# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S125
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

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of children that allows them to share the Gospel while also providing care for their physical needs that larger refugee-assistance
agencies may not realize. To date, LHM has served thousands
of refugees in this region with humanitarian assistance and with
a personal witness of Christ’s love for them. Grants from the
LCMS and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML)
have helped LHM further expand efforts in these camps.
° Responded to the virulent outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever
(EHF) in West Africa that resulted in more than 2,200 people
infected and more than 1,100 dead. LHM—Liberia partnered
with the government to air public service announcements on its
national radio program teaching people the symptoms of the disease, informing them about basic hygiene, and encouraging them
to trust health officials in seeking immediate treatment. The ministry also organized youth sports camps where participants went
into local slums to distribute flyers about Ebola.
° Reacted to flooding and landslides caused by heavy monsoonseason rains and tropical cyclone Komen that displaced people
from their homes and disrupted Myanmar’s economy. With
resources provided by LHM donors and a grant from Disaster
Response through the LCMS, LHM—Myanmar supplied food,
drinking water, and basic supplies to hundreds of families in isolated areas.
Unveiled GodConnects, a video-based course on Christianity comprised of 12 videos hosted by Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of
The Lutheran Hour. These video vignettes (each less than 10 minutes) present key biblical concepts in a style ideal for someone new
to the Christian faith, while also benefiting long-time Christians.
Accompanying these videos are detailed discussion guides that supply supporting Scriptures, pose questions to consider, and provide
additional web resources to review. The 12 sessions can be used in
new-member classes, by Bible study groups, for individual study, or
even as a way to share the faith.
Produced several new video Bible studies on a variety of topics (the
entire collection now totals 31). These free, downloadable resources
each include a discussion guide expanding the video footage with supporting Scripture, commentary, and other features to maximize the
topic.
Partnered with the Bott Radio Network to place The Lutheran Hour
into the network’s long-running Billy Graham “Hour of Decision”
time slot (8 a.m. every Sunday) on Bott’s 101 stations in 15 states.
This ministry partnership pushes the program’s station count to 1,600
throughout North America and its reach to one million listeners per
week.
Implemented a new weekly segment into The Lutheran Hour broadcasts that offer insights into the broader Gospel impact of LHM around
the world. Titled “Action in Ministry,” this three-to-five-minute segment features interviews with ministry workers who bring into focus
the wide variety of ministry strategies, challenges, and successes happening globally.
Developed several mobile apps to allow LHM resources to be accessible wherever people go. Apps are now available for The Lutheran
Hour, Daily Devotions, video Bible studies, the Project Connect
booklet ministry, and LHM events.
Received the inaugural J2e3 Award for leadership in mission during
the first-ever J2e3 Missions Summit at Concordia Lutheran Church
in San Antonio, Texas, in May 2015.

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By God’s grace, LHM’s various outreach programs and resources
reach more than 51 million people around the world each week with
the Gospel;
LHM distributes 2.5 million print materials annually as part of its outreach efforts;
The Lutheran Hour radio program reaches 1 million listeners per
week;
More than 425,000 copies of our six pocket-sized children booklets
have been shipped to congregations and individuals;

Outreach through LHM’s international programs has, by the power of
the Holy Spirit, netted nearly 400,000 responses and 41,500 referrals
to congregations this past year;
LHM has trained 111,325 people to witness through its MISSION
U program in the United States and its more than 30 ministry centers
around the world;
Nearly 80,000 individuals are active donors to LHM;
More than 42,500 individuals are enrolled annually in Bible
Correspondence Courses around the world to introduce people to
Jesus and biblical principles of our faith;
More than 21,500 individuals are registered to use the free online
resources offered through the Men’s NetWork; more than 4,600
LCMS and LCC churches are represented among these registered
users.

Goals for the Future:

With billions of people still unreached with the Gospel message
around the world, our work is not done. Therefore, we will not rest
until…
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Every person has the opportunity to hear the Gospel in an understandable way;
New believers are connected to a faithful Christian community where
they can grow in their faith and witness;
All Christians reach out in love to those who don’t yet know the Savior.

We are called to act now! The Lord has given this ministry a
unique understanding of how to reach, equip, and minister to individuals. It is crucial that LHM’s focus continues to be people who lack
the opportunity to learn about Jesus Christ.
Specific Goals for the Next Triennium:
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The Results of God’s Blessings:
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Energize, Equip, and Engage Laity for Outreach.
° Train individuals/groups of all ages to evangelize to others in
their everyday lives.
° Develop resources lay members can use to address situations in
people’s lives or answer questions about Christianity and faith.
° Provide research on how today’s culture is evolving and how
Christians and congregations can respond to reach their communities with the Gospel.
° Create a road map of strategies and resources to help congregations connect with the community and follow up with visitors and
new believers. This ministry road map will contain the flexibility
to be applied at local, regional, and national levels.
Grow God’s Kingdom through Expanded Media Outreach.
° Proclaim Law and Gospel through The Lutheran Hour in fresh,
compelling ways, while refreshing its format and expanding its
reach to a new generation of listeners through additional new initiatives.
° Incorporate additional resources like smartphone apps, podcasts,
and social media as well as expanded exposure through the American Forces Network to take The Lutheran Hour to new audiences who can benefit from its life-changing message.
° Launch a new mass media program. Based on audience research,
the format and media platforms will be determined by what will
most effectively reach the target audience. This program will
serve as a bridge to meet individuals where they are in their faith
journey.
Bring the Gospel to the Unreached Around the World.
° As LHM expands within geographic regions, it will dramatically
increase the use of radio and online media, as well as personal
and holistic ministries, to reach many more people with the lifetransforming news of Jesus Christ.
° Work in areas where the Gospel is not widespread by focusing on
three key emphases:
1. Unreached people who have little or no possibility of hearing the Gospel.

2016 Convention Workbook