“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Pe 2:2). For the past ten days, fellow LCMS missionary and Riga Luther Academy theological instructor Rev. Jerrald Lawson and I, accompanied by our wives, have been traveling through Turkey and Kazakhstan—both Muslim countries. In Turkey … Continue reading The Gospel in Turkey and Kazakhstan
“For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink” (Jn 6:55) *** What if you were forced to live solely on junk food because you were not able or perhaps not allowed to consume true food like meat, vegetables, or potatoes, and fruit? Do you think this might have a slight impact … Continue reading Starving Spiritually
“For the body does not consist of one member but of many.” (1 Cor 12:14). When a missionary receives a call, he or she is added to the payroll, but spreading the Gospel is the privilege of the entire family. The success of the LCMS Office of International Mission depends on the volunteer work of … Continue reading Essential Mission Field Support
Dear friends and supporters, It’s been a super busy year for Lula and me—with opportunities literally around the world to share the Gospel: from the LCMS Convention in Milwaukee where I gave a presentation on our missionary work, to Dubai, to Latvia, and Romania, just to name a few places. Not to mention, so much … Continue reading Merry Christmas, Friends!
Last week I started a new baptismal preparation class. I asked the group why they came. One young man replied: “I hate Islam. In fact, I hate all religions. But a friend of mine in refugee camp told me about his good experience here and I’m curious.” We read John 3:16, which I explained. Then … Continue reading Hope!
“For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them” (Mt 18:20). Last week I coached another Iranian preparing for the dreaded asylum interview before the German court. Assisted by a fellow Iranian congregant, who is also a pastoral student at Riga Luther Academy, I spent two afternoons going over … Continue reading There Am I Among Them
This past Sunday I had the privilege of baptizing four Iranian adults at Zion Lutheran Church (SELK), Hamburg. The baptismal rite is in Farsi and includes all the elements most of you know from the Lutheran Service Book. But there are two passages in the Persian rite that you might find unusual. One of them … Continue reading Do You Renounce Islam?
“Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Deu 26:15). Praise God for people who think big! I recently video-chatted with Sahar Sadlovsky Gold, a Lutheran living in Tel … Continue reading Bless Your People Israel
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). This Thanksgiving weekend, indeed, this whole month, Lula and I give great thanks to our Lord for calling us to serve in Eurasia—but also to you, dear friends, for supporting us … Continue reading A Blessed Thanksgiving
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). *** “Pastor, should I tell my father that I am getting baptized?” one of my Iranian catechumens, 18 years old, asked me last week in class. “My mother is fine about me becoming a Christian. But my father is a strict … Continue reading Breaking Free
The Tiews in Germany 