Dr. Douglas L. Rutt of Fort Wayne, Ind., began work July 30 as director of the International Ministries division at Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM).
As director, Rutt will oversee the International Ministries division in St. Lou
His responsibilities include setting the division’s vision and planning; evaluating programming and training; stimulating the growth of local support in each country with an LHM office; maintaining productive working relationships with local board and partner church leaders; and maximizing the number of responses and congregation referrals around the world by directing, coaching and supervising area counselors so that the ministry centers proclaim the Gospel message appropriately to local populations.
Rutt formerly served as associate professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and dean for Distance Learning for Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. He was on the seminary faculty for two years (1995-97) before returning in June 2000.
He has previously served as a missionary to Guatemala, where he was involved in church planting and theological education, and as pastor at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. James, Minn., and St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Truman, Minn. He also has served as area secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean with LCMS World Mission.
Rutt has written several articles on mission history and practice and is currently editor of Communicator, the regular newsletter of the Lutheran Society for Missiology. He also consults and speaks on mission issues throughout the United States and Latin America, and currently serves as chairman of both the Lutheran Bible Translators Board of Directors and the Seminary Relations Committee of the International Lutheran Council.
Rutt is a graduate of Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, Minn.; Minnesota State University, Mankato; and Concordia Theological Seminary.
Posted Aug. 18, 2010
