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
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
Here are some thoughts from our son Jeremiah, as he starts the new year. In 2022, he graduated from Hillsdale College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and started his own knife-sharpening business, Same Day Sharpening. He lives with his wife and daughter in Tulsa, OK, and they are expecting a little son. “… as … Continue reading Joseph, a Skilled Craftsman
… 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
Did you know that the very first Advent wreath, designed in Hamburg, had 24 candles (see picture of St. Michaelis Church below)?To help children count down the days to Christmas, Johann Hinrich Wichern, the founder and operator of the Rough House, created a wreath with one small candle for each day of the week and … Continue reading The Very First Advent Wreath
“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
The Tiews in Germany 