Official Workbook PDF page source text

2026 Convention Workbook 130

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

using the tools we have always had in the LCMS.

We treasure the Bible, the Book of Concord, and the hymnal.

The ordinary elements of water, bread, and wine become extraor - dinary when connected to the Word of God. What amazing power comes into the lives of people through preaching, teaching, baptizing, absolving, and communing around the altar!

May the Lord Jesus continue to work mightily through our faithful commitment to make disciples of all nations through His Means of Grace. He will guide the next generations of our children and grandchildren in this place we call home, the LCMS Oklahoma District!

David R. Nehrenz, President

R46

Pacific Southwest District The Pacific Southwest District is honored to welcome the Synod to our district as the 2026 Synod convention gathers in Phoenix around the theme Christ Is Risen Indeed. The mission of the district is to effectively resource congregations and schools for transforming lives and making the Great Commission REAL! Here are 10 highlighted ways that this mission is being fulfilled as we partner together to proclaim the risen Christ. (References to applicable 2023 Synod convention resolutions are included at the bottom of each section.)

The 47th Convention of the Pacific Southwest District gathered under the theme Redeemed to Tell, inspired by Psalm 107:2: “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” The convention, held June 25–27, 2025, at the beautiful La Quinta Resort in the desert of Southern California, reflected the hope and joy in which 265 congregations and 136 schools came together to tell the stories of God’s abundant faithfulness to the 36 million people who live within the district.

Evangelism, Mission, and Church Planting The district continues to pursue the creation of 100 new Gospel-proclaiming ministries by 2031, the 100th anniversary of the district. To date, over 50 intentional Gospel-proclaiming ministries have begun. The Lutheran Mission Society of San Diego, under the guidance of Mission Director Rev. Dr. Tardelli V oss, is working with over 50 lay evangelists who come from many different cultures and are individually connected to local San Diego County congregations. Many of these individuals are now pursuing LCMS pathways into rostered church work. The Coastal Mission Society has become a guiding force for church planting in the district. Rev.

John Alwood, a career church planter who recently colloquized into the LCMS, leads this equipping and planting effort that has already launched 13 new locations that will soon qualify as “new church starts.” On Sept. 30, 2025, the district, in partnership with the LCMS Office of International Ministry, hosted a FORO in San Diego that introduced mission opportunities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. President Omar Garza of the Lutheran Synod of Mexico participated. (Res. 1-03A, “To Plant More Churches”;

Res. 11-03A, “To Love and Disciple Peoples of All Ethnicities, Languages, and Skin Colors”; Res. 1-05A, “To Increase Mission Efforts to Immigrants and Various Cultural Groups in North America”; Res. 2-07A, “To Commend Use and Attendance of FOROs”)

In the Western Region, which includes the Enid, Kingfisher, and Panhandle circuits, outreach continues among the Burmese Karen people. The result includes multiple baptisms and confirmations. Lutherhaven Retreat Center is located near Knowles and offers wilderness and waterfront experiences. Youth retreats are held in the summer. Continuing education courses are also hosted for church workers. Various seminary professors have taught there and discovered the open spaces of the Oklahoma Panhandle.

In the Central Region, which includes the Oklahoma City, Lawton, and Norman circuits, the Hispanic ministry continues. The future growth of these ministries offers exciting potential. We support pastors and missionaries from this region who now serve at the new seminary in Shinyanga, Tanzania. We also assist in church planting in Italy and Latvia. One teaches systematics and also assists in pastoral formation. Ministry to the armed forces has continued at the U.S. Army Training Center at Ft. Sill. Local pastors have conducted the Divine Service on the military base for the soldiers who are serving our country.

In the Eastern Region, which includes the Tulsa, Miami, and Ponca City circuits, spiritual doors have opened for outreach among Hispanic people. Also, our Camp Lutherhoma resides on 120 acres in beautiful eastern Oklahoma, located along the Illinois River just east of Tahlequah. The mission of the camp is to nurture discipleship in Jesus Christ in outdoor settings. It ministers to hundreds of youth during summer and winter programs. They learn how to share the love of Christ to the world. The camp also offers its beautiful facilities as retreat settings for groups, congregations, and families.

When a tornado went directly through Camp Lutherhoma in June of 2025, we worked together with district volunteers, the Lutheran Early Response Team, and Ross Johnson from LCMS Disaster Response to begin the extensive recovery and clean-up work.

By the grace of God, no one was seriously injured, even though the camp was filled with youth campers. It was a joint effort that brought together dedicated and joyful service in the midst of a stressful event. God be praised!

Three campus ministries are active in Norman (University of Oklahoma), Stillwater (Oklahoma State University), and Tulsa (The University of Tulsa). The impact from these ministries has included baptisms, confirmations, and marriages. Students have been directed into various church vocations of deaconess, teacher, director of Christian education, and pastor. Pastoral supervised vicars and student peer ministers have served in these campus ministries.

English-as-a-Second-Language programming and international student ministries on campus have also brought the Gospel to various cultural and people groups.

The saints of Oklahoma continue to carry out the Great Commission. Christ Is Risen Indeed is what we proclaim in the southwest part of our country and throughout the world. “In fact Christ has been raised from the dead. … By a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. … In Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Cor.

15:20, 21, 22).

The dedicated, sanctified service of our congregations is exceptional. We are friendly people. We are faithful to the Word of God.

We are family oriented.

We rejoice in sacred spaces, sacred words, sacred music, sacred ways of acting and speaking. We are shaped by God’s Word, and not by the world. We understand that in today’s world, the old things have become new. The Gospel is best delivered to people by