LCMS World Mission Blog

Photo of the Week

2008-12-04T16:16:55Z

Sunday School workshop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

View more photos from Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Learn more about mission work in Cambodia.

An update from Travis Torblaa, LCMS World Mission personnel care manager

2008-12-03T23:39:20Z

The news media has been keeping us well-informed of the instability in Bangkok, Thailand and Jos, Nigeria over the past week. LCMS World Mission has missionaries residing in both cities. Join LCMS World Mission in thanking God for His protection of all LCMS missionaries and pray for their continued safety and for peace to return to these cities. LCMS World Mission will continue to monitor the situations in Bangkok and Jos closely to ensure the ongoing safety of the missionaries serving there.

From long-term missionary Matthew Fick in Taiwan

2008-12-04T22:08:16Z

“I love the kids that come to Friday Night Bible Study (FNBS). I really get to know them on a deeper level than I would if we were in a regular class. Many students that go to FNBS are from Concordia, so I know them a little bit from seeing them on campus. Stanley has been coming to FNBS ever since I’ve been in Taiwan. He is an excellent kid. Last year, he started learning how to play the guitar and started to play with the group of missionaries that play songs the first half hour of FNBS.

“It is really great to see him grow and want to help out. In class at school, he is the same way-always willing to help. Since he goes to Concordia, his English ability is higher than others, as is his knowledge of the Bible. He has been great at helping translate words or phrases that are unique to Christianity and are hard to explain at times in English with no Chinese translation.

“At the last FNBS, Stanley was repeating a new English phrase. He kept saying, ‘Why is this important?’ I was teaching the junior high class about God as a father figure. I usually add questions that I am not sure of the exact answer or where it will lead. This was one such question. Throughout the class, I asked, ‘Why is this important?’ At the end of class, Stanley was staying after helping clean up the room with Michael, a fellow missionary, and me. Here, one-on-one, we were able to answer more of his questions and get at the root of why it is important to be learning about God and who He is. Stanley is still thinking and is continuing with his questions, but I really hope the Holy Spirit works in him. He is a great kid and already has lots of knowledge of Christ and His love.”

From Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots U.S. in Neah Bay, Wash.

2008-12-04T22:07:27Z

Rosemary Sternbeck serves on the LAMP U.S. ministry staff in Neah Bay, Wash. She writes, “The Morning Star Girls Club had many plans and goals set to be completed by the end of the school year. One major goal was to put on a mother-daughter tea. A conference room was rented. Invitations were made and sent out. China was unboxed and washed. Songs and dances were practiced. The girls worked to finish sewing aprons, pajama bottoms, dance aprons, pillowcases, shoulder bags, and embellish tee shirts and jeans for the fashion show. Decorations for the tables and favors for each guest were made. Marla worked with girls who wanted to participate in a skit. Terry spent time in the kitchen each day with the girls making wonderful things to be eaten at the tea. Every inch of the church was a flurry of activity. Almost every night we stayed up late planning for the next day. The day of the event arrived.

“The tables were beautifully set for 45 people. The quilt that the girls had made was displayed. There was ample food for all of the guests. There was plenty of hot water for the tea pots. All of the girls’ sewing projects were finished and hanging in place for the fashion show. Girls were comfortable with their parts in the skit. We felt like our songs and dances had come together. Fifteen girls participated. They girls did a wonderful job serving tables, modeling their projects, doing their skit, singing, and enjoying the presence of their families and guests.

“Looking back after a little rest, I can see more clearly all that the girls have accomplished and how they have grown. This year, we have been studying the Ten Commandments and the difference between Law and Gospel. More than anything, I want each girl to know how much they are loved by the Father and Jesus who died for them. I want them to know they will never be alone. I want them to know Jesus is at the right hand of the Father cheering for them. I want them to know the Holy Spirit is able to help them in every circumstance each day. I want them to know the Body of Christ is praying for them. I want them to know God has a special plan for each of their lives.

“On July 13, two of the girls from the Morning Star Club were led by the Holy Spirit to be baptized in the Soo-yess River. It was a beautiful service with a dinner afterwards at the church for the girls, family, and friends. It was a reminder to me that God will accomplish His perfect will in His own time. And like the Martha of the Scriptures, I can take comfort in knowing I am not saved by anything I can do, but by what Jesus has already done.”

From Claude and Rhoda Houge, on assignment in Ethiopia

2008-12-04T22:06:17Z

“The Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) is made up of almost five million members. Their church is divided into synods, or districts. This was Claude’s first visit to the headquarters of the Central Ethiopian Synod, the largest one. He was also able to see classes in session at Hope of Life Training Center, where there is a two-year program for training evangelists for the church. Their buildings are overcrowded, which is a good problem since that means many people are being trained. But, it is also a challenge for this school.

“Claude had not been to Gambella in western Ethiopia for some time, so he was glad for the opportunity to meet with church leaders there. There are many Sudanese in this area, because of refugee camps, but many are starting to move back to Sudan. Besides discussions with church leaders and EECMY synodical leadership in that area, Claude enjoyed Sunday morning worship with more than 1,000 people. He was also able to give the church 144 Nuer-language Bibles for distribution into areas of Sudan where the church is being planted.

“After returning to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, Claude went to Awassa, about five hours south, and visited the leadership at a Tabor congregation. These people are serious about outreach, and the LCMS has helped support Mission Training Centers in this area. They have planted more than 20 churches in an area that is heavily Muslim. Their main church is very large, and they are in the process of building a bigger building (without asking for financial help from our mission).”

From Glenn and Susan Fluegge in Togo

2008-12-04T22:04:58Z

“How do we better train pastors for the African Lutheran churches in the 21st century? A major part of responding to that question involves a serious study of current courses—how they should be changed and improved to produce within the students the theological aptitude of a servant of the Word.

“I [Glenn] had the privilege of teaching Homiletics II (preaching) this past quarter. In many ways, this course was designed to be the capstone course that sought to bring together all that the students had learned with regard to interpreting biblical texts and preaching their message to God’s people. The students had only two tasks: Preach sermons and evaluate sermons. Simple, right? No, not at all!

“The texts chosen for their sermons were some of the most difficult in the Bible. As the course went on and as we engaged in daily class and group discussions, I could see the students wrestle with these texts. I could sense their inner turmoil as the texts worked their work on the students. I empathized with them as they went through the struggle of every preacher—remain faithful to the text, preach Christ crucified, and apply it to my parishioners. (The three do not often fit together nearly as nicely as one might imagine!)

“On the last day of class, I revealed to the students the true goal of the class—to engage them in the ‘tentatio of the preacher.’ Luther referred to tentatio as one of the keys to making a theologian—the ‘tribulation’ or ‘fierce struggle’ that a theologian goes through as he ministers. I truly believe that that tentatio must start now while they are still in the classroom atmosphere, among their fellow ‘sufferers,’ and under the guidance of a professor. As such, I believe that effective, dynamic, and faithful preaching only comes about through such a tentatio. Their learning is not finished. Oh no! It’s just begun. The tentatio continues. But two things are certain: They now see themselves as preachers and they will never see a biblical text in the same light again.

“One student said on the end-of-the-term course evaluation: ‘This course gave me a deeper understanding of the art of preaching. I have noticed that I have undergone a great change and I now have a desire to preach without being afraid of any texts.’ Another student commented that ‘It was a course that transformed my pastoral behavior.’ Alleluia!”

From long-term missionary Ashley Effken in the Czech Republic

2008-12-04T22:03:34Z

“The beginners’ English class on Monday night was packed, with people from our church and people I’d never seen before. There were around 30 faces staring at me when I walked into the classroom. The next day, the two conversation classes had a much higher-than-normal attendance level, and on Wednesday-when I started my first-ever intermediate class-there were nearly 20 people present. I couldn’t believe it.

“These classes are an incredible opportunity for me to talk about Jesus and about His Book to my students. So far, the reception has been wonderful. One example is from this past week, when one of the teen girls in the conversation class asked for more information when we came to a question in our books about how our story-Jacob’s Ladder-related to Jesus.

“When I explained the background of the story and the connection to Christ, she made the amazed observation that the whole Bible is only one story. It was wonderful to see that realization on her face, especially because she is not a Christian. I hope that many more moments like this happen, and that the Holy Spirit will use the reading of the Bible in these classes as His means for making new believers.”

Interim executive director named by mission board

2008-12-04T16:21:03Z

On Nov. 19, Kermit “Butch” Almstedt, chairman of the Board for Mission Services (BFMS), announced on behalf of the Board, their unanimous decision to appoint Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Zehnder as interim executive director of LCMS World Mission. Zehnder accepted this appointment the same day.

“This is a wonderful blessing to us,” shares Almstedt, “as Tom is already a part of the LCMS World Mission family as Japan missionary alumnus and currently as an advisory member of our Board-President Kieschnick’s representative to the Board for Mission Services. Therefore, Tom is very knowledgeable of LCMS World Mission and the BFMS’s plans, vision, and priorities for LCMS World Mission. He is also a great supporter of the Synod’s Ablaze! movement and the Fan into Flame campaign to support it.

“Please join the Board in giving thanks to God for His provision of such a gifted leader for LCMS World Mission at this time.”

The son of a Lutheran Pastor, Zehnder was born in Hoisington, Kan. After graduating from Saint John’s Academy and College in Winfield, Kan., he attended and graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., in 1961.

Upon graduation, he and his wife, Jacquelyn, were assigned to serve through LCMS World Mission as missionaries for the Japan Lutheran Church. After language study, they were placed at Izumi Lutheran Church, Yokohama, Japan. The Zehnder family remained with the Japan Lutheran Church until returning to the United States in 1970.

From 1970, the Zehnders served at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus, Ga., and Redeemer Lutheran Church, Stuart, Fla. In 1987, Zehnder became president of the Florida-Georgia District and served in that office until 1997, when he returned to parish ministry at King of Glory Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Va.

Since repositioning from full-time parish ministry in 2001, Zehnder has continued to serve parishes in interim situations in Arkansas, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin, and is involved in various church-related ministries. He recently completed a 10-year term as a member of the national Board of Directors of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. He is a writer for Wheat Ridge Ministries, a member of the Board of Luther Institute, a Washington D.C.-based Lutheran ministry, and leads retreats and speaks at various church-related events and venues.

The Zehnders’ residence is in Baileys Harbor, Wis. They have four married children and eleven grandchildren.

Please join LCMS World Mission in lifting Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Zehnder up in prayer as he takes on this crucial leadership role and in giving thanks for the Lord’s gracious provision!

I Found It! - Video

2008-11-17T04:08:18Z

John and Doris Bowerman share about their experience serving as long-term missionaries at Concordia English Center in Macau.

Post-hurricane update from Ed and Cherie Auger in the Cayman Islands

2008-12-04T16:23:17Z

Ed and Cherie Auger, who serve at Safe Habour Community Lutheran Church in Grand Cayman, shared the following update after Hurricane Paloma passed the island on Nov. 7.

“We are pleased to inform you that Grand Cayman was spared serious damage as Category 3 Hurricane Paloma veered 18 miles to the east as it approached the island on Friday, Nov. 7. We did experience hurricane-force winds, but not the rain and storm surge originally predicted.

“After finishing hurricane preparations in the parsonage and church offices, we spent 24 hours with Ronnie and Ruth Anglin in their well-constructed West Bay home. We were able to return to our home and begin the process of cleaning up and setting things back in place on Saturday morning. This morning, we thanked God in our worship service for His protection, but also offered prayers for His compassionate response to the population of our sister island, Cayman Brac. Cayman Brac is approximately 1 mile wide and 10 miles long, with a permanent population of between 1500 - 2000 people.

“Cayman Brac is generally regarded as one of the premier destination scuba diving locations in the world. It has some unique ecological characteristics and provides a home base for countless species of marine birds. We visited Cayman Brac for the first time less than two weeks ago. Paloma was a category 4 storm when it made landfall on ‘the Brac.’ Initial reports indicate that at least 65 percent of the homes on the small island were either damaged or destroyed. The government continues to assess the damage.

“About 1,500 feet of the 5,000-foot runway at the airport was under water, which prevented the larger Cayman Airways jets from landing with relief supplies. However, relief efforts are underway. Privately owned boats are departing Grand Cayman this afternoon for the 90-mile trip with the first wave of relief supplies. Cherie and I [Ed] had the opportunity to take the remainder of our hurricane supplies, some food, water, blue tarp, etc. to the harbour where the boats were loading this afternoon. The photo above shows a boat loaded for departure today. Members of Safe Harbour are responding with goods and services to the critical needs of fellow Caymanians. Long term relief efforts will be essential for the recovery of the island population and land. We will share more news as it becomes available. Please pray for God’s blessings upon the residents of Cayman Brac and also the residents of the island of Cuba who have been hit with yet another major storm this year. Thank you for your prayers for us and interest in the ministry of Safe Harbour Community Lutheran Church.”

Download the Augers’ prayer card.
Support the Augers’ work at Safe Harbour Community Lutheran Church.