LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 125

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te other groups together into Circuit functions. As
ny of you will recall from the strong years of the
alther League, participation in a structured youth
am of the sort that LYF is can be a strong
tivation to continued active church membership and
dership during adult years.

yong the sundry “Needs of Youth” is a drive to
and exercise the new freedoms and responsibilities
pproaching adulthood. Even so, LYF is in the
ess of aiding young folks to discover and apply
volcanic joy the fantastic freedom of salvation
nt us in Christ. JESUS FREES US! “Jesus Frees
” is the LYF theme for this coming year, based on
2 8:36. Look for “Jesus Frees Us!” as the focus of the
issues of LYF Supports.

“One of the ways we all “proclaim Him” is through
acts of missions throughout the world. This last
‘LYF has been conducting what we call Mission:

*H, with “M*A*S*H” standing for “Mission Aid
{tudents and Hospitals.” Our goal was to raise
11,000.00 to support a Lutheran Nursing School in

"ee |

: Thank you Dr. Bohlmann, Dr. Barth, and my fellow
eran Christians. My humble thanks to Concordia
ainary for this honor and for presenting it here at the
h convention of the church in this year of the 500th
Ghiversary of Martin Luther’s birth.

Unfortunately, there are quite a few people here in
nvention hall who know me, so there’s no sense in
‘standing up here pretending that I deserve the
iiior: As we heard in the Epistle lesson this morning, if
one thinks he’s something when he really is
ing, then he’s fooling only himself. But I do accept
tatefully on behalf of and for all those Lutherans
ing in the Armed Forces of our country. And, in a
; Efeel a little bit like the fellow in the story about the
am at the Heavenly Gates when some high-

king ecclesiastics—cardinals, archbishops, bishops,

‘perhaps a synodical President or two—were trying
ét'in and St. Peter was assuring them that they’d
e to follow the regular procedure. Suddenly a fellow
usted up by a platoon of the Heavenly Hosts and
the whole line and went in through the gates.
“ecclesiastics said, ‘What is that?” and St. Peter
Oh, that’s a very unusual case. He’s a general and
on’t get very many of them up here.” I’m sure this
Yention is much the same way. We don’ t get very
y of them up here either.

While I’m here, on behalf of the Armed Forces, and
icularly on behalf of the Lutherans in our Armed
es,'I’d like to say thanks to The Lutheran Church—
Souri Synod for its support of the ministry to the
ned Forces. The support of the ministry to
erans—that is the mail contacts, the contact pas-

ADDRESS BY GENERAL JOHN W. VESSEY, JR., USA 127

Nigeria. But Iam sorry to have to announce that at this
time, although donations are still coming in, we have
been able to exceed our goal by only $2,000.00! Wow! We
have a neat God!

I hope some of you have a renewed interest in seeing
youth groups in your area affiliate with LYF. All this
requires is filling out a simple, free affiliation card
which is available either at the Board for Youth Services
booth here at the convention center or by writing to the
Reverend Terry Dittmer at the new International
Center. Terry coordinates LYF and publishes LYF
Supports in his capacity as assistant BYS secretary. We
praise our God for Terry’s service and talents.

So the youth march forward in fellowship and the
Word through LYF. We are proud of the Lord who has
been with us in this “New Era” of youth ministry, and,
formally, we thank you as our Synod and as individuals
involved in and supporting youth ministries. We pray
for blessings as we continue, Amigos de Cristo, pro-
claiming that JESUS FREES US!

Philip J. Ebeling, LYF Chairman

8. Address by General John W. Vessey, Jr., USA
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

tors, and the overseas Lutheran congregations—are
very important to us Lutherans. My family and thou-
sands of other Lutherans have had their faith
strengthened through that effort; but, I also want to say

a special thanks to the church for the fine support the

Missouri Synod has given the chaplains program in
general and the ministry to all of the Armed Forces. The
church has supplied top-notch chaplains to the Armed
Forces, and the church can be proud of them. Certainly,
if you heard the sermon this morning with Dr. Wil
Hyatt, that was a little bit of a sample.

I’m a Minnesotan, and all my stories are about
Minnesotans and Scandinavians because the Scandi-

nemimnenyenem ann CRE rT ENASNe EN

peavey sane cen cose Nea