“And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:28). In the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod we are not only blessed with hundreds of thousands of laywomen who do so much to keep our churches going, but … Continue reading Workers in His Kingdom
Jesus says, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to all creation” (Mk 16:15). I recently visited our Iranian congregant Mohammad who is still in a mental facility (see my post from Aug 30, 2024), yet making good use of his time there witnessing to Persian patients. Mohammad introduced me to a young … Continue reading He Has the Words of Eternal Life
“My Word…that goes out from My mouth…shall not return to Me empty” (Isaiah 55:11). After visiting an Iranian parishioner in a mental facility in Hamburg yesterday, I was walking past a lady sitting on a bench. I was wearing my clerical collar. “Hello, hello…!” she called out after me. “Are you a pastor?” She looked … Continue reading Can You Help Me? I am Being Persecuted
[Content warning] “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22). Back in Hamburg, I recently met with an Iranian parishioner who is preparing for her asylum court hearing. Our Iranian congregants—like all asylum seekers in Germany—have to defend their Christian faith before a judge. As always, there is tension in … Continue reading The Shedding of Blood
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Back in Hamburg after instructing at Riga Luther Academy’s Summer Intensive in Lutherstadt Wittenberg this past week. At our “youth hostel” (Colleg Wittenberg), we bumped into a group of students from Concordia Ann Arbor, whom one … Continue reading Love and Mercy
“As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me” (Ps 40:17). Every morning, Lula and I take a walk. Hamburg in winter is cold and rainy. For about the past month we have noticed a homeless woman sleeping on a gray wicker couch in the alcove of a restaurant. … Continue reading The Lord Takes Thought for Me
“And when they bring you before the…authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Lk 12:11-12). I recently accompanied one of our Iranian parishioners to his asylum interview before the German … Continue reading Defending Your Christian Faith
“…and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). It is not often that we experience history, but last week we were privileged to do just that, attending the dedication and opening Divine Service in the … Continue reading Meet the Confessional Lutheran Church of Italy
“For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them” (Mt 18:20). Last week I coached another Iranian preparing for the dreaded asylum interview before the German court. Assisted by a fellow Iranian congregant, who is also a pastoral student at Riga Luther Academy, I spent two afternoons going over … Continue reading There Am I Among Them
The Tiews in Germany 