Ablaze!

by Mona Hunter


Ablaze is the global Gospel outreach of our church– the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. People are Partnering all around the world to bring the Gospel to unbelievers. As members of Lutheran Ministries, we have an idea of what it means to be Partners. We work together to reach our common goal–that is, to strengthen our Lutheran congregations so that they are able to reached unbelievers (or non-practicing believers) in our communities. Even though mission partners in distant areas of the world face language barriers, primitive living conditions and outright persecution, the churches overseas are growing at a miraculous rate. Except for isolated situations, that’s not the case in America. Many studies have been done to determine why mission work is so difficult in the United States, and we can learn from those. However, and even worse, it seems that in the face of these difficulties, we as Christians and Lutherans have given up.

That is why Partnering is so important. When we work together, we learn from each other, encourage and support each other, and sometimes cry with each other.

Our Synod has prepared materials to aid us in working together to reach unbelievers for Christ. Please carefully consider the pamphlet you receive with your bulletin today. Please respond to it if God is calling you to that particular effort of mission.

In addition, the Synod has provided a series of 7 Bible studies focusing on Seven Mission Responses: Learn, Pray, Give, Tell, Send, Go, and Celebrate. A new small group is forming, to be held on Monday evenings beginning February 6 and will last only 7 weeks. Location will be determined by the participants. Please call the Lone Wolf office if you’d like to join this short-term study.