Christ asked that little children be allowed to come to him, but in the U.S. a teacher has to be careful how he/she does that. Then, I learned that a school was being built in Chad that would provide much knowledge and many skills to African children.

As a Christian woman, I have felt the need to be pious—prayerful, generous, and constant in my Bible reading. As a young mother and worship leader, I have worried, “How could I teach my son or lead our praise team with a worshipful heart if my own Christian walk feels lacking?” I have often felt I am not doing enough. I’ve even felt angry at the standards that seem to be necessary to be a good Christian.

Children serve as the Lord’s example for faith and entry into his kingdom (Mark. 10:14) because within the family they live by another’s care and love as we the children of God live by the Father’s care for us. The family and its life of blessing serve as the pattern for the Church’s life together.

As churches, we invest time, energy, and money into the faith development of our children. This is right. We should do this. We need to guide and shepherd our children as they grow and mature in their faith.

When we followed God’s direction to move to Taichung City and work alongside Taichung Victory Church, our desire was to help a struggling church.

So, how do you teach a child about child-like faith? The same way you teach older people. By living with Jesus, trusting in his word, and counting on God to make faith grow.

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.