Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R56
- Report title
- R56 International Lutheran Laymen’s League (Lutheran Hour Ministries)
- Workbook start page
- 139
- Workbook end page
- 141
- Source pages
- 139, 140, 141
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R56 International Lutheran Laymen’s League (Lutheran Hour Ministries) The International Lutheran Laymen’s League/Lutheran Hour Ministries serves as a grassroots auxiliary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and Lutheran Church—Canada and is proud to extend the mission and ministry of these two church bod- ies by focusing our energies on a mission of Bringing Christ to the Nations®—and the Nations to the Church. The International Lu- theran Laymen’s League (Int’l LLL) is the corporate name under which the organization does business; Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) is the public identity under which we conduct global Gos- pel outreach. In fulfilling this year’s convention theme of Christ Is Risen Indeed, LHM is a trusted resource in Gospel proclamation 2026 Convention Workbook 140 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS Mongolia. “The Lutheran Hour® ” continues to expand its reach through digital means beyond traditional radio stations in North America. While it currently airs each week on around 1,700 stations as well as the American Forces Network, the program is also available online, as a podcast, and on media platforms like Amazon Alexa, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Home, and Sirius XM satellite radio. The “Connected by LHM” app allows people to get many LHM resources in one place on their Android devices or iPhones. In addition to being able to read and listen to LHM’s Daily Devo- tions, users can also access The Lutheran Hour sermons, topical booklets, Bible studies, and more. Impacting People Right Where They Are Growing diversity, cultural shifts, and spiritual hunger are re- shaping North America—opening new doors to share the unchang- ing hope of Jesus. The mission field is no longer far away; it is right outside our doors. God has called all laypeople to be powerful witnesses for Christ with their families and communities. LHM continues to produce timely resources that offer convenient ways for people to connect with Jesus and share their faith with others. From the popular Proj- ect Connect booklet ministry with more than 50 titles to dozens of online LHM Learn courses under five faith-strengthening catego- ries, and from daily and seasonal devotions to online video Bible studies, LHM has numerous offerings to connect with people at any stage of their individual faith journeys. Several years ago, LHM began a partnership with Barna Group, a world-renowned, premier Christian research firm. The re- sulting research findings have allowed LHM to provide timely and relevant resources that meet people where they are by equipping individuals and churches to engage in fruitful spiritual conversa- tions, deepen faith in households, impact neighborhoods with the Good News of Jesus Christ, and develop their God-given talents. They enable us to gain a hearing for the Gospel in an inviting and contextual way—guiding those who seek toward faith. Spiritual Conversations: Sharing Life, Faith, and Jesus with Friends is a seven-lesson curriculum to encourage high schoolers to engage their peers with the Gospel by helping them recognize and respond to opportunities to have spiritual conversations. Combin- ing insights from Barna Group research and LHM’s commitment to equipping people for sharing the Gospel, this course includes interactive group activities, videos, data to consider, opportunities for discussions on Scripture and faith-sharing conversations, and more. Schools, Sunday school classes, small groups, and youth groups are already benefiting from this easy-to-implement—and fun—resource. The Hopeful Neighborhood Project™ from LHM is moving forward as a collaborative network committed to improving neigh- borhood well-being around the world. The program’s resources and online network equip and encourage neighbors to work together, using their gifts and the gifts of their community, to pursue the common good of their neighborhood. One of its partner programs, Missouri Good Neighbor Week, was recognized as the Best Neigh- borhood Program of the Year during the 2023 Neighborhoods USA conference. As a self-funded project of our Southern California District of the Lutheran Laymen’s League, the Lutheran Hour Ministries float continues to reach millions as the only Christian float in the the region. In addition to a newly launched seventh season of Ar - abic programming that explores themes common to young adults from a biblical perspective, a multi-language project called Recon- necting the MENA to Hope uses selected topical content from LHM booklets to offer hope in Jesus through unique satellite broadcasts, digital and social media, and direct follow-up. Programs air on three channels: SAT-7 ARABIC, SAT-7 PARS (for Persian speak- ers), and SAT-7 TÜRK (for Turkish speakers). Each channel’s pro- gramming is tailored to the unique language, culture, and felt needs of its audience, and points viewers to additional resources to help them further explore the topics covered. Holistic outreach is an effective way of demonstrating to peo- ple the love of Christ. These programs have a comprehensive im- pact in reaching both body and soul as a ministry to the unchurched in word and deed where both physical and spiritual needs are ad- dressed. In African nations like Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, and Liberia, our successful holistic programs continue to reach at-risk young adults, especially women, through medical camps, prison ministry, vocational training, and spiritual guidance and fellowship. Impacting People through Digital Engagement In today’s digital age, more people than ever are searching on- line for guidance on topics like stress, anxiety, depression, fear, guilt, toxic relationships, and other relevant issues. Vivenciar. net continues to be an instrumental platform for reaching Portu- guese- and Spanish-speaking individuals worldwide, including an increased focus on connecting with Hispanics living in the United States. Vivenciar.net assists these individuals through live chats, blog posts, articles, e-books, and courses. It also offers a safe space where trained volunteers can listen to what people have to say about specific situations in their lives and accompany them in these moments with biblically based support and guidance. Our “by Hispanics, for Hispanics” approach to creating content continues to resonate with a growing digital-first Hispanic audi- ence that is hungry for ministry resources that share the hope of the Gospel. The Sentido Latino podcast is now available on YouTube, an additional platform to reach out with our Hispanic ministry mes- sages and resources to new communities in the United States and beyond. In less than a year, our YouTube channel has more than 50,000 subscribers. Sentido Latino also has more than 1 million views across all platforms. Thred continues to create content to equip Christians for shar - ing their faith in the digital world. Our newest downloadable re- sources were created to help individuals tell their story. The Search for Self reminds users that as Christ-followers we identify as chil- dren of God, which in this image-oriented world we live in is not always easy to remember. Not My Job encourages people to see their place in the Gospel narrative and inspires them to talk about what God has done and is doing in their lives. In addition, Thred’s weekly email series delivers content to more than 21,000 subscrib- ers and offers a way for subscribers to join the conversation through polls or specific feedback prompts followed by comment boxes. Our annual Gospel Adventures™ program reaches around 40,000 elementary and middle school students each year. This in- teractive virtual experience includes a five-day curriculum, videos, theme music, hands-on activities, and more—all working together to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the work of the Gospel in their own lives and how God is at work in peo- ple’s lives in another part of the world. The 2026 program explores 2026 Convention Workbook 141 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS We continue to plan according to these primary focus areas: • Proclaiming Christ Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! (Psalm 96:3) • Supporting Missions And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) • Equipping W omen Now may the God of peace … equip you with everything good that you may do his will. (Heb. 13:20–21) • Serving Others As each has received a gift, use it to serve one anoth- er. (1 Peter 4:10a) Lutheran Women in Mission has developed a vast selection of doctrinally reviewed resources and programs to support our women and church workers as they serve the Lord. New in 2025 were ob- ject Scripture lesson plans for intellectually challenged adults and a limited selection of American Sign Language–interpreted Mustard Seed devotions. Most resources are free to download and can be found on the LWML website at lwml.org. Additionally, the Luther- an Woman’ s Quarterly continues to be a premier magazine with the purpose of “Knowing Christ and Making Him Known.” The 41st Biennial LWML Convention was held in Omaha, Neb., June 26–29, 2025, with over 3,600 in attendance. Planning is underway for the 42nd Biennial LWML Convention in Oklaho- ma City, Okla., July 8–11, 2027. Pre-convention activities include training sessions and networking and service opportunities. During convention, we conduct the business of our organization, partici - pate in Bible studies and Divine Services, and are inspired by mis- sion speakers. The schedule is interspersed with singing, fellow- ship, special events, and laughter. Lutheran Women in Mission serves, gives, prays, and meets in response to our Savior’s mercy and grace. We boldly share the Gospel message of Christ. “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” LWML will, by God’s grace, continue to be Christ-centered, proclaiming His love, supporting His mission, and equipping His children to serve joyfully. Eden Keefe, President