 Dear Friends,
New starts get underway with a variety of leadership configurations and ministries that are designed to meet people outside the church and introduce them to Jesus. But, it's especially exciting when each new start is ready to secure their first pastor to lead the people gathered together in worship through Word and Sacraments. That's what's happening in Park Forest after several years as a new start, and that's what's happening in Palatine as a new Hispanic mission launches right out of the gate. Read the story below. Then, find out about the President's Mission Convocation and attend if you can on Wednesday, September 8.
Jackie Bussert for People Ablaze!
in the Northern Illinois District LCMS |
Two Ablaze! Mission Outpost Grants Help Fund New Pastors
Day care outreach has helped Celebration Ministries in Park Forest reach the point of readiness for a pastor.  | Two new mission pastors (one in African-American outreach and one in Hispanic outreach) will be joining the Northern Illinois District with the help of Ablaze! Mission Outpost Grants awarded by your Lutheran Church's district Board of Directors on June 21.
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'You Clearly Mistake Me for Someone Who Cares!'
 That was a bumper sticker some years back, and the sentiment still lives on in radio and Internet among tongue-in-cheek misanthropes who don't want to be bothered by the needs of people.
Could someone say that about a Lutheran congregation? We hope not; Lutheran congregations are noted for their charity.
Taking Lutherans as a whole, they operate the second largest system of charitable ministries among non-profits in the U.S., second only to Catholic Charities. We genuinely like to show compassion when there are hurting people in the world. What we have not always done as well is combine compassion with proclamation - provides charity to both body and soul. Jesus shows us a balanced approach that feeds both the earthly hungers of hurting people and offers them the bread of life that is nothing less than Jesus himself.
Tim Hetzner, from Lutheran Church Charities, will take us into a deeper look at what Scripture says about compassion and the model of Jesus Christ in the district president's annual Mission Convocation. Originally set to take place in June, the tornadoes in central Illinois caused a rescheduling. The convocation for pastors and human care ministry leaders will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 9-3 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schaumburg.
If you can attend, we'd love to see you there. If you can't attend, why not urge your pastor to be there. All the details are on the NID website's registration page. It's free.
The name of the event is: How to Share the Compassion and Proclamation of Jesus Christ in Ways that Don't Cost Money. |
