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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 132

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

132

nership with CUI and an agreement to “swap” the previous district
office building (located on the main campus) for a new space on the
third floor of the Spectrum campus building. The district is grateful
to CUI for building out this welcoming and effective space. The
new facility is tailored for 21st-century ministry support, featuring
a 70-person high-tech conference center, breakout rooms, an area
for catering and receptions, and collaborative workspaces that better
serve district congregations and schools.
It is with gratitude and humility that we give thanks to God for
the congregations, schools, church workers, laypeople, district staff,
and others who have served faithfully during the past triennium. We
look with excitement to future ways that the churches and schools of
the district will be used by God to proclaim the risen Christ!
Soli Deo Gloria.
Michael E. Gibson, President
R47

Rocky Mountain District
Christ Is Risen! Indeed, as the largest contiguous district of
the LCMS, with 164 congregations, 47 preschools, 28 elementary
schools, and 2 high school across the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Texas, Arizona, and Nebraska, we pray daily for faith to
move mountains as we seek to remain confessionally faithful amidst
our western frontier, proclaiming to the ends of the earth, Christ Is
Risen!
Indeed, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. In all our
visitation, a lot of discussions happen regarding both recruitment
and retention of our workers. How congregations, schools, and other
ministries treat and care for their current workers directly impacts
the perception future workers have toward this work: Will it be a joy
or a burden (Heb. 13:17)? Thus, in our walk together, we prioritize
worker care so that our youth or any others led to aspire to this service may see those who labor in the harvest field going joyfully to
their work and singing out the Easter proclamation, Christ Is Risen!
Indeed, we have a vast amount of work to do both in the planting
of new congregations and ministries as well as strengthening established ones. Strategic conversations happen on a regular basis to
ensure that ministry can continue in our cities, mountain towns, and
rural settings with varying levels of congregational partnerships.
The Office of National Mission continues to be a huge blessing,
especially as we have begun to take purposeful steps to further our
mission presence in Utah, which in many ways for us is “to the ends
of the earth” (Acts 1:8). As droves continue to leave Mormonism,
Lord willing, we will baptize and teach them to say, Christ Is Risen!

Christ Is Risen, Indeed. Alleluia!
James B. Maxwell, President
R48

SELC District
“For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made
you a light for the nations, that you may bring salvation to the
ends of the earth’” (Acts 13:47).
The Christian Church is a missionary endeavor. Our Lord
equips his Church with Word and Sacrament and sends His apostles
out, baptizing and teaching (Matt. 28:19–28). Jesus promises His
Holy Spirit to empower the mission of the Church to the “ends of
the earth” (Acts 1:8). The apostles and early Christians, overcome
by the Good News of freedom, forgiveness and new life in Christ,
could not “stop speaking about what they had seen and heard”
(Acts 4:20). In our district theme verse, Acts 13:47, the apostle
Paul reminds us of God’s divine appointment: we are called to be a
“light to the nations.” This image of light carries profound implications for how we live our daily lives and engage with those around
us. In a world often shrouded in darkness—filled with uncertainty,
confusion, and despair—our calling is to shine brightly. Just as a
lighthouse guides ships safely to harbor, we are to reflect the love
and grace of Jesus, guiding others toward Christ. The purpose of
the light is clear: to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. This
calling transcends geographical boundaries—it is a global mission.
We are a “district without borders.” We are reminded that our faith
is not merely for personal comfort or assurance but is meant to be
shared. It is essential to remember that we do not shine by our own
strength; it is the Holy Spirit who guides and empowers the witness
of the Church. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the
word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

Ministry Context
The district carries out its mission in a challenging environment.
Across North America, congregations face declining membership,
aging demographics, pastoral shortages, and financial pressures.
Fewer candidates are available for calls, leading to longer vacancies and increased reliance on part-time or multi-congregational
ministries. Yet these realities have not led to retreat. Instead, they
have sharpened our focus. Trusting that “faith comes from hearing,
and hearing through the word of Christ,” the district continues to
center its work on proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for the
forgiveness of sins.

Indeed, as a district with cultures and age demographics as diverse as our climate and topography, being our Lord’s witnesses to
the ends of the earth to us means confessing Christ to all people. As
we have seen white supremacy surfacing anew across our country,
we in district convention reminded ourselves that in Christ, “there
is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no
male and female” (Gal. 3:28). And be they in the womb or blessed
with years, be they rich or poor, be they of many and various ancestry, our Lord “desires all people to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). The truth that Christ Is Risen!

Church planting and congregational revitalization remain central priorities for our district. In recent years, the district has worked
to strengthen existing congregations while developing new mission
opportunities in communities where Gospel witness is urgently
needed. In the United States and Canada, this includes revitalization
efforts in New Jersey, “rebirthing” a dying congregation, ongoing
multicultural outreach in Montreal, and new mission congregations
in the South. The district has planted the first Hispanic mission in
the St. Louis area. There, our missionary has begun conducting the
Divine Service in Spanish. He also provides Bible studies, pastoral
care, and English-as-a-Second-Language instruction, expanding
Gospel outreach to underserved populations.

Indeed, I am confident that even amid our challenges, the Lord
will be faithful. After all, He excels in redemption and resurrection!
Christ Is Risen!

To support our mission efforts, the district has strengthened its
infrastructure for church planting by providing pastoral and administrative support for mission leaders. Our goal is clear: that every

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