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Lifting up the Movement of God's Mission
| Vol. 1; Num. 16
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Scripture for the Week
Click on the citation for the Scripture On Line.
Each Day Read
Psalm 98
Acts 9:1-31
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for missionaries and families,
thanksgivings,
for new missions,
for continuing missions,
for key events.
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Invocation
A Turn-Around of Dramatic Proportions and Implications:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful, and kindle in us the fire of Your Love, through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, now and forever. Amen.
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Reflections
Saul was good, really good at what he did. What he did so well was "breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples." Of course they were more than just threats, and the Christian's in Damascus had heard he was headed their way.
Damascus was far more to Saul than just another city in which to arrest Christians. "This city was the hub of a vast commercial network with far flung lines of caravan trade reaching into north Syria, Mesopotamia, Anatobia, Persia and Arabia. If the new 'Way' of Christianity flourished in Damascus, it would quickly reach all these places." (CSSB p.1672 ) Saul knew he needed to stop this movement here.
As he neared Damascus, everything changed as Saul was turned completely around in meeting Christ himself outside the city. Repentance always includes first, sorrow or guilt over sins committed. True repentance also includes a turn from that behavior, which often requires a 180° turn-around.
Saul's turn-around is one of the most dramatic ever recorded. He went to Damascus to arrest "any who belonged to the way, whether men or women, and take them as prisoners to Jerusalem" (v.2). After meeting Jesus, "Saul grew more and more powerful, and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ" (v.22).
The implications of this change were profound. Ananias had the unfortunate privilege of being the first "follower of the Way" to go to Saul. The Lord would affirm to Ananias these nearly unbelievable words: "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name." (v.15). From Passionate Persecutors, to even more Passionate Preacher, carrying the Good News of Jesus.
So many of us grew up with the words of the hymn writer on our lips: "If you cannot speak like angels, if you cannot preach like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus; You can say He died for all." (LW #318)
Very few of our stories of faith could even begin to match the "dramatic" nature of Saul's. Mine begins: first born son of Werner and Madeline, baptized at one month, early in Sunday school, confirmed in the eighth grade, graduated from Lutheran High School, and Concordia, Concordia, Concordia. Not terribly dramatic, and, who of us can "preach like Paul."
Never the less, the Lord's words are the same as he speaks it to you and to me: "This one is my chosen instrument to carry my name." You have to know, if you have accepted the grace of God by faith in Jesus, his Spirit fills you, and sends you to go and share the Good News of Jesus in all the ways. He has gifted you to do so. Please know He says of YOU-- "YOU are my chosen instrument to carry my name" -- So GO!
Melt me, Mold, Fill me, Use Me; Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.
Rev. Walt Waiser
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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.
Mr. Sabir Bashir, Arlington, POBLO, Lutheran Student Center - UTA
Rev. Michael Meissner and the people of
LifeBridgeChurch (LifeBridge is a daughter church of St. John, Cypress.)
Dr. Keith Loomans, Austin, Korean Ministry
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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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Intercession
New Missions
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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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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