Rejoice!
As appeared in the April / May 2010 Michigan In Touch

We REJOICE as more than 180 congregations of the Michigan District are participating as partners in the campaign which, when completed, will have a significant impact on the future mission and ministry of the Church in the Michigan District and beyond.

Since its inception, we have frequently discussed the initiatives of the campaign which directly affect the Michigan District: Intentional Mission Development and Professional Church Worker Scholarships. Less often, our partnership with LCMS World Mission in support of International Ministries has been in the forefront.

Consider the following:

- The population of the world is approximately 6.5 billion, of which, 4.5 billion are unchurched.

- 66 out of 237 nations place significant restrictions on religious practice.

- 1.2 billion people who identify themselves as Christians are nominal, or non-practicing.
- The population of the United States increased by 72 million between 1970 and 2000, but the number of LCMS members decreased by 350,000.

The importance of our partnership with LCMS World Mission is very evident. Thus, your prayerful consideration of including International Ministries in your campaign support is critical to our Great Commission responsibility in Matthew 28:19 to, “Therefore go and make disciples of ALL nations ….”

Assisting the Michigan District is Mr. Bill Lapp who serves as the Director of Principal Gifts Officers for LCMS World Mission. His faithful service has helped generate several major gifts which have benefited both the Michigan District and the International Ministries components of the campaign. The Michigan District would like to thank Bill for his outstanding service.

Bill Lapp wrote in a recent article: “There are some hard times for many of our Christian friends in the Michigan District. However, there is much to rejoice about. The Michigan District, in spite of the hard times, has a heart for missions similar to the Apostle Paul’s. Paul received support from the Philippians for his work in spreading the Gospel and he told them those gifts … ‘are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.’ Philippians 4:18. The same can be said about these wonderful gifts from Michigan– that is worth rejoicing about. Given that Michigan has hard times, it is an encouragement for the rest of the Districts that Michigan is one of the top three Districts in total support for Fan into Flame in the LCMS. I will say it again: ‘Rejoice Michigan!’”

For more information about The Future is Now in partnership with Fan into Flame campaign or to make a contribution, please contact Ray Zavada at the Michigan District office at 888.225.2111.

Ray Zavada, M.A.
Vice President of Development
Michigan District, LCMS

Archive of past Michigan In Touch Development Articles

April/May 2010 Issue
February/March 2010 Issue
December 2009/January 2010 Issue
October/November 2009 Issue
August/September 2009 Issue
June/July 2009 Issue
April/May 2009 Issue
February/March 2009 Issue
December 2008/January 2009 Issue
October/November 2008 Issue
August/September 2008 Issue
June/July 2008 Issue
Apr/May 2008 Issue
Feb/Mar 2008 Issue