For some of us, it’s back to school. Well, maybe not for us personally, but perhaps for our kid or grandkids…But in my case, I get to go back to school as a theological instructor of the “English stream” of Riga Luther Academy, Latvia—the online seminary supported by the LCMS. Enrollment this fall is at an all-time … Continue reading Dear friends and supporters of our ministry to Germany and across Eurasia!
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). I recently heard about a church here in Germany that was deliberating whether to set up a table with flyers and Gospel tracts in a downtown shopping district. In the country once known as the Land of … Continue reading Blessed are Those Who are Persecuted
“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). I recently told you about the lady in Afghanistan to whom I minister daily. I invite her to read one chapter of the New … Continue reading Message in a Bottle
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock…” (Acts 20:28). One of the most caring pastors I know is my Finnish missionary colleague, Rev. Pasi Palmu (pictured), with whom I am privileged to do Persian ministry in Germany. We recently had a very difficult pastoral care situation in which Pasi exemplified the pastors … Continue reading Pay Careful Attention to Yourselves and to all the Flock
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as *He chose us* in [Christ] before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:3-4). I recently spoke with a man who wishes to become a Lutheran pastor. A very … Continue reading He Chose Us
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Lula and I have just returned from the Corpus Christi conference—a delightful annual gathering for Lutheran worship, continuing ed, and fellowship for Lutherans in their 20s and 30s. This year it was held in … Continue reading Pacts with the Devil
Lula and I are currently returning to Hamburg from Prague, Czechia, where we had exciting work to do at the Corpus Christi conference—a gathering of about 250 young Lutherans in their 20s and 30s. Corpus Christi is a wonderful annual event for continuing education, Lutheran worship, and wholesome fellowship. I taught a three-day class on … Continue reading Dear Friends and Supporters of our Ministry to Germany and across Eurasia!
“Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord’” (John 20:18). A Christian man from a certain Muslim country recently asked me to contact his sister back home because she wanted to learn about Jesus. But connecting with a missionary abroad is highly illegal in that country. In fact, if caught, … Continue reading Risking Life to Hear about Jesus
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). A few weeks ago, I asked some Lutheran friends in Israel and from Iran how they felt about the recent clashes between their respective countries. Shortly after that, our church leader friend in Tel Aviv, Sahar … Continue reading Israelis and Iranians Meet
“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15). Last week, Saman, one of our Iranian parishioners, contacted me—distraught because his dear grandmother Ashraf had passed away. “Could you hold a memorial service for her?” he asked. “Well, of course,” I replied. … Continue reading The Death of a Persian Relative
The Tiews in Germany 