As we move into the season of Pentecost, I share this prayer from the LCMS Commission on Worship:

Mighty God, You transformed the disciples from fear to boldness so that they might make known the good news of Jesus Christ. Overcome our fear and timidity that we may be so bold in this time and in this place. Bless Your missionaries and those who plant Your kingdom through faithful words and deeds, in places far and near. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of Your faithful people and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Amen.

Our Prayer Goals for 2009

Let us join our hearts and voices as we pray for:

1. Those who do not know Jesus Christ and the joy of His salvation for them.
2. The work of mission outreach teams, missionaries, and outreach efforts that will make a Gospel difference in our communities.
3. Boldness in each of our lives that we will regularly share the Good News of Jesus with others.
4. The continued growth in prayer partners for mission. (Our goal is 3000 pray-ers.)

Mission Update

Give thanks that already 14 children are enrolled at Open Arms at Good Shepherd, Midlothian VA. They are scheduled to open on  September 8. Continue to pray that God will lead an abundance of children and families to this new ministry.

We lift up Abundant Life congregation (Charlotte NC) as they continue to reach out with the Gospel to the Hispanic community around them. We pray for God’s blessing upon the VBS program that will be lead by members of Messiah (Charlotte NC) and we join the congregation in giving thanks that Pastor Shifflett is also serving as interim pastor at Mt. Calvary (Kannapolis NC). (This means that he is no longer serving a bi-vocational role of truck driver.)

We pray for Redeemer congregation (Baltimore MD) as they face some special challenges and seek God’s wisdom for their future as a ministry Ablaze! in reaching others.

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

Plan now to attend this exciting event. Bible study leaders are Rev. Art Scherer and Rev. Tom Zehnder. Exciting workshops addressing outreach, evangelism, sharing the Good News will be offered. An outstanding children’s program will be available. Andrew Kassouf will be leading the teen program. A special feature – Ken Medema, a world renown Christian song writer will present on Saturday evening. He will sing the songs of God’s love in our lives as he shares his story of God at work in him.

More than 311,000 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 2001 people who are committed to this ministry. If you are interested in joining this effort, contact prayers@se.lcms.org.

Dear Mission Prayer Partners,

I know, I just sent a prayer message yesterday. But sometimes the news is so amazing that I want you to know it right away. This is one of those messages. We continue to lift up Vicar Danny Xiong who is serving with the Hmong community in Charlotte NC. Ascension congregation in Charlotte is partnering in this mission as well as Circuit 15. More importantly, in this email note from him, you will see how Vicar Xiong has been placed right where God needs him.

As you read his email, give the glory to God and pray for these two new families that they will be kept safe from the evil one and that the gift of faith will flourish and blossom in their lives.

Charlotte Hmong Mission Report
“Easter Miracle”

God worked a miracle on the day he had risen in the year 2009 that we were celebrated in the Polkton community. He answered our prayers and brought two families of twelve to the Charlotte Hmong mission. These two families were Mr. Thao, his wife and three Children, and Mrs. Vang and her six children. They converted from the animism.

Every Easter and Christmas celebration there were over thirty five people to join us for the free food, free gifts and hear the good news of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and the death and resurrection of our Lord who was victorious in forgiving our sins.

On April 11th, 2009, Easter day, after the lunch and egg hunt for the kids, games for the youth, and Easter celebration, Mr. Thao came to me and said “pastor would you be able to go to my house tonight to destroy my evil altar and pray for my family because I have decided to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior.” I told him “I am able tonight to come to your house to do as you have requested me to.” Then Mrs. Vang came to me and said, “Pastor, if you come to my cousin Thao’s house please come to my house too, because I and my children want to become a Christian family and accept Jesus to be our Savior too.” I said to her, yes, I will come to your house too to convert you to Christianity and pray for you and the children. Then I and the men and women of our church went to their houses and converted them to Christ and won twelve souls.

Thank you for your mission prayers, they are making an eternal difference.
Sally J. Hiller
Mission and Ministry Executive
Southeastern  District, LCMS

Dear Mission Prayer Partners,

Praise God for the 2001 mission prayer partners united in praying for people, mission outreach, and the  power of God throughout our District. The Mission Prayer Partners continues to move forward toward the goal of 3,000 pray-ers. Thank you for your support and for your prayers. We give thanks to God for the work He is doing among us and seek His continued strength and wisdom as we pray for congregations and mission teams going into their communities to share Jesus.

As I prepare this prayer message, I am mindful that we are approaching Memorial Day and that it is a time to remember those who have served our country through the armed forces – those whose lives were given to protect our freedom. We pray also for our sons and daughters who are serving in the armed forces throughout the world, many of whom serve in dangerous places. I thank God for them and pray for their safety and well-being, just as I pray for an end to the divisions that tear people apart and enable the battles that are waged around us.  May God grant them protection in their serving and bring them home safely. May God bring peace throughout the world.

Mission Update

New Hope Missions, Mooresville NC: They were involved in community events last weekend with a booth at the Race City Festival. This was their first community awareness event.

Crossway, Norfolk VA: This new ministry continues to be a community presence as they host “Open Mic NIghts” and Art Shows. Not only are they finding ways to attract people to the ministry location, they continue to be a community presence and are planning an urban adventure weekend (Amazing Race Concept) to include a array of specific tasks to be done in the city of Norfolk.

Good Shepherd, Midlothian VA has set several significant dates special prayer requests:

Sunday, September 13, “Launch Sunday” that the Lord would lead 120 or more souls to gather for this first weekly worship service. This is to be held in our new facility assuming it is completed with a Certificate of Occupancy.

1. Sunday, October 4, “Dedication Sunday” as we dedicate the facility, church and school staff, and child development students, to the care and for the glory of God. (Currently we have 25 members and 12 enrolled children).

2. Sunday, October 25, “Grand Opening” that this festive community event will be an effective time for helping to make the church and child development center better known in the community.

Administrative note:  This is a few days late. 

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New Ministries and Ministry Partnerships

Twenty one congregations and new ministries have started since the last convention in 2006. During the opening session, President Diefenthaler called each ministry forward, giving thanks to God for the work of outreach and mission that is taking place. Three ministries were recognized as newly chartered congregations: Lamb of God, Landover Hills MD,  Chesapeake Community of Hope, Chesapeake VA, and Point of Grace, Cornelius NC (pictured signing charter).

LCMS World Mission

Rev. Tom Zehnder, LCMS World Mission shared words of encouragement to the SED, “Because of the SED, we’ve [LCMS} have gone over the 10,000,000 mark in the reporting of faith-sharing experiences. The Ablaze! movement is on its way. There are more than 600 new mission churches, 280 congregations in the revitatlization process. The SED is a vital part of the Fan Into Flame process and has given leadership to it under the great leadership of President Jon Diefenthaler.” Zehnder urged the gathered to become mission advocates – telling people about what God is doing – and to find ways to serve. Currently there are over 1,000 people serving in the international and national mission field. Mission workers comes in a variety of serving: career missionaries, chaplains, long and short term. All are needed to share the HOPE of Jesus throughout the world.

LWML and LLL Bring Greetings

Sylvia Shives and Brenda Issac (Chesapeake District and Carolina’s District of The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) share words of welcome. The LWML, since its inception has contributed more than $80,000,000 to the work of global mission. This does not include the many mission dollars that each District designates. Currently, a special effort to assist in recovery for those who have experienced  damage or loss through the wild fires in North Myrtle Beach is under way. Participants to the convention brought towels and bed lines to assist as well as financial contributions. Risen Christ Lutheran Church will assist with distribution.

Dick Sindlinger and Phil Gnadt of the Capital and Carolinas Lutheran Laymens’ League also brought greetings. “One name Jesus sounds more than a convention theme” said Gnadt, “It sounds like a team message!” The annual LLL convention will be held in Greensboro in July.

The Convention Speaks

Mr. Stuart Nichols (Ascension, Charlotte NC) chaired the Floor Committee on Mission Development.  A total of 6 resolutions related to Mission Development were approved by the Convention. A sixth resolution was brought from the floor on Sunday morning by Rev. Suah Deddeh of Lamb of God, Landover Hills MD calling for support for a Mission Developer for African Immigrant Ministry. Other resolutions included the initiation of a process for congregational renewal, regional missionaries for ministry with Spanish-speaking people, encouraging mission partnerships and networks in urban areas, supporting the Mission Development Academy, and thanksgiving for the growth and outreach of the Chinese Mission in Rockville MD.

Floor Committee Two, Congregational Outreach was chaired by Rev. Scott Johnson (St. John, Conover NC). The first resolution of this committee sets Faith-Sharing as a priority for this next triennium. Currently more than 311,000 faith-sharing events have been recorded. Other resoultions from this floor committee include: addressing a mission of mercy with Spanish-speaking people, encouraging congregations and schools to be in outreach to and with school families, encouraging a prayerful approach to life and church business, and thanking all who serve on District committees, boards, and task forces. The District is also sending a resoltuion forward for Synod consideration related to issues of Human Trafficking and Slavery.

Stewardship and Finance, chaird by Rev. John Denninger (Prince of Peace, Springfield VA) led the convention through the work of this floor committee. In all, five resoltuions were adopted. Recognizing that more than $5,870,000 has been received for mission development through the Ablaze for God’s Mission effort, thanksgiving to God for this generous outpouring and thanks to all who assisted was the action of the first resolution of this committee. A resolution to encourage congregations towards congregational tithing for missions was passed. Resolutions directing the district to increase financial education and assistance to professional church workers, provide tools for stewardship and financial education, and to gather a task force to address future funding mission models will give shape to District work in this area.

The Bylaws Committee chaired by Mr.  Gilbert Brauch (St. Stephens, Hickory NC) addressed changes in the District’s Bylaws as recommended by the Synod’s Commission on Constitutional Matters in their review of changes made in the last Convention. In addition, this committee addressed resolutions that had roots in the work of the LCMS Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance. Resolutions on encouraging the ongoing, active support on ethnic ministry programs, the formula for delegate representation, and the calling of all SED members to a year of prayer in preparation for the 2010 LCMS Convention were passed.

Mission Fair

A Mission Fair Exhibit Hall features 24 District Mission projects. Convention participants will have the opportunity to meet the mission developer and members of mission planting teams while learning about the mission and mission opportunities. The Mission Fair opens at 12:00 noon on Friday and will go through close of session on Friday evening.

Did you know?

More than 30 SED congregations have agreed to start or help start a new mission by 2017?

That 14 of our 21 Circuits are working together on a new start of some type?

That as of 2009, 38 new missions are in the development process: mission committee or planter on site or regular worship?

Listening Prayers were an important part in preparing for each session.

The Convention Offering will be used to provide scholarships for students in the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology.

More than 311,000 faith-sharing moments have been recorded by the Southeastern District Office. To share your story or the number of events, email sjhiller@se.lcms.

Follow this link to the article in the LCMS Reporter: Ablaze! faith-sharing counter exceeds 10 million.  Good info from the Southeastern District and quotes from Sally Hiller.  A great start!

It has been a while since the last “official’ SED article, so in the interest of keeping things going on the blog, I will share a personal story.

Before Easter I was working at one of my volunteer jobs.  One of the people there asked what kind of services we would be having at my church.  He said he had a home church (Episcopalian), but he liked to visit other denominations to see what they had to say.  I told him about the Sunrise service, and the special music at the regular service, and the opportunity for a pancake breakfast in between.  He was interested and asked if he could bring a friend.  Naturally I agreed.

After the services and the breakfast (He is Risen!… ) the friend (Pentecostal) said that there was something that had been bothering her for years.  It seems that her denomination baptises by immersion and she had an experience in her youth that made her very afraid of being under water… so she was never baptized.  I told her “You are in luck, we sprinkle!”.  It took a couple of weeks to arrange (her schedule, not ours), but she was baptised.

This was not a conversion, she was already a committed Christian.  There was no critical event. This was not about church (Denominational) growth, she is still a Pentecostal.  This was simply about obedience.  The doors to service that God opens are not alwys the ones we expect, but they are the ones He wants us to walk through with Him.