Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2019 · 67th Convention, Tampa › Page 136

LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 136

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

136

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

gations, who have the freedom to implement mission in the way
that is best in their situation. We are not so concerned with the
method as we are that congregations are engaged in acts of witness, mercy, and reaching into their communities to live life together as servants of Jesus.
An area of outreach that we continue to struggle with involves Latino Ministry throughout the FLGA District. We see
a growing population, but few bilingual pastors or leaders to
accommodate the needs. We realize that more language training
skills are necessary, not just in the FLGA District, but across
the Synod. While indigenous leaders are being raised up on a local level, this takes a great deal of time. We are blessed to have a
variety of ethnic ministries including Latino, Hispanic, Haitian,
and Korean, and are currently working with enclaves of Ethiopian people. However, there is much more to do. Our campus
ministries continue reaching out to students, and we are seeking
to strengthen these ministries as well as reach several colleges
and universities near some of our congregations. We have also
done work in Haiti, Puerto Rico, and several South American
places.
Some of our school ministries have struggled to continue,
while at the same time, we have seen some of our larger schools
have record attendance. Youth ministries continue to thrive despite serving fewer numbers of youth. Several DCEs have been
added to the district roster, and on the whole we have seen some
tremendously creative youth ministry done, including awesome
high school and middle school gatherings annually. We have
begun work on a Recruitment Task Force to encourage more
youth to consider church work.
Financially the district has remained healthy and is currently with little debt. We eliminated our mission grant program
and replaced it with a mission loan program that partners ministries in mission and allows a perpetual funding of missions.
The FLGA District has experienced tremendous staffing transitions since the last Synod convention including a vacancy in
our mission program, the loss of a business manager to the
SMP program (which is a blessing to the church at large), and
a change in our LCEF DVP. Each of these transitions has presented a challenge, but God has been faithful and provided, and
the district is in the process of slowly rebuilding a team as we
anticipate more changes in the next few years.
As I reflect on the past three years, I find that we have a
district filled with servant leaders, and I am certainly grateful for
our shared vision and partnership, with a deep commitment to
connect people to Jesus.
Gregory S. Walton, President

R27

Indiana District
Our 2018 convention theme was “God’s Plan, Our Future
and Hope.” This was based on Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know
the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Thankfully, even though the Indiana District leadership is in a
state of transition, in Christ we know that God’s eternal plan,
the plan that centers in the cross and empty tomb, gives us certainty about our future. This is a living hope that flows from our
2019 Convention Workbook

Lord’s resurrection and correspondingly from our new birth in
Holy Baptism.
As we encountered and are still encountering this transition, we are reminded of renowned artist Albrecht Duerer who
made famous that Latin phrase, “Soli Deo Gloria”: “to God
alone be the glory.” Duerer would abbreviate this “SDG.”
Several faithful servants are retiring or moving elsewhere
from the positions in which they served faithfully for many
years. We thank the Lord for the fifteen years of faithful service
rendered by retiring District President Daniel May. All of the
many lives of pastors, commissioned workers, and laity touched
by the Christ-proclaiming work of this man are truly amazing.
Who can count the numerous congregations he visited, encouraged, guided, lovingly chided, helped, and touched in so many
ways? Then there is appreciation extended to him on behalf
of the Council of Presidents. SDG. Indiana District Superintendent of Lutheran Schools, Jon Mielke, has just retired. He
served tirelessly for twelve years, regularly encouraging, praying
for, assisting, and guiding our Lutheran commissioned workers
and our numerous Lutheran schools. He also was regularly in
Indianapolis, influencing and discerning legislation that related
to our schools. SDG. Our Indiana District Executive for Finance, Ron Bleke, served in this demanding position for almost
seven years. Ron likewise is retiring. He consistently put forth
efforts above and beyond the call of duty, always keeping on top
of the vast amount of financial matters and needs across the
district, keeping abreast of new laws and insurance guidelines,
communicating with workers and congregations concerning
their financial needs, as well as guiding all in the district office in
various financial discussions. SDG. For over thirty years Juanita Voltz (“Nita”) served as secretary, receptionist, and overall
assistant in the office. She was the cheerful voice that one heard
on the phone when calling the district office. Nita retires from
her position with our deep gratitude. SDG.
Then there are those moving to other positions and regions. Steve Strauch who served over seven years as our LCEF
Vice President, and who volunteered in several key situations
and activities in the district, was promoted in the LCEF realm.
SDG. Rev. Philip Krupski, servant within the LCMS Foundation, has likewise been promoted within this arm of service.
He served faithfully in our district for the Foundation for three
years. SDG.
Into these several positions being vacated our Lord has
placed unworthy servants. Yours truly, Rev. Dr. Daniel Brege,
was elected President of the Indiana District. Lord have mercy.
Dr. Kevin Brockberg is learning quickly the role of Superintendent of our Lutheran Schools. As of this writing the search
continues to fill the other positions within the district office.
Those positions that are “adjunct” positions within the district
(LCEF Vice-President; LCMS Foundation rep.) have been filled
with faithful men who are indeed, like their predecessors, serving with a servant attitude. Thomas (“TJ”) Mattick is the new
LCEF VP. Andrew Behrman is just transitioning as the newly
appointed LCMS Foundation representative. SDG.
We shall not name them individually, but SDG relative
to the service of numerous pastors and commissioned workers who have retired recently or in the last triennium. Through
them the Good News of Christ our Savior was shared, magnified, taught, witnessed, and upheld. We thank our God and we
thank you men and women who thus served our Lord Jesus with