A blessed final days of Advent.
During the week before our Lord's incarnation, the early Church sang the "Great O Antiphons". You'll recognize them as the collected stanzas in the hymn, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" (Lutheran Service Book #357)
- O Come, Thou Wisdom
- O Come, Thou Lord of Might
- O Come, Thou Branch of Jesse
- O Come, Thou Key of David
- O Come, Thou Dayspring
- O Come, Desire of Nations
- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
For an in depth and rich study of these ancient antiphons you can read a few posts by Rev. Will Weedon at the Lutheran Witness blog and listen to his conversation with Rev. Todd Wilken on Issues Etc.
The Lord has come! The Lord will come! The Lord does come to us this day and gives to us all gifts needed to fear, love and trust in Him and serve the neighbor.
“He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
- Revelation 22:20
April 2019 – December 2024: Almost Six Years Later …
Faye and I began the Missionary At Large journey with you in April of 2019, not knowing at that time, where the Lord might lead or how He would provide.
We began in the Metro Detroit Tri-County area with plans for “ekklesias” (gatherings in homes around the Word). COVID came and forced a reset. Those years pushed all of us past the limits of our own strength, abilities, and emotions.
During that time, we all had to learn a new way of doing life. I had to learn new technical skills to teach, proclaim, and share the Gospel. I became just skilled enough to film, edit, post, and create websites and digital teaching platforms to host content.
At the time it was all a bit overwhelming, and I just moved forward with the belief that by God’s grace and gifts, it was all “figure-out-able”. Little did I know that those tools would later enable and open doors for me to serve the Kingdom on a global scale.
A Return to Africa in 2024 and 2025
In 2024, the Lord opened up a “new” but “familiar” and short term opportunity with Rev. James May and Lutherans In Africa. In 2016 and 2017 I helped plant the seeds for the Lutheran School of Theology and the mission to “form African Lutherans to be teachers of the faith.”
God be praised, on Reformation Eve 2024, the school received the news that it is now an accredited school with all the benefits granted to the students.
In January of 2025 I’ll return to Kenya to help with the Winter semester at the LST. We'll also host a pastors’ retreat for African bishops at the base of Mt. Kenya, “Kilimanjaro’s little sister”. If you would like to receive updates about our work in Africa, you can sign up here ...
In order to share with you the work of LIA, I filmed twenty five (25) videos during 2024. You can access them here ...
In 2025 - Time to Write a Book?
One more thing … in 2025, I’ll turn sixty and I think I might have traveled enough laps around the sun to write a useful book. I’m thinking a spiritual travelogue (and field guide) about how to find the soul’s sacred rest in the gifts of the Triune God.
My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him. He alone is my rock, my salvation, and my fortress. I will never be greatly shaken.
- Psalm 62:1-2 WEB
Let's call it The Receptive Life.
Think of it as a spiritual travelogue (and field guide) to finding the soul's sacred rest in Jesus. When the book is complete I hope it will be a ...
(in preferred order)
- an honest and faithful book
- a useful book
- a beautiful book, words well written and story well told
All three would be great.
With Your Support, We Move Forward Into 2025
Faye and I thank God for His provision supplied by you. Your generous financial support, prayers, and many kindnesses have blessed us and the work of the Gospel. Come what may, we do belong to Jesus. We commend all into His hands.
If you would like to financially support the Missionary at Large position through East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit, you can either give a charitable donation by check or through electronic giving. Here's a link that will give you more information ... Support Missionary at Large (here).