As my role has evolved from roving theological educator to Area Facilitator and managing key relationships both internally within our deployed staff in Asia as well as with partner church bodies and potential partner church bodies in about ten countries, inauguration of Foros as a new way of integrating relationships between LCMS partner organizations and partner church bodies has become paramount.
The first Foro in the Asia Region will be held in the Philippines, arguably our strongest church partner in Asia. Much work has been put into the planning of this Foro. I’ve worked closely with our Shared Ministries Manager, Matt Wasmund, whose duties include helping in the planning of Foros. He’s an immensely enjoyable person to work with and has a wealth of experience in his over twenty years serving in Asia. He and I arrived ahead of time to ensure there were no last minute issues to be addressed.
Others in attendance from the LCMS include the other Area Facilitators for Asia – Rev. Matthew Wood and Rev. Steven Mahlburg, as well as our interim Regional Director, Rev. Dr. Brian Gauthier. Our first evening here together we had dinner at the Lutheran Church in the Philippines headquarters, where we were in the company not just of our Filipino brothers, but representatives from the Lutheran Church of Korea (LCK). The LCK and the LCP had just signed a memorandum of understanding for full altar and pulpit fellowship – subject to the approval of their respective synods in convention this coming October. It was a joyful evening!
The Nelson Family Indonesia 