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Carrying Christ into the Countryside

Leaving the comforts of the city, staff from Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM)—Ethiopia recently traveled to the remote village of Mesmes, 170 miles south of Addis Ababa. It was an arduous journey, as a lack of decent roads makes it difficult to reach the primarily rural Ethiopian population.

There are no all-weather roads to Mesmes, and LHM—Ethiopia staff frequently had to get out along the rough dirt road and walk. Near their destination, they reached a wooden bridge that could not support their vehicle. Thankfully, some eager teenagers in the area helped to carry their luggage and equipment, including a generator and an amplifier, to the village.

Staff members came prepared to take full advantage of their limited time in Mesmes. They held an Equipping the Saints evangelism workshop at Mekane Yesus Church, where 156 people were commissioned as volunteers. They also held evangelism rallies and showed Christian films, which brought more than 1,000 people out to hear about Christ.

On Sunday morning, staff and members of the Mekane Yesus congregation gathered in an open field for an outdoor worship service. During the service, LHM—Ethiopia's director recognized 121 Bible Correspondence Course graduates. Members of the congregation were impressed with the course and the graduates, who were proudly wearing their new LHM t-shirts, and 53 people enrolled in the Bible courses. The congregation also collected a free will offering benefiting LHM—Ethiopia, and many people made small donations, even though they did not have much to give.

As Jesus points out in Matthew 9, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. LHM—Ethiopia's staff may not be able to return to Mesmes for a long time. However, LHM—Ethiopia is thankful to have had this opportunity to share Christ in Mesmes and strengthen members of Mekane Yesus Church.

To learn more about the LHM—Ethiopia ministry center and its work, visit the center's blog. To learn how to support LHM's ministry efforts in Ethiopia and elsewhere, visit our giving site or call 1-877-333-1963.

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Lutheran Hour Ministries Prepares Active Response to Chilean Earthquake

On February 27th, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake, one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded, struck Chile. According to reports, more than 1.5 million homes have been destroyed, displacing more than 2 million people. The number of dead or missing continues to climb, with the latest reports putting it at more than 800 people.

Earlier in the week, the Lutheran Hour Ministries director in Chile, Marianela Bravo, met with local leaders and pastors of the Lutheran churches in Valparaiso to decide on a plan of action to deliver much-needed material support to those affected. Specific necessities were identified such as food, beds, blankets, water pumps, and construction materials. LHM will also begin to immediately assist in the rebuilding efforts for low-income families in La Granja, La Florida, Ņuņoa, Paine, and Puente Alto, which are towns near the LHM—Chile ministry center in Santiago.

Lutheran Hour Ministries is already printing 10,000 brochures entitled "Strength During Difficult Times," which will be distributed by volunteers at health centers and other places around the city.

"More than anything, we want to deliver hope to these people, and give them consolation through the message of our Savior, Jesus Christ," said Bravo, whose home also suffered damage.

Though the worst of the magnitude 8.8 earthquake is past, areas continue to tremble with powerful aftershocks. A tsunami triggered by the earthquake has also caused damage along the coastal region. The Chilean government estimates the cost of repairing the damage to be approximately $30 billion, and that it will take 3-4 years to rebuild affected places.

In the days, weeks, and months ahead, LHM will continue to work through our ministry center in Santiago, along with its church partners, to provide assistance to those affected. Please visit the LHM—Chile Blog at http://lhmchile.wordpress.com for news updates.

Please pray for the people of Chile and for our staff and volunteers working there. We are asking for monetary donations for our ministry efforts in Chile. If you would like to help support our ministry in Chile and in other countries around the world, please send your contributions via the LHM International Ministries Web site at www.lhmint.org or mail them to:

Lutheran Hour Ministries
Chile Relief
660 Mason Ridge Center Drive
St. Louis, MO 63141
Telephone: 1 800-944-3450

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Baloney—Solid Nutrition Now Available in a Bite-sized DVD

Semi-fresh off the ministerial cleaver of Pastor Ken Klaus are the first 15 episodes of The Baloney Shop. On the chopping block are both the ludicrous and the lamentable: whether it's the purported visage of Jesus in a grilled cheese sandwich or the terrifying spectacle of the Fort Hood shootings, Klaus offers insight and counterpoint to many ideas in popular circulation today.

Great for use on the big screen between church services or as fodder to discuss some popular or peculiar cultural event, these snappy video vignettes are great conversation-starters. Capturing the Speaker in a manner different than most people know him, they shed light on the man best known for his Sunday sermons and Daily Devotions.

Available at www.lhmmen.com for $15, this DVD resource is one of many available at the Men's NetWork—a Web site designed to provide Christ-centered resources to men, men's groups, and men's ministry. While you're there, check out Pastor Klaus' latest swipe at Hollywood—2012.

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LHM—Lebanon Aids Evangelism in Iraq

Recently, LHM—Lebanon had the opportunity to further the Gospel's advance into Iraq by partnering with Christian radio station New Life. In late 2009, New Life began broadcasting in Erbil, the largest city in Iraq's Kurdish area, thanks to equipment and training provided by a U.S. mission. After a three-month trial period, they were ready to begin transmitting a full lineup of Christian programming. Unfortunately, they did not have enough Arabic-language material to fill their airtime.

That's when God brought New Life Radio and LHM—Lebanon together in order to effectively share His message with Muslims. LHM provided New Life with Bible-based Arabic-language radio programs that are suitable for all audiences. Evangelism is still very dangerous in Iraq, so New Life must be careful to avoid sensitive topics that might offend their Muslim listeners, such as messages that insult Islam or encourage Muslims to leave their faith. Instead, LHM programs concentrate on powerfully proclaiming the Gospel, with the knowledge that the Holy Spirit will work in listeners' hearts.

Christian groups in Egypt and Jordan have also lent their programs to New Life, filling out their schedule with radio dramas, children's stories, Bible readings, hymns, and programs on social topics. The station will broadcast 65 percent of their programming in Arabic, 25 percent in Kurdish, and 10 percent in other languages, such as Chaldean, Armenian, and English.

New Life is very thankful for the support they have received from other Christian friends in the Middle East, and LHM—Lebanon is amazed at this sudden and wonderful opportunity to share their programming with Muslims 500 miles away. Radio continues to be an effective way to share Christ in dangerous areas because it reaches directly into people's homes.

Please keep LHM—Lebanon in your prayers. To learn more about the outreach of LHM—Lebanon, visit the center's blog at lhmint.org.

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Automatic Giving—Save on Stamps and Checks

You can support the ministry monthly or quarterly through Lutheran Hour Ministries' automatic giving program. It's easy! And automatic giving allows your gift to go to work for the ministry immediately, without the delays of writing and cashing checks. You'll save time and money because you're not writing checks or buying stamps as often, and you'll receive less mail from LHM!

Here's how it works: you can make your gifts quarterly or monthly, using automatic withdrawal from your checking or savings account or using a credit or debit card. Call 1-800-944-3450, extension 4130 to enroll by phone or visit www.lhmgift.org/gme.htm to enroll online.

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Impacting Lives

'LHM Sunday' Presenters Jazzed about Sharing Our Mission

Recently, several individuals took the time to share the message of Lutheran Hour Ministries at various churches around the country for LHM Sunday. Post-presentation snippets of their comments below reveal their enthusiasm in engaging congregations with this vital story, some of the fun they had making these presentations, and their appreciation of the easy-to-use promo package LHM put together to tell that story.

"It went great; we utilized the video and talking points during an announcement time before each of our three services and inserted the brochure into our bulletin."

"I used the script provided and then added my thoughts and invitations to our two men's groups at Good Shepherd. I closed with reading the rules for possessing a Man Card from the back of the card. That brought laughter, and it was fun!"

"I took the introduction to the DVD 'You are a witness' and recorded it multiple times onto a VHS tape. Then I placed the television in our breezeway playing the recording over and over again much like I have seen at booths while participating in 4-H projects. Along with that, I set out a table with pamphlets, introductions to all of the Bible studies I have done from the Men's NetWork, the cards for LHM and Para El Camino, and the Man Card."

"We used slides from the promotional materials and edited them to add local information. The slides were seen on our scrolling announcements before the start of each service on Feb. 7. We also set up a TV monitor and played the entire promotional DVD during our morning café and Bible class hour."

"We used the day as a launching point for our men's group here. The brochures that were sent out did a great job of highlighting the projects that LHM is currently involved with. My biggest words of encouragement are towards the Men's NetWork and the excitement and energy this is generating. We've got men who are excited about getting together and growing in Christ—unheard-of previously."

It's not too late (and just as fun) to hold an LHM Sunday presentation at your church. Go to http://www.lhm.org/LHMSunday to see all the ready-made materials available to make a presentation. If you'd like to contact us with specific questions, you can reach us at 800-944-3450, ext. 4195, or you can e-mail us at ambassador@lhm.org.

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Drama Is a Place of Spiritual Growth for South African Teen

Self-expression is a notion that teenagers all over the world struggle with. Mcebo Nkosi is 17 years old and starting to get the hang of it with a little help from Lutheran Hour Ministries—South Africa.

Mcebo moved to the big city of Johannesburg when family problems forced him to leave his rural home and transfer his studies to Cosmo City Secondary School. There, the ministry's drama coordinator, Lucas Baloyi, offered free drama training, which has given Mcebo a new way to communicate his feelings.

Through the drama classes, Mcebo became familiar with LHM—South Africa, and found a welcoming place to go to in tough times. He feels free to visit the ministry to express his problems and strengthen his faith in Jesus. In addition to personal counseling, Mcebo signed up for Bible Correspondence Courses to increase his understanding of God.

"I am so grateful for your help and prayers," Mcebo said. "I really feel that the bad things in my life are starting to turn around."

Lucas Baloyi heads the drama program at LHM—South Africa and has shared his passion for spreading God's Word through performances and workshops in several countries. This summer he will attend the International Lutheran Layman's League's International Convention in Omaha, Nebraska, where he will conduct a workshop on using drama as an outreach tool.

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Equipping

Great Ideas: The 'Equipping' Newsletter Gives Users Food for Thought

Each month, Equipping to Share (EtS), Lutheran Hour Ministries' one-day witnessing workshop resource, generates an e-newsletter titled Equipping that offers great tips and useful advice on maximizing your witness. In every issue a featured article explores how the Gospel is shared. Sometimes it's through the spoken word; sometimes it's by what we do and the attitude of love we convey; sometimes it's by just being there for someone—in their time of need or sorrow or, perhaps, even joy.

The focus of each issue of Equipping is sharing: offering that Good News that can't be beat—that Jesus, once and for all, took our sins to the cross, bore them completely on our behalf, died, and three days later, rose triumphant to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Getting that news out is the prime mover behind anything EtS does—whether it's a presenter offering his or her experience and expertise in a workshop or a simple witnessing tip found in the program's e-newsletter. On the Equipping archive page you can find an archive of past e-newsletters to review for helpful information and resources (See an example in the next item in this newsletter!).

Workshop dates for 2010 are still available, and many events are already on the docket. You can check out the current lineup at www.lhm.org/equipping/workshops. To learn more about sharpening your witness or to send a question, contact Sarah Guldalian, LHM's EtS coordinator, at 800-944-3450, ext. 4144. You can reach Sarah by e-mail at equipping@lhm.org.

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Tips for Sharing during Lent

Lent is a time of personal reflection—a period when Christians turn their thoughts inward to examine their lives and ask forgiveness for sins they've committed. This Lenten season, take the time to think soberly about your life and the witness it gives.

The following witnessing tips can deepen the meaning of this profound season for you and others by helping you reach from the inside out.

Repent

For you:
Take a moment each week between now and Easter to think about how your life compares with the life God intended you to have before sin entered the world. Then, confess your sins to the Lord and read Colossians 1:13-14. Then, go one step further and commit this verse to memory, reciting it every day when you wake up and when you go to bed until Easter.

For them:
Consider how you have treated others. Make a list of people you have sinned against and talk to them with honesty and remorse. Ask for their forgiveness. This may not be easy, but it is part of the life of a Christian. It also shows others that—though Christians aren't perfect—Jesus' love compels them to ask for and offer forgiveness.

As a congregation:
Hang signs outside your church letting people know they don't have to be perfect before entering your doors. Messages like, "Church isn't for people who have it all together," "Messy people welcome," and "Missing something? It just might be here!" can help people understand the grace they will find when they meet Jesus.

—Excerpted from the February 2010 Equipping newsletter

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Coming up on The Lutheran Hour

Mar 7
Does God Love You?
Speaker: Pastor Ken Klaus
Does God love you? It's easy to think so, when times are good. But what about when problems pile up, difficulties descend, and miseries multiply?

Mar 14
The Sinner's Friend
Speaker: Pastor Ken Klaus
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus proved Himself the Friend of sinners. He reached out to those who needed Him most.

Mar 21
Only the Essentials
Speaker: Pastor Ken Klaus
What is the cost of discipleship? Anything we lose now will be more than covered when we receive the great prize Christ won for us.

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Pastor Ken Klaus Will Be Speaking ...

Mar 14
150th Anniversary Services
St. John's Lutheran Church
Hannibal, Missouri
8 and 11 a.m.; Bible study between services

Mar 27
Worship Service
Grace Lutheran Church
Rochester, Minnesota
6 p.m.

Mar 28
Palm Sunday Services
Grace Lutheran Church
Rochester, Minnesota
8 and 10:30 a.m.; Bible study between services

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Coming Up on Woman to Woman

Mar 13
Enjoy Food Again
Learn tips to help break the habits of mindless eating. Dr. Linda Mintle, author of Press Pause Before You Eat discusses the primary way to fight unhealthy eating and how to understand what emotions may trigger your eating.

Mar 20
In Search of Balance
Hear from Dr. Richard Swenson lifesaving secrets to a stable life. We're all searching for more balance in our lives and Dr. Swenson reminds us that God designed limits for us.

Mar 27
Stop the Abuse
God wants us to be whole, healthy and free, not dominated in a relationship that is unhealthy and destructive. Laura Petherbridge, International speaker and author who wrote, "When I Do Becomes I Don't, Practical Steps For Healing During Separation and Divorce" explains the characteristics and effects of an abusive relationship, and the possible steps needed to mend individually and collectively.

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