Official Workbook PDF page source text

2026 Convention Workbook 34

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

As a self-funding ministry, KFUO partners with generous LCMS congregations, pastors, other church workers, recognized services organizations, and laity to serve the LCMS and the neighbor with resources that nourish and strengthen faith in Christ Jesus.

Triennium Update KFUO began broadcasting in the St. Louis area on Dec. 14, 1924, using the new technology of AM radio. Now, over 100 years later, KFUO continues to employ established and emerging tech - nologies to reach a global audience. On Oct. 12, 2024, KFUO celebrated its centennial anniversary with a service of thanksgiving and open house at the LCMS International Center (IC).

KFUO Radio continues to broadcast from the studios at the IC in Kirkwood, Mo.; however, the radio transmitters have relocat - ed to East Carondelet, Ill. (as necessitated by the 2022 Concordia Seminary Campus Plan). With the move, KFUO acquired an additional signal (now operating two AM signals, 850 and 1380, and three FM signals, 92.7, 104.5, and 105.3, in the St. Louis metropolitan area). This was a three-year multifaceted project consisting of acquiring land, radio towers, and the additional AM radio and FM broadcast signals.

The annual budget of KFUO Radio is only $1.7 million. This encompasses all broadcasting operations, sacred music royalties, program host stipends, and personnel (nine full-time, one parttime, and the trimester internship program). Funding comes from the generosity of listeners and program sponsors/underwriters and from partnerships with congregations, recognized service organizations, and other LCMS ministries, as well as bequest gifts, the KFUO endowment, and purchased airtime payments for programs not produced by KFUO.

KFUO is led by the executive director of broadcast services, who reports directly to the Office of the President.

KFUO Programs The Coffee Hour airs weekdays at 9:00 a.m. (central time, as are all following), sharing stories of mercy work, missionary updates, and practical conversations for living boldly Lutheran, and features special series like Set Apart to Serve and Lutheran Church History with the Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie from Concordia Theolog - ical Seminary, Fort Wayne. It is hosted by KFUO Radio’s Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth. The Coffee Hour was the third-most popular KFUO program overall in 2025 with 90,120 total downloads by 18,459 people. It is sponsored in part by the Concordia Univer - sity System. (kfuo.org/category/the-coffee-hour/)

Concord Matters airs Saturdays at 10:00 a.m., studying the Lutheran Confessions found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host the Rev. Brady Finnern, president of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and a guest LCMS pastor. To view this program, visit: kfuo.org/category/concord-matters/.

Daily Chapel airs weekdays at 10:00 a.m., broadcasting live the IC chapel service. It is sponsored in part by the LCMS International Mission and the LCMS Ministry to Armed Forces. (See the schedule: kfuo.org/daily-chapel-schedule/)

The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge Podcast is released weekly and engages Lutheran women with inviting conversations, laughter, and fellowship and is hosted by KFUO’s Sarah Gulseth, the Office of International Mission’s Erin Alter, and Rachel Bomberger. The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge holds eight of the top ten most downloaded KFUO podcasts in 2025. The affiliated Facebook group has over G. Challenges In its work to serve LCMS ministries, districts, and congregations, LCMS Communications faces significant challenges:

• The cost of printing and distributing print publications continues to increase dramatically. These costs affect all print publications, with a special burden on those subsidized directly by the Synod, namely Lutherans Engage the World and Reporter.

• Decreasing subscriptions for The Lutheran Witness, along with the aforementioned increase in the costs of printing and distribution, will require the LCMS and Concordia Publishing House to work together over the next triennium to review the subscription process and develop creative ways to continue publishing this nearly 150-year-old magazine.

• The psychological and spiritual harm that comes with social media usage has led the Communications department to approach its use with caution. This will require continued and regular evaluation of these platforms over the next triennium.

• Talk of artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, for good or ill. AI platforms have dramatically exacerbated many of the issues inflamed by social media. The department remains aware of these problems and concerned about the effects of AI on polite discourse within the church and the public square.

• The cost to expand video production is significant. YouTube is one of the most used platforms and provides a channel for long-form, educational content without as many of the potential harms seen in platforms such as Facebook and X.

Expanding content on YouTube is expensive but also beneficial for the witness and work of the church.

H. Looking Forward LCMS Communications is prepared to face these challenges in ways that will help the church proclaim Christ and Him crucified for the sins of the world. Whether this means creating content for new platforms, evaluating current and new channels to determine their fitness for the church’s message and work, or sharing the message of the Gospel in various formats, service to the Church—and God’s mission through her—remains the top priority of the department. We stand ready to serve with and for you.

Roy S. Askins, Interim Executive Director

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KFUO Radio KFUO Radio is the official broadcast ministry of the Synod and shares the Gospel of Christ Jesus with listeners around the world through worship services, Bible studies, sacred music, and Christ-centered practical talk programming. KFUO’s mission is expressed in its theme verse: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

Employing mass communication and multimedia, including broadcast radio, internet streaming, social media, mobile apps, podcasts, video, and so on, KFUO supports the baptismal life of listeners and our life together in Christ whenever and wherever needed:

Christ for You. Anytime. Anywhere.