initially he understood the love God has for us through His sacrifice for us. However, he still held to his previous faith. Gradually, the Holy Spirit led him to faith in Jesus. He shared that he finally understands that God has a personal relationship with us, based on faith in Jesus, and he is grateful that he can face his fears through faith, with strength and perseverance.
We give thanks to God for all the people reached throughout the region through the work of LHM staff, volunteers, and partners. u
Celebrating a Quarter Century of Blessings
Milestone anniversaries are meant to be celebrated in a big way. That’s exactly what the staff of LHM–Paraguay did throughout last fall.
The ministry celebrated its 25th anniversary with more than 500 attendees at events in each of the four regions of the country into which the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay is divided. Celebrations were held in the Parish of Naranjal, the Parish of Hohenau, the Parish of Hernandarias - La Fortuna, and the Congregation “Cristo Rey” of Fernando de la Mora. Each event included local pastors leading worship followed by a communion lunch or dinner and a presentation about some of the important ministry work that has been accomplished during the past 25 years, from its beginning in Ciudad del Leste before moving to the capital city of Asunción.
At the event in October, LHM Global Chief Ministry Officer Karin Semler presented a plaque of gratitude for the 25-year presence of LHM in Paraguay and attendees also celebrated the 507th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.
Since Paraguay is such a remote area, LHM— Paraguay has regularly used radio broadcasts and Bible Correspondence Courses throughout its history to reach out with the Gospel to as many people as possible. In various communities, small groups of 12 to 30 people often have gathered to study the Bible and discuss how it relates to their lives. The staff has also built relationships and shared the love of Christ the old-fashioned way—hands-on—which means they travel to the country’s other cities and remote villages to respond to need; present film shows, vacation Bible schools, and values education; and provide microbusiness vocational training—along with the message of eternal hope in Jesus.
Today, a lot of effort is spent developing ministry programs for youth and children. As adolescents struggle with conflicting moral and social choices, Project JOEL is the main field program for children and youth offered through LHM–Paraguay to tackle tough topics—from relationships to sex to drugs—in an honest, relevant manner, rooted in God’s love for them. The program is officially authorized by the
by CHAD FIX
Paraguayan government to be accepted in public and private schools. Ministry staff collaborate with participating schools to incorporate a variety of Project JOEL activities into classroom curriculum.
A trained psychologist and educator who serves on staff leads the Project JOEL program across 17 schools, ensuring students in both public and private settings can express their faith. Alongside her team, she integrates various field programs into the Paraguayan cultural calendar, leveraging national celebrations and special occasions to resonate the Gospel’s message with youth.
Their exemplary focus on children and youth was a central reason why the ministry was chosen as one of four training hubs for LHM’s International Internship Program. LHM–Paraguay has trained a team of three from Peru to start ministry in their home country focused on children and youth ministry, digital outreach through social media, and multimedia content creation. These areas of outreach reflect the core of LHM’s work around the world. u
by MEGAN MCDANIEL
Our faith, put into action on a local level, can make an immediate and personal impact in our local communities and beyond. It starts with one person in their place, and spreads one by one, until it blankets first neighborhoods, then communities, towns, and regions. And then the whole world is covered in personal connections and meaningful actions that bear witness to the love our God has for His people and the good He wants for the world. Can you imagine what would happen if Christians rediscovered this call to share the Gospel in their deeds?
At LHM, we create resources to help you meet people right where they are. From a multitude of resources developed from research gathered in partnership with Barna Group to help Christians share their faith, strengthen their households, serve their community, and develop their God-given talents … to Project Connect booklets that address relevant life topics from a Christcentered point of view … to online video Bible studies covering more than 30 topics … to LHM Learn online courses that help you reach out with the love and Good News of Jesus Christ in your everyday life, LHM has a variety of offerings available to connect with people at any stage of their individual faith journeys. Learn more at lhm.org/resources.
Can you imagine what would happen if Christians rediscovered this call to share the Gospel in their deeds?
MARCUS HOWARD is a director of Christian education currently serving in the Tampa, Florida area. He was an elder in his church when the Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age resources came out. The interim pastor at the time introduced the research and materials to the lay leaders as a way to potentially lead a Bible study with the congregation.
Working with mainly middle school- and high school-aged youth, Howard thought of ways he could adapt the materials to fit the age of his students. “The Spiritual Conversation Curve is such an easy and approachable way that I think makes a big impact for people who are either unfamiliar or apprehensive about witnessing. It shows them a process that I think really works.”
CONNECTING WITH INDIVIDUALS …
someone else,” says Howard.
In addition to midweek and monthly youth events, teaching confirmation, and Bible studies, he has taught religion classes for 12 to 14-year-olds for several years. Howard printed bookmarks with a picture of the Curve for the students to use in their Bibles. Basing his lessons on the full workshop training videos, he adapted his curriculum to fit the ages of the kids in his classes.
The Spiritual Conversation Curve serves as a roadmap for engaging in fruitful conversation with the people in our lives who do not share the Christian faith. It helps you identify the spiritual posture of the individual you are engaging in conversation (unreceptive, receptive, or seeking) and then apply an appropriate prayerful response (gain a hearing, give good news, or guide towards faith). Knowing where someone is in his or her spiritual journey helps you discern whether it is most helpful to chat, relate, share, connect, explore, or clarify.
“I like the idea of building relationships and sharing the Gospel after the relationships have been built. This opens the door for sharing God and how He’s been working in your life and then being open to discussing that further with
“One of the pieces of the workshop asks if they could identify someone they wanted to share Jesus with,” says Howard. “There were the usual answers of kids from camp or teammates in a sport, but some kids also had really deep answers, like one saying they wanted to pray for a sibling or another wanting to pray for a step-parent. The kids were fully engaged and were clearly thinking of a person who was on the Curve that they could pray for God’s work in their lives.”
“I love taking the kids places that help the Scriptures come alive to them. One of my favorite trips was to the Creation Museum to see the Ark in Kentucky. Two years ago, I took our church’s kids out there, and I had something happen that stuck with me. One of our girls found a shirt in the gift shop that she loved. She told us how much she loved it and then she kind of got sad and said, ‘I don’t think I could ever wear it to school.’ This is a real thing that kids are facing, depending on your area and your situation. Even the most spiritually vibrant kids who truly trust deeply in their faith can get discouraged at that ‘share’ stage. That’s why I think this research and materials are so important.”
… Through Relevant Resources
REV. DR. TERRENCE CHAN has served at Christ for All Nations Lutheran Church in the San Francisco area for 20 years. “The congregation began as a primarily English-speaking congregation. Over time, the ministry has grown to become a multi-ethnic congregation. One-third of our members are white, one-third are Asian, and one-third are African American.”
Christ for All Nations operates a food pantry that, at one point, was the largest stand-alone food pantry in the San Francisco area. Each week, they see more than 750 people at the food pantry, which serves around 3,000 people when the individuals take the food back to their families.
They started a Saturday service in coordination with the food distribution. About 150 people would join that service, where they would hear the Gospel message and learn Christian songs.
They realized they were having a lot of new people moving into their neighborhood and they looked for other opportunities for outreach. They collaborated with a new LCMS Ethiopian congregation and partnered in ministry on their second campus. They have also started a Spanish-language ministry with a Central American congregation that has partnered with them on their main campus.
little bit of Mandarin, Amharic, and Spanish. We’ve developed all kinds of programs over the years to reach out to people in our community. Many of our own church volunteers don’t come from an Asian background, so we need to learn how to converse with people cross-culturally with language differences.”
Pastor Chan started using LHM materials during the pandemic when they were doing online Bible studies. He found the Caring Conversations Across Cultures LHM Learn course, in particular, to be applicable to his congregation.
“The Caring Conversations course was very helpful in enabling our members to gauge how to have conversations,” says Chan. “It was not only about how we can equip our people to carry out the ministry that they are already engaged in, but how they can do it better. Because of our area, it was important for us to provide training and content for how cultures communicate differently.”
Through Bible study groups, members went through the LHM Learn course. They also shared the Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age resources with the larger congregation, encouraging members to go online to watch the videos and learn more.
“We describe ourselves as a multi-ethnic parish of multiple congregations, languages, locations, and ministries,” says Chan. “On any given week, we do outreach or worship or Bible studies in English, Cantonese, sometimes a
“We are intent on resourcing other culture and language groups so that they may carry out ministry that we ourselves might not be able to carry out directly,” says Chan. “We are always looking at how we can better equip our members to interact and reach out to the people in our community.” u
Fair Booth Ministry: Listening, Sharing, and One-on-One Connections
by PAUL SCHREIBER
Manning a fair booth in a high-traffic venue like a state or county fair is ideal for sharing LHM’s many resources while making fruitful one-on-one people connections. “To me, fair booth ministries around the country are a perfect example of ‘Bringing Christ to the Nations’ with the thousands of fair-goers that come by these booths each year,” says Polly Gregali, LHM’s community facilitator for the Lutheran Laymen’s League (LLL).
“Many recipients of the materials are astonished that these items are freely given, to which many of the volunteers respond with, ‘like the love of Jesus,’” Gregali says. “Our attentive volunteers know that the key is listening and sharing with fairgoers, taking a moment to visit and, perhaps, even plant a Gospel seed in some circumstances.” In addition to assisting volunteers keep their booths supplied, she helps them share LHM’s mission and ministry, too.
Lloyd Probasco, vice president of the Nebraska District Lutheran Laymen’s League, helped with the LLL booth at the Nebraska State Fair. The booth used a continuous loop PowerPoint presentation highlighting LHM’s resources for Bible study, Hispanic ministry, the Daily Devotions, Thred, LHM podcasts, The Lutheran Hour, topical booklets, and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project. “Our
booth this year was very well received—especially the brochures and kids’ booklets written in Spanish as well as the booklet speaking on Mormonism,” says Probasco.
Members of both LLL Iowa District East and West staffed the fair booth at the Iowa State Fair. They handed out more than 2,000 Project Connect booklets in English and another 1,000plus in Spanish. That was topped, however, by the more than 5,000 children’s booklets that left their booth, along with 500-plus adult and children’s Bibles that were given out. “I get hoarse talking at the State Fair. I love it,” says Richard Hoelz, treasurer for the Iowa East LLL. “Children’s booklets are a big hit and useful in getting the parents to stop by,” he adds. There is much good done for the Kingdom at these events.
“Volunteers pray with people for their son in prison or their daughter in an abusive relationship, giving them the appropriate resource of a Bible. It is exciting to see how God uses these opportunities and His people to share the Gospel. We are so thankful to all the LLL Districts that lead, organize, collect supplies, and recruit for these events, and blessed by the volunteers who support their efforts,” Gregali says.
A Growing Gospel Impact Through Thrivent Choice
by CHAD FIX
By directing Choice Dollars through the Thrivent Choice program, eligible Thrivent clients with membership can influence where Thrivent distributes some of its outreach funding each year. Since the program’s inception in 2010, Thrivent has provided more than $585 million in charitable outreach funds through Thrivent Choice to help support the initiatives of churches, educational institutions, and other nonprofit organizations.
This program has made a measurable difference on Lutheran Hour Ministries’ ability to share the Gospel with people around the world. The program has been a tremendous blessing for LHM, generating nearly $1.75 million in support of our mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations—and the Nations to the Church.
If you still have Choice Dollars available from 2024, the deadline to designate those funds is March 31, 2025. Please consider sharing those blessings to take part in God’s mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide through LHM. Thank you for sharing Christ’s love 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. Eligibility in the program is based on insurance premiums and contract values. You can find a complete list of eligibility requirements on the Thrivent Choice web page.
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. u
THROUGH CHRIST
For more information, contact Polly at 1-800-876-9880 or polly. gregali@lhm.org. u Join us online Wednesday, March 26, at 11 a.m. Central Time to hear how Lutheran Hour Ministries is responding to Christ’s call for reaching the world with the hope of the Gospel under three priorities: impacting people globally, through digital engagement, and right where they are. God is using your support of this ministry to transform lives through His Word.
This virtual event is FREE, but registration is required. Visit today to reserve your spot!