TEXAS MESSENGER - The Texas District of the Lutheran Church ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Lone Star District LLL Lutheran Hour Ministries launched new radio outreach in the Middle East Weekly Arabic program broadcasts into civil turmoil countries Six months ago, the Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) office in Beirut, Lebanon, began broadcasting Arabic-language Christian programming that reaches 10 predominantly Muslim countries— Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, the Palestinian Territories, northern Sudan and, of course, Lebanon. LHM—Lebanon, known locally as Middle East Lutheran Ministries (MELM), will write and produce one original program that will air weekly, as well as shorter spots that will air twice daily to advertise the regular program and offer enrollment in Bible correspondence courses. According to Eric Gates, Lutheran Hour Ministries’ area counselor for Africa and the Middle East, this initiative ties into one of LHM’s strategic imperatives. “We are working harder than ever to reach ‘unreached people,’ “ says Gates, “which includes people who have grown up Muslim in that part of the world. The recent political developments in the region highlight how important it is to make the Gospel available to them right now.” Reaching the young adults among the unrest Lutheran Hour Ministries expects its audience to be composed primarily of university students and young adults. According to Gates, more than 73 percent of adults age 18-35 listen regularly to radio programs. “It used to be that listeners would respond with postcards,” Gates adds. “But when these ‘digital native’ listeners contact us, they’ll use email, text messaging or even social media websites. We’re prepared with resources to help them understand what they hear.” Fadi Khairallah, director of Lebanon’s ministry center reports “It is sad to realize that the situation is slowly deteriorating into civil war and that violence could spread to Lebanon especially to North Lebanon near Tripoli as there is a strong Alawite community among a majority of Sunnis there. Although the country and Beirut will be affected, the staff should be safe and fine and work at the office should continue uninterrupted.” Middle East Lutheran Ministry staff prepared for the launch of Arabic-language Gospel programming. Abdullah’s story Abdullah, a Jordanian young man, remembers with bitterness those dark days that he lived before he knew Jesus Christ. “I was so desperate, bored, depressed and restless until that time when I heard about Jesus on a radio program titled, “Hope Amidst Despair,” broadcast by MELM. I didn’t have the least desire to listen but luckily something beyond my will made me stop and listen” he says. Since then, Abdullah’s life took a whole turn and his soul desired nothing anymore but to know more about Jesus who took him from despair to hope, from restlessness to comfort and from darkness to light. “Words are not enough to express the change that took place in my life after listening to your program. I owe it all to Jesus who died for all of us sinners” he adds. Those at MELM ask all our friends and supporters to pray for those who are trapped in the darkness of the world to find their way out just as Abdullah did and to pray for us to continue reaching out for those in need to hear about Jesus. R TEXAS district
LWML Texas District Messenger news Bamsch District site offers mites, convention information and more! by Ann Bamsch, Treasurer, Texas District LWML One of the greatest joys of my job as the LWML Texas District treasurer is writing the checks for the mission grants. When the delegates at convention choose them, the amounts sound overwhelming. But as we put our mites in the offering and say a prayer for them to grow and multiply to God’s glory, they grow. At the last convention in Austin, the delegates approved mission grants totaling $185,187.50. As I write this article early in February, $5,316.80 remains to be paid. I know that with everyone’s support and prayers, this balance will be paid prior to March 31. You can see what these grants are and what they are accomplishing by going to the Texas District LWML website, www.lwmltxdist.org. I urge you to check it out. The ladies who put this together have done a super great job. My hats off to them! There are so many things that are helpful at this site. It has all the information about the upcoming convention that will be held in Bryan-College Station June 28- July 1. During this convention, you will Adorn Yourself with God’s Word, His Wisdom, our Witness! The goal is for all women to become bolder and more assured in their role of “being in mission”. In our daily lives, Lutheran women in mission will adorn themselves for the purpose of seeking His Word, gaining His Wisdom and living to witness His Gospel. We also will adorn each day “richly” as forgiven women of the Father. Let us willingly and joyfully face a world desperately needing to hear the precious words of salvation through Jesus. Talking about convention, have you ever gone to a convention It is spiritually uplifting. There will be Bible study, a worship service, a keynote speaker, break-out sessions, singing, meeting old friends and making new ones, opportunities to do service projects, electing new officers and, of course, deciding on the next mission grants. I would urge you to try to attend or, better yet, urge someone who has never gone to go with you. Have your society choose a different delegate—someone who has never been to a convention. Does your society help pay the cost of registration and the hotel room You still have time to get registered and get the hotel room booked. The website also has information about the 75th Anniversary Endowment Campaign. Have you thought about making a commitment to the 75th Anniversary endowment campaign The website tells you how you can do this—it’s easy! At the convention, stop by the booth and find out all about it. Become a lady with a purple hat! In another district’s newsletter that I read, it talked about going “overboard” with things. This happens to the most of us in planning for things. What if we went overboard with our donations to our two endowments We would have more to use for spiritual enrichment, member development and leadership training opportunities for members of the LWML Texas District and we could give more scholarships to young women who are pursuing full-time church work. Another thing you will find on the website is a list of all the officers. If you have any questions, contact one. We are happy to help you understand LWML. You can also access the district newsletter, Linked by Love. It always has interesting articles and the latest information about deadlines and forms that need to be completed. These deadlines and forms are important. That is how the officer gets the needed information in a timely manner. There is also a link to the national LWML. From that site you can sign up for daily devotions that will come to your email, or if you need a bible study, there are many to choose from. It reminds us of the noontime prayer on Mondays and many other things that are of interest. Today, we know that the mission field is right in our back yard. Let us continue to pray that our mites will multiply and be used to God’s glory. Maybe, we can go overboard. “Be Strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9 GW). Send your LWML news to Laura Wilson, editor, Texas District LWML, 3034 Elm Ave., Groves, TX 77619 districtnews@lwmltxdist.org (Articles are due by the ninth of the month). Texas District LWML Convention June 28-July 1 Bryan/ College Station APRIL 2012 S
Page 1 and 2: From the president Texas Messenger
Page 3 and 4: Missions in Texas Texas Messenger T
Page 5 and 6: Happenings in Texas Texas Messenger
Page 7 and 8: Praise the Lord Texas Messenger DAL
Page 9 and 10: youth happenings Texas Messenger OU
Page 11 and 12: More ties that bind Texas Messenger
Page 13 and 14: CAN-DO Missions Concordia—Texas T
Page 15 and 16: Lutheran Foundation of Texas Texas
Page 17: Texas Church Extension Fund Texas M

TEXAS MESSENGER - The Texas District of the Lutheran Church ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?