“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little. I will set you over much” (see Mt 25:14-31). Week 6 of home service. Praise God, I have now joined up with Lula again. We are staying near the home of our daughter Carlotta, her husband Jacob, and their new baby, Jane, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. I was recently invited to give two presentations and to preach at LCMS Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa. We missionaries are immensely grateful to “Old Missionary” Gary Thies, Rev. Steve Schulz, their 105 Mission Central volunteers, and all our friends at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis, who connect us missionaries with thousands of supporters across America, provide us with world-class logistics, and keep us safe. Without these wonderful people, LCMS missionaries would not be able to proclaim the Gospel around the globe. At Mission Central I also met John Stacy (pictured), the son and also father of an LCMS pastor. John had always wanted to be a pastor himself, but for years “life” got in the way. Now enrolled in the Special Ministry Program at Concordia St. Louis, John is currently serving as vicar at St. Matthew Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Mapleton, Iowa—at age 62. In fact, as he told me, some of his fellow seminarians in the SMP program are even in their 70s. Good for you, brothers! Realizing that the Church is in dire need of more pastors, you are dedicating yourselves to serious study and are willing to share your life experience with the Church and your future parishioners. The Lord is preparing to set you up over much!
The Tiews in Germany 