These first three months of 2026, I continue to lead weekly Persian-language Divine Services at Zion Hamburg and teach two courses at Riga Luther Academy: Overview of the Bible and now also Introduction to Dogmatics. In the latter class, I am teaching the basics of Christian doctrine from a Lutheran point of view (Law and … Continue reading Dear friends and supporters of our ministry to Germany and across Eurasia!
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). One of my prized possessions is my pastor’s edition of The Lutheran Study Bible, English Standard Version (Concordia Publishing House, 2009), which a dear parishioner once gave me. What makes TLSB so special is its rich commentary, taking up the bottom half of every … Continue reading The Best Thing to Have in Your Suitcase
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Timothy 3:1). One of our Iranian Lutherans soon to study at Riga Luther Academy (our online seminary in Latvia), recently asked me: “Once Iran is free, how many Lutheran pastors will we need there?” A grand vision! … Continue reading Once Iran is free, how many Lutheran Pastors Will We Need There?
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). I am privileged to teach two online seminary courses at Riga Luther Academy, Latvia. Some of our students live in Europe, some in Africa. Interacting with them, two different worldviews become apparent. … Continue reading The Blessing of International Christian Brothers and Sisters
… to Germany and across Eurasia! It’s hard to believe that another year is drawing to a close. On the one hand, it seems like 2025 just started, while on the other hand, so much has happened that this one year has seemed like five. The Lord continues to bless my two main occupations as … Continue reading Dear Friends and Supporters of our Ministry…
When you think of Germany, what comes to mind? The Oktoberfest? Fine cars? Martin Luther? While all this is still true, Germany is in some ways quite different from what it was only a generation ago. Almost 20% of the people living in Germany today are refugees, having arrived in the past ten years. And … Continue reading Partner with us in God’s Mission in Germany
“Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mt 22:21). A few weeks ago, one of my baptismal candidates from Iran (19 years old) said: “Pastor, I have three questions.” “Go ahead,” I replied. He pulled out of his pocket a beautiful necklace with a cross … Continue reading Render to Caesar
Recently I visited our brothers and sisters in Palanga, Lithuania (see picture), where the Lithuanian Evangelical Lutheran Church invited me to lead two conferences on spiritual warfare. Why is that necessary? Our Savior grows His Kingdom around the globe through Word and Sacrament. And yet Satan is always trying to hinder this process. How can … Continue reading Put on the Whole Armor of God
I’m about to fly out to Klaipeda, Lithuania, where I will be the keynote speaker at two conferences on spiritual warfare. Ever since I have been a pastor, I have run into this topic regularly. To state it in its most basic form, in many different ways Satan tries to push back against Christ growing … Continue reading Dear friends and supporters of our ministry to Germany and across Eurasia!
“And [the Lord] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry…” (Ephesians 4:11-12). In Bible class recently, I asked our Iranian Lutherans what they think the top two tasks of us LCMS missionaries are. They answered correctly that we share Jesus Christ with … Continue reading Donut Tire Missionary
