In midst of suffering, God 'is still with Haiti'

By Paula Schlueter Ross The haunting images and heart-wrenching memories will be with him for the rest of his life, says LCMS Missionary James Neuendorf. The missionary was part of the Synod’s six-person “assessment team” that traveled the rutted, dusty…

Gifts for Haiti: $1.35 million — and counting

In just two weeks, as this Reporter was going to press on Jan. 27, LCMS World Relief and Human Care had received donations and pledges totaling $1.35 million to assist victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. That amount…

Response to model theological conference on worship 'positive'

By Joe Isenhower Jr. Response from participants in the Synod’s Jan. 11-13 Model Theological Conference on Worship has been largely positive, based on comments several of them have shared with Reporter and according to conference planners.  The goal of the…

Hewitt, Senske are named to top Thrivent Financial posts

Two Missouri Synod Lutherans have been named to top posts at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans: Brad Hewitt, currently the organization’s chief operating officer, begins serving Feb. 1 as its new president and chief executive officer. Hewitt, who will also join…

Record 160-plus Lutherans join Jan. 22 'March for Life'

By Sarah Schafer WASHINGTON — A record 160-plus Lutherans from 10 states gathered here Jan. 22 for the 37th annual “March for Life.” The march observes the anniversary of the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion…

LCMS educators connect with college in Bethlehem

By Roland Lovstad Representatives from five Concordia universities and one seminary laid groundwork for partnerships with Dar al-Kalima College, a fledgling Lutheran college in Bethlehem, during a mid-January visit to Palestine. By signing “Memorandums of Understanding” on behalf of their institutions,…

LCMS Assessment Team enters Haiti, meets with Kessa

By Kim Plummer Krull An LCMS assessment team crossed from the Dominican Republic into Haiti in the early hours of Jan. 22 and met with Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti President Rev. Marky Kessa at a local police station. Team…

LCMS mercy arm receives $600,000 for Haiti

In just one week, LCMS World Relief and Human Care has received donations and pledges totaling at least $600,000 to assist victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. That amount includes a $100,000 grant from the Lutheran Foundation of…

LCMS teams begin work near Haiti with medical care, relief supplies

By Kim Plummer Krull An LCMS World Relief and Human Care emergency Mercy Medical Team (MMT) landed in the Dominican Republic Jan. 19, and half of the 13-member team worked through the night to care for patients at the Good…

For convention updates, check Web site

Information about the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, to be held July 10-17 in Houston, is posted on the convention Web site at www.lcms.org/?13524. Information on the Web site includes: a “Quick Facts Sheet” about the convention.…

Kieschnick launches e-journal

Synod President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick has launched an “e-journal” titled Perspectives to share his thoughts on a wide range of topics, including family, life matters, church issues, current news, and national and world events. “My goal is to provide…

Needed: medical volunteers for Haiti

General practice physicians, surgeons, and emergency-room personnel are especially needed to treat victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti, according to LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC). The medical volunteers are needed to serve on at least three…

Galik to start ministry for church worker health

Dr. Karl Galik, a 27-year veteran LCMS pastor in Gainesville, Fla., has joined Grace Place Lutheran Retreats as associate director for congregational ministry to introduce a new retreat program to strengthen professional church worker health and wellness in congregations. LCMS…

Haiti Lutheran church president provides update

In a 35-minute telephone call early Jan. 15, Rev. Marky Kessa, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti, updated LCMS pastor Rev. S.T. Williams on the situation in Haiti following a devastating earthquake in the Caribbean nation three days…

Task force to address 'theological implications' of ELCA sexuality decisions

A new seven-member Task Force on Theological Implications of ELCA Human Sexuality Decisions appointed by Synod President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick is being asked to develop a “theological statement that addresses issues of biblical authority, especially in matters of human…

Resources available for 'Lutheran Schools Week'

Lutheran schools and their sponsoring congregations may order a variety of resources from LCMS District and Congregational Services — School Ministry and Concordia Publishing House to promote “National Lutheran Schools Week,” set for March 7-13.  This year’s theme, “Securing Each…