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Lifting up the Movement of God's Mission
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Vol. 1; Num. 15
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Scripture for the Week
Click on the citation for the Scripture On Line.
Each Day Read
Psalm 17
Acts 8:26-40
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for missions,
for workers,
for doors to open in communities,
for hearts to soften.
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Invocation
Speaking With Patience:
Risen Lord, grant to me a patient and gentle spirit in my heart, mind, and movement as one sent into the world. Such a spirit reflects You, Your grace, Your mercy, and Your peace. While the world will not understand these things it does long for them. This I pray in the name of Him who sent me even as You sent Him, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Reflections
Isn't it interesting how God interrupts our travel in this world with what we need at the right time? Oh, for eyes that recognize those times in order to thank God for His goodness and love to us. But whether I recognize these moments or not, I celebrate that we have a God who interrupts our journey.
The Ethiopian needed someone to help him understand what he was reading in the book of Isaiah. Philip was led by the Spirit to interrupt this traveler's journey to share the wonderful message of Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy found in Is. 53:7-8. "Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus" (Acts 8:35). This interruption in the Ethiopian's travel turns out to be of eternal value as they came upon some water, and the Ethiopian is baptized into the kingdom of God.
A member at my first parish would call me from time-to-time inviting me to go with him to a training event about pecan trees. What I learned about pecan trees was interesting, but the member's real purpose went far beyond pecan trees. He used our time together to find out how I was doing personally and spiritually. He would then encourage me in my faith and celebrate what God was doing in my life and ministry. Those interruptions became more and more meaningful. What a blessing God gave me through this member.
There have been other interruptions in my life's travels where God has taught me things or encouraged me in my faith walk. Most of these interruptions have given me refreshment and encouragement. Some have been a call to walk closer with God, especially if I had drifted away in some area. I thank God for them all and long for the next time God interrupts me along the way.
I also believe that God has used me in situations where I interrupted another person's journey. He calls all of us to engage people to share the good news of Jesus, interrupting their travels to gift a blessing.
--Rev. Ken Hennings
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Intercession
New Ministries
St. Paul, Plano as they seek Mission Planter Candidates for their new church plan planned for summer, 2010
King of Kings Lutheran Church, San Antonio as they investigate new ministry expansion in the neighborhood and beyond.
Redeemer, Austin as they strategize a new childcare outreach ministry.
St. Paul, McAllen as they look at the possibility of a new start in Mission, Texas under the leadership of Mr. Andrew Perry (preparing to apply for the SMP program).
The ongoing search for a Director for LINC San Antonio and for LINC's first ministry initiative on May 15.
For the first two Missional Worker Training seminars: April 24th in Brownsville and May 15th in San Antonio.
Shepherd of the Hills, San Antonio, as they investigate a West San Antonio Satellite.
St. John, Cypress is seeking God's guidance in beginning their next mission, perhaps in the Fairfield area or ethnic ministry with LINC.
Area D and the Texas District as the new Area D MMF is being pursued.
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Pearland as they have begun worshiping at their new multi-site campus. Epiphany - West at Hightower High School, Missouri City
Zion, Walburg as they nurture a launch team/core group Liberty Hill for a potential church plant there.
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Continuing Efforts
Area A m2c development and the Mission Summit planning.
Area B m2c development and the possibility of five new church starts in 2010. There is a need for visionary workers for these starts.
For the bold living in lifestyle stewardship for members and congregations across the district so mission can be funded.
That God would lift up workers throughout Texas
Hope Lutheran, as they continue to build upon current mission efforts and explore new mission opportunities in Lubbock.
Coleman, Texas youth ministry as they reach teenagers in their community for Christ.
POBLO (People of the Book Lutheran Outreach) Texas as they pray, ponder and plan for expanded ministry in the Arlington area.
St. Paul, Ft. Worth/The Summit at Aledo, as a prayer team is currently involved in weekly prayer over their next Multi-Site Mission Location
Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Colleyville, as they await word on their application for a deferred vicar to lead their new church planting effort.
God's blessing and guidance for Rev. Jonathan Brandenburg as he considers the call from University Lutheran Church, Austin.
St. Peter in the Roanoke/Alliance area of North Fort Worth
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Key Events
For those from Texas and the Synod attending Exponential 2010.
God's blessing as the Board of Mission Administration meets in Brownsville, April 23-25
God's blessing upon Pastors Steve Morfitt and Ed Weber as they are installed/commissioned on April 24 as pastoral Directors of Missional Worker Training in the Rio Grande Valley.
God's blessing upon the planning and participants for the Area A Mission Summit to be held in August, 2010.
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Missionaries and Families
Chase Jacobs and Anthony as they work through Water's Edge at TheStationDenton (UNT Denton).
Vicar E.B. Holschuh, Holy Cross,
Arlington as he works to plant a Russian speaking congregation, Crossroads
Russian Speaking Outreach
Vicar Travis Hartjen and the launch
team of Water's Edge, Allen as they have begun regular Boot Camp training
for launch team members.
Re. Mark Seeger, Jesus Lutheran Church of the Deaf, Austin
Rev. Michael Meissner and the people of
LifeBridgeChurch (LifeBridge is a daughter church of St. John, Cypress.)
Mr. Joshua Smith, POBLO Lutheran Student Center, UTA
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Thanksgiving
Give thanks to God for beginning to open doors in the campus ministry at Texas Tech, Lubbock.
Thanksgiving to God for financial support of the Missional Worker initiative in the Rio Grande Valley from Iglesia Luterana El Calvario, Brownsville; Mision Emanuel, Mercedes; RioMAC; and West Mission Lutheran Fellowship, Mission, TX.
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Benediction
Go, bringing the presence of Jesus into your community. Amen.
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m2c Prayer Partner Resource
This publication is made available for your encouragement in prayer ministry and prayer support for Mission 200 of the Texas District, LCMS. Reflections are authored by missionaries and leaders in the Texas District whose heart is to bring the Gospel to people who do not know Jesus Christ. 
If you have questions, comments, prayer requests for planting, or if you are looking for information concerning church planting in your community, you may email your Area Mission and Ministry Facilitator:
Steven Misch | Paul Krentz | Mike Newman |Area D
Mission 200 (M2C) is the
effort of Texas District Congregations to start 200 new Word and Sacrament
Ministries by 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
The Texas District prays that a mission movement can grow in Texas.
For more information and resources for mission planting in Texas go the m2c website by clicking here.
For information about Missional Work Training in the Texas District, click here.
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Mission 200 Texas District LCMS
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