LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 88

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arrived in this country the only group that I see coming to our aid
is the church. And they help everybody without discrimination.”
On those food supplies were written these words, “A Christian
response to hunger.” That was a witness to the lordship of Jesus
Christ. Various acts and works of mercy became a powerful witness
to a people that found themselves homeless, with nothing else to
hold upon. Indeed, they needed the witness of the baptized in
visible acts of mercy, as well as the saving Gospel. James 2:14–17
says that faith without deeds is dead. Here James is specifically
speaking to our works of mercy, being kind and compassionate
to one another. I believe that James is specifically encouraging the
baptized to share with those in need. I must confess that I have
personally come to love the LCMS because of her practice and
witness to the two kinds of righteousness. I love, appreciate and
fully believe in this confessional doctrine of the LCMS. It is one
reason why we appreciate and very highly desire fellowship with the
LCMS. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is one among the
denominations and religions of the world that clearly teaches that
you are creature and are not—and can never be—Creator. We are
sinners, and God is holy. Before God, our righteousness is through
faith in Christ Jesus; and before our neighbor, our righteousness
is our works of love and service for the good of our neighbor. We
are baptized for witness. We witness in words and deeds.
I would like to note that the Children’s Christian Concern Society
(CCCS), which is now doing ministry as “LEAD a child,” a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS, is a great witness in our
Lutheran schools across Liberia. They are educating more than 5,000
kids and giving them not only education, but a Christ-centered
education. They provide for teachers’ salaries and scholarships to
kids who would not have otherwise been able to afford the cost of
a good education. I’d like to say many thanks to your church and
people who are giving to make the lives and future of our kids
better and to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.
I also would like to thank the Orphan Grain Train (OGT), another
Recognized Service Organization of your church body, for their
support to the church and people of Liberia. They provide textbooks and other educational materials for our schools, medical
equipment to our government hospitals for the health needs of
our people, along with food and clothing for the needy. OGT is
a witness to both the spiritual and physical needs of the church
and people of Liberia.
We want you to know that both Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM)
and the Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI) just got started in Liberia
with our church body. LHM had her first radio broadcast on June
1, 2013. Indeed, this is a great Gospel witness to the people of
Liberia. We also have our friends of Faith Community, an LCMS

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congregation based in Las Vegas. They, too, are involved with
witnessing in Liberia and with the ELCL. The Lutheran Church
Extension Fund (LCEF), when I requested their help in Liberia, I
wasn’t sure they were prepared to reach outside of America. But
they surely did.
LCMS World Relief, this is one that I cannot say enough about how
much they are reaching out to our church, the needy and displaced
persons and refugees residing within our borders. When we went
out as refugees, LCMS World Relief was there for us. Upon our
return home, they were there for us. When we had the Ivorian
refugees come to Liberia for refuge, LCMS World Relief stood with
us and provided thousands of dollars for their food and clothing.
They are helping to provide for the educational needs of some of
our pastors and the building of churches and schools in Liberia.
They reach out to the total person, both spiritually and materially.
Indeed they, too, are a witness to their Baptism.
On the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, I worshiped at Christ Memorial, where Pastor Jeff Cloeter preached a sermon titled, “Love
Sent Out!” In his message, he said, “The Christian life is about
breathing in and out. We breathe in—inhale, and we breathe out—
exhale.” The connection I am trying to make here, and especially
as I conclude this message, is that your Baptism and witnessing
are basically the same as breathing in and breathing out. They
are interrelated and interwoven. They are almost completely inseparable. It is not a matter of either/or. Not two things, but one!
When you were baptized, you were baptized into His Kingdom
and to witnessing unto the lordship of Jesus Christ, the King of
the kingdom. And so, as the baptized we live out our daily lives
in witness to our Baptism. I believe that this is exactly what you
have been doing as confessional Lutherans. And by His grace, this
is what you will continue to do: Live out in witness our Baptism,
even at this convention, as we come together each day, during our
coffee break, during our lunch time as we greet each other and as
we talk about what God is doing in our homes, our places of work,
our congregations and even our countries.
Indeed, you were baptized to witness to His saving grace and unto
the lordship of Jesus, the Christ.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, as you can see, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Liberia has many challenges. But we have many
blessings as well. We highly value the fellowship we share as the
baptized of Christ. And we rejoice in your partnership in the Gospel.

I thank you all for the opportunity to have me speak.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen!

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