This past weekend members of the Latin American Committee and the Board for World Missions came to Torreón for a visit. Pictured above are Dr. Bob Anderson (world board member) and Dr. Ray Dusseau (chairman of Latin American committee). During their time here, they were able to meet with the missionaries, as well as some of the Mexican pastors and church leaders. They also got to see the churches we have in the area.

These visits are important and necessary. They give us a chance to see and chat with the people who help oversee mission work around the world. It is also an essential part of the committee’s work, as it allows them to see the mission field at a ground-floor level.

The four committee members headed out of town on Monday. They’ll take the information they received here, as well as their experience, and apply it toward their work in the future.

So thanks to the committee members for coming! And we look forward to seeing you the next time our paths connect.

The joy seen on the faces of these children in Pakistan reflects the work of the Humanitarian Aid Committee. These children attend a Christian school that uses Bible Stories and Bible Teaching Series books supplied by Multi-Language Publications in its religion curriculum. The children come from very poor families and many in attendance at the school do not have shoes. Humanitarian aid projects, like this shoe distribution, serve as a bridge to proclaim the gospel.

Our African mission families have a group of men who work quietly behind the scenes.  They get no pay for the work they do.  They often go with little thanks, especially when they make difficult and unpopular decisions.  I’d like to dedicate this newsletter to introduce to you the Administrative Committee for Africa, and especially the two men who pay special attention to our Malawian field, Mr. Jeff Dorn and Mr. Gary Frey.  These men have a personal and spiritual interest in our field.  In January they found time in their busy schedules to visit Malawi.

They brought some very valuable gifts for Malawian mission families – some of which were bags of Tootsie Roll Pops!  Now that may not seem precious to you, but live over in Malawi for a while and gifts like that are enjoyed by adults and children alike.

Even better than the gifts from their suitcases, were the personal interviews.  Our brothers showed heart-felt concern for each member of each family.  They listened carefully and responded with action and/or promises to pray for us.  They also had discussions with various groups from the national church.  They interviewed leaders of Beautiful Saviour, along with members of the President’s Advisory Council (the officers of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa – Malawi).

Jeff Dorn teaches at Shoreland Lutheran High School in Kenosha, WI, and Gary Frey works for Federal Express in Memphis, TN.  Here they are pictured with Pastor Chikwatu, dean of students at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Lilongwe. Read more ›

Noelle had this heart painted on her face when she was just three weeks old (look below to see how tiny she was!). We took the girls to a playland here in Torreon, and one of the activities for kids there was face painting. Read more ›

Each year well-intentioned Protestants open several thousand new congregations in the United States. “New starts” occur for a variety of reasons. Denominational staff may have targeted an area of population growth for a new plant, then supplied financial and human resources to get things underway. A handful of people may have broken away from an existing congregation, for peaceful or not so peaceful reasons, to begin a congregation of their own. Frequently, in circles outside of Lutheranism, a man or woman will claim to hear a call from God to start a new congregation. In spite of all the experience and analysis with planting new congregations in the U.S., nobody has yet come upon the definitive magic formula for “success” in planting and growing a congregation to self-sustaining status. What we do know from observing the American church scene over the past forty years is this. Many new starts will close within the first 18-36 months. A small percentage of new starts will grow into large congregations, often within five to ten years. And the majority of new starts, particularly in Lutheran circles, will grow into “mid-sized” congregations with a weekly worship attendance of 125-150……..and stay at that level for a period of years before experiencing a decline in membership and worship attendance. Those who study and analyze the American church scene often speak of “barriers” that inhibit congregations from growing their worship attendance beyond 125-150 people.

Many of us are hesitant to cite such statistics and to participate in discussions concerning membership, worship attendance, and perceived barriers to growth. In one sense our discomfort and hesitancy is a blessing. It’s brought on by the deeply imbedded truth that ultimately kingdom expansion is God’s “business.” He alone blesses our efforts to share Truth. He alone converts. He alone nurtures and sustains faith through His chosen tools of Word, Baptism and Lord’s Supper. Read more ›