Assignments announced at MLC
On Saturday, May 15, 77 current and former graduates of Martin Luther College (MLC), New Vim, Minn., were assigned to calls intothe teaching ministry. One graduate was assigned to serve as a staff minister.
The 2010 graduating class of MLC included 50 graduates who could serve in any location. The remaining
graduates were making other plans to continue their education, to accompany their spouses, or to spend a year or two in various serviceopportunities around the world.
In addition to the 50 graduates, there were nearly as many candidates who were returning for assignment after temporary service elsewhere.
After the assignments were completed, 20 teacher candidates and one staff ministry candidate available for service anywhere were yet to be assigned. Seven of those still awaiting assignment are 2010 graduates; the others are previous graduates returning tothe assignment committee. All of these candidates will continue to be considered for assignment in the weeks and months ahead as calls become available.
MLC has also worked with congregations around the synod to findtemporary opportunities for those yet-to-be-assigned candidates to serve if they choose to do so.
The complete list of assignments can be seen on MLC's Web site at www.mlc-wels.edu.
The work of the Assignment Committee moves to WisconsinLutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., later this week for the assignment of vicars and graduate pastor candidates. Watch the call services and graduation ceremonies live at www.wels.net/streamsllive.
We thank the Lord of the church for providing all of these willing and well-trained workers, and we
ask his blessings on those who have been assigned and on those who are still waiting to learn where they will serve.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
President
FIC features series on homosexuality
Forward in Christ, the official magazine of WELS, is tackling the sensitive topic of homosexuality with a profile of a WELS member who bravely opens up about his personal struggle with the sin.
In the article in the May issue, Scott Barefoot shares how God's Word and God's promise of forgiveness helps him fight his ongoing physical and emotional temptations. Barefoot, a member at Grace, Falls Church, Va., left the gay lifestyle seven years ago after discovering he had HIV/AIDS.
"God speaks very clearly in the Bible that (homosexuality)is wrong-sinful," says Barefoot. "I just wanted to be a voice of someone that has struggled with this gave into it for years-but, by the grace of God, was able to leave the lifestyle"
Barefoot has lectured on this topic and is co-authoring a book on the subject of homosexuality. "I want to help others," he says, "both helping those that are ' struggling' know that this lifestyle is not a foregone conclusion and helping those that have never struggled with homosexuality see that it is no more or less serious than other sinful desires or temptations. Sin is sin.”
This article is the first in a three-part series on leaving the gay lifestyle. Future articles will feature a
woman struggling with homosexuality and a pastor helping those who want to leave the gay lifestyle.
"We addressed the issue of homosexuality in order to let the light of God's truth shine in the discussions
about this topic," says Rev. John Braun, Forward in Christ executive editor. "Forward in Christ is our Lutheran confessional voice for the members in our congregations. It is also our witness to the world. Our voice will be different from the voices of this world, yet we pray that it is clear, faithful to God's truth, and helpful."
Read the article online at www.wels.netlforwardinchrist.
New home mission in Colorado
Rev. Jared Oldenburg, currently pastor at Light of Life, Covington, Wash., has accepted the call toopen a new home mission inCastle Rock, Colo. This is WELS' first new home mission openingsince 2008.
Oldenburg, a 2002 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., spent his vicar year serving Lord of Life, Thornton, Colo., as part of the Vicar in Mission Settings program. His assignment following graduation was to establish a new mission in Covington, Wash. Light of Life began worship services in November 2003 and has grown to 90 communicantmembers, who now supporta thriving preschool.
"Things are comfortable for me in Washington," Oldenburg says. "However, Jesus does not call any
of us to 'take up our comfort' and follow him. Instead we are calledto deny ourselves-and sometimes
that means leaving what is comfortable and using the gifts God has given us to expand his kingdom through the gospel."
He adds, "That is exciting-to know we are leaving what we know to meet new people--to become part of a new community and learn their unique culture, to work with fellow believers who too are excited about changing lives with the changeless gospel."
Oldenburg will work with a core group of WELS members in Castle Rock and surrounding areas who are eager to share the gospel with their friends and neighbors. Oldenburg and his wife, Aimee, recently made a trip to Colorado to meet with some of the possible core families and with the district mission board and mission counselor.
After Oldenburg is commissioned for his new call on July 18, he says that his first task will be to earn the
respect and trust of the core group so that he can work with them toreally understand the culture and become part of the community.After those foundations are laid,the group can begin holding worship services.
Storms damage WELS members' property
Several WELS members' homes and property were damaged in early May when severe storms caused
tornadoes in Oklahoma and flooding in Tennessee. No WELS members were hurt in these disasters.
Twenty-nine tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma on May 10. Rev. John Strackbein, pastor at Holy Cross, Oklahoma City, reports that two member families andone friend of the congregation had extensive damage to their homes and property. One member lost almost all of his farm implements; the other lost her barn, garage, and half of her roof. The home where the friends of the congregation were living was destroyed. Othermembers had significant damage to their homes from baseball-sized hail. The church and parsonage also had minor damage.
"Plans and lives were drastically changed, but we have one constant,a changeless loving God," says Strack be in. "All gave thanks, not only that God had spared their lives but also that God had given them another opportunity to exercise their faith and strengthen their trust in God."
The WELS Committee on Relief (COR) is currently assessing damageand considering the congregation's
relief request. Strackbein says that members already have been helping with clean up. The congregation also received lettersand cards from its neighboringcongregation, Gethsemane, OklahomaCity, whose members werenot affected by the storms. "Acts oflove like this mean so much whentragedy hits," says Strackbein.
In Tennessee, Rev. Matt Brown, pastor at Beautiful Savior, Clarksville, reports that several members
had extensive water damage to their homes from massive stormsthat dropped 13.5 inches of rain on the area May 1 and 2, causing rivers to flood. The COR has granted$500 to help with immediate needs for those families. Mr. Mark Vance, COR director of operations,says that the COR may be receiving more requests for relief dollars from Clarksville and otherchurches in the area.
To learn more or to donate, go to www.wels.net/relief.
Record sales for Road to Emmaus
Final distribution numbers are in for what's being called the best-selling WELS media project ever. In all,
85,800 copies of the DVD Road to Emmaus were ordered at a special bulk rate as an Easter-season evangelism tool by 470 congregations, making it the largest distribution ofany media product by Northwestern Publishing House (NPH).
"It is wonderful and exciting thatthousands and thousands of copies of the Road to Emmaus movieare drawing the attention of many,many people to Jesus and what heaccomplished for them by his deathand resurrection," says Rev. Mike Hintz, chairman of the Commission on Evangelism.
A survey of the congregations that ordered Road to Emmaus indicatesthey used the DVD in a variety of ways; most handed them out to members to give to friends and relatives, some sent them directlyto prospects. And the DVD hadimpact. One pastor responded: "A sixth-grader in our church has a sixth-grade friend with cancer. Our member gave the video to the boy, and now the cancer-stricken boy has decided it is his favorite movie!He is no longer afraid to die."
Road to Emmaus is also available in a Spanish version. WELS Multilanguage Publications is currently
translating it into Chinese, Nepalese, and Urdu. Plans are in the works to make the offer available to
congregations again next year. Look for details later this fall. Individual copies are available through NPH.
Go to www.nph.net and search for
WELS News