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If you or your church have not received your copy of the movie, "Come Follow Me," please let me know (copies were sent out to parish pastors in the District). Several pastors are already using it in their ministry in various ways. We hope it can be used to engage the community with the Gospel. Visit comefollowmemovie.com for great outreach ideas. And, if you're using it, please share!

 

 

Many of you know that Rev. Afam Ikanih and Rev. Elijah Ndon regularly do ministry at the County Correctional Institute in Franklin. Through Bible studies, worship services on Friday and Sunday, counseling and sharing the Gospel "cell to cell," these missionaries are reaching men with the Gospel. At a recent missionary support team meeting, Pastor Ikanih shared that 42 men were baptized through their ministry in 2013. Praise God! Once these men are released from prison, the Free at Last ministry helps them readjust to society. Men like Patrick Batom help the ex-offenders get their feet back on the ground and keep them grounded in Scripture. The verse that immediately comes to mind is Luke 15:7: "I tell you in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent."

If you would like to have Pastor Ikanih preach at your congregation and share more about this vital ministry, please contact him at ikanih2@yahoo.com.

The 2014 Hearts for Jesus mission offering will go to Lutherans for Life (LFL) to support a very special project called "Owen's Mission." The goal of this project is to provide a set of Touch of Life fetal models for every Lutheran elementary and high school in the country, so that students will understand the God-given value of each life from the moment of conception.

If you would like to help our schools support this mission, you are invited to send your donation to SWD-Hearts for Jesus, 8100 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53222. Or go to Donate and select "other", specifying Hearts for Jesus in the Comments box.

Thanks to our gracious Lord and the generous efforts of several congregations together with the SWD/LCEF, the SOS Center re-opened its doors on Jan. 29. This ministry on the corner of 46th and North Ave. in Milwaukee has already begun to impact the lives of neighboring children and families with God's love. After-school programs are now in place, offering tutoring and safety after school as well as time in God's Word and Christian fellowship. Plans for more to come in the future are in the making. We invite you to keep this ministry in your prayers, and to contact the District office if you would like to become involved.

 

Rev. Peter Kelm
414.464.8101

swd.lcms.org

In a constantly changing world, the South Wisconsin District discovers, celebrates and advances vibrant models for growing discipleship, missional leaders and church worker wholeness.