LHM-SA Newsletter, AUGUST 2004

In this Issue...

1. "ONE MISSION" and "SEEK HIS FACE"

The summer in St Louis and Rapid City, USA, was wonderful, as was seeing people from all over the world coming together at the LC-MS and ILLL Conventions with the respective themes of "ONE MISSION: ABLAZE"(LC-MS) and "SEEK HIS FACE"(ILLL).

The highlight for me was performing the dramas as representative of all the international offices, and especially representing my own country with joy in my heart, lifting the South African flag high.

I am impressed by the goal of the LC-MS World Mission to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with 100 million unreached people by 2017.

I thank God for all that I have learned and for the talent to bring joy to the people, who were sometimes moved to tears. It was absolutely inspiring to meet the 19 LHM representatives from around the world, as well as the LHM staff in St Louis. We were like one family. I also thank Paul A Maier, Rev Ken Klaus, Rev William Paepke and Dr Oswald Hoffmann for their inspiring messages.

By Lucas Baloyi





2. AMAZWI ITHEMBA Youth Outreach Concert

For many months we shared with you about our young people from Ennerdale, Eldorado Park, Wattville and Reiger Park who were trained in drama ministry by Lucas Baloyi from Lutheran Hour Ministries, which is supported by the Mission and Evangelism Program of the ELCSA Central Diocese.

We are delighted to share with you a dream that came true. On the 7 August 2004 our four youth groups had their first combined Outreach Concert in Kagiso at the deanery. The name that the drama ministry group is Amazwi Ithemba (Voices of Hope).

At this Outreach concert our youth groups, Pastor Christopher Barends, Lucas Baloyi and our adult spiritual helpers presented an inspiring and soul searching performance through music, drama, poetry and intercessory prayers.

We bring hope, joy, renewal and revival through our drama ministry, poetry and music in a Church that is a site of struggle and victory. Amazwi Ithemba is God's vehicle to empower Christians in their faith and help them to overcome their struggles. We ask for your prayers and support of Amazwi Ithemba as we would like to perform in different churches over the next five months.

It is our vision and dream that more congregations will start an Amazwi Ithemba Group in their congregations. We invite you all to our next show which will be held in Eldorado Park on the 12 September 2004 at 3pm. Come and join in this wonderful and praising concert.

By Rev Christopher Barends





3. LHM-SA Presentation at St Paul, Fairland

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church - Fairland /JHB invited Lutheran Hour Ministries to their annual Mission Festival on the 25th July. Christel Scharlach presented the LHM-SA work and stressed that LHM seeks co-operation with Lutheran congregations to promote mission outreach. A Missions Committee was established. Ntokozo Cele, Egon Gevers, Lena and Johann Pfitzinger volunteered to serve on this committee.

On the 8th of August Christel Scharlach did a similar presentation for the English group of our congregation, because the English group had not been well represented on the 25th July. Many stayed for tea , coffee and cookies after the service, showing keen interest in and offered to support the new initiative in other ways. The Mission Committee identified time for fellowship after the worship service as a priority to build the congregation and Lena offered to serving of tea and coffee the next Sunday. This arrangement should help the people of the English group to get to know one other better.

I can report back that our second tea and coffee fellowship on the 15th August was most successful. More than 20 people made use of the invitation after the English service. They enjoyed each others company and I asked them if we could make this a permanent feature. They agreed that it would help them getting to know each other. The Seekoe family volunteered to take over tea and coffee duty in September 2004. I will ask the other families and draw up a list for tea and coffee duties. One member also mentioned that they can also bring biscuits along to enjoy with the tea and coffee. This will be great, but should not be the rule.

I thank LHM-SA and the Mission Committee for helping us start this small but important task. You could ask what tea and coffee duty has to do with Mission Outreach? I think this can really help. Not only will the members get to know each other better, but guests attending our service for the first time can get to know our members and maybe feel at home. This is all part of Mission outreach. As tea and coffee refresh our physical needs, the Word of God refreshes our spiritual need. The one supports the other. I therefore hope that something big will follow this small but important beginning.

By Pastor Harry Niebuhr





4. ENGAGE-EQUIP-PROCLAIM Training

The first ENGAGE-EQUIP-PROCLAIM (EEP) training workshop will take place from September 27 to October 2 in the ELF church hall. Please call 011-7911661 to book.

Expected Outcomes:

The ENGAGE-EQUIP assist members to serve the Body of Christ as individuals or as part of a ministry team in the congregation, but always as part of the congregational structure and with the blessing of the local pastor.

The PROCLAIM aims to equip members to serve on a congregational Mission and Evangelism team for outreach in the local community. Short, medium and long-term local and overseas missions are discussed as well.



5. Ministry Statistics

Drama Ministry - Thousands of hearts touched by Lucas in America.

Radio Ministry – 256 "Stress" booklets and "Real Life" lessons were sent out to "Spotlight" listeners. 106 people requested copies of "Money Talks" after two announcements on Radio Pulpit.

Newspaper Outreach – 140 readers of the "Daily Sun" newspaper registered for the "Real Life" Bible Correspondence Course.

THANK YOU to the 10 VOLUNTEERS and 12 DONORS who supported LHM-SA this past month. We appreciate one donation of R1,500, as well as R200 given in support of the request for Bibles for the inmates in Prison. Your prayers, your help and your financial support make a difference to hundreds of people each month and enable us to proclaim the Word of God to hurting and suffering people in South Africa.



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