Road signs help us stay on the straight and narrow—and keep us from running off the road. As we roll into March, Lula and I are grateful for the LCMS “road signs” that help us prioritize our daily activities. Most importantly, we missionaries attempt to “Plant, sustain, and revitalize Lutheran churches,” which I strive to do by baptizing and teaching our Persian immigrants here in Germany. Just under one third of church membership at Zion Lutheran Church, Hamburg, (about 130 out of 400 people) is now Persian, thanks to the work of my predecessors and our efforts. In this light, God willing, on March 9th we will have the honor of baptizing another seven people from Iran and Afghanistan. They have concluded over twelve weeks of basic Christian instruction, based on Luther’s Small Catechism, plus some topical extras pertaining to people from a Muslim culture. In June, God willing, we will baptize another cohort, probably eight to ten people. This is breathing new life into Zion’s German-speaking congregation that is aging. Next, we missionaries are to “Support and expand theological education.” I love serving as a theological educator at Riga Luther Academy, teaching “Overview of the Bible” and “Overview of Christian Doctrine” this academic year. The Academy currently has 27 students from 16 countries. There is also some wonderful overlap between these first two “road signs” because all these students hope to become pastors and someday plant churches in their respective countries. And then there is our third “road sign”: to “Perform human care in close proximity to Word and Sacrament ministries.” Persian immigrants regularly ask me to help them prepare for their asylum application by reviewing with them basic Christian knowledge and accompanying them to their asylum hearings. With the political landscape here in Germany changing, scrutiny of asylum applicants is increasing. Case in point, this Friday I will accompany a young man to his interview, which could easily take five to seven hours. Thank you once again for your continued prayers and financial assistance, which allow Lula and me to serve here in Germany on your behalf, following those road signs. What a privilege and joy!
Blessings to you all,
Lula and Pastor Christian Tiews
The Tiews in Germany 