# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S125 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNODICAL REPORTS 125 R7-05-25 Oklahoma District The Oklahoma District is a fellowship of congregations com- mitted to lead people into a dynamic, living relationship with Jesus Christ. By the grace of God the congregations of the Oklahoma Dis- trict continue to flourish. In these congregations God’s Word is proclaimed and the Sacraments are administered according to His Word. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we strive to nurture those inside the church and make disciples of those who do not yet have a saving relationship with Jesus. Our convention theme for this triennium is Tell the Good News About Jesus Till the Trumpet Sounds. We face the challenge of bringing this Good News to peo- ple within and outside the Oklahoma District. The Oklahoma District staff continues to volunteer their time in the administration of this ministry. We thank God for the tal- ented people with whom He has blessed us and the congregations they serve who unselfishly allow them to occupy these administra- tive offices in addition to their called ministries. We are also thank- ful for Brent England, our treasurer/business manager, a partner in a CPA firm who freely gives his time. The Vice-Presidents and Cir- cuit Counselors are very active in helping the District President and the congregations for whom they are responsible as well. The people and congregations of the Oklahoma District con- tinue to give generously of the resources entrusted to them by God. Through a growing network of partnerships around the world these resources serve the purpose for which God granted them. We thank God He has counted us worthy to serve Him through our place in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. William R. Diekelman, President R7-05-26 Pacific Southwest District The Pacific Southwest District continues to seek ways to reach a very diverse, unchurched culture in Southern California, Arizona, and Southern Nevada. Whether the people come from the Pacific Rim, Africa, Mexico, and Central America, or from Minnesota seeking relief from the winter, people continue to migrate to this very special place in God’s kingdom. In June 2003 the Pacific Southwest District gathered in con- vention under the theme “Proclaiming Resurrection Power.” The apostle Paul prays for the Ephesians, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 1:18-19). That we might be faithful proclaimers of that great love of our God, the District has adopted a three-year emphasis on Healthy Individuals, Healthy Families, and Healthy Congregations. Ministering through Word and Sacrament and reaching out to unchurched people in the community, a healthy congregation gives life and nourishment to healthy individuals and families. Healthy schools become a vital place for the teaching of the faith and the mission outreach to the community. The people of the Pacific Southwest District currently represent 17 different ethnic groups who seek to reach their community. New ministries have begun during the past three years among Hispanic, Chinese, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Korean, African Immigrant, and English, to name only a few. New suburban ministries have begun in Phoenix, Riverside County, Calif., and Las Vegas. When Jesus spoke of the fields white unto the harvest, He could well have been speaking of the Pacific Southwest District. The District celebrates many partnerships in ministry including Concordia University, Irvine, the Center for U.S. Missions, three social ministry agencies, the Hispanic Institute of Theology, Iowa District West, and Project Nehemiah. A Grant Parent Program was begun to provide scholarships for students attending our urban Lutheran schools, and the Pacific Southwest District Lutheran Learning Center restored Christian education to the heart of Holly- wood. The District also continues to expand its Lay Training Pro- gram, where men and women are being equipped to support exist- ing professional ministries and to provide ministry where professional workers are not available. During the past three years work has begun to expand ministry along the vast mission field known as “Frontera,” the border of the U.S. with Mexico. Together with those Districts that have ministry along the border, Texas, Rocky Mountain, and English, the Pacific Southwest District seeks to support existing ministries and raise up and train additional workers in this fertile mission field. Larry A. Stoterau, President R7-05-27 Rocky Mountain District “O give thanks to the Lorp; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!” (Psalm 105:1). The Rocky Moun- tain District gives thanks to the Lord for all His goodness, and for making His name known among the peoples of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and the cities of El Paso, Texas; Page, Arizona; and Venango, Nebraska. The Lord has been good. During this past year the Spirit of God has been pointing all to Jesus through the 181 congregations, 7 high schools, 33 elementary schools, and the 35 early childhood centers. The school ministries alone are staffed by over 600 educators, ad- ministrators, and directors, who serve over 7,300 students and their families. Through their service the Great Commission is carried out, and children are prepared educationally and spiritually to be citizens of heaven and earth. The Rocky Mountain District has experienced a tremendous surge in interest in beginning ethnic ministries. A number of these opportunities have originated because the ethnic group has ap- proached the District, while others have come into being because of congregational fulfillment of the Great Commission. The Lord has even blessed the District with a man who was a Coptic (Egyptian) priest, fluent in Arabic, but now a member of the LCMS clergy. He was convinced by the Holy Spirit that a man is justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and not by works. He presently is reaching Muslims around the world by preaching the Gospel of Jesus over the Internet, as well as conducting Bible stud- ies in homes in the Denver area. One significant highlight of this past year included the “Con- versations of Grace” convocation held in Denver. Through the many speakers and workshops, God’s people were motivated and trained to better share the Gospel of Jesus with their friends and neighbors. Over 800 people attended the closing worship service. Another convocation is planned for the fall of 2004. The Rocky Mountain District is blessed with many faithful leaders in its executive staff, Board of Directors, office personnel, Praesid- ium, and Circuit Counselors, as well as congregational and Circuit leaders around the District. Former President Roger Krause retired after having served the Lord faithfully for 10 and a half years. Mr. Bernard Braunschweig is the Administration Executive/LCEF Vice- President, Mr. Paul Albers serves as Congregational Services Execu- tive, Rev. Mark Larson as Missions Executive, Mr. Gary Johnson as 2004 Convention Workbook