Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R55
- Report title
- R55 Wyoming District
- Workbook start page
- 138
- Workbook end page
- 139
- Source pages
- 138, 139
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R55 Wyoming District “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he him- self likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Heb. 2:14–15) In this great passage on the incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus performs two works: the destruction of the devil with all his works and ways, and our liberation from the fear of death. The devil is our enemy, but he is destroyed, together with the power of death. Our fear of death enslaved us, but we have been delivered from that fear. Christ is risen! We live in the victory of Christ’s resurrection as the free children of God. The Wyoming District is composed of 60 congregations in Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle and 1 congregation in Col- orado. These congregations are organized into 44 parishes and 6 visitation circuits. Each congregation was formally visited in the past triennium. With thanksgiving to God, I report that the Word of God and the administration of the Holy Sacraments has been preserved in all our congregations in truth and purity. Furthermore, despite the challenges of our aging and shrinking demographics in many plac- es, our congregations continue to thrive. No district congregation has closed in more than a decade. The district places a high priority on Christian education and formation. District congregations have five classical Lutheran ele - mentary (K–8) schools, two of which also include high school. The district offers an annual classical homeschool conference to support and encourage the homeschooling members of our congregations. The two district congregations in Casper, Wyo., have coordinat- ed with congregations, pastors, and laymen across the Synod to es- tablish and support Luther Classical College in Casper. The college opened in the fall semester of 2025 with 38 students. The district in convention has asked the district president to exercise ecclesiastical supervision over the college and has asked the Synod in convention to create a pathway to ecclesiastical recognition by the Synod. fice of International Mission as they are investigating international mission work. Res. 2-07A: District and district congregations actively support and participate in the Lutheran Synod of Mexico FORO, advocat - ing for and contributing to key projects. Res. 3-01: Actively encouraged congregational involvement in life ministry through resources and training opportunities to equip them to proclaim and promote a culture of life in their communities. Res. 4-02: Making Disciples for Life emphases continue to be implemented and publicized throughout the district. Res. 4-03: Mission priorities continue to be emphasized and im- plemented in the district. Res. 4-04: Promoted the use of Himnario Luterano among Spanish-language congregations and missions, providing resources and encouragement for its implementation in worship and congre- gational life. Res. 5-08A: The district president worked with local pastors, congregations, and circuit visitors to affirm and encourage in-per - son Communion. Res. 5-09: Engaged in conversation and study on guidance on admission to the Lord’s Supper with circuit visitors who then share with their circuits. Res. 6-01: Encouraged congregation support and participation in Set Apart to Serve. Res. 6-02A: Provided more than $350,000 annually in finan- cial aid to support students from Texas in pastoral formation at our seminaries. Hosted annual barbecue at both seminaries to encour - age residential students from Texas. Directed and supported 25 men into the traditional residential pastoral routes at our beloved semi- naries. Disbursed more than $1 million in financial aid to support men and women pursuing ministry training. Res. 6-04: Affirms the proper and full service of laity in the Church while upholding the distinctive nature of the pastoral of- fice. Established lead trainers in district areas to provide training in outreach and encourage evangelism to the unchurched. Spent more than $700,000 in support of evangelist development. Res. 6-06A: Maintained a vibrant participation in Post-semi- nary Applied Learning and Support and encouraged use of Preach the Word at the local circuit level. Res. 6-07A: Provided circuit visitor training according to the Circuit Visitors’ Manual and provided material at circuit visitors’ meetings for use at circuit gatherings. Res. 6-09: Supports the annual gathering of pastors’ wives through resources, including financial support, to enable them to enjoy a time of relaxation and rejuvenation. Special recognition is given to these women for their vital role in pastors’ lives at the district convention. Res. 7-03: With respect to Concordia University Texas, imple - mented ongoing discussions, visits, exhortation, and appropriate ecclesiastical discipline. Res. 7-06B: Encouraged Concordia University System colleges and universities to attend district conventions and conferences, fos- tering collaboration and partnership, and to increase awareness of educational opportunities. Res. 9-08A: Continues to maximize nonvoting advisory partic- ipation at conventions with recruitment and funding. 2026 Convention Workbook 139 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS with a global network of partners. We work in areas where other Christian organizations are often not present and use local staff and volunteers who know the language and culture to create contextu - ally relevant programs that most effectively share the Good News with individuals living in these regions. God’s Blessings Upon LHM’s Outreach in the Past Triennium As we build upon LHM’s nearly 110-year history and move for- ward into the mission field, great opportunities abound: • Five billion people have yet to hear the saving message of Christ. • Technology allows us to engage with each other more effi- ciently and effectively than at any other time in history, espe- cially as people crave a relationship with God and each other. • We can use our gifts to make a real difference right where we are, among people we know and see every day. Our faith, put into action on a local level, can make an immediate and personal impact in our neighborhoods and beyond. The following strategic priorities support our vision for the fu- ture and Christ’s call to reach the world with the Gospel. Impacting People Globally Around the world, people long to hear the Good News in a way that speaks to their own lives. LHM stands apart from most global media ministries through the implementation of a ministry model that goes far beyond translation to transformation through the Holy Spirit. Our ministry model identifies and equips local leaders who understand the language, customs, and daily realities of their com- munities. These cultural insiders are uniquely positioned to share Christ’s love in ways that connect with people, meeting them where they are and addressing the needs they face every day. Through lo- cally developed programs, resources, and media in native languag- es, LHM proclaims the hope of the Gospel in ways that build trust and open doors for lasting relationships. This personal connection draws people into fellowship and strengthens local Christian com- munities across the globe. Our establishment of a multidivisional global mission root- ed in localized regional leadership moved forward with the hiring of a president of Asia Ministries based in Singapore, LHM’s first regional president living outside of the United States. By shifting leadership to regional presidents who are located closer to where ministry is happening, LHM can ensure that our mission is tailored to the unique needs of specific areas. Over the past couple of years, LHM has opened six new mis- sion fields that uplift the next generation of Christian leaders to begin new ministries in partnership with existing ministry centers. Teams in Peru, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Bolivia are now sharing the Gospel in their home countries through teams of three local people focused on children and youth ministry, digital outreach through social media, and mul- timedia content creation. In addition, LHM–Kenya started airing evangelistic radio spots in a new area—in neighboring Tanzania. By working with local Lutherans from Tanzania, the inspiring Gos- pel messages are advertising LHM’s popular Bible Correspondence Courses via radio. LHM continues to partner with SAT-7, the largest Middle East and North African Christian satellite network, to make God’s love visible to millions of people in more than 20 countries throughout The district supports a robust campus ministry in Laramie, Wyo., through St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and Campus Center. Our congregations also reach out and serve students at their local community colleges. In the fallout of government pressures on the Wind River Res- ervation, the district suspended its Wind River Lutheran Mission in 2023. Local congregations continue to serve our members from the reservation and have recently begun a renewed effort at outreach and catechesis. The district provides theologically rich pastoral conferences and continuing education opportunities for our pastors. Winkel attendance is very high, and our circuit pastors regularly study Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and pastoral application and casuistry. We enjoy 100 percent participation in the Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support program for our new pastors. The district sponsors an annual Pastors’ Wives Retreat to support and thank our pastors’ wives. The Synod’s Set Apart to Serve initiative is reflected in the ed- ucational formation and recruitment of our youth in our congre- gations, schools, and district activities. We actively recruit church work students for studies at our Concordia universities, at Luther Classical College, and at the seminaries, and we provide generous financial support to these students. The district helps with debt re- duction for its former students and present church workers. Our pastors and laymen enjoy an extraordinary unity in doc- trine and practice, which also bears the fruit of love and friend- ship across the many miles. Attendance at our annual evangelism convocation is very strong and includes many youth and young adults. Our annual camp for children and youth strengthens their love of Lutheran worship and hymnody, Lutheran doctrine, and the bonds of friendship. An annual Fathers and Sons Retreat aims at strengthening the fathers of our households in their vocations as Christian men. Under the leadership of its Marriage, Life, and Family facilita - tor, the district has grown in its engagement with state government and local communities. Some of our pastors have also served as teachers in the foreign mission field. The district is active in fostering a culture of Lutheran faith and piety, sound worship and bold confession, marriage and family, and love of church work and church workers. God grant that our labors bear fruit in our midst and throughout the Church! John E. Hill, President