From Pastor Pete Varvaris, New Hope Missions, Mooresville NC

I preach monthly at an assisted living facility. This month, one woman seemed very distraught during the session and said so when I greeted her afterwards. She said she had no one (family) left to care for her and no reason to go on living. She said she just wanted to die, so her life would be over.

I had just preached on the hope we have in eternal life and so I talked with her more about that, also warning her that her “life” would not be over but would be lived in one of two places. I then told her the Gospel and how she is loved even now by God, who wants her to know the blessed hope of assured eternal life through faith in what Jesus has done for her and her sins. I gave her a Gospel of John, which she agreed to read and said we would talk again next month, but also wrote down my name and phone number in the Gospel of John. What’s also neat, is that just that morning as I was putting my Gospel of John in my pocket, I had specifically prayed for God to lead me to someone to share Christ with and give the Gospel of John to. Since, most of the people who come to my monthly preaching are regulars and Christians already, I wasn’t expecting the opportunity to present itself there. But, God answers prayer!

Her name is Phyllis Griffin – please pray for her conversion through the Word of the Gospel of John, and through my proclamation of the Word – in the group sessions, or as I talk with her again, individually.

More than 300,000 faith-sharing moments have been recorded by the Southeastern District Office. To share your story or the number of events, email sjhiller@se.lcms.

On Saturday, March 28, 4 new mission projects received funding through Circuit-designated Ablaze for God’s Mission grants. The Bridge Hispanic Mission in Hickory NC, New Hope Missions in Mooresville NC, Victorious Life in West Jefferson NC, and the new University Christian High School in Conover-Hickory NC. Your partnership in Ablaze for God’s Mission is making this possible.

To date, $5,759,068 has been pledged or contributed for this effort.

We have also received word from congregations participating in Ablaze! Miracle Sunday that as of this mailing,$10,448 has been received. Thanks be to God for moving his children to generosity in this opportunity to move forward in mission.

Posted for Yvette Moy of Prince of Peace

Editors Note:  A very good visual method to do the “count”

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Our “Ablaze with Critical Events” Tree, also known as our “Tree of Life” is greening up! As spring approaches leaves are sprouting and flower buds are swelling. Have you noticed the banner in the narthex? Have you noticed how it grows and changes? Look for a small poster hanging near it to explain the value of each leaf, bud, flower or fruit. Presently there are only leaves and buds – that’s because it’s Spring! But keep watching… flowers are soon to appear. Eventually flowers fall but they are replaced by enduring leaves. Eventually fruit, lasting fruit, will appear.  (Rev. 22:2 and Ps. 1:3)  This Tree of Life represents the critical events reported each week. To date, 716 events have been reported and are now represented on the tree. There are 35 green leaves and 16 buds on the tree – count them.

Each leaf represents 20 critical events
Each bud represents 1 critical event.

Do the math…20 events x 35 leaves=700 + 1 event x 16 buds=16 … or 700+16=716 Critical events total.  When you “share the hope that is within you” with family, friend, co-worker, acquaintance or stranger and report it to the church the staff is keeping track. Periodically, the Tree of Life gets up-dated, particularly as the seasons change.  Watch our tree grow and flourish

Let us join our hearts and voices as we pray for:
those who do not know Jesus Christ and the joy of His salvation for them.

1. the work of mission outreach teams, missionaries, and outreach efforts that will make a Gospel difference in our communities.
2. boldness in each of our lives that we will regularly share the Good News of Jesus with others.
3. the continued growth in prayer partners for mission. (Our goal is 3000 pray-ers)

Much is happening throughout the District in the area of mission. I am giving thanks to God for the incredible challenges and opportunities that people are reporting. Rev. Gugssa Biru reports that the Evangelical Lutheran Church Mekane-Yesus, Silver Spring MD, held a 3-day with revival with 1100 Ethiopians participating. Already two families and one individual have returned to learn more about Jesus. We pray that through this outreach effort, the Holy Spirit will move many hearts toward God.

Rev. Ron Friedrich (Christ-Deaf, Silver Spring MD) shares that the deaf prison ministry at MD Correctional Institute has grown to eight men – nearly all of the deaf inmates are attending weekly services. We pray for these men and their families, that God will flood their hearts and lives with his love and grace.

Rev. Tim Sandeno and members of Good Shepherd, Charleston SC set a goal of four regional Bible studies so that members could gather for regular study and prayer as well as create that comfortable, local place where friends and guests could come. We pray that God blesses this effort in a mighty way.

We have a listing of the Missions in the Southeastern District on our website at www.se.lcms.org click on the new missions under the Initiating New Mission tab.

Thank you for your mission prayers, they are making an eternal difference.

Sally J. Hiller
Mission and Ministry Executive
Southeastern  District, LCMS

On Sunday, March 29 there will be about 50 congregations receiving a special mission offering for Ablaze for God’s Mission. In all more than 80 congregations are participating in this effort to raise $200,000 for mission work. This effort is providing financial resources for the start-up of 23 new ministries. If you would like to learn more about it, please check out the articles and resources on the website at www.se.lcms.org

March 27: School Administrators Conference – Winston-Salem NC
March 28: Training Leaders for Outreach, Rev. Dr. Dave Buegler
April 17-19: Pastor’s Wives Retreat, Roslyn VA
April 26: LCEF Sunday
May 1-3: SED Convention, Norfolk VA
June 25-28: LWML Convention, Portland OR: Look to the Hills, God Reigns
July 16-19: Lutheran Hour Ministries Convention, Greensboro NC
July 31-August 2: Tending the Flame Conference: Out Fishin’
Sept. 18-19: New Session MDA begins with Retreat, Roslyn VA
Oct. 10: Fall LCEF and Treasurers Conference, St. Andrews, Silver Spring MD
Oct. 12-14: PCW Conference, Founders Inn, VA Beach, VA
Oct. 14-16: Educator’s Conference, Founders Inn, VA Beach, VA
Oct. 24: Fall LCEF and Treasurers Conference, Trinity, Richmond VA
Nov. 7: Fall LCEF and Treasurers Conference, Holy Trinity, Statesville NC
Nov 8-14: Peacemakers/Reconciler Training, Roslyn VA

I preach monthly at an assisted living facility. This month, one woman seemed very distraught during the session and said so when I greeted her afterward. She said she had no one (family) left to care for her and no reason to go on living. She said she just wanted to die, so her life would be over. I had just preached on the hope we have in eternal life and so I talked with her more about that, also warning her that her “life” would not be over but would be lived in one of two places. I then told her the Gospel and how she is loved even now by God, who wants her to know the blessed hope of assured eternal life through faith in what Jesus has done for her and her sins. I gave her a Gospel of John, which she agreed to read and said we would talk again next month, but also wrote down my name and phone number in the Gospel of John. What’s also neat, is that just that morning as I was putting my Gospel of John in my pocket, I had specifically prayed for God to lead me to someone to share Christ with and give the Gospel of John to. Since, most of the people who come to my monthly preaching are regulars and Christians already, I wasn’t expecting the opportunity to present itself there. But, God answers prayer! Her name is Phyllis Griffin – please pray for her conversion through the Word of the Gospel of John, and through my proclamation of the Word – in the group sessions, or as I talk with her again, individually.

More than 300,000 faith-sharing moments have been recorded by the Southeastern District Office. To share your story or the number of events, email sjhiller@se.lcms.

God invites us to pray without ceasing for the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the lives of all people. Currently we have 1973 people who are committed to this ministry. Our goal is to have 2000 people praying for outreach and mission work throughout the District by the May 2009 Convention. If you are interested in joining this effort, contact prayers@se.lcms.org.

FIREWORKS is the theme for next week’s Training Leaders for Outreach session. Rev. Dr. Dave Buegler will point us to the FIREWORKS God has in store for us as he sends the Holy Spirit to light the fires of faith within our hearts and then sends us to work, sharing the Good News with all people on Saturday, March 28, 9:00 a.m. till noon.

The workshop is available at the following congregations:
Live Site:
St. Stephens, Hickory, NC

Webcast Sites:

Messiah, Charlotte, NC
St. John’s, Glen Arm, MD
Peace in Christ, Frederick, MD
Our Savior, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Resurrection, Newport News, VA
Prince of Peace, Springfield, VA

Registration is available on line at www.se.lcms.org. Please contact clong@se.lcms.org.