Depending on your context, small groups can offer some big wins for your students. Watch this video conversation between ministry leaders discussing the value of small groups.

Later that day I left for the airport, thinking to myself, and now sharing with you, “Rooted is more than great; it’s special.”

I loved listening to people and speaking into their lives. I loved seeing the Bible brought to life in people. I loved teaching. I loved Jesus and his promise to heal, reconcile, and transform. But I didn’t want to be a pastor. 

With the success of a first school, Gethsemane de Meube, established in a village in Chad, there has been an increasing desire for more schools in other villages. In response, the CLB has started a second school: Gethsemane de N’Djamena-Bousso.

The older I get, the more I realize how much Dave gave me during those two years. Beyond his words of wry wisdom, he gave me his time. I’m sure it was quite a few months before I contributed positively to his bottom line. But he patiently taught me a messy, dusty trade that most people do their best to avoid. And we had fun doing it!

Throughout history God’s spokespeople have proclaimed the works of God in order that his chosen would continue to place their trust in him. Our own history, both distant and recent, is set on a biblical foundation that calls for the activity of one generation to influence another for the furtherance of faith development. 

It’s beautiful to see a congregation sharing and celebrating the gospel across generations! A family who adopts an older couple with no kids as “grandparents,” gives the couple and their kids the opportunity to do life together. Families who welcome college students and newcomers to the community, give them a place to belong.

Over the past ten years working as a studio potter, I have travelled across the Upper Midwest with my small business, teaching, hosting pottery events, and sharing my testimony through my wheel demonstrations. During this time, the Lord began revealing to me some deep truths about his sovereignty, my relationship with him, and the transformative work he wanted to do in my life.

What has helped us navigate biblical truths is taking part in an intergenerational Bible Study: an intentional practice that builds relationships and fosters learning between people of different age groups.

Get to know the five new students of Lutheran Brethren Seminary, starting the Fall 2024 semester.

The Rooted Gap Year program is off and running and I couldn’t be more thankful for the way things have started. We have eight incredible young adults from all over the country who have come to be discipled, to live in community, and to serve the Lord.

For five days we watched our young people take in God’s Word, praise his name together in worship, and join each other in prayer. They experienced fellowship through afternoon activities, games with emcees, climbing mountains, and more! Hundreds of students are growing in Christ!

The vision of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren is to be a Disciple-making Church. One of our Church body’s four objectives, “Unleash New Leaders,” has been a focus for decades at our camp and retreat center in Minnesota, Inspiration Point.

As baptism and communion, rest and life, God come near in Christ—all in the new covenant are anticipated in the old, signaled by such things as circumcision, Passover, promised land, Jerusalem, temple; so while less obvious yet as profound is Jesus’ commission to go make disciples pre-echoed in the very first commission of the Old Testament.

The first seven years of my life were spent in Ethiopia. I remember life there being very challenging. Water was scarce. Food was scarce. I feared the weather, as it contributed to the scarcity of food and could also often lead to the lack of shelter.

But when I think of mentorship and discipleship over my 57 years, I always recall people first. Men and women freely and joyfully shared their faith and lives with me, pointing me to Jesus because they loved Jesus and loved me, especially when I wasn’t very lovable.

During a recent lunch with some newer friends, the question was posed: “How did you decide to become a pastor?” My answer usually catches people off guard. “I didn’t.”

As we reflect back, our parents and grandparents were supportive of Christian ministries, and we believe that our support of LBS and the other CLB Ministries would find favor with them. Their stewardship and generosity have given us the opportunity to continue their legacy.

Women Together is the tagline for the Women’s Ministries of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren (WMCLB) vision and values statements that were formed this past year. This has also been fitting for this year’s WMCLB focus project, which supports a group of women meeting the physical needs of their families and community all the way across the ocean from us in Chad, Africa.

"So, how were you called?” During this past year and a half of studying at Lutheran Brethren Seminary in preparation for mission work in Chad, I’ve been asked that question more than a couple of times. What does it mean to be called