LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 37

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SYNOD REPORTS
radio and TV programming for broadcast, as well as Internet and
print communications, dramas, music, and outreach materials using
the latest in communications technology to reach unchurched people
in the United States and in more than 30 countries around the globe.
All activities of LHM are funded solely through the generous contributions of loyal supporters.
God has enabled LHM to reach millions of people each year
through radio and TV programming and person-to-person and congregational outreach efforts. As a result of these programs, many
thousands of people are referred to churches around the world where
they can be trained in their faith and engaged in Christian service.
God’s Blessings to LHM’s Outreach in the Past Triennium
LHM has conducted an evaluation of all programming and outreach offerings to assess their effectiveness and adherence to the
primary mission of the organization. As a result, some previously
offered resources and programs have been eliminated in an effort to
focus more closely on LHM’s vision and mission. The following is a
summary of God’s blessings provided to key ministry programs during the past triennium.
The Lutheran Hour (www.lutheranhour.org)—LHM’s flagship
program has aired since 1930 and is the world’s longest-running
Christian outreach radio program. It airs weekly on more than 960
stations in North America, on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and on the
American Armed Forces Network. It is also available at any time to
download on computer or iPod. Para el Camino, the Spanish version of The Lutheran Hour, was launched in December 2008 and is
now heard on many radio stations throughout the U.S. and in several Spanish-speaking countries. It is also available on the Web and
is downloaded more than 2,300 times weekly.
Woman to Woman® (www.womantowomanradio.com)—LHM
began airing new episodes of the Woman to Woman radio program in
2008 to promote women’s well-being and spiritual growth through
in-depth discussions of topical women’s issues. Broadcast on nearly
300 radio stations, most of which are secular, it is available on the
Internet and through podcast downloads.
Men’s NetWork (www.lhmmen.com)—This new ministry has
provided men with resources and opportunities to grow in faith and
to learn (through service, fellowship, and leadership) how to be what
God has called them to be in their families, churches, and communities. Interest in this program has exceeded all expectations, as
thousands of congregations and small groups have enrolled for information and Bible study resources. The most sought-after resources are
outstanding video-based Bible studies addressing various topics of
interest in today’s world. With God’s continued blessing, this program
could well be a catalyst for the rebirth of young men’s involvement
and engagement in the church.
International Ministries (www.lhmint.org)—LHM has continued to operate ministry centers in more than 30 countries, manned
by nationals from those countries to serve the spiritual needs of the
people of their cultures. Tools used extensively include Bible correspondence courses, prison ministry, youth ministry, music and drama,
holistic ministry, and a variety of media tools. Involvement with these
ministry centers provides local congregations with opportunities to
learn of and engage in worldwide Gospel outreach.
International Ministries Volunteer Trips (www.lhm.org/
globalmission)—Mission trips have offered cross-cultural volunteer
opportunities to churches, schools, and other groups to share Christ’s
love in foreign fields. Projects include construction, children’s events,

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and medical clinics in partnership with LHM’s international ministry
centers.
Equipping to Share (www.lhm.org/equipping/ets.htm)—These
interactive, Bible-based, one-day evangelism training workshops
have taught church members ways to recognize and seize witnessing
opportunities and engage the unchurched and the lost in Gospelsharing moments. A companion program, Practicing Hospitality,
provides training information, techniques, and exercises to be used
by congregations to ensure a warm and welcoming environment for
visitors.
Daily Devotions (http://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions.asp)—
These online devotions provided in written and audio formats have
offered comfort and spiritual insight for daily living. LHM continues also to provide special online devotionals during the seasons of
Advent and Lent.
Project Connect (www.lhm.org/projectconnect)—This has continued to be an indispensable outreach booklet ministry resource for
churches and businesses. It uses displays that feature up to 55 topical
LHM booklets written from a Christian perspective to help church
members in their daily challenges and to share Christ with the lost.
JCPlayZone (www.jcplayzone.com)—This safe Christian
Web site for children continues to feature interactive games, animated Bible stories, devotions, crafts, and more. Its companion site,
JCParentZone (www.jcparentzone.com), provides resources and
ideas for parents that address common family concerns.
The Results of God’s Blessings
By God’s grace, LHM’s various programs as outlined above have
resulted in more than one million Gospel-message touches each week
in the United States.
Outreach through LHM’s international programs last year netted, by the power of the Holy Spirit, nearly 570,000 responses and
52,000 referrals to congregations. At any one time, approximately
250,000 people are engaged in Bible correspondence courses offered
through international ministry centers, introducing people to Jesus
and the biblical principles of the faith. LHM and its worldwide outreach ministries have also partnered with the LCMS in sharing the
Gospel message with unreached and uncommitted people and have
actively supported the goals of the Ablaze! movement.
As of January 2010, 3,291 churches (2,626 of which are LCMS)
have enrolled in the new Men’s NetWork program that launched just
a year ago. More than 4,560 Men’s NetWork Bible studies have also
been purchased or downloaded for use by congregations and groups.
God has truly blessed the work of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Actions to Improve Governance and Structure
The Int’l LLL Board of Governors took several steps in the past triennium to understand better “who we are, what we do, and why.” Key
to these discussions were actions by the board to adopt a “Statement
of Core Values, Competencies of Leadership, Responsibilities of
Leadership, and Principles of Governance.”
During the 2009 Int’l LLL convention, action was taken to change
from annual international conventions of the organization to biennial
conventions with regional conferences in the off-years. These regional
conferences will focus more on sharing ministries, equipping and
training participants, and motivating for action. They are intended
to take the story of what God is doing through the international ministries to a local level and to offer ministry opportunities to a new
audience, building grassroots excitement, engagement, and support.
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