Only weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, I was asked to welcome and assist Ukrainian refugees—a mother and daughter from Dnipro. I met them on a cold rainy night at Hamburg’s central station. They quickly recognized the cardboard Ukrainian flag I had prepared. Exhausted after three days of travels, they hugged me—tears in their eyes, grateful … Continue reading Godly Protection
As mentioned before I had the privilege to share good missionary news at the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod held from July 29 to Aug. 3, 2023, at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee. It was really good to be among so many brothers and sisters and have so many meaningful conversations. KFUO interviewed me and … Continue reading Telling God’s Stories at the Convention
“Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians” (Ex 18:9). *** About six months ago, Saman, his wife Parisa, and their two young children (all Iranians who had just moved to Hamburg) contacted Zion Lutheran Church, where I … Continue reading New Iranian Students at Riga Luther Academy
Having given a Mission Sunday presentation at different SELK congregations across Germany every weekend this month, my travels will bring me back to the U.S. on July 28th for the LCMS Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Along with two other missionaries, I have been invited to report on the work happening in Europe. I will share … Continue reading Summer Greetings
“As you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to Me.” Last Sunday, Immanuelsgemeinde (SELK) in Stuttgart (pastored by Texas-born Rev. Scott Morrison) kindly invited me to speak on Mission Sunday. I preached on Mt 28:19-20 and reported on my evangelization work with Iranians and teaching at Riga Luther Academy. … Continue reading Thank you, LCMS Brothers and Sisters!
“…There are some who trouble you and want to distort the Gospel of Christ” (Gal 1:7). *** I recently chatted with Saman, an Iranian parishioner in Hamburg who will begin pastoral formation at Riga Luther Academy this September. He commented on how in Iran, Muslim theologians claim that there are many contradictions in Christianity, with … Continue reading The Bible in Iran
I recently spotted something amazing along the waterfront in Hamburg: branches growing out of seemingly dead pier pilings. Have you ever noticed how God sometimes brings life to things that look dead? *** At Riga Luther Academy’s Intensive Study Weeks, I chatted with our student Rev. Bahadir Argönül from Turkey. He is a Lutheran pastor … Continue reading New Life
Week 2 of Intensive Study Week of Riga Luther Academy. After a week by the coast in Mazirbe, we are now at the St. Gregory Education Center in Saldus, a small town in central Latvia. Yesterday morning I sat down with Rev. Traian Niculescu, a seminarian from Romania who is already an ordained Lutheran pastor … Continue reading A Lutheran in Romania
As this month concludes, I am once again in Latvia, attending Luther Academy’s Intensive Study Weeks. It is a blessing to interact with our students on a person-to-person basis after five months of seeing them every week only over Zoom. But it is also wonderful to fellowship with my fellow LCMS missionaries / Luther Academy … Continue reading Lone Ranger Christians?
Currently back in Latvia, with the other faculty and seminarians from Eurasia and Africa for Luther Academy’s “Intensive Study Weeks.” Once or twice a year we see our students face-to-face and supplement online instruction with in-person classes. This past semester I taught “Lutheran Confessions of Faith,” in which we worked through the entire Book of … Continue reading Seeing Clearly
The Tiews in Germany 