Four more “outreach centers for the blind” — in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Daytona Beach, Fla.; Detroit, Mich.; and Maplewood, Mo. — have opened in recent months, bringing to 28 the number of centers opened Synodwide since 1999. The outreach centers,…

A training event to prepare workers for Harvesters for Christ is set for May 13-16 in St. Louis. Rev. Al Tormoehlen, director of the outreach program, said that Harvesters for Christ volunteers “have a passion for the lost and are…

The 10th annual Arizona Lutherhostel, sponsored by the Association of Lutheran Older Adults (ALOA), will be held March 15-19 at “Picture Rocks” near Tucson, Ariz. Lutherhostel events are designed to provide opportunities for older adults to experience intellectual, social and…

Six days after President George W. Bush proposed new immigration policy on Jan. 7, the president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) said his agency “applauds [Bush] for bringing immigration reform into the center of policy debate.” “As a nation…

The president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), Baltimore, says he hopes a film that premiered Jan. 19 on cable television “moves the hearts of Lutherans and other Americans to join us in welcoming those seeking political asylum.” In an LIRS…

The Synod’s first-ever missionary-alumni reunion will be held July 8-12 in St. Louis, in conjunction with the Synod convention.  More than 200 people are expected to attend, including active and retired missionaries and long-term volunteer missionaries, past and current LCMS…

Alan D. Gunderman, executive director of educational services for the LCMS Kansas District since 1990, died of a heart attack Dec. 25 at his home in Topeka. The funeral service for Gunderman, 59, was Dec. 30 at Grace Episcopal Cathedral,…

Wheat Ridge Ministries of Itasca, Ill., announced that it is awarding more than $400,000 in grants to 15 congregations and to help 12 new projects of other ministries. The congregations include six in the Missouri Synod. Grants totaling $370,000 are…

Registrations are now being accepted for the 2004 Black Ministry Family Convocation, July 7-11 at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis.  Theme of the convocation is “King of Kings.” The convocation brings together LCMS members involved in Black ministry for…

“When I got off the plane, I said, ‘My life is going to be protected now.’  Instead I was locked up like a criminal. … I kept saying, ‘This is America?’” Mekabou Fofana, a young man who fled war in…

The Center for Liturgical Art at Concordia University, Seward, Neb., is inviting artists whose work has religious themes and is meant for worship settings to submit information for a database of liturgical artists that the center is assembling for its…

Twelve Lutheran college fairs are planned this winter and spring at locations around the country.  A fair in Phoenix took place too late for this issue of Reporter. Representatives of the schools — the Synod’s 10 colleges and universities and those…

“Building Blocks for Today’s Great Commission Congregations” is the theme for the fourth annual Outreach Leadership Institute, to be held July 29-31 at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn. The institute is a training event for those “who have a heart…

A traveling exhibit from Germany with more than 100 copies of items associated with Martin Luther has upcoming engagements on the campuses of the Missouri Synod’s two seminaries. The exhibit, titled “Martin Luther: The Reformer,” features “high-quality facsimiles and copies”…

Six days after President George W. Bush proposed new immigration policy on Jan. 7, the president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) said his agency “applauds [Bush] for bringing immigration reform into the center of policy debate.” “As a nation…

By David L. Mahsman The Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) and representatives of the Synod’s Board of Directors Jan. 5 had what the CCM’s chairman termed an “open and frank discussion” related to recent Board actions. Synod President Gerald Kieschnick…