LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 125

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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