September/October 2023 issue of Faith & Fellowship

I’ve been wrestling with Jacob’s wrestling with God, in chapter 32 of Genesis. Is that an act of faith, or is it the antithesis of faith?

What do we mean by “wrestling with God”?  This is the situation when a person becomes contentious with God, desperate for help, yet unsure of actually getting it.

God had placed a desire within my heart to know him. At that time, I had no idea where that desire would lead me.

We walk through different seasons, both literal seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) and seasons that encompass a specific period in our lives. These seasons can change with a new job, the birth of a child, or even as we age.

We are so thankful to Jesus first, and then to all of these faithful people for helping us grow in our faith relationship to Christ, and in serving him. Over the years, God has blessed us in so many ways at Pilgrim Lutheran Brethren Church, and we are excited to serve him in support of our congregation and outreach to our community.

It’s Wednesday morning. Glancing at the spiral bound planner before me, the word “PRAY” is penciled in for today. As 10:30 nears, I lift the magnet holding a piece of paper upon the fridge, grab the iPad and head on over to the kitchen table.

In May 2023, the Board of Lutheran Brethren Seminary (LBS) concluded its search for a new seminary president. As Chairman of the Board of LBS, I am very pleased to announce that Rev. Troy Tysdal will be the next LBS president, effective August 1, 2023.

On March 31, 2023, the Church of the Lutheran Brethren’s Council of Directors voted to approve President Paul Larson’s recommendation to call Rev. Brandon Pangman as the next Director of North American Mission. Rev. Pangman will begin his call on September 18, 2023.

In the past five months, we’ve both finished another semester of theological studies, both made long journeys to other countries to search out the future, both received and responded to a call to serve with Lutheran Brethren International Mission in Chad… and, oh yeah, we also got engaged!

We are really excited about the Rooted gap-year ministry, a partnership between Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center and the CLB that will be established at Tuscarora’s Pines Campus, Mount Bethel, PA.

July/August 2023 issue of Faith & Fellowship

I just returned home from a weeklong mission trip to northern Mexico. It’s the first time since 2019 that we’ve been able to do this. Borderless Mexico Mission is a collaboration of Lutheran Brethren Churches.

When we study our Bible, when we read it quietly to ourselves, when we share the message of Christ with our friends and neighbors, when we either preach or hear preaching—in all these ways we handle, hear, and see the very words of God. They are the words of eternal life, they are the words of power, the promise of forgiveness, the promise of resurrection, the promise of creation.

Jesus is on a mission. He was sent by his Father on a grand adventure to redeem and restore all things to his Father’s kingdom. And he invites you to join him, “Come, follow me.”

From childhood on, humans wrestle with identity and value. “Who am I?” “What value, if any, do I have to offer others?” These are huge questions because what we believe about who we are deeply affects what we believe about the value we have to offer others.

Because of the real and raw passion that the Church of the Lutheran Brethren has for the lost, and the equally audacious passion that it has to strengthen the faith of existing believers, my family and I give financially to the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, and we do so generously because we want to be part of a true and genuine disciple-making movement.

If someone were to hear the name of your church, would they know about you or would they know you? Better yet, would they know Jesus as Savior King?

LBIM is a mission committed to serving in unreached places and among unreached people. As such, we are entering into a new partnership with our Japanese brothers and sisters for a renewed mission focus in Japan. Rather than shrinking back from the challenge, we are choosing to lean into it, for the sake of the gospel going forth in Japan, by God’s grace and for his glory.

What a blessing is a church willing to take a risk and invest their time and love into those who may be with them only for a short time! I am forever grateful for our experiences here at Rock of Ages and with the other churches, small groups of believers, our families and many more who impacted us and have played a part in God equipping us for what is ahead.