The war in Iran is having an enormous impact on our work here with the Iranian refugees. The internet in that country has been shut down for weeks (to curtail any coordination of a potential uprising against the government) and so our parishioners have limited contact with their families back home, even though they are … Continue reading Dear Friends and Supporters of our Ministry to Germany and across Eurasia!
And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites…” (Matthew 6:16). Here in increasingly Muslim Germany, I keep bumping into Islam’s season of fasting. Like this sign at a local supermarket: “We wish you a happy Ramadan.” Then, four days ago in Germany’s Parliament, the politicians (who are almost all ethnic German) broke … Continue reading Happy Ramadan?
“So the woman left her water jar and went…into town and said…, ‘Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?’” (John 4:28-29). The other day, I was on a flight from Venice to Hamburg. The gentleman sitting next to me (pictured) was studying a travel guide … Continue reading We Are His Witness
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls…, lest the Lord see it and be displeased…” (Proverbs 17:18). Day 7 of “Epic Fury.” The U.S. and Israeli military are battling the Iranian regime with utmost professionalism and are being blessed with amazing results. But the evil empire is fighting back—albeit in a most cowardly way, targeting … Continue reading War in Iran and Israel
“And crying out with a loud voice, he said, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.’ For [Jesus] was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!’” (Mark 5:7-8). Similarly, Martin Luther teaches in his explanation … Continue reading Equipping the Saints
The main event in February was our Wittenberg Persian Conference, held in the LCMS’ “Old Latin School,” located directly across the street from Martin Luther’s church (the so-called “City Church,” aka St. Mary’s) and attended by thirty-seven people, the vast majority of whom were Persians. This conference was groundbreaking for two reasons: not only was … Continue reading Dear friends and supporters of our ministry to Germany and across Eurasia!
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your day that you would not believe if told” (Habakkuk 1:5). Our first annual Wittenberg Persian Conference, held in the Old Latin School, was a resounding success. The Holy Spirit was in overdrive all weekend, noticeable in visible … Continue reading The Holy Spirit in Wittenberg
Jesus said, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Sometimes, we pastors find ourselves in a gray area between two biblical principles that seem to be in tension with one another. Which principle should we apply? And so, we try to find a … Continue reading Shouldn’t Pastors Stay Away?
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). A few nights ago, we held a memorial service for our Iranian Lutherans at Zion Hamburg in memory of the thousands—some say as many as 50,000—protesters who have been gunned down by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in recent weeks. The IRGC wields … Continue reading Weeping With Those Who Weep
As we seem to be on the brink of war with the evil regime in Iran, check out this excerpt from the Prayer of the Day in our Farsi-language Divine Service in Hamburg yesterday. This wonderful prayer was written by an Iranian applicant to Riga Luther Academy. “O Holy and Just Father,Almighty God, God of … Continue reading Prayer of the Day – On the Brink of War
The Tiews in Germany 