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Evangelism
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| Ashkan, on the left, enjoyed a camping trip last fall with his newfound American friends. |
The international student ministry at Luther Memorial, Shorewood, is a ministry of friendship and hospitality that welcomes internationals to the Milwaukee area. This gives them the privilege of sharing the gospel message.
Ashkan, a University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee student from Iran, shared some of his experiences of how the Luther Memorial family has made him feel welcome.
 Recently, the District office has received several phone calls inquiring about where people can attend Spanish worship services in the area. We are happy to be able share that Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, now conducts bilingual weekly Sunday services and offers Spanish Bible studies on Saturday evenings.
 On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, Lutheran Student Fellowship at UWM hosted a debate between Concordia University Wisconsin’s Dr. Angus Menuge, professor of philosophy (pictured far right), and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s Dr. William Bristow, professor of philosophy (pictured left foreground), on the question of whether or not science can point to God.
 The first allocation of a $9,000 grant from LCMS World Relief and Human Care has been given to the South Wisconsin District’s French African Immigrant Mercy and Evangelism (FAIME) project. This ministry is under the direction of Rev. Gui Kasongo, pastor of a newly chartered congregation, International Lutheran Church of Zion, Milwaukee.
 Please save the date! Rural and Small Town Mission (RSTM) exists to support and encourage congregations in rural and small town settings in their work to engage their communities with the love of Christ. In partnership with the South Wisconsin, North Wisconsin and Minnesota North Districts, RSTM invites your congregations to join us at Shepherd of the Hills, Onalaska, on Saturday, July 14 at 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. for the Engaging Rural Communities event. We are thankful to the members of Shepherd of the Hills who are ready to host this event at their facilities for professional and lay leaders.
 Reserve the date on your spring calendar for this year’s gathering at Cedar Valley in West Bend! The District’s older adult task force welcomes all to come for a day of fellowship and learning under the topic, “Understanding the Future of the Church.”
Information & registration brochure 
 LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission (RSTM) recognizes that while the work to which God has called congregations is the same, the context in which that work is carried out can be very different—even in rural America. To assist the many rural and small town congregations in the Midwest, our South Wisconsin District is sponsoring an Engaging Rural Communities event along with the North Wisconsin and Minnesota districts at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Onalaska, Wis on July 14, 2012. The tentative schedule begins with registration at 8 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m.
 Road to Emmaus, written and produced by an LCMS filmmaker, is back by popular request this year, at the greatly reduced price of $150 for a case of 100 DVDs (that’s just $1.50 each). This acclaimed Easter film offers a dynamic new opportunity to reach people with the story of Jesus, especially during the season of Lent and Easter.
Ordering information
 We invite you to be with us on March 15 for another special SWD mission celebration and fund raising event, this time at The Cannery Grill, 315 E. Linnerud Dr., Sun Prairie, WI 53590. As you enjoy the evening of fellowship in this historic location, you will also be sampling some of the Cannery’s entrées and learning about pairing food with various wines and beers. But the best part is that you will be supporting our District missions!
Brochure
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| Becky King (left) studies with Deloris Erlandson, member of Our Savior Deaf, Madison. |
Becky King is deaf. It is difficult for people who can hear to really understand what it is like to be completely deaf. Even reading is a challenge. English is a language of words; sign language is a language of pictures. For Becky, a Christian, it is difficult to read and understand the concepts of the Bible and theological words like “justification”, “righteousness” or “sanctification.” They are meaningful words, but are terrible to sign! But that was not the only challenge in Becky’s life.
Monday, January 09, 2012 :: 3036 Views :: 0 Comments ::  :: Announcements, Missions, Evangelism, Schools, President's office, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Events, Stewardship, Business
Feb. 25, 2012
Divine Redeemer, Hartland
The “Passionate Leaders" conference is for pastors, principals, teachers and leaders of our congregations and schools. The day will provide learning and interaction with Synod representatives, District staff, and other mission leaders. You will gain many resources throughout the conference to "Multiply, Magnify, and Maximize" your ministries!
Cost is $25 per person or $75 per "church." Fee includes presenters, materials and lunch.
Brochure  • Register online
 On Dec. 11, 2011, a bilingual worship service was held at Oklahoma Avenue Lutheran Church (OALC) in Milwaukee. It was a multi-congregational worship service organized by OALC and Primera Iglesia of Racine, also known as Santa Cruz Lutheran Church (SCLC). The service was designed to celebrate the true unity of two different languages and cultures as made possible only by the common miracle of salvation as it arrived in the Christ child so long ago.
 November 6, 2011, was a red-letter day not only for Vicar Dennis Harmon and Emmaus Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, but also for the South Wisconsin District. On that day Harmon was ordained under the conditions of the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and installed as Emmaus’ pastor. This was the first such ordination/installation in our District since the SMP program was begun.
 Rev. Kasongo Gui Kabeo returned home on Nov. 16 from a missionary trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Everything will be fine,” he assured us over and over again before he left a month earlier. “It is God’s will that I go!” But this was no easy trip to make for a man who had left his Congolese homeland for political safety about ten years ago. Those who helped him plan his trip worried for his protection while there, and prayed for an uneventful and a safe return to his home in the U.S. Of course Pastor Gui was right, and God was with him all the way!
You can click here to see a slide presentation of Pastor Gui's mission trip to the DRC!
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| Brian and Jeanette Keller stand with SWD Pres. John Wille outside the newly dedicated church at Las Americas in the Dominican Republic. |
The first Lutheran sanctuary in Las Americas, just east of the capital city, Santo Domingo, was dedicated on October 9, 2011. The service began outside of the church on the back piece of the property where the congregation had previously held their services under a little tarp tent for the past two years. “Give thanks with us to God the Father, in Jesus’ Name,” says Pastor Ted Krey, “that His holy ministry goes forth, and that our Lord is with us in this place!”
 Just over a month to go and you may find yourself in the kitchen preparing a feast for our National Day of Thanksgiving. My, how time flies! But for some, time does not fly all that quickly. These days especially, there are so many people who do not look forward to another day of unemployment, financial strains or perhaps even a foreclosure on their home, in addition to putting food on the table. These are days—long days—for too many families in great need right in our own neighborhoods. Can you help?
 In an episode of the well-known TV show Seinfeld, the three friends spontaneously decide one day that they want to be volunteers. One of the volunteers went to visit an elderly lady with a goiter; the other two friends went to visit a couple of elderly gentlemen. None of them gave a great deal of thought or planning as to what their responsibilities would be a volunteers. What would be the needs of those they would be visiting, and would they be able to provide the services? It is much the same situation with people wanting to respond to a disaster.
 People of the Book Lutheran Ministries (POBLO), which recently opened an office at Brookfield Lutheran, will be assisting Bessie Fick, International Student Ministry (ISM) coordinator in the ministry of friendship and hospitality to the ethnic students and scholars at the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee. The POBLO team will have office hours at Luther Memorial, Shorewood. Pictured are Praveen Manuel and his wife, Priya, Bessie Fick, Nazish Naseem and Cynthia Kahn.
 We are privileged here in the South Wisconsin District to be tools that God is using to maximize, magnify and multiply the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only way on earth to know what saves the human race! This past summer, on Aug. 14, 2011, we celebrated the ordination of two immigrant pastors and the installation of a third, all busy as "global" ambassadors of God's grace.
Rev. Gui K. Kasongo (center front) closes the worship service in which he was ordained on Aug. 14 at Benediction, Milwaukee. Kasongo serves the International Lutheran Church of Zion, a West African congregation.
 As the summer of 2011 winds down and church calendars fill up, the Missions department at the District Office will frequently get a call requesting ideas for mission projects for congregations and schools. We always welcome hearing from you and enjoy telling you about the exciting ways that the Lord is at work in our District.
Mission project promos
 The International Student Ministry (ISM), Milwaukee, began a new project with the internationals attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) this summer. The Button family, members of Luther Memorial Chapel, offered to teach them how to garden in Wisconsin. But more than the harvest of vegetables from the garden was the harvest of friendship as the families shared their love and their cultures with each other.
 Have you ever wanted to go on a short-term mission trip? All the needy faces we see in the Lutheran Witness and other media tug at our hearts and beg us to open our arms to them. Here is a chance for you to reach out and turn that desire into reality!
 People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO) International has been hard at work over the past months to set up a new outreach ministry in Wisconsin. With the increased growth of Hindu and Sikh temples and Muslim mosques, congregations in the metro Milwaukee area are realizing more and more that they have a responsibility to reach out to these groups.
 Saturday, Oct 8, 2011 is the date selected for the fourth annual Lutheran ethnic folk fair, highlighting ethnic ministries in the South Wisconsin District. It will be held in the gym of Pilgrim Lutheran School, 6717 W. Center St., Wauwatosa, from noon until 4 p.m. Everyone is invited to visit display tables of our various ethnic ministries, enjoy the musical performances, taste unique ethnic foods and gain a greater appreciation of our “oneness in Christ.”
The deadline has been extended to June 20 to sign up for a mission trip to Mission Central, Mapleton, Iowa, Sept. 19-22, 2011. The older adult committee of the South Wisconsin District is looking for commitment from enough people to make the cost of the bus transportation reasonable. Those who have been there say that it is a fascinating and inspiring experience. Please see the flyer (PDF) with more information and let us know if you would like to come along!
Submitted by Bessie Fick, International Student Ministry (ISM), UW—Milwaukee
 Like St. Paul, we too pray for the students and families whose lives we have touched with God’s Word this past semester. Here is another story of God’s grace to his people…
Liang came to Milwaukee one year ago with her husband, a mechanical engineering visiting scholar at UWM. She attended our International Student Ministry’s (ISM) English conversation classes in the afternoons and participated in many other ISM’s activities. She was eager to learn as much as possible about the American culture.
 Here’s a great way to stretch your mission dollars to our ministry in the Dominican Republic! Earlier this year, the Seibert Lutheran Foundation granted the South Wisconsin District a matching gifts grant for the support of Brian and Jeanette Keller's three-year mission there. The matching gifts grant will provide up to $25,000 toward the field travel, housing and program support services for the short-term mission volunteers coming from the United States. Already three volunteer groups have served or are currently serving, and a fourth group is slated to arrive this summer.
 A unique opportunity to participate in a landmark installation service was given to worshipers at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Racine, on Sunday, April 10. Rev. Germán Novelli, a native of Venezuela, was installed there as the Hispanic pastor of Primera Iglesia Lutheran Church, now becoming known as “Santa Cruz.”
The new Missions Prayer Calendar for April and May has been posted on the SWD website and will be emailed to all congregations as a PDF file and a Word document. Please feel free to use it as a bulletin insert, cut and paste portions of it in your newsletters, and add the link to your congregation’s website.
Bin and her daughter, Tian Yi, arrived in Milwaukee on Christmas Eve 2009. Her husband, Ming had arrived a month earlier as a visiting scholar at the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee (UWM). He picked up the family at the airport with the help of a Chinese Christian who provided the car for transportation. That was the first hurdle they got through, and also their first encounter with a Christian.
Bin (left), daughter Tian Yi and husband Ming have learned that Christians have a big heart for helping others.
Witnessing methods: Seven styles of faith-sharing
Divine Savior, Hartford, is hosting a workshop for District congregations on Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. At this workshop you will learn to recognize multiple styles and methods of sharing your faith, and apply them to everyday life. You will gain tools that will sharpen your witnessing methods and enhance your outreach to people of all ages and backgrounds.
The cost is $10 per person. This includes a continental breakfast, lunch and printed materials. To register, please contact Kim Terry at (262) 673-5140 or secdivslc@netwurx.net. Deadline is Friday, March 18, 2011.
 On March 18-19, Christians from Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska will come together at Alexandria, Minnesota’s Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center for Lutheran Hour Ministries’ northern Midwest Regional Outreach Conference (ROC). The objective: two days of networking, fellowship, and intensive training in witness and outreach.
ROC--Alexandria is the second in a series of "Regional Outreach Conferences" LHM is presenting across the country in 2011 and early 2012. One will also be held in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 9-10, 2011. Watch this website for more information as it becomes available.
Monday, February 21, 2011 :: 9222 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Announcements, Missions, Evangelism, Schools, Lutheran Church Extension Fund, Gift planning, Events, Stewardship, Business
SWD Passionate Leaders Conference
Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 • 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Country Lutheran High School
There is still time to register!
NEW LOCATION, PLEASE NOTE!
Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church
N48W31385 State Road 83, Hartland 53027
(Approximately one mile west of Lake Country High) |
The passionate leaders conference is for all pastors, teachers and leaders of South Wisconsin District congregations. The day will provide learning and interaction with Synod representatives, District staff and other mission leaders. You will gain many resources throughout the conference to "Multiply, Magnify and Maximize" your ministries!
Reach out to others with the award‐winning DVD Road to Emmaus, now just $1.50 each.
Written and produced by an LCMS filmmaker, this acclaimed Easter film offers a dynamic new opportunity to reach people with the story of Jesus.
Road to Emmaus follows the story of Jesus and two companions on the Sunday of the resurrection, as "...he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself." Created to reach the unchurched, the film is among the most widely used evangelism tools ever produced—a valuable tool your congregation can use this year.
Road to Emmaus DVD flyer • Watch the movie trailer
On Dec. 23, 2010, 55 ex-offenders and their families worshiped together at Mission of Christ, Milwaukee, celebrating their Savior’s birth. It was a pre-Christmas gathering for worship, dinner, gift giving and sharing of support and encouragement.
Attending the "Free at Last" Christmas celebration at Mission of Christ, a former inmate receives gifts of new clothes.
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 This beautiful Luther rose was created by one of the first members of the Licey mission plant in the Dominican Republic. Ivon is producing them in a limited quantity and offering them for a donation of $50 which will support the Dominican mission to the developmentally handicapped youth.
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District Mission Executive Rev. Dan McMiller recently returned home from a mission trip he and his family took to the Dominican Republic the week after Christmas. As a family they spent their time building relationships with the Dominicans while observing the many fruits of faith growing in the hearts of the people they met.
On Jan. 20-22, 2011, Dr. Ralph Geisler and the leaders of the Rural Small Town Mission of Concordia, Mo., will hold a rural regional retreat on their St. Paul Institute for Education (SPIFE) campus. The purpose of this retreat will be to give District pastors and lay leaders with a passion for rural ministry the tools and skills to mentor and establish a regional partnership mission plan.
Sorry! This January 14 workshop has been cancelled but will be rescheduled for a later date. Please watch these announcements for updated information!
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Mark Kempff
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Go to the ends of the earth," Jesus Christ tells us. But the ends of the earth have arrived at my school. What can I do?
What you may want to do is to attend a special workshop for educators, pastors and others who work with congregations in Hispanic communities. This special workshop to heighten awareness of cultural issues will be given by Mark Kempff, instructor at the Center for Hispanic Studies and former missionary to Latin America.
 Building relationships is a very important part of the International Student Ministry (ISM) at Luther Memorial Chapel and Student Center in Shorewood. Establishing friendships creates opportunities to share Christ and invite others to church and Bible studies. Joan Mueller, a member of St. Peter-Immanuel, Milwaukee, is a volunteer teacher for English Language Learners (ELL). Her students are international students who attend the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee (UWM). Her classroom is Luther Memorial. One of the ways she works to build relationships with the internationals is to involve them in activities she herself enjoys. This month she invited her class to her favorite restaurant on the south side of Milwaukee.
 SWD Missions Executive Rev. Dan McMiller, his wife Lisa, and their three children will be traveling to the Dominican Republic on Christmas Day for a week-long mission servant trip. They will be spending their time with LCMS missionaries there, celebrating Christmas with the congregations as well as reaching out to many who do not know about the love that moved our Heavenly Father to send his Son to be the Savior of the world. You can help the McMillers share Christmas joy with the people of the Dominican Republic!
 Through Lutheran Social Services (LSS) Refugee and Immigrant Services, Trinity-Freistadt, Mequon took a leap into a new ministry, and "adopted" a Karenni family in 2008. Originally from Burma (Myanmar), the Karreni were persecuted by their government and they fled to Thailand's refugee camps. Trinity helped that first family to find an apartment, navigate the government's social service systems, and begin learning a new language and culture. But the Lord had much more in mind.
 Folk fair brings cultures together
The third annual folk fair held at Pilgrim, Wauwatosa, on Sept. 25, 2010, was described by one pastor who attended as a “tremendous experience – it reminded me what heaven will be like for us someday” (with those from many different languages, tribes and people all together). One thing, though, that the folk fair offered that might be missing in heaven: the variety of unique and delicious foods and tastes prepared by the different ethnic groups.
 The Kellers have become globally engaged in outreach in DR
Recently, the LCMS mission team in the Dominican Republic received the good news of their government’s permission for them to establish a group home for the physical and spiritual care of those who are developmentally challenged. Brian and Jeanette Keller, members of Brookfield Lutheran Church in the South Wisconsin District, have begun serving the Lord as missionaries in this venture to the Dominican Republic.
 If you are looking for new material for your Sunday school, VBS program or worship you might want to take a look at United Intergenerational Ministry or "UIM." UIM has taken over 20 years to develop and it has surely been developed "for just such a time as this!" All is not well with the world. Generations desperately need the Lord!
 Recently, Rev. Don Hougard of Benediction, Milwaukee, shared a letter he wrote to Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis:
Dear friends at our St. Louis Seminary,
I would like to thank you for your support of the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) program that you have in place. I have been so thankful for the EIIT and what it has meant to two of its students who are at work in our congregation. I would like to share with you some of the fruits of their work in God’s vineyard this past month at Benediction.
 Do you like ethnic foods? Cultural variety? Fellowship, learning and fun? Plan on attending the third annual ethnic folk fair at Pilgrim, Wauwatosa, Sept. 25 from noon to 4 p.m. New this year will be a presentation by Dr. Victor Raj, mission professor and assistant director of the Institute for Mission Studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. His presentation, “Christian Witnessing in the New America,” will precede the folk fair beginning at 10 a.m.
 The third national church planter training event, Church Planting Essentials, will be conducted on June 21-23, 2010, at the Alley Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove (Minneapolis area), Minnesota.
Church Planting Essentials is an intensive, three-day "turbo training" featuring content learning in the twelve biblical principles of church planting and interspersed with coaching, small-group interaction, networking with other church planters and development of the Mission Initiation Plan (MIP). Because "turbo training" is so information-rich, some have compared this training to drinking water from a fire hose... the learning comes hard and fast but definitely quenches the thirst for insight on how to plant a new church in our postmodern culture.
Registration deadline is June 7, 2010.
 'Art of the State' ex-offender/ inmate art show begins April 9, 2010
“Come experience the creativity and potential that has been all to easy to ignore.”
This display will include renderings from a variety of artists who have spent time within the walls of the Milwaukee County Correctional Facility – South (CCF-S), formerly known as the House of Correction. The show opens April 9 from 6-9 p.m. at Gallery 2622 in Wauwatosa and runs through April. Several of the artists will welcome questions about their art style and motivation. Statements will be posted from many of the inmates who currently use art as a venue for their release of emotional creativity.
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| The EIIT and DIT student attendees and mentors at Concordia St. Louis for the 2010 Spring Leadership Seminar. Afam Ikanih is on the right, second row down. |
I thank God for the safe trip to Concordia Seminary St Louis! I arrived on Monday to attend the EIIT Outreach to World Religions. I drove and it took me 6 hours. I enjoyed it. The Hall which I stay at is called Metzger Hall. In the evening time as I looked out the window, there was a soccer field and a student was warming up to play. I went up there and one of the students gave me his soccer boot to play with them. So we chose the game and I played with them. My group side won the game. The score was 7-5. I scored 3 goals and it was a very good exercise for me because I have not played in 7 years.
 A total of 14 people from the South Wisconsin District enjoyed the fellowship and activities at the second Multi-Ethnic Symposium on Feb. 1-2, 2010 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis under the theme "Conversations of Hope." Pastor Don Hougard went as a mentor to some of our ethnic seminary students and found the experience to be eye-opening.
Dominican Republic missionaries Rev. Ted Krey and Danelle Putnam share some of their Haiti rescue and relief efforts following the earthquake of Jan. 12 in two YouTube videos.
 The LCMS assessment team coordinated by LCMS World Relief and Human Care and LCMS World Mission returned to the Dominican Republic from Haiti late on Jan. 23. James Neuendorf, a communications specialist missionary with LCMS World Mission in Latin America, provided photos today of Haitian people struggling to cope with the disastrous Jan. 12 earthquake. Go to LCMS World Mission's YouTube channel to view a video slideshow of images from Haiti, set to the music of a Haitian Lutheran congregation in Jacmel, Haiti, singing "How Great Thou Art," on Jan. 22, The LCMS assessment team was able to join this community of believers as they, despite the destruction and suffering surrounding them, offered up a spontaneous song of worship to the Lord. View photos from the assessment team at LCMS World Mission's Picasa album. Detailed updates from the assessment team and other disaster response updates are available from LCMS World Relief and Human Care.
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| Missionary Rev. Walter Ries, Missionary Danelle Putnam, Admin. Assistant Kisayris and Missionary Rev. Ted Krey |
On Jan. 22, the LCMS missionary team in the Dominican Republic sent us an email with an update of their efforts to assist the victims of the Haitian earthquake. Please honor their requests for your prayers as they work to save lives—physically and spiritually—in the aftermath of this calamity.
 When January rolls around each year, many people want to make a fresh start at something in their life. The success of that new start depends on how highly that “something” is prioritized. For those who have recently been released from the Milwaukee County Correctional Facility-South (CCFS), getting a fresh start at life outside of prison is a very high priority.
 When a natural disaster occurs of such magnitude as the earthquake that hit Haiti Jan. 12, it is heartwarming to see how many organizations come forward to help in whatever way they can. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is no exception. Likewise, closer to home, the South Wisconsin District has an opportunity to help in a most direct way.
 The second Multi-Ethnic Symposium will be held February 1-2, 2010, at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. This year’s topic is “Conversations of Hope.” This conference is sponsored by the Board for Black Ministry, the Black Clergy Caucus, National Mission Affiliates, the Center for Hispanic Studies, National Mission Executives, and LCMS World Relief and Human Care.
Congregations are encouraged to “save the date” on their fiscal calendars. For more information contact Concordia Seminary Continuing Education at 314-505-7486 or e-mail ce@csl.edu.
Rev. Roberto Muñoz, New York City LCMS pastor and missionary-at-large to the theater district, was a guest at the South Wisconsin District office Sept. 16. He and his wife visited with the staff and treated them to a brief glimpse of his new film currently in production entitled, “Under Jakob’s Ladder.”
 “Under Jakob’s Ladder” is the third full-length motion picture with a Christian message that Muñoz has produced and directed. It is a story based on factual accounts of Christian persecution in Soviet Russia’s detention camps during the Stalin era. Inspired by the life of a real man named Jakob Seel, this movie is based on his experience living under Soviet rule around the Second World War. It is a wonderful witness to the spread of the gospel message amidst the suffering of the church at that time in history.
 The second annual Lutheran ethnic folk fair, held at the gymnasium of Pilgrim, Wauwatosa, on Sept. 26, has come and gone. It proved to be “bigger and better” than last year’s event with an increased attendance. About 400 people enjoyed even more activities and musical presentations this year. The five ethnic groups represented—English- and French-speaking African immigrants, Chinese, Hispanic and Hmong—each presented music and provided delicious food from their cultures.
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Rev. Chris Ikanih and his wife, Joy, visit with Rev. Christian O. Ekong (right), national president of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria.
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Rev. Christian Ikanih was pleased to be able to take his wife and children on a mission trip to Nigeria this summer. They visited his homeland, which gave them an appreciation for life on both sides of the globe. Wherever Pastor Ikanih goes, he always brings God's Word along with him. His suitcase was full of Lutheran publications that he was eager to leave behind with those who would read them.
 Kids who have experienced a traumatic event need to be assured that they are safe and supported. Often emergency service personnel will give these children a stuffed animal to provide some immediate comfort. Read how the VBS students at Prince of Peace, Racine, are reaching out to others with the "Kid-to-kid" project.
On Saturday, Sept. 26 (12:00 Noon – 6:00 p.m.) the 2nd Annual Lutheran Ethnic Folk Fair will be held at the gym of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 6717 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa. Highlighted will be ministries in the District to the Hmong, Hispanics, English and French-speaking African Immigrants, and Chinese. Young and old will find something enjoyable to see, hear, taste, experience as the various ethnic groups will share their various cultures through music, singing, unique food, cultural dress.
Barnabas (Son of Encouragement) was an exemplary model of discipleship, mentoring, and encouragement. To assist congregations in the South Wisconsin District with missional discipleship, SWD staff members are available to help your congregation set up Barnabas clubs. The clubs are a way of growing disciples and encouraging others to grow in faith, as stewards, and to reach out to tell the Gospel.
Barnabas clubs are a unique way of engaging members in living new lives as disciples and stewards in the Kingdom.
 On Sept. 18-19, 2009, Mt. Calvary (2862 N. 53rd St.), Milwaukee will offer a free pesentation by Rev. Kelly Bedard, currently serving Trinity, Algiers Point, a New Orleans suburb. Bedard will share how God has blessed his 20-plus years of outreach-centered ministry. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, please call Matthew Cantu at Mt. Calvary’s church office, (414) 873-3931. Flyer 
 Christians desire to share their faith with people they know – many struggle with how to do so. If that even comes close to describing you then you will want to be at the “Dinky Little Cogs – Sharing Christ Workshop.” This workshop will be held on Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace, W156N7149 Pilgrim Rd., Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.
Registration flyer
Northern Illinois District outreach network event Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009
St. Paul Lutheran Church
100 S. School St.
Mount Prospect, IL
Congregation leaders are encouraged to learn and share what’s working and what isn’t in evangelism at a Northern Illinois district-wide networking event.
Evangelism idea exchange • Register online
Explore the flavors... Enjoy the friendship...
Family fun... Raising funds
 On Wednesday, July 29 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., Coral Rose will host "A Taste of Africa" dinner and presentation at Brookfield Lutheran Church, 18500 W. Burleigh, Brookfield. The event will be a great opportunity to taste a variety of African foods, participate in trivia/education on African culture, and hear a little about Rose’s new position as regional business manager for Africa. There will also be children’s activities and a silent auction with items for every price range.
Flyer • Coral Rose's July newsletter
 In cooperation with LCMS and the Ablaze! movement (lcms.org/ablaze), International Student Ministry, Inc. (ISM) is pleased to offer a new devotional booklet, "ISM Ablaze! 50 Days," for use in church, home or school. Each of the devotions is a true story of how God is at work among the international students who come to study at our universities and colleges, and how knowing Jesus has changed their lives eternally.
 In this season of baseball, many fans are following their favorite baseball personalities. It’s possible that some of them came from the Dominican Republic. The South Wisconsin District is in partnership with LCMS mission work in the Dominican Republic. Here is a “baseball” story from missionary Rev. Walter Ries that appears in their June 2009 newsletter.
 Recently a parish nurse sent an e-mail to the District Office thanking all of those people in our congregations who have contributed unused greeting cards to the women housed at the Taycheedah Correctional Institution (TCI). TCI is located just northeast of Fond du Lac. If anyone reading this has had a hand in the collection of these items, please know your efforts are appreciated! Perhaps more will read about this simple project and collect more cards for this act of mercy and outreach.
 Paul gives a great example of what “putting on the new man” really means. After Christ comes into his life, a person who has been a no-account thief stops stealing and takes an honest job. He becomes a contributing, productive member of society, doing good work. As a result, he is able to provide for his own needs and those of his family (see Ephesians 4:24, 28). Even more important, he becomes a citizen of God’s kingdom—forever! Our prison ministry at the County Correctional Facility-South in Franklin helps prepare inmates for life on the outside by putting on the "new man" on the inside. Our next step needs to be planting a ministry for continuing the faith!
 An outstanding group of volunteer students from Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) had to say “goodbye” to the kids they grew so fond of at the S.O.S (Strength of Savior) Center. Over the school year they served as mentors, teachers, friends and helpers, but most important they shared the Good News with everyone there.
Help for the summer is needed! Now that school is out and it is time for their summer program, the center is gearing up for one of the busiest times of the year. Please consider helping them out--it's so important to the kids!
 Pilgrim, Wauwatosa, will host an ethnic folk fair, making this the event's second annual appearance. With the success enjoyed last year, Sept. 26, 2009, promises to be enjoyable for all ages. New this year will be a multicultural fashion show and other surprises. The fair begins at noon and runs until 6 p.m. in the school gym located at 6717 W. Center St., Wauwatosa. See you there!
 POBLO visits our DistrictMillions of immigrants coming to the United States are Muslim, Hindu or Sikh. For most of them, it is their very first time living around Christians and being in close proximity to Christian churches. On March 24, twenty-one interested church workers and lay people from our District came to the SWD office to hear Rev. Gary Rohwer and Rev. Karrum Kahn talk about how the LCMS People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO) of Dearborn Heights, Mich., brings the news of a loving God to Muslims all over the world, and invited our South Wisconsin District to become involved with a missionary support team.
 57 inmates baptized at the County Correctional Facility-South
At any given time there are hundreds of souls locked up in the County Correctional Facility-South in Franklin (formerly known as the House of Correction). During the course of a year, the names and faces change as some are released and others come in through those guarded doors. How do they spend their time there? What do they do as they prepare to face the world again? How do we bring them the one thing they need the most?
 Thanks to a $46,000 grant from the Siebert Foundation, the SOS Center (Struggle of Survival/Strength of Savior) in Milwaukee is getting ready to offer a GED preparation program to the surrounding Sherman Park community. SOS Center’s director, Armita Harmon, hopes to launch the program by the end of May. In order for this to happen, the entire basement level of the Center will be remodeled. The large project has been called SOS’s “March Madness” since it started on the first Saturday of this month.
 A man we’ll call Eric showed up at the SOS Center recently needing help. Eric and his family live in urban Milwaukee, but the women of rural St. John, Brown’s Corners were able to reach out to this family in need in a special way.
 Can you help? Benediction, Milwaukee, is in urgent need of more volunteers to help with their ESL classes held Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings. It’s a great way to meet people from a different culture who know almost nothing of our saving faith. Relationships like this lead to opportunities to be witnesses of God’s grace in your life!
 In the September/October 2008 issue of South Wisconsin News, a story appeared about a trip that Dr. Alberto Garcia (Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon) and Dr. Leopoldo Sanchez (Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) took to Cuba, visiting several cities as representatives of the Cuban Lutheran Fellowship (CLF) society. Since that trip, Garcia has been determined to get Santa Biblia, the new Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF) edition of the Holy Bible in Spanish with Luther’s Small Catechism, questions and answers into the hands of every evangelical pastor in Cuba.
 All congregational pastors with e-mail accessibility were sent a letter (PDF) by e-mail attachment in November regarding mission opportunities for ministry starts in their church/community. This letter will be sent out by postal mail as well. Please give this your prayerful consideration together with your congregational leadership. We are looking for feedback from you in January.
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Participants at a Nov. 15, 2008, small town evangelism workshop with Dr. Ralph Geisler
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Do you know that about half of District congregations are considered rural or small town churches? In fact, there are some 6,000 LCMS congregations in the United States and half are in small towns. Yet all too often it's said these churches are in decline and have insurmountable obstacles standing in the way of their survival. Several people who attended the recent “Small Town, WI” evangelism workshop Nov. 15 at St. John, Portage, mentioned “survival” as a positive aspect of their ministry—at least they still exist!
 On Oct. 15, 2008, Concordia Seminary in St. Louis held a graduation service for the Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) class of 2008. Among them was South Wisconsin District student Elijan Ndon. Please keep him and all those who have graduated in your prayers as they wait for the calling that God has in his plans for them.
 The SOS Center (Struggle of Survival/Strength of Savior) held three community outreach events in Milwaukee the last weekend of October. A coat and blanket distribution helped families in need prepare for winter and a health fair provided free flu shots, blood sugar and blood pressure screenings to uninsured families. A dinner auction event featured children speaking about the impact SOS has had on their lives.
By George Lessmann, MMLMS director
The heavy steel gray, slightly tarnished door slams shut with a deafening bang heard across the vacant and bare hallway, ending its performance with an audible metal click, reminding you that your way out is controlled by others and not yourself. Every time I walk through this door into the main prison building at the Milwaukee County House of Correction, I think of the importance of freedom and also that “only by God’s grace” I am not here.
 Declining membership and challenging finances have led a number of congregations to look at ways to turn around these trends. One solution is to enter into a “learning community” program resourced by the trained leaders from the South Wisconsin District. It has been adapted from the LCMS Revitalization process to more specifically suit the needs of our District. It's being called the "Three R’s of Rejuvenating Churches."
 The SOS Center (Struggle of Survival/Strength of Savior) in Milwaukee is holding its annual fall fundraising event on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008. This year’s event is an Oktoberfest celebration from 6-9 p.m. at Immanuel, Brookfield (13445 Hampton Rd.). The SOS Center exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through education and human care activities. For 26 years it has been providing many ministry services to inner city residents. Some of these services include after school tutoring, English as a second language, a Christian summer camp for kids, coat drives, and more.
 On Sept. 27, 2008, the first ethnic Lutheran folk fair was held at Pilgrim's fellowship hall in Wauwatosa. It was a rare and unique treat and will most certainly be repeated again next year. This year’s folk fair emphasized the “Community in Christ,” bringing together cultures from Hmong and Hispanic communities, French-speaking and English-speaking African immigrants, and Chinese and German Lutheran immigrants, most of which were adorned in their traditional form of dress. Photo gallery
 Tens of thousands of Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders roared into Milwaukee the last week in August for the company’s 105th anniversary and reunion. Members of Hope, Milwaukee, near the company’s headquarters took advantage of their captive audience and, in lieu of a midweek worship service, they put their faith into action.
 On Aug. 2, 2008 the ninth annual Jeremiah Ministry basketball clinic was held at Northwest Lutheran School, Milwaukee. The clinic was an opportunity for children ages 5 to 12 years old to have numerous volunteers focus on teaching skills to improve their basketball playing.
"The true emphasis of the clinic is to be an evangelistic outreach to these young children and their families," said Linda Zick, Jeremiah Ministry's director. "
Pastors and lay leaders from rural and small town congregations are invited to the 2nd conference titled "Reaching Rural America for Christ." The conference will be held at Mahoney State Park, Ashland, Neb. (25 miles southwest from Omaha) on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008 beginning at 1 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 8 at noon.
 The SWD outreach task force will offer a workshop at St. John, Portage, on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Flyer
Many factors in the church necessitate building a network for leadership training and mission support for rural/small town congregations. In this one-day workshop, Dr. Ralph Geisler, director of the St. Paul Institute for Education ( spife.org) in Concordia, Mo., will prepare you for this mission field.
 "What a blessing the Fan into Flame emphasis has been!" said Rev. John Schenck as he reported on the unexpected success of his congregation’s effort to support the Ablaze! movement. When Zion, New Holstein, was asked to participate, Schenck wasn’t sure that it was a good time to do so. What he didn’t know was how God was planning to move the hearts of the congregation's members.
The missions department had a wonderful surprise the week of June 8 when Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF) executive director, Rev. Dr. Bob Rahn stopped by to visit with  Rev. Dan McMiller. Rahn announced that 11,000 Spanish Bibles, with Catechisms included, are now in print and he presented a few copies to the District. It was a project that was just a vision in 2001, and has now become a reality that will have wide usage in our District and in many other places throughout the world.
Rev. Dr. Robert Rahn (left), executive director for Lutheran Heritage Foundation, shows a new Spanish Bible to Rev. Dan McMiller, South Wisconsin District missions executive.
 The S.O.S. Center, located in Milwaukee's near west side, is sending out an S.O.S. of its own. So many individuals and families are coming to them for help—now they need your help! There are plenty of opportunities to put talents and treasures to use at this center: English as a second language (ESL) leaders, adult basic education classes, after school program helpers, Bible study, and general education development (GED) preparation leaders are all urgently needed. Please spread the word to your congregation and friends know that they can call Armita Harmon at (414) 449-9964, or try (414) 975-7373, if they can help in any way.
 On Saturday, April 12, 2008, over 200 people attended a prayer breakfast for a "Summer of Peace and Hope in the City” held at Bethany Lutheran in Milwaukee’s inner city.
Pictured left to right: State Representative Jason Fields, Alderman and Common Council President Willie L. Hines, Jr., Rev. Chris Ikanih, and Dr. Howard Fuller (former MPS superintendent).
 The International Friendship Center at the UW campus in Madison is always a beehive of activity. There are English conversation classes, Bible study groups, and special events—and sometimes an international student happens to stop in to use the phone. Please rejoice with us as you read more about how the Holy Spirit has been at work there recently!
.jpg) Initial training for the 2008 campus missionary institute (CMI), will be held on the Concordia University Wisconsin campus June 12-17. CMI is the Lutheran Campus Mission Association’s in-depth learning opportunity to help workers and the ministries they serve develop and implement a strategic plan for outreach on a nearby college or university campus. CMI is sponsored by the Lutheran Campus Mission Association, an organization with ties to LCMS World Mission.
 Can you imagine what an encounter between Jesus and a Muslim person would be like today? Do you think Jesus would unleash a barrage of condemnation? Or do you think he’d ask for an invitation to dine in a Muslim’s home?
These questions and others will be explored at the first-ever Friendship of Jesus and Muslims Conference, April 3-6 at the Crowne Plaza (airport) Hotel in Detroit. Open to all LCMS members, the conference is cosponsored by LCMS World Mission and People of the Book Lutheran Outreach (POBLO), a Dearborn Heights, Mich.-based mission society that reaches out to Muslims in the United States and South Asia.
 The overwhelming response to the “Got hymnals?” article in the November/December South Wisconsin News indicated that you did indeed have hymnals! In fact, about 15,000 hymnals and other books were delivered to the storage units in the District office parking lot. In addition to books, items such as altar ware, paraments, vestments, bicycles, and summer clothing were donated. A second storage unit had to be ordered after the first few days of the collection.
On a Sunday evening in November, a small crew of Elm Grove Lutheran's high school youth answered the District's call for hymnals for Nigeria by devoting their typical two-hour gathering to the inspection, labeling, and boxing of 278 Lutheran Worship hymnals.
 Olivia Versteegh and Kalie McCaughn from Immanuel Lutheran School in Brookfield came to the District office to help load their books for the shipment to Nigeria with Gui Kasongo Kabeo (left), Mission Executive Rev. Daniel McMiller, and their teacher, Paul Gohde.
 “Let us go to the small towns…” (Mark 1:38)
Rural churches—many are graying, dwindling, dying...
In the interest of stemming this tide, the District has invited in Dr. Ralph Geisler, LCMS expert on rural ministries. Geisler has experience, expertise, and a huge heart for rural and small town evangelism. Hold your calendars open for Sunday afternoon, Feb. 24. You won’t want to miss this special workshop!
Register now!
"Idea Exchange" leads to fresh ideas for outreach... Free event Sept. 23 in Sturtevant.
PLEASE NOTE: This event has been cancelled due to low turnout. Please watch for another event coming in February.
 “Say it loud, I'm a Lutheran and I'm proud!” are the words of Paulina as she wears her “Confirmed Lutheran” sweatshirt and walks around her neighborhood sharing the love of Jesus with everyone in sight, including storefront ministers of which there are some 600 in Milwaukee's inner city. But as far as Paulina is concerned, Mission of Christ is where it's at because of its conservative approach of Grace Alone, Faith Alone and Scripture Alone.
Is it time for your congregation to think about having children? Attend a 2-day seminar designed for congregation teams.
Daughter Church Planting Seminar
Oct. 5-6, 2007
Hope Lutheran Church ♦ Fond du Lac, WI
Registration deadline is Sept. 7
Rev. David Andrus, executive director for Lutheran Blind Ministry, will present an informational workshop for those interested in outreach to the blind community on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2007, at Elm Grove Lutheran Church. It will be a one-hour presentation beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary.
A week-long intensive immersion program designed to give training in religious sign language skills, and to share ideas for reaching the deaf with the Gospel.
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