1. Art and Diseño

michigan
FEBRUARY 2015
A publication of the Michigan District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Witness Michigan District, LCMS Supplement
IN TOUCH
BeGREAT COMPASSION
Seeing With Compassion
by Rev. Galan D. Walther
“A
nd Jesus went throughout all the cities and
villages, teaching in their synagogues and
proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing
every disease and every affliction. When he saw the
crowds, he had compassion for them, because they
were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a
shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest
is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray
earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’ And he called to him his twelve
disciples and gave them authority over unclean
spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease
and every affliction … These twelve Jesus sent out,
instructing them, ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles
and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to
the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as
you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’”
(Matthew 9:35-10:7 ESV).
As Jesus looked at the crowds of people around
Him, He saw lonely people, people who were missing something from their lives. And because Jesus
not only held the key, He was The Key to what they
needed, He was filled with compassion for them. His
heart went out to them.
The crowds of lonely people are still around, and
our Lord is speaking from His heart to ours today.
He speaks to us because we have the key to the abundant life of the Spirit in the midst of a world that is
“missing something.” Jesus calls us to see the world
that He loves through His eyes. SEEING WITH
COMPASSION is …
continued on page 2
michigan
IN TOUCH
Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier, President
Debby Fall, Editorial Manager
Seth Hinz, Web/Media Director
Official Periodical of the Michigan District
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
February 2015, Volume 14, No. 2
ISSN: 1538-8115 (print)
ISSN: 2331-8619 (online)
Mike Beens, Art Director
Elisa Schulz, Staff Writer/Copy Editor
©2015 Michigan District, LCMS, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan In Touch is published
monthly by the Michigan District and inserted into The Lutheran Witness and distributed
to subscribers 11 times a year. It is also available online at www.michiganintouch.com.
Reproduction of articles is permissible with written permission of the Michigan District
Communications Department and should give credit to Michigan In Touch. References
to resources and websites for further information are included in Michigan In Touch for
the potential use by individuals and congregations. Resources not associated with or
published by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or Concordia Publishing House® may
contain helpful programmatic information but may vary in doctrine from The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod. Please use discretion or consult your pastor on doctrinal issues.
Michigan District, LCMS
3773 Geddes Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
888.225.2111
[email protected]
michigandistrict.org
Table of Contents
1, 10
3
4
8
12
13
14
14
15
16
16
Great Compassion
Healthy Workers
Great Commission
Church Extension Fund
Healthy Congregations
Congregation and School News
Special Recognition
Lutheran Laymen’s League
Concordia University Ann Arbor
Calls and Roster Update
Calendar of Events
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1
GREAT COMPASSION
continued from page 1
… To See People
“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel
of the kingdom and healing every disease and every
affliction” (Matthew 9:35 ESV). One by one, Jesus saw
people—hurting people, hungry people, needy people.
This is no far-off God. He is the God of history, and in
Jesus Christ, the Word who became flesh and dwelt
among us, He is the God who is in History. Jesus is the
Good Shepherd, who knows His sheep by name. He is the
one who told the little children to come to Him. This is the
God who says,“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have
called you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1b ESV).
SEEING WITH COMPASSION begins with seeing
people as persons. Several years ago, an experiment
was carried out in which there were two classrooms
of children, similar in background,
in intelligence and in potential. The
only difference was that one class was
described to the teacher as having great
potential. The other class was described
to another teacher as having little potential. When the two classes were tested,
the class that was described as having
great potential did extremely well on
the test, while the other class, which was
almost identical but had been described as being slow, did
quite poorly on the examination. The difference was not
in the classrooms; it was in the description or name of
being either intelligent or slow. It was all in the naming.
This happens not only in classrooms. Too many times
people are grouped into classes of “them” and “us.” We
divide people into “our kind” and “not our kind.” We
judge by where people live, the color of their skin, their
achievements or their lack of achievements, where we
think they stand on certain issues, comparing them with
our standards of how we think they should be and what
they should do. We don’t see individual people. We judge
them by naming them and placing them in certain boxes.
Because we are baptized into Christ and have the
Spirit of Christ we see people, one by one, precious in
God’s sight, valued by a cross on which God’s Son died
for them and for us. We see people in the same way that
Jesus saw people—as individuals beloved of God. That’s
the beginning of SEEING WITH COMPASSION.
… To See People Where They Really Are
After a busy day of going about all the cities and
villages in that region, it seems that Jesus withdrew
with His disciples to a hillside that overlooked the city.
He was getting an overview of His work and of the
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February 2015
people. Looking down upon the crowds of people below
Him, “He had compassion for them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”
(Matthew 9:36 ESV). Jesus saw the hurting, defeated,
humiliated, weary, sad, lonely people. They were
under the rule of the Romans; they lacked any hope of
deliverance from them; they had little, if any, spiritual
leadership. They were people with no direction and no
future. And Jesus had compassion on them.
The age in which we live has been described as an age
in which people have an “ache to believe.” Our world
today is also made up of so many hopeless, harassed,
and helpless people. Bookstore aisles and internet sites
are filled with promises of respite and direction for life
– horoscopes and interpersonal relationships. The use of
alcohol and drugs are mere attempts to mask and escape
the helplessness and hopelessness. People are searching
for anything that will help them find
the hope, joy, and happiness missing
from their lives. But their searching
is a never-ending circle, like my dog
when he chases his tail—never quite
catching it and slumping tired and
worn out on the floor from the unsuccessful effort.
…To See With The Eyes Of Christ
That’s why Jesus says: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly
to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his
harvest”(Matthew 9:38 ESV). Look around and see the
emptiness, the fears, the defeat, the sense of foreboding, the aimless wandering on the faces of individual
people—people who are ready to hear about the hope that
is in you.
This is not to say that we are exempt from the hurts
of life. We live in the same world of unemployment, of
economic difficulty, of pressure from others, of instant
gratification, of uncertain future. But there is a difference. People of God, by faith in Jesus Christ, have a
different way of seeing. We see a Savior who died and
rose for us, who daily forgives our sins, who lives in our
hearts, whose Spirit convinces us that we are children of
God and that we are destined to live with God forever. Is
there any reason for not having hope, peace, and true joy?
After showing them what He saw, Jesus then said to
His disciples, “Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest
to send out laborers into his harvest”(Matthew 9:38b
ESV). Pray the Lord for laborers. The Lord asks, “Whom
shall I send?” We, by the power of the Spirit, respond
“Send me.” Then we go out, work, serve, teach, tell,
and share Him who is our life and the hope that we have
continued on page 11
Healthy WORKERS
W
ho is the Holy Spirit and what is He up to anyway?
These questions have led some to an unhealthy
focus on the Holy Spirit and others to forgetfulness about the Spirit. A sound approach to the
Holy Spirit respects the centrality of Christ in the
Scriptures, but also shows how the Spirit actually
shapes Christ in us, in our lives!
by Rev. Dr. Leopoldo A. Sánchez
Neither a Free Agent Nor a Neglected Person
The Spirit Shapes Christ in Us
So what is Spirit up to in your life? Is the Spirit accompanying you in the wilderness as you stand firm against
Satan’s attacks? Is the Spirit convicting you of sin and
giving you the assurance of God’s deliverance from guilt
and shame? Is the Spirit bringing you into new and exciting places where your service, gifts, and vocation are
needed to care for various neighbors?
To learn more about how God the Holy Spirit works in
your life, join us for the Theological Conference “Life
in the Spirit: Watered, Fed, and Armed,” Feb 21, 2015 at
Faith, Grand Blanc, and March 21, 2015 at Holy Cross,
Jenison and multiple simulcast locations. For conference
information and registration, visit http://michigandistrict.org/events.
E
RIT
Rev. Dr. Leopoldo A. (Leo) Sánchez is
N THE SPI
EI
Associate Professor of Systematic
Theology at Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, where he also serves as
Director of its Center for Hispanic
D,
Studies. He lives in St. Louis, Mo.
F E D, A N D
with his wife Tracy Lynn and their two
children, Lucas Antonio and Ana Victoria.
W AT E R
Christ has given to us, the church, the same Spirit
whom Christ bears.
Like Jesus, the church is led by the Spirit into the desert
to face the devil’s attacks. As one who was tempted,
Jesus sympathizes with our struggles. But when Christ
sends His Spirit into our hearts, He gives us “the sword
of the Spirit” (the Word of God), and access to His Abba
Father in prayer to resist the devil’s attacks.
Like Jesus, the church is also led by the Holy Spirit
into the world to call sinners to repentance and forgive
their sins. Through the Word, the Spirit convicts and
A Question For You
MED
The Gospel writers portray Jesus, the Son of God, as
the bearer of the Holy Spirit, the one filled with the Spirit
of God, the one who speaks and acts in the power of the
Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit rests on Christ, He is with
Christ at all times.
At the Jordan, the Father anointed Jesus with the
Spirit for His saving mission as Yahweh’s suffering
Servant. Anointed with the Holy Spirit, Jesus brings His
Father’s gracious kingdom among us by delivering us
from Satan’s bondage, calling people to repentance and
forgiving sins, and opening the way to eternal life for us
through His service unto death and glorious resurrection.
The Spirit is involved in all these events.
AR
The Spirit Is United to Christ
comforts us, kills the Old Adam in us and makes us a new
creation in Christ. The Spirit drives us to the foot of the
cross daily, to the waters of our Baptism, in order to die to
self and be raised anew in Christ.
Like Jesus, the church is led by the Spirit to die to self
in order to make room for the needy neighbor. The Spirit
shapes us to be Christlike, leading us to serve others in
thanksgiving to God for His gifts in Christ, our greatest
Servant.
And at last, when our service is done, the same Spirit
through whom God raised Jesus from the dead shall raise
us from the dead too. Our struggle with death, sin, and the
devil will also come to an end. The Spirit and the Bride
say: Come, Lord Jesus!
LIF
To avoid seeing the Holy Spirit as a free agent, the
Spirit and the Son must be seen as inseparable companions, always working together in a joint mission to bring
us into communion with God the Father. Where the Son
is, the Spirit is. And vice-versa. Christ, the incarnate Son
of God, is the bearer and giver of the Spirit. Or we may
say that the Spirit of the Father rests on and is sent by the
Son for us.
To avoid neglect of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit whom
Christ bears must also be seen as the Spirit whom Christ
gives to us, as therefore as the Spirit of Christ in us. We
may then ask what the church that lives in the Spirit of
Christ looks like today, how the Holy Spirit actually
shapes Christ in us.
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GREAT COMmiSSION
Campus Ministry
Introduces
Christianity to
International
Students
D
eaconess Anne Bakker wished to become a mission
ary to a country in Latin America, so she learned
Spanish and took classes that would help her understand
the culture. Little did she know the plans God had for
her. He is using her in international ministry, yes, but
not in Latin America. She’s in Mount Pleasant, Mich.,
and internationals from all over the world come to her!
Anne is the Director of International Ministry at Christ
the King (CTK) Chapel, on the campus of CMU.
CTK Chapel had been built on the edge of campus in
the 60s. The campus grew around it and now the chapel
is at the center of it all. CTK is connected to Zion, Mt.
Pleasant, and is supported by the Michigan District,
which also owns the campus chapel. CTK’s International
Student Ministry (ISM) started in 1998. Anne is the third
director, and has been there for about 7.5 years. In the
CTK website, she summarizes the role of the chapel:
“I have traveled all over the world, and lived in several
different countries for a short time. When I traveled, I
wished that there was a place I could go to that would
help me with the difficulties and challenges of living in
a foreign country. In Mount Pleasant, our International
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February 2015
Ministry at Christ The King Lutheran Chapel is that
place. We can be a part of your support system away from
home, and help make your transition to the United States
easier, and your stay in Mount Pleasant enjoyable.”
Learning From The Bible
When Anne began her work with ISM in the summer of
2007, there were about 20 students involved. Now there
are over 200 students from 30+ different countries. She
remembers one young Asian woman who walked into
the church one day; she hardly spoke any English. Anne
began to work one-on-one with her, and then started
Bible studies. The woman learned her English basically
from the Bible. Later she was baptized and joined the
congregation.
Anne says that now “Half of the internationals we
work with are Muslim. The last few years I have specifically made a point for ISM to host activities and events
that would engage our church members and Muslim
students (primarily from the Middle East) in conversation, and help them to become more comfortable around
each other.” In order to do that, in April 2013 they rented
a bus and drove down to Dearborn to visit the ArabAmerican Museum in Dearborn. “There, we received a
tour of the museum and ate an authentic Arabic lunch
afterward,” says Anne. About 50 foreign and American
students participated. Anne says that the trip helped
congregation members learn more about and feel more
comfortable around Muslims, and all enjoyed the time
spent together on the bus.
Activities That Lead To Fellowship
The ISM hosts an international food night at the chapel
every year. In 2011, for example, they had a sushi night,
where students watched the rice being cooked, took turns
rolling the rice in seaweed, and then got to enjoy it. This
year, the featured food was from Saudi Arabia, Jordan,
and Iran. Internationals, American students, church and
community members came together to help make many
different, delicious dishes.
In addition to this, there is a group of Muslim and
Christian ladies that enjoy going
out to eat together from time to
time. Anne adds, “We have Muslim
men and women who are active in
our English classes, some who are
interested in sending their children
to our preschool next year, and I am
currently working with one Muslim
lady on the basics of Christianity.”
The Muslim students they work with come from
Morocco, Turkey, Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
Most of them join the ministry because of recommendations from friends or the university's international office.
The International Chapel offers several activities and
services to the students, such as: conversation partners,
English and Bible classes (including “Introduction to
Christianity”), American cooking and baking, pastoral
care and counsel, a place to study and relax, TV, movies
and video games, ping pong and billiards, free lunch on
Mondays, full kitchen for student use, mom and child play
group, international women’s club, game nights, weekly
Bible studies, weekly worship services, and more.
To learn more about the International Student Ministry
at CTK, visit http://www.internationalsatcmu.org. What
about your own community? Do you
know which nationalities are represented there? The Michigan District
has made available a demographics
program whereby congregations
and individuals can study the population, economic, and cultural trends
of the area around them. You can find
it, along with instructions on how to access it, here: http://
michigandistrict.org/congregations/cmmf/demographics. You can also go to http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/
states/26000.html and see Census data for your area.
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Great commission
Hmong
Ministry
The Last
Frontier
Alaska
by Rev. Yang Lang
6
February 2015
Y
ears ago, Rev. Lang Yang went to Alaska to conduct
a Hmong Ministry survey for the Northwest
District. A large population of Hmong (approximately
6,000) has moved to Alaska since 1990 and the Alaska
Mission for Christ wanted to start a Hmong Ministry.
After the survey and continued contact with the Hmong
people in Anchorage, Rev. Yang received a phone call in
January 2013 from a group of Hmong people who wanted
to join Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Chugiak,
Alaska. After several phone calls between them and the
church, Rev. Yang went back to Alaska to help start the
Hmong Ministry.
The first week that he was there, they started the adult
instruction for one group in the morning, the second
Hmong Ministry – Pawgntseeg (Pastor Lang pictured right front)
group in the evening, the third group at their home and
the 4th group for the youth throughout the week. The
following week the group was trained on Parliamentary
Procedure, Bible Class, Worship Services, Sermon
Writing, Prayer, By-Laws, and Hmong Ministry at work.
After much hard work and blessings from God, on April
28, 2013, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church received 37
members with 13 Baptisms into the Church.
Rev. Yang continues to work with the Hmong Ministry
by sending them weekly Scripture readings and sermons
in the Hmong language that they can use during their
worship services. The Hmong gather to worship on the
1st and 3rd Sunday in their native language and join the
Anglo worship services on the 2nd and 4th Sunday so
they can receive Communion. Several Hmong lay leaders were identified and, in order to continue the Hmong
Ministry in Word and Sacrament, Pastor Steven Heinsein
and the Alaska Mission for Christ spoke to the Northwest
District President. The District approved that the lay
leaders Sam and Seng Chang be trained in the Deacon
Program in the Hmong Language and be licensed.
On November 10, 2014, Rev. Yang went back to train
Sam and Seng Chang. During this trip, Christ called
May Lee to faith (her father was killed due to a gas leak
when she was four, and when she was nine, her mom
was stabbed to death by her stepfather), and Rev. Yang
was able to pray with her. During that time he also taught
adult confirmation and performed four Baptisms. They
were received into membership at Our Redeemer.
According to the Hmong people in Alaska, the
Christians chose to live in Alaska because of the cool
weather, and much of the region looks similar to their
homeland in Laos. The non-Christians chose Alaska
because their shaman had told them that, if they came
to the United States, they needed to go to the end of the
world, and they believe that is Alaska. Many of these
people need to hear the Good News of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
Please continue to keep the Hmong Ministry in Alaska
in your prayers, that the work will be fruitful so that
others may come to know Christ’s salvation. Rev. Yang
or another Hmong pastor will have to make a couple of
trips back to Alaska within the next two years to complete
the License Deacon Program for the two lay leaders in
order for them to be certified.
God is good. May honor and glory praise His name.
Rev. Lang Yang is the President of the LCMS Hmong
Mission Society and Associate Pastor and Director of
Hmong Ministry at St. Michael's, Richville. He was
recently promoted to the rank of Major in the Civil Air
Patrol – United States Air Force Auxiliary.
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February 2015
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GREAT COMPASSION
What Will You Do FOR LIFE?
by Connie E. Davis
T
he encounter took place in a Walgreens Drug Store
in Federal Way, Wash. She was a pleasant-looking woman, smiling easily at the customers upon whom
she waited. As I stepped up to the counter to pay for my
purchases, she looked at me and said, “I really like that
shirt you are wearing.”
“Thank you,” I replied. This particular shirt had solicited similar remarks a number of times over the years. It
depicts Jesus smiling lovingly down at an infant reaching
his arms up to touch Jesus’ face. The words of Jeremiah
1:5 proclaim “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew
you. Before you were born, I set you apart.”
“I must tell my son about your shirt,” the cashier
continued. “The doctors told me he would not live long
after he was born. I know how Abraham felt at the prospect of giving up his son. I told God that I would be
satisfied with just a few moments of time with my child …
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February 2015
that he really was not my child. Friends called to tell me
they were praying for me. And then one day, while I was
taking a shower, the Lord answered those prayers. He
told me that my son would live … that He would grant me
time to know and love my child.”
“How old is your son now?” I asked, tears welling up
in my eyes.
“Three years old,” she answered.
“How wonderful that God blessed your trust in His
provision for you and your son,” I managed to say.
And then, the encounter was over … a fleeting moment
in time. But I felt so encouraged and energized by that
very brief conversation.
I was reminded once again that God provides numerous opportunities for us to give a strong and positive
witness FOR LIFE … brief moments of time during
our day … moments that sneak up on us unexpectedly.
Unfortunately, I don’t always utilize those opportunities
or moments as I should, and I miss out on the encouragement and support of other Christians in my daily life
experiences.
In a world that devalues life, there is an increasing urgency for us to share the message that God loves
life—no matter what the size or condition. How can we
share that message? We don’t have to hold a theological
degree or be highly educated in the sciences. We simply
need to extend God’s love to those who are in need.
• Can you collect and donate items to a pregnancy
resource center in your community?
• Can you plan/help organize a Life Sunday for your
congregation?
• Can you offer to babysit for a couple who has a
disabled child so they can enjoy some time alone
together?
• Can you visit shut-ins or those who reside in nursing
homes?
• Can you financially support organizations that stand
FOR LIFE?
• Can you pray for unwed mothers and their unborn
children, for those who suffer guilt because of a past
abortion decision, for those who are disabled, for the
sick and elderly?
There is much that we can do FOR LIFE if we commit
our time, talents and treasures to sharing God’s truth
about the value of all human life. What will you do FOR
LIFE?
Connie E. Davis is a member of St. Peter Lutheran
Church in Macomb, Mich. and has served as president
of Lutherans For Life of Michigan since 1994. For more
information and ways you can share this important
message, visit Lutherans For Life of Michigan at
http://www.lflmi.org. If you are interested in organizing
a Life Sunday, resources are available at www.
lutheransforlife.org.
continued from page 2
through the new life in Jesus
Christ, because God sends us.
He chooses us in response to
our prayer.
… To See Our Mission
Jesus called His disciples together to get them ready
for their mission. It is not a mission to point out how bad
things are, or to lament the state of affairs. It is a mission
to go for Him, in His name, with His authority, to take
Him who is “… the Way, the Truth, and the Life …”
(John 14:6 ESV) to those who do not know Him—to the
hurting, wandering, ashamed, lost and heartsick people
whom He loved. Jesus told His disciples to begin with
the people of Israel, His covenant community.
That is where we begin as well. Although our mission
as God’s people is to the entire world, we dare not overlook those who are nearest and dearest to us, even in our
own family: our spouse, mother or father, son or daughter, brother or sister, who is missing God’s comfort and
forgiveness and peace in their lives. It begins at home.
This Gospel message is for everyone, beginning with
each and every member of our own families.
It begins at home and extends to our brothers and sisters
in our congregation. Encourage one another in the walk
of faith, pray for one another, help one another to grow
in Christ, and demonstrate your faith in caring words
and actions of kindness and compassion. Thus you will
become a community of believers that is truly as Jesus
describes: a light that attracts. Like a moth is attracted to
light, so the living of your faith is an attraction to those
who do not yet know him.
…To See As Jesus Saw
“Declare the Kingdom!” said Jesus to His disciples.
Point to the cross where God’s Son died; point to the
words “FOR YOU” there on the cross. Point to the tomb
where God’s Son rose; point to the words “FOR YOU”
over the empty tomb.
Do you see what Jesus saw? He saw people. He saw
them where they really were. He saw with the eyes of
compassion. He saw the mission, and He saw us in that
mission. Lord, empower us by your Spirit especially
during this Lenten season to see with the same compassion that sent You to the cross for us.
Rev. Galan D. Walther is Assistant to the President –
Congregation Mission and Ministries, Southwest &
Thumb Zones/Family Ministries for the Michigan
District, LCMS.
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11
healthy congregations
What’s in Your
Hands?
T
by Bruce N. Braun
he picture below was the winning entry by Lutheran
High School Northwest student Megan Stidwell,
in the school’s annual contest to design a Christmas card.
Megan took a photograph of an ornament of baby Jesus
placed in her own hands and added the Scripture verse.
This is one great example of how students in Lutheran
Schools seek to share the message of Christ with families
and their community. In this image we see the value of a
Lutheran School education: how students are taught to do
everything to God’s glory. Like this image, He holds us
in His palm, according to the prophet Isaiah who wrote:
“Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands”
(Isaiah 49:16a ESV). Those same hands that once took
wood and fashioned it into furniture, later were nailed to
a cross so that each of us could be His children and heirs
of heaven. 12
February 2015
Consider what you might do with your hands. Would
you hold a book and read to an infant, steady the arm
of an elderly person on Michigan’s icy sidewalks, or
write a check to the Urban Lutheran Schools Scholarship
Endowment Fund to ensure that cost is not the sole factor
in keeping a family from enrolling in a Lutheran School?
Last year, this fund provided over $15,000 in scholarships to families who see great value in a Lutheran
School Education in Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Redford,
and Lake Orion. I am asking you to consider helping us
build up the principal in this fund so that more families
can benefit from daily hearing about their Savior at a
Lutheran school.
Megan got it right! We need to hold Christ near to us, to
let Him influence our thoughts and deeds. We need to see
not only the Baby born in a stable but also the Man who
lived, died, and rose again.
Please consider a gift to the Urban Lutheran Schools
Scholarship Endowment Fund. For more information,
contact Bruce N. Braun, Assistant to the President –
Superintendent of Schools, at 888.225.2111 ext. 258.
Congregation and School News
Recent “LEAP-Shops” Offer Education Board
Training
Ninety-four people in the Great Lakes Bay Region of
Michigan participated in recent education board training sessions offered at Immanuel, Bay City and Peace,
Saginaw. The sessions followed on the heels of the development and dissemination of a new document entitled
“Best Practices of Boards of Education (or Equivalent
Governing Entities) of Lutheran Schools.” Both the
best practices document and the associated training
sessions were offered through the Lutheran Education
Advancement Plan (LEAP).
During the past four years, representatives of 23
LCMS churches/schools in the Great Lakes Bay Region
have been collaborating on efforts to both affirm and
up-build Christian educational ministries in their
Immanuel Lutheran Serves Detroit Rescue
Mission
In November 2014, Immanuel, Macomb began a
monthly mission experience to the Detroit Rescue Mission.
Immanuel members gather on the third Wednesday of each
month and help serve food and anything else that the Detroit
Rescue Mission needs. This experience was spearheaded
by member Richard Friemuth, who saw an opportunity
to do greater good with his time and talents. Friemuth
knew that others at Immanuel would like to join him, so
after talking with Nancy Kruger (Minister of Mission and
Outreach), they put together this opportunity for anyone
from Immanuel who would like to show genuine care and
compassion to people who are hurting in Detroit.
Kruger said: “This is exactly what we are trying to do
here at Immanuel: resource and encourage people to
take initiative, see opportunities, and lead life-changing
events by helping those in our community and region.
Richard is an answered prayer to many in Detroit, us at
Immanuel, and a blessing to the kingdom of God at work.”
churches/schools. A LEAP vision statement reads:
“Advance Lutheran education for future generations
across the Great Lakes Bay Region.” The mission of
LEAP is further defined in the words, “build and encourage successful collaboration among all congregations
to ensure excellent and financially stable PK-12th grade
Lutheran schools.”
Over twenty task forces have been functioning for
two years under a cross-congregational LEAP Strategy
Implementation Team. Training for education boards
and board members is just one of many thrusts of LEAP
that are being positively felt in support of Great Lakes
Bay Region Lutheran schools and congregational education ministries.
Former Michigan District President Rev. C. William
Hoesman serves as Chairman of LEAP. For more information, contact Rev. Hoesman at [email protected].
Team Rivalry Aids Kids Against Hunger
This past fall, students at Peace, Shelby Township
participated in a variety of events to raise money for Kids
Against Hunger, their first quarter mission. Kids Against
Hunger’s mission is to significantly reduce the number
of hungry children in the USA and feed starving children
throughout the world.
Through their collective efforts, more than $3,700
was raised. This resulted in the students packing 13,320
meals to help feed hungry children.
The highlight of the festivities was the Michigan vs.
Michigan State Money War. During the week prior to the
annual football rivalry game, students placed their donation in the jar representing their favorite university. All
the monies went to Kids Against Hunger and University
of Michigan fans won the war with the most donations.
The rivalry was all in good fun as the students, faculty,
and staff were quite enthusiastic about supporting their
teams and a good cause.
michiganintouch.com
13
Special Recognition
LLL
Michigan District LLL Supports Russian Program
Rev. Mark J. Haller was installed as Senior Pastor of St. Peter’s,
Richmond. Pictured from l to r are Rev. John E. Merrill, Rev. Dietrick
Gladden, Rev. Mark J. Haller, Rev. Gerhardt Doroh, and Rev. Robert
Herrod.
Rev. Dr. Richard Zeile was elected to the Board of Directors of the
National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) and will
represent the Central District, which includes Michigan, Ohio, and
other states. He is pictured here with Kristen Amundson, Executive
Director of NASBE.
Christian Named Principal of the Year and Given
Key to Immanuel
Immanuel, Macomb awarded retired Principal Robert
J. (Bob) Christian its first ever ‘Key to Immanuel.’ The
award was given to Christian as an acknowledgement
after his peers selected him as the 2014 Michigan District
Principal of the Year.
His pastor, Rev. Greg S. Griffith, said: “Bob truly has
the heart of Jesus and His love flowed generously and
abundantly to everyone he met. It was evident to us here
what a difference he made, and we are honored to have
him as our first recipient of the ‘Key to Immanuel.’”
Mr. Robert J. Christian (left) and Rev. Gregory S. Griffith (right)
14
February 2015
After years of suppression during the Communist
era, religion is once again a key element in both public
and spiritual life in Russia. Lutheran Hour Ministries
(LHM)—Russia has been spreading the Gospel in Word
and in deed since 1993. Since 2007, the ministry has
been based in St. Petersburg.
Russia’s outreach ministries refer their audiences
to Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) that create
opportunities for dialogue with listeners based on their
personal needs. Individuals are directly referred to meet
with pastors, lay leaders, or volunteers in their areas.
LHM also reaches out in Russia via:
• Radio programs
• Archived television programs
• Blogs
• YouTube Videos
• Online forums
• Text messaging and email
• CDs and DVDs
• Printed material
Other ministry resources include drama, puppet ministry, concerts, youth ministry, small group ministry, and
Equipping the Saints workshops.
The Michigan District Board of Governors of
International Lutheran Laymen's League voted at its
November 2014 meeting to support the LHM program
in Russia. Through conventions, meetings, and other
resources, Lutherans across Michigan will support
spreading the Good News throughout Russia.
For more information on how you, your group and/
or congregation can support this ministry, contact LLL
District President John Raffel at [email protected].
Phil Krauss I of Brooklyn, Mich., listens to a report on
Lutheran Hour Ministries Sunday, which is Feb. 1, 2015.
A Legacy of Blessings
by Rev. Dr. Roy Peterson
It’s the time of the year when
many students and their parents
are finalizing their choice of a
college. While some will wait
until late August (surprisingly),
most families’ preference is to
narrow the list of options by Christmas and then weigh
the financial aid packages offered by each institution.
Just prior to Christmas I was talking with a young
woman who is a sophomore in our School of Business.
As the youngest of five children and a father who is an
LCMS pastor, she had planned to attend a local technical college and live at home. She never thought that she
could consider Concordia, despite the encouragement of
an older sister who had.
With the support of her parents, she recalled how she
prayed and asked God to guide her choice of where to
attend school. After applying at, Concordia she received
a significant scholarship because of her high academic
achievement. Even that wasn’t enough, though, to make
attendance possible. She continued to pray and asked
God to make it clear to her where He wanted her.
It wasn’t long until she received word that she would
be the recipient of an endowment scholarship that closed
her financial need gap. God is praised and we are blessed
to have her as a student and wonderful ambassador, not
just for Concordia, but more importantly for our Lord.
When it comes to financial aid and helping families
afford a quality, Christ-centered education, we have been
incredibly blessed at Concordia University Ann Arbor.
During our more than fifty-year history, generous friends
and supporters have established named endowments
or contributed to already existing endowments. Today,
these endowments total more than $8 million and bless
hundreds of families each year. Because of the endowment scholarships, students are able to continue to grow
in their faith and develop in mind, body, and spirit for
service to Christ in the Church and the world.
While many schools can offer a good education, there
are few that can provide excellence in academics in an
environment that encourages and supports Christian
faith. Without the benefit of endowments, this might
not be possible today. But praise be to God who has
worked in the hearts of so many supporters through the
years to give them the foresight to build endowments at
Concordia, in the Michigan District, and in some local
congregations. We thank God and these supporters
for their generous hearts and willingness to help keep
Lutheran education affordable.
Rev. Dr. Roy Peterson is the Vice President of
Advancement at Concordia University Wisconsin in
Mequon, WI.
A COLLEGE DEGREE
IS MORE VALUABLE WITH
CHRISTIAN VALUES.
Bible study with friends. Student-led retreats. Daily Chapel
services. At Concordia University Ann Arbor, it’s more than just
the classes shaping our students. With Christ-centered learning,
small class sizes and lots of personal attention, our students
graduate with the knowledge and values to succeed and lead in
both the workplace and the community. Contact us to learn more.
Ann Arbor
Frankenmuth Dearborn
734.995.7300 cuaa.edu
Online
www.michiganintouch.com
15
Calls and Roster Update Calendar of Events
FEBRUARY
ORDAINED
Calls Accepted
Bakker, Jonathon J. (Associate Pastor, Zion, Mt. Pleasant) to Senior Pastor,
Zion, Mt. Pleasant
Holls, Joel M. (Allen Park) to IIP, St. Paul, New Boston
Massey, Steven M. (Phoenix, AZ) to Associate Pastor, St. John, St. Johns
Meyer, Jonathan D. (Bridgeport) to St. James/Holy Trinity, Lexington, TX
Mullen, Nicholas A. (Ada) to Our Savior, Carol Stream, IL
Riggs, Robert V. (Sunbury, OH) to Calvary, Carson City
Vanderbilt, Thomas W. (White House, TN) to Messiah, Holt
Change of Status
Richter, James F. (Belleville) to Non-Candidate
Transferred In
Heiney, Timothy M. (Kansas District)
Called Home
Harms, Gerald E.
Rossow, Herman E.
COMMISSIONED
Calls Accepted
Etheridge, Kimberly (Reinstated) to Shepherd of the Lakes, Brighton
McDonald, Deborah (Living Word, Rochester) to Our Shepherd, Birmingham
Noel, Marie (Candidate) to St. Paul, Northville
Change of Status
Newman, Kimberly (St. Luke, Clinton Township) to Candidate
Trinklein, Rebecca (Non-Candidate) to Emeritus
Transferred Into District
Griffin, Shirley (Atlantic District) as Non-Candidate
Hiske, Beverly (Southeastern District) as Emeritus
Wade, Christine (Missouri District) as Candidate
Young, Kathryn (English District) as Candidate
Reinstated to the Roster
Etheridge, Kimberly as Candidate
Morris, Cheryl as Candidate
Called Home
Schultz, Lloyd
A complete up-to-date listing of Calls and Vacancies can be found at
www.michigandistrict.org, click on About.
E
MED
AR
LIF
RIT
W AT E R
F E D, A N D
2015
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APRIL
Theological Conference on the Holy Spirit
Jenison, Michigan plus simulcast locations
19–21 Office Personnel Conference
Frankenmuth, Michigan
24–26 Katie Conference
Bay City, Michigan
MAy
4–6
North & East Pastorsʼ Conference
Frankenmuth, Michigan
6–7
Circuit Visitor Conference
Frankenmuth, Michigan
12–13 South & East Pastorsʼ Conference
Frankenmuth, Michigan
JUNE
5–7
Jr. High School Youth Gathering
Frankenmuth, Michigan
21–27 Camp Restore—High School Youth Event
New Orleans, Louisiana
28–30 Michigan District, LCMS Convention
Ann Arbor, Michigan
JULY
AUGUST
2–6
Students Serve
Troy, Michigan
michiganonline
IN TOUCH
for laity and
Church Workers
February 21 Faith, Grand Blanc
March 21 Holy Cross, Jenison
Plus Simulcast Locations
michigandistrict.org/tc15
February 2015
MARCH
For detailed event information,
please visit www.michigandistrict.org/events.
Theological
Conference
16
Theological Conference on the Holy Spirit
Grand Blanc, Michigan (see display ad below)
7–11 Special Friends Camp
Fenton Township, Michigan
27–31 Grace Place Retreat
Mackinac Island
N THE SPI
EI
D,
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Check out Blogs, Pictures, Videos, and
Congregation News & Events online at
www.michiganintouch.com.