# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1941_S189
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Reports on General Missions 187

d of Christ. World conditions, which indicate so clearly that
e are living in the last days, the fact that all the prophecies con-
‘cerning the days preceding the end have been and are being
fulfilled, should arouse us all to much greater activity. Our appeal
ust be among the last cries, and may even now be the last cry,
whereby the Lord would call the sinful world to repent.

-2, That the fields are “white already to harvest,” that God has

“,opened doors for us, and that opportunities are beckoning us, is
an established fact. At a meeting of the College of Presidents held
-a few months ago the Secretary of Missions submitted a list of more
than 100 places which constitute glorious open doors for the entry
of our Church with the Gospel.

3. We have the available men. The large number of graduates
waiting for a permanent call is convincing evidence.

4. Economic conditions point to a continued upswing for some
time to come. Statistics in the field of industry, labor, and business
speak a positive language. God has graciously enabled our Synod
to set its financial house in order. We have no synodical debt.
Our synodical finances are in better condition than they have been
for more than twenty-five years. Our District treasuries, too, are
faring better than they have been for many years. The Church
Extension funds of Districts and Synod show a healthy balance.
Home Mission treasuries are in good condition. The financial status
of our congregations is a wholesome one. As for the individual
members of our congregations and the 350,000 families in our
’ Synod, general indications point to an economic increase.

These four facts, namely, that we have the Lord’s command,
that we have the open doors, that we have the men, and that our
‘ people have the money, cannot be gainsaid. They constitute a
dynamic incentive that should move us to put forth a heroic and
aggressive effort to enter God’s white harvest-fields with our God-
given laborers. We should do everything possible to make use of
God’s opportunities by cooperating with Him as we send ambas-
sadors of Jesus Christ into the promising mission-fields.

It is therefore proposed that Synod inaugurate a five-year
plan to open approximately 100 new mission-stations in territories
that have been carefully surveyed and that, as far as men. are
able to judge, are promising fields, with bright prospects for
development.

The Approximate Cost of Opening 100 Mission-Stations

According to surveys and past experience, 100 men could be
placed at a maximum cost of $150,000 a year ($1,500 average per
man for salary and general running expenses, or $750,000 for
five years.)