Blog

On my way back to Hamburg recently, I had a layover at Hannover central train station. I went to a discount supermarket and picked up my favorite beer that they sell only there. A man who looked like he was down on his luck picked up a few too. I saw him again at the … Continue reading Jesus Loves You, Gerhard

I recently started a new Bible study, which some Iranian parishioners whom I baptized on Easter are attending. We are studying Ephesians, which I selected, among other things, for its wonderful opening chapter on the doctrine of election—that is, that our triune God chose every one of His people from before the beginning of time. … Continue reading Coming to the Father

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Last Sunday, on the Day of Pentecost, we had yet another wonderful Persian-language Divine Service. My friend and colleague Rev. Marko Turunen officiated, and I gave the sermon on the Coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), … Continue reading Foreigners

only a few more days until we celebrate the coming of the Helper—the Holy Spirit—on Pentecost. In our work with Iranians and at Riga Luther Academy, Lula and I can see the Helper in action—just as I’m sure you can see him working in your life and surroundings too, dear supporters. Just take the Iranian … Continue reading Dear Partners in Christ’s Mission,

Once a week I am privileged to help form 15 men from 11 different countries to become Lutheran pastors through classes at Luther Academy, Riga, joining my LCMS missionary colleagues as we take turns giving lessons over Zoom. Since January, I have been teaching “Lutheran Confessions of Faith,” working through the entire Book of Concord … Continue reading Lutherans in Egypt

Each year, our missionaries in Eurasia gather with their families for a retreat that incorporates worship, study, and fellowship. While the adults participate in sessions for them, the missionary kids have their own program with the goals of having fun and nurturing their faith. You will work with your team to prepare and lead a Vacation Bible … Continue reading Who Wants to Serve in Latvia this August?

Sometimes things appear a certain way, but at second glance are quite different than had appeared initially. Last week I was in Riga, Latvia, convening with fellow Luther Academy faculty members and LCMS missionaries John Bombaro, Quintin Cundiff, Jerry Lawson, David Preus, along with academic dean Jēkabs Jurdžs, preparing the 2023/24 academic year of the … Continue reading God Loves the Righteous

I serve Iranian Lutherans in two churches in Hamburg, one of which is Zion Lutheran (SELK). In the early 1940s, one of its parishioners was a lady named Margarethe Guradze. She was Jewish by birth and later converted to Lutheran Christianity. For years, the congregation had been able to protect Margarethe from the Nazi authorities. … Continue reading Concentration Camp Shepherd

This coming Sunday the Gospel lesson in the historic lectionary is John 16:16-22. The Church calls this Lord’s Day “Jubilate” Sunday because, even in the midst of any sorrow we might experience, we have reason to rejoice. Why? Because any sorrow is only temporary, whereas our joy is eternal. As our Lord explains, “Your hearts … Continue reading Dear Friends and Supporters,

“*If the Lord wills*, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). The Resurrection of Our Lord was curious for me this year… I had been instructing my five Iranian catechumens for months and we were looking forward to me baptizing them and also confirming another adult on Easter Sunday. As I was … Continue reading If the LORD Wills