# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S228
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

228 YOUNG PEOPLE'S WORK

operation with the Walther League, Pastor Walter Wangeri
appointed as director of this program. He met in conferen
pastors and youth counselors all over the United States and '€
in virtually every synodical District. A number of seminars
held, and an up-to-date file was set up of all youth counselo
then received materials to be of assistance on the congre
level. It was very encouraging to see how the youth leaders}
to the cause and gave their full support so that our youth p
in these times could go forward as effectively as possible..%
Much of this work had to be curtailed since Pastor W;
accepted a call as pastor in Grand Forks, N. Dak.
Dr. O. H. Theiss, who served the League as Executive Si
for almost eleven years, accepted a call to initiate a m
training program in Japan. It is the hope of your Board +
project will soon be supervised by another full-time directa
will rally this potential force of youth leaders to ever greate
ice in the Church.
Bible Reading League
One of the new mission endeavors started during
triennium was the venture known as the Bible Reading:
This endeavor has been spearheaded by Pastor A. R. Kretz
and Miss Vera Mueller through the Walther League officd
plan briefly was this: Our young people would enroll in thes?
Reading League by sending one dollar to the Walther Leagu
Through the co-operation of our missionaries in foreig
a “Mission Friend” was assigned to everyone who enrolle
“Mission Friend” is a native of a foreign country and |
a Testament printed in his language. This offered also a wot
opportunity for every enrollee to correspond with this “4?
Friend.” The results of this project were beyond expectation
16,000 enrolled in the Bible Reading League, and over 17,000:
ments were sent to “Mission Friends” in 75 countries em
41 different languages. So that this wonderful project wii
come to a halt, the Walther League convention.in Ottawavé
the resolution to continue the project under the heading’ c
Reading Advance.” In this way such as previously enrolléit™
re-enroll so that portions of the Old Testament (Psalms
Isaiah) could be sent to the “Mission Friends.” ;
Closely allied to the Bible Reading League is the Me
Mission Project. As part of the 60th anniversary prograt
Walther League, the Messenger Mission Project was desi
help societies send the Walther League Messenger to
schools, libraries, colleges, and universities. In its. y
a quarter of operation, the Messenger Mission Project+i
2,500 such subscriptions into all parts of the world.