A half-million-dollar grant from the founder of eBay to Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, is being used to provide safe drinking water, sanitation and shelter to people displaced by the 18-month conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan. eBay founder Pierre…

Former LCMS World Mission executive Dr. Allan Buckman will begin serving Nov. 1 as executive director of the Lutheran Society for Missiology. The part-time position is the first for the 10-year-old mission society, which, in the past, has operated entirely with…

My First Catechism: An Illustrated Version of Luther’s Small Catechism for Children, is now available from Concordia Publishing House. The 128-page hardcover book addresses the Ten Commandments, The Apostles’ Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, confession, books of the Bible, the church…

Voncile D. Stone, vice president of operations for the Synod’s Worker Benefit Plans, has earned the professional designation of Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) and Compensation Management Specialist (CMS). The CEBS is “one of the most respected professional credentials and is…

Chaplain Matthew A. Boarts, an Illinois native who’s been in the service only five years, has been named by the Air Force as its top chaplain at the junior-officer level.  Boarts is the first — and only — recipient of…

Rev. Paul A. Hartman of Moore, Okla., is now president of the LCMS Oklahoma District, to complete the unexpired term of Dr. William Diekelmann, the Synod’s new first vice president. Hartman, first vice president of the district since 1991, was installed…

School and health kits prepared by U.S. Lutherans for children in Iraq have been so well received that the deadline for the Lutheran Hour Ministries project, “Iraqi Children — Precious in His Sight,” has been extended. Nearly 2,500 boxes of school…

By Paula Schlueter Ross A total of 38 new missionary families are beginning work with LCMS World Mission in 15 countries this fall.  Almost all of them — 35 — are long-term volunteers who are providing their own financial support, in…

By David L. Mahsman “It is time for The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod to turn the world upside down for Jesus,” Synod President Gerald Kieschnick told Synod leaders — board and commission members and executive staff — shortly after many of them…

“Ethical Conflicts in Health Care: The Christian Response” will be the focus of the 10th Annual Parish Nurse and Congregational Health Fall Conference, to be held Oct. 15 at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon. In his keynote address, Dr. John Saleska, director…

Concordia University, River Forest, Ill., is seeking two full-time visiting assistant/associate professors of educational administration and/or research to teach leadership or research courses in the MA School Leadership program and the doctoral leadership program. Professors are expected to have excellence in…

The Daniel Preus letter In considering former First Vice President Daniel Preus’ objections to Res. 7-02A (Reporter, Sept ’04), he and the Synod should keep in mind what the Commission on Constitutional Matters has already said.  In the minutes of its…

With 25 two-member teams ready to serve, “Harvesters for Christ” would like to hear from congregations that need a team to help begin, revitalize, enhance or expand their outreach-ministry efforts. Since 1997, more than 100 congregations in 29 districts have used…

Wheat Ridge Ministries is rolling out nine seal designs from the past for its 2004 Christmas seals.  Getting set to mark its 100th anniversary next year, Wheat Ridge has offered seals and received donations from those using them since 1911.…

A brochure on the growing ministry of parish nursing is now available in Spanish from LCMS Health Ministries, a unit of LCMS World Relief and Human Care.  The resource is for anyone who speaks Spanish and is interested in learning…

“Lectionary at Lunch,” a Web resource from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, that provides audio files to help pastors prepare sermons, now offers a new discussion-group feature.  At www.csl.edu/lection.htm, pastors can hear seminary faculty members translating the Old Testament and Gospel…