Check out the faith sharing “conversations of Grace” page on  Our Savior’s Way in Ashburn Va’s Web site.  They have examples of witnessing stories.  They also talk about their congregations participation in Ablaze and have hints for people who would like to do it too.

During November and December, St. John’s had about 20 participate in a daily prayer walk of the Springfield Mall.  They spent 45-90 minutes every day in the mall in prayer. Two years ago 16 police incidents were recorded for this period, including three assaults.  Last year, while there were only seven incidences there were two assaults, a car jacking, and an abduction/murder of a woman.  A policeman familiar with the mall predicted that, because of its location, crime would never go down in the mall.  But this year there were only six incidents and these were primarily shoplifting!  Many reasons could be given for such a change, but there is no doubt that God’s people, in league with God’s Spirit, laboring in relational prayer, have a tremendous impact on the spirtual forces which oppress neighborhoods and gathering places such as malls!  We’re not holding back our praise to our Father who loves the people of Springfield!

Last year after Lent, having read Why Pray?, another group at St. Johns began prayer-walking their neighborhood, praying for all the neighbors.  After a month they focused their prayer efforts on three homes, praying intensively for them, and then after two months they called on the homes, giving the neighbors a copy of Why Pray? and letting them know that they had been praying for two months for them daily.  There were many times when the people broke down in tears and reported amazingly good things happening during those two months.  The prayer team has ministered to 12 homes in this way, and is now including four more homes in their prayer efforts!

Along with typing out the full URL address of this site:

http://www.lucasjs.com/sedcongregationsablaze/

or using the redirect:

http://sedcongregatiosnablaze.lucasjs.com

It is now possible to type in a much shorter address and still get to this site.  I registered sedablaze.org so now you can type that (with or without the Http://www. in front of it and still get here).

The site has been up for nearly a year now (the Welcome was posted here on March 29, 2008 after we relocated to this host and restarted the statistics) and it is being used.  We have had 1445 hits so far, with the busiest day having 58 hits.

However you do get here, keep coming (and join so that you can comment or post occasionally )

Circuit Mission 15 and 13 West Mission Committees awarded Circuit Ablaze! grants to two new outreach efforts. Each Circuit Mission Committee reviews and determines grant requests for new outreach efforts within the circuit. Of the undesignated funds received through AFGM, 15% is credited to the circuit from which it is contributed. Already, more than $49,000 has been awarded to eight projects overall.

$750 Circuit 15 Peace Officers Ministry, Point of Grace, Cornelius
This support will be used to reach out and minister to the law enforcement community in Cornelius NC. Recognizing that divorce rates, suicide, and domestic violence is high among those who serve in law enforcement, Point of Grace is developing an active ministry of outreach in this specialized area. One of the projects will be to make available a Bible that has a special introduction explaining how law  enforcement is a ministry to the community. Mission Vicar Frank Rufatto, a former police officer, is helping to shape this ministry. (1/2009)

$4,538.89 Circuit 13W Jordan Lutheran Mission, Western Wake County, NC
Jordan Lutheran is a new mission outreach effort of the congregations in Circuit 13 West. Currently, Rev. Mike Merker is the mission developer on site for this new mission which is now holding worship services in the Beaver Creek Movie Cinemas in Apex. The funds from this grant will be used to support a full-time Music Director. (1/2009)

A short promotional video is now available on YouTube. The video is intended to be used to promote interest in the next Tending the Flame conference in August. Check it out and please share the link in your congregation.

Administrator’s Note:

An easy way to share this, or any other post from this blog would be to click on the “share this post” icon below. Follow the instructions and you could email the link to anyone. When I tested the feature I found that it is (hopefully) temporarily broken. I have contacted the provider behind the button and hopefully it will be fixed in a couple of days (if not in a week I will look for a replacement service). When it is fixed I will change this message to read use the button

27 Jan 09 Update: OK, it is working again.  Use the button.  There are still a few issues that only effect me but the people behind the button are working on them.  For all of you it works as before.

28 Jan 09 Update: Even more OK- now all functionality of the “share this Post” button is working great!

So use the button.

Jerry

Ablaze! Miracle Sunday is coming! Help us reach the mission funding goal by participating in a special mission offering on Sunday, March 22 or March 29, 2009. When we started, the $6 million goal seemed unattainable. Now we are looking to raise the last $200,000. If only, individuals would make a one time gift of $20.00, that multiplied throughout the District membership would make it happen! Together, the congregations of the Southeastern District can reach this goal to support 23 District missions, numerous local circuit missions, and global outreach efforts. Contact chilewitz@se.lcms.org for additional information.

This is why we are working so diligently to reach the mission funding goal. Mission Pastor Brandon Martin sent in this update. Brandon is working with St. Stephen’s, Hickory to begin new outreach to the Hispanic community.Your contributions to Ablaze for God’s Mission are supporting this mission.

Under the Shadow of Superstition, January 2008
“Are there witches in this area who harm newborn babies?”

I had visited Sergio and Angélica expecting to talk about soccer. But when I entered, another topic was troubling the minds of this Mexican couple pregnant with their first child. They were sorting through the truth and lies of superstitions they grew up with in Mexico. Concerned about their child’s safety, they wanted to know if any of these fears might be true. These doubts are common among Hispanics who grew up in a culture where faith and superstition are difficult to distinguish

Sergio and Angélica continued by sharing various rumored stories. Although this young couple concluded that these stories probably weren’t true, they still expressed an uncertain anxiety. They also listed several “family remedies” that might protect them . . . “just in case.” Curious, they asked my opinion on whether these practices really work to protect us from harm. The door was flung wide open for me to share that neither special objects nor superstitious practices protect us from the evil of Satan and this world – but we have God himself as our refuge and strength. The God who gave this couple their baby is the same God who gave his own Son to save their child from the powers of evil!

SED Prayer Partners were presented with these specific missions / events to pray for in the most recent SED Mission Prayer Partner Newsletter. If you would like to be a part of this effort please contact the District Office.

+ Good Shepherd Lutheran & Child Development Center, Midlothian VA: The first worship service will be on Sunday, January 25 at 6:00.
+ Abundant Life, Charlotte NC: Has a baptism on February 7 and is in need of a Baptismal font.
+ Point of Grace, Charlotte NC: is growing to two worship services in February.
+ Circuit 9 Missionary to Spanish Speaking Communities, Franconia VA: Praying for the missionary. The committee is at praying for a worker for this ministry.
+ Catawba County Hispanic Mission, Hickory NC: Giving thanks for opportunities to reach families with the Gospel.

Dear Mission Prayer Partners,

Greetings in these days of Epiphany’s light! I am currently traveling, as is President Diefenthaler, through the District for the pre-convention meetings. With on 3 meetings completed, we are hearing strong affirmation for the ministry of prayer and the work of the prayer partners. We are seeing how your ongoing work is shining the light of Christ into communities and hearts of people. Last evening Pastor Jeff Wuertz shared the joy of watching the Holy Spirit work in the life of a Mormon family who is coming alive in Christ. He shared that a member of the congregation has been praying for four years for God’s transformation in the lives of this family. What joy there must be in heaven and in the congregation for this family! Keep up the praying, do not grow weary in this critical task. The timing is the Father’s, the work is that of the Holy Spirit, and salvation is from Jesus – and we, get to continue lifting up the need and work to God.

Let us join our voices in prayer during these next days for the work of God in the communities that will be reached by Jordan Mission in Western Wake County NC. They will hold their first worship service on February 8 in a movie theater. Pray that all the details of turning the theater into holy space that welcomes many who really don’t know who the Holy One comes together. Remember Mission Pastor Mike Merker and the planting committee as they continue moving forward. You can check them out at http://www.jordanchurchnc.org/

During these next days, resources will be put on the SED website to assist you with prayers for mission. A listing of each mission will be posted as well as mission developers and future work. During this year, I am asking you to join in prayer support in the following four areas:

1. those who do not know Jesus Christ and the joy of salvation
2. the work of developing ministries and outreach efforts that will make a Gospel difference in our communities
3. for boldness in each of our lives in sharing the Good News of Jesus with others
4. finally, continued growth in prayer partners for mission. (Our goal is 3000 pray-ers)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:16-17

March 28, 2009, Dr. David Buegler – presented from St. Stephens in Hickory NC

The Rev. Dr. David Buegler, Executive Director for the Cleveland Lutheran High School Association
(Dr. Buegler will be presenting from St. Stephens in Hickory NC)

Dr. Buegler will lead us through Scripture in search of outreach examples that provide insight for us as we share the Good News. Rev. Buegler is a 1972 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary. He served as the Ohio District president from 1988-1996. In 2007 he was re-elected 5th Vice President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and serves on behalf of the President on several Synodical boards and committees.

Recognizing the need to reach more than 100,000,000 people with the Gospel message, the Southeastern District is offering a training program for church professionals and congregational leaders. Training Leaders for Outreach is outreach education for the individual who desires to grow in his/her understanding and practice of sharing the Gospel through outreach, witness, and evangelism. It is born of a desire to equip workers for the harvest field with the ability to serve the church more effectively. Resources and learning opportunities are available for lay people and church professionals.

Sharing the life-changing message of Christ in our lives is a critical event! These workshops are designed to prepare congregational members to reach out to guests and the community with this news. These workshops are designed for everyone: congregational leaders, teachers, youth, and the person in the pew. After attending an event, participants will be better prepared to share the story of God’s grace and mercy in their lives. The Southeastern District makes these courses available through webcasting to bring these exciting classes to your congregation or to one close to you.