Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 172

2026 Convention Workbook
137
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
R54
Texas District
Christ is risen indeed! This triumphant proclamation, grounded 
in 1 Cor. 15:20–22, where Paul declares Christ as “the firstfruits of 
those who have fallen asleep,” echoes throughout the Texas District 
as we rejoice in the hope of the resurrection that transforms death 
into life and despair into victory. The mission of the district is to 
strengthen congregations to reach the lost, disciple the saved, and 
care for people locally and globally. To accomplish this mission, 
the district partners with nearly 400 congregations and mission 
stations, as well as nearly 120 Lutheran schools and early child -
hood centers, to catalyze an exponential mission movement. As we 
share the Gospel of the risen Christ, we join to equip, send, and 
support church workers, church planters, educators, commissioned 
ministers, and laypeople to share the Good News of Jesus, to show 
His love. Because Christ is risen indeed, we press forward in faith, 
knowing that our labor in the name of the Lord is not in vain.
In its vibrant ministry, the district has been blessed to act upon 
the following resolutions from the 2023 Synod convention.
Res. 1-01A: Expanded a robust evangelist program that trains 
and equips members to share the Gospel. Training is available in 
English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. A total of 223 lay-
people and church workers completed the program in 2023–25 and 
were sent to witness to others.
Res. 1-02A: Aided small congregations by ongoing efforts in 
Texas through a variety of planning, support, and training initia -
tives.
Res. 1-03A: Encouraged and supported church planting in Tex-
as, resulting in 27 new Word and Sacrament  ministries, 2023–25. 
Approximately $3.7 million was spent on church multiplication in 
the district.
Res. 1-05A: Strengthened multiethnic outreach by providing re-
sources for pastoral training and outreach for new ethnic missionar-
ies and church planters in Texas. A Hispanic Ministry Retreat was 
launched in 2023 and serves as an annual gathering for reflection, 
learning, and spiritual renewal. Nineteen multiethnic Word and 
Sacrament ministries were planted in this triennium.
Res. 1-06A: Supported workers and families through systems 
of care, counseling, and coaching. Fifty-seven coaching and care 
relationships were established to provide individualized care to 
workers and their families. Additionally, the district counseling 
team served dozens of workers and families.
Res. 1-07: Fosters positive mental well-being for all our church 
workers, having a Care and Coaching Team focused on this work 
as a free resource to workers and their families. The district spent 
more than $225,000 in the triennium on dedicated counseling for 
our workers. A trained pastor was appointed to serve as a mental 
health advocate for church workers, providing confidential support, 
resources, and guidance to pastors and professional church workers 
facing mental health challenges.
Res. 1-08A: Promoted and commended the Synod’s digital and 
online resources, incorporating them into district communications, 
sharing them with congregations, leaders, and ministry partners as 
appropriate.
Res. 2-01 and 2-02A: Continued to support the Alliance Mis-
sionary Program with significant financial gifts.
Res. 2-05: Made ongoing referrals of congregations to the Of-
•	 establishing dedicated circuit riders to minister to truly re-
mote congregations (working on funding and calling a dis-
trict circuit rider/church planter by the end of 2027);
•	 maintaining a list of emeritus pastors who can help across 
the district; and
•	 supporting circuit visitors as they assist vacant congregations 
in their circuits.
Initiative 4: Expansion of Campus Ministry
The district partners with two congregations to support success-
ful campus ministries at the flagship universities within our geo-
graphical boundaries (Southern Illinois University and Southern 
Illinois University Edwardsville). We can and should multiply this 
ministry across the 30+ institutions of higher learning within south-
ern Illinois. We know that the transition from high school to what-
ever comes next (college, armed forces, trade school, workforce) 
is a critical time in a young person’s journey of faith. The district 
seeks to serve our members and reach out on campus by:
•	 encouraging each congregation with a campus in their back-
yard to establish campus ministry (working on plans to use 
the same funding model we use so successfully for prison 
ministry);
•	 gathering pastors and lay leaders to learn from our flagship 
campus ministries at a Campus Ministry Summit;
•	 connecting pastors and lay leaders with LCMS U;
•	 specifically targeting and prioritizing large community col-
lege campuses (Southwestern Illinois, Lewis and Clark, Kas-
kaskia, etc.); and
•	 providing “connection to church” assistance for students en-
tering trade school, the workforce, and the armed forces.
Initiative 5: Extension of Current Ministry, 
Mission, and Mercy
To one extent or another, all the above initiatives represent new-
ly developed or developing work. The district has other long-stand-
ing, vital, and successful efforts that remain as touchstones of our 
shared Ministry, Mission, and Mercy. We will continue to support 
and extend these efforts by:
•	 providing funding, assistance, and coordination with our dis-
trict mission school at Unity Lutheran Christian Elementary 
School in East St. Louis;
•	 supporting prison ministry across southern Illinois;
•	 working with our foreign mission partner, Seminario Con-
cordia El Reformador in the Dominican Republic;
•	 directing efforts in youth ministry, older adult ministry, and 
church worker scholarships; and
•	 serving congregations, schools, and workers with the profes-
sional services, organization, leadership, and support expect-
ed of all districts.
The people of southern Illinois are excited to work together 
in God’s kingdom toward these goals! May the Lord grant us His 
grace and wisdom as we seek to respond to His mercy shown to us 
in the cross of His Son!
Heath R. Curtis, President