missionaryMAC

I did two presentations over the weekend; the first was at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Percy, IL, a congregation I got connected with when I attended a recent tri-circuit meeting . Worship there is at 6:30 pm on Saturday evenings.  (The opening hymn was "Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today! (LSB 457)" so it's as good a time as any to post a picture of the reminder from fellow LAC missionary Lizz Warren I see on my refrigerator everyday that it's STILL the joyous Easter season!) EVERYONE (maybe 20 or so people, most of whom had already introduced themselves to me personally) stayed for my presentation, which was immediately following. I then had a chance to talk with people further as we enjoyed fellowship and snacks; they're like one, big, happy, tight-knit family! One lady I met at Emmanuel, Mary, shared with me - and anyone else within earshot! - that it was her and her husband John's 52nd anniversary of holding hands for the first time. Once you s...

I got home a little big ago from my second Tri-circuit meeting, this one comprised of churches in southeastern MO. It took place at a senior living facility in Cape Girardeau, about an hour and 45 min. drive from my house.  The agenda consisted of an opening devo, part I of a keynote address on the 500th anniversary of the Heidelberg Disputation, my presentation, lunch, part II of the keynote, and a closing devo. As the Circuit Visitor in charge introduced the keynote speaker, he lamented the fact that amid the hubbub of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, the Heidelberg Disputation was completely overshadowed. I wasted no time in pointing out that a theological symposium bringing together the presidents of eight church bodies and the directors of three seminaries wrapped up yesterday in the Dominican Republic. The topic? You guessed it - the Heidelberg Disputation! Check it out on the LCMS Missions in Latin America & the Caribbean Facebook page . (If y...

I've been throwing the title term around pretty often lately as I've introduced myself to countless new faces while on the road support-raising. Today though, I had the privilege of sharing the work I've been called to do in the Dominican Republic with "my home church." I wasn't baptized there, but I've been a member since age 3. I have a stash of Sunday school attendance pins (remember those?!?) that go all the way back to Little Lambs. I wiggled through day school chapels every Friday in the scarlet-cushioned pews I was facing. I've probably read every line of Luke 2 from that lectern by the time you count all the Christmas programs I've been in. I was confirmed mere feet from where I was standing.  I've perfected the technique of "floofing" the enormous trees that adorn the chancel area behind me every Advent and Christmas. I can pin on a boutonniere like a pro after all the weddings I've coordinated at the altar to my left....

I thought St. Louis, home to the LCMS International Center, was the Lutheran Holy Land. I stand corrected! On Sunday I spoke at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg, MO, one of the original seven colonies established by the German Lutherans who followed Rev. Martin Stephan south from St. Louis to Perry County.  Let's back up a bit first, though. Trinity contacted Mission Advancement to request a missionary speaker for their Spring Mission Festival; I was asked to be that person. Altenburg is only about an hour and 45 min. from my house, but ever trying to capitalize on my travels, I requested a list of nearby churches to see if any had an opening on Saturday night. Coincidentally (or not), one of the pastors at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chester, IL, did his vicarage in the Dominican Republic! He arranged for me to present after the 6:30 pm service AND invited me to not just a circuit meeting, but a TRI-circuit meeting, on Tuesday of the week leading up to my visi...

My March/April newsletter is out! Please read, enjoy, post, & share.  Click on the image below to access a PDF.  OR Click here for the web version. Click "Subscribe" (upper left) to be added to my email distribution list. Until next time, blessings!

I had the distinct, long-awaited privilege of visiting a MIRACLE PLACE in Mapleton, IA, called Mission Central on Saturday. Rather than try to explain what it is, I'll let you read the story for yourself and stick to telling you about my day. The dynamo behind the place is "Old Missionary Gary" (although he'll tell you he doesn't do anything; it's all his Boss), aided by the Rev. Dr. Brent Smith. They are both NOT NORMAL, and neither are any of their visitors or the missionaries they support. They like to remind you of that frequently 😉 After exiting I-29 and driving 20 miles, this is what you see: The first order of business was to take a picture of me  with the Boss. Gary & I then recorded a 6 min. interview-style video that can be used in any number of congregational settings. Let me know if you/your church would like a copy.  My visit coincided with one of Mission Central's larger events, drawing 200+ visitors from 4 states. We...

Never thought I'd have said that...twice...by the time I closed the book on my first network building trip. Needless to say, I was glad there was no snow when I got home this afternoon! Thursday morning I presented during First Lutheran Church in Missouri Valley, IA's weekly Bible study. I could count the attendees on both hands, but all seemed genuinely interested and asked great questions. I knew one of the "snowbird" couples that wintered in El Paso when I was serving at Ysleta, Mike & Marcia, was from Missouri Valley, so I asked after them on a whim. One of the couples at Bible study knew them well and gave Marcia a call to no avail. I would have been content to send greetings and be on my way, but the couple offered to drive me by Mike & Marcia's nearby home. I gladly tailed them the few blocks and then did something unthinkable in my city neighborhood but perfectly commonplace in Small Town, USA: knocked on the door unannounced! Mike was home; M...

Hola from Omaha! I set out on my first of many network building road trips yesterday morning. Thankfully, there were no delays of any kind and blue skies all the way! My destination last night was Christ Lutheran Church in Nebraska City, Nebraska. First, I made one planned stop, to meet with the pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Sedalia, MO (sorry - forgot to take a picture!), whose wife & I went to high school together, and one unplanned stop. Not long after leaving Sedalia, I saw a billboard for Faith Lutheran Church in Knob Noster, MO, along US 50. Figuring it couldn't be more than 5 min. out of my way, I spontaneously veered off my route, used Google Maps to find the church, and...it was locked and no one was there! Not to be discouraged, I stuck one of my prayer cards in the door and emailed the pastor later :) Then it was on to Nebraska City, former home of the Morton family (as in Morton Salt) and birthplace of Arbor Day. The pastor and his wife treated me...

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10) Few things make me happier than baking and decorating cookies...except maybe when they're for my church's annual Easter egg hunt, which took place yesterday morning. I look forward to the plea for volunteers in the bulletin every year. Seriously, if I can glorify God by using the gifts He's given me, I'm all about it! Right now, in addition to baking cookies, that looks like cultivating a network of support by scheduling and conducting church visits and presentations, thanking and communicating with donors, and preparing to move abroad. That makes me happy. Soon, that will look like developing and implementing a strategy for short-term mission teams in Latin America. That makes me happy, too. As the conclusion of the section including the above verse ("Stewards of God's Grace") says, "To him [to our RISEN and VICTORIOUS Lord and Sa...