In two new installments of “Board Briefs,” the Synod’s Board of Directors continues to address questions related to the outside legal opinions regarding the Board’s authority that it obtained last year. It also discusses “executive sessions” of the Board and…
Kieschnick sends new memo on Benke
LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick says that continuing questions related to participation of Atlantic District President David Benke in the post-Sept. 11, 2001, “A Prayer for America” at Yankee Stadium led him to send a recent memo to all Missouri Synod…
ALMA conference focuses on 'creating alliances'
Examples of how a successful mission “alliance” is formed — and explanations of why such alliances are necessary today — were shared at this year’s conference of the Association of Lutheran Mission Agencies (ALMA), Jan. 9-11 in St. Louis. The…
India seminary challenges grads to start own congregations
The India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC) today has more than 50 new and re-established congregations and preaching stations, thanks to a challenge issued three years ago asking seminary graduates to start their own churches. Graduates of Concordia Seminary in Nagercoil,…
Groh, Mehl begin work as missions directors
LCMS World Mission has filled two of its four new regional director positions.Dr. Jorge Groh and Rev. John Mehl began work in January as regional directors for Latin America and Eurasia, respectively. Their responsibilities include working with LCMS mission partners…
Reddel receives chaplaincy award
Rev. Eugene L. Reddel, chief of chaplain service and clinical pastoral education supervisor for the Department of Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, has received the VA’s “Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Chaplaincy.” The award, the highest given to a VA…
European missionaries to attend U.S. institute
In their quest to make western Europe Ablaze! with the Gospel, missionaries from Lutheran church bodies in Germany and Slovakia are planning to attend the Missouri Synod’s Mission Planters Institute this month in Orlando, Fla. The institute, sponsored by the…
Lutherans open more 'outreach centers for blind'
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,…
'Harvesters' training set for May
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…
Lutherhostel to be held in March
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…
LIRS head praises Bush's immigration proposal
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…
LIRS official: Film raises awareness about political asylum
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…
Retired, active missionaries to gather
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 Gunderman dies; Kansas District exec
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 announces $400k-plus in grants
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…
Black Ministry Convocation set for July in St. Louis
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…
