The last stop on our Midwestern tour, and the last stop of our busy travel saga that started April 18, was Grace Lutheran in Oak Creek, WI. We were blessed to visit with them five years ago as we were just starting our preparations for deployment overseas, and they’ve remained gracious partners and friends all… Continue reading Last, But Not Least
Our Savior, Excelsior
This morning we visited with Our Savior Lutheran Church in Excelsior, Minnesota, a suburb of western Minneapolis. We were able to visit with them mid-week two years ago, and they have been faithful partners so we made sure we could be there on a Sunday this time. I had the honor of preaching on Pentecost… Continue reading Our Savior, Excelsior
Mission Central
It was a light journey from Des Moines to Mission Central. Just a couple of hours through the greening fields and pastures. Corn is just coming in. Temperatures are increasing. Strong rains visited the Midwest a week ago, but the people here seem OK with it, knowing the corn is in the ground, and most… Continue reading Mission Central
Empty Nests & New Friends
Sometimes it doesn’t work to gather with a congregation interested in a visit. Sundays are, of course, popular days. Midweek days are much more difficult as pastors and congregational leaders worry there won’t be a big enough crowd to justify a visit. We’ve learned over time that the number of people present is a secondary… Continue reading Empty Nests & New Friends
St. Louis Reconnect
One of the major focal points of every missionary Home Service is a Reconnect at the International Center in St. Louis. The name kind of explains the goal – a lot goes on in St. Louis to support the work of the Church around the world. Missionary names and faces are pretty familiar to some… Continue reading St. Louis Reconnect
Changing Time Zones
We’ve entered the third and final phase of our on-the-road home service visits. We started in Southern California, migrated to the Pacific Northwest, and now have made our way across the country to Chicago. We’re officially a little road-weary at this point. Still happy to be on the move and sharing with congregations and friends… Continue reading Changing Time Zones
Trinity ~ Bend, OR
Our final stop in the Northwest was at Trinity in Bend, OR. Trinity is a century old church and school that recently accomplished a major building program, resulting in a massive new space for worship as well as their senior high classes. Pastor Caleb Adams invited us and I was able to share a brief… Continue reading Trinity ~ Bend, OR
Messiah Lutheran, Marysville, WA
Our final Washington State visit was today in the Seattle suburb (somewhat distant suburb) of Marysville, WA. We were blessed to worship at Messiah Lutheran. Pastor Kurt Onken invited me weeks ago as we were making plans, and it was a blessing to share God’s Word with his parish, and enjoy lunch with he and… Continue reading Messiah Lutheran, Marysville, WA
Somebody Else’s Conference
I’ve been to my share of conferences over the years. When I was younger I imagined such events were exciting, and I’ve learned in the growing years since that this is not often the case, and that there are other descriptors besides exciting that might be worthwhile. Today I was invited to sit in on… Continue reading Somebody Else’s Conference
Pastoral Dinner
Our visit to this area of the Northwest coincided – for both better and worse – with the Puget Sound Pastors Conference. On the down side, it meant that a lot of the pastors were preoccupied with preparing to gather together, and wouldn’t be available for us to meet with. On the plus side, one… Continue reading Pastoral Dinner
The Nelson Family Indonesia 