A Special Visit

Dr. Dale Meyer with board and staff members

Recently the Concordia Seminary Board of Regents paid a one hour visit to the Peace Center, this as part of a day-long tour of mission sites in urban St. Louis.

Two years ago the seminary launched its Mission Shift program designed to build awareness and capacity for mission outreach in multi-ethnic urban settings. This well designed program enables seminarians and congregation members to successfully come to grips with the realities of ministry in these challenging environments.

Those interested in the possibility of enrolling in this exciting new program should contact Rev. Jeff Thormodson at 314-505-7168 or missionshift@csl.edu or visit www.missionshiftstl.org.

Thanks Board of Regents, for the honor of your visit!

Thank You Dorinda!

Dorinda with new american students

The CFNA After-School Tutoring program will soon open its doors for the eighth consecutive academic year. Last year more than 130 New American students were served, with approximately half that number in attendance on a regular basis. They, together with their families, arrived in St. Louis during the past few years from seven Asian and African nations (Bhutan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Nepal, Sierra Leone and Sudan). Presently, 14 are enrolled at Word of Life Lutheran School through the CFNA scholarship assistance program.*

Dorinda Werner served as a tutor for the past couple of years. Now residing in Houston, TX she shares the following reflections.

“My prayer friends would often hear me say, ‘please pray for PEACE at the Peace Center!’... especially on Monday afternoons when I used to head for St. Louis from O'Fallon, IL, to help with tutoring approximately 30 children of immigrants from a variety of countries. Volunteering at the Peace Center was the highlight of my week because I felt like I was instrumental in bringing God's peace and love into the lives of these children who are relatively new to our country and in great need of God's peace.

“The Peace Center on South Grand in St. Louis is designed to help bring PEACE into the lives of immigrant families... to help meet their physical and educational needs... but most importantly, their spiritual needs. True and lasting PEACE comes only through knowing JESUS who can give us His peace. He offers His peace to ALL of us ‘PEACE I leave with you; my PEACE I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’  John 14:27

“Do YOU want to share God's peace and love with people from different countries? Prayerfully consider getting in touch with Rev. Stanish Stanley (314-724-4664) or Rev. Al and Carol Buckman (314-517-8513) to begin volunteering at the Peace Center! You are NEEDED and you will be a great blessing to these children and their families!”

Thanks for your service, Dorinda, and our Lord’s blessings be with you as you undertake your new mission responsibilities with LINC Houston.

*from information provided by Sandy Gerber

Bilingual Disciple Making

By Pastor Matt Clark

Recently confirmed Nepali members and their children

The baptism of 21 Nepali refugees at Ascension Lutheran in St. Louis on January 12 was undoubtedly an important part of making disciples, but it certainly was not the conclusion of disciple making. Jesus is clear in His “Great Commission” that teaching the faith should accompany baptizing.

For those newly baptized Nepali individuals who are junior high age or older, this teaching took place in the form of weekly bilingual confirmation class. Around one dozen Nepali students met on Saturday afternoons at CFNA’s Peace Center to receive instruction in the basic teachings of what Lutheran Christians believe. The main resource was Luther’s Small Catechism. Most participants received two copies—one in English and one in Nepali. While I led the class, Gagan Gurung (Ascension’s Nepali Ministry Facilitator), and Dolma Gurung translated what I taught into Nepali. CFNA’s Richard Leigh also facilitated discussion and provided transportation. What a wonderful partnership!

After covering the six chief parts of the catechism, a total of eleven Nepali students were well instructed and eager to be confirmed. On the first Sunday of July, their confirmation took place during worship at Ascension. The event was a celebration of the Lord’s work through our congregation’s partnership with CFNA, making it possible to raise up more, and stronger, disciples from all nations!

After School Tutoring

Completing assignments

The past two years I have been blessed to work with all the students that we call English Language Learners (ELL) at Word of Life Lutheran School. In the process, I have had the opportunity to teach the students and help their families, forming a bond that will forever impact my life! I have visited their homes, enjoyed some delicious African meals, and shared in prayers of joy and thanksgiving over the successes that we all have achieved.

The program that Mindy Hanke and I run on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons is a support system for these students. In the upper grades the students are given an opportunity to receive help with any of the homework they may have. They also may use Google chrome resources to help with research for projects, or get information for current assignments. In the lower grades extra reading and math help is provided, along with assistance with their memory verse for the week. Both classes also have time for a little fun, such as math races, board games, and, of course, computer games. The kids seem to look forward to these days and many have told me the extra help has given them an opportunity to do better on their work, therefore achieving higher grades in their classes.

During the two years this program has been up and running we have experienced many emotions. We are thrilled to see the students beginning to grasp the knowledge they need to succeed, but disappointed by all the frustration students have with understanding why they have so much work. We are tired from all the extra work we are putting forth, but also energized as we see improvements with students that were struggling with a concept. We are sad that at times these students feel so disconnected from our learning environment, but thrilled that we have been given the opportunity to turn them into successful, happy Word of Life students. We pray the funding and support from Christian Friends of New Americans and the Lutheran Foundation will continue so this program can remain in place to help current and future ELL students.

In Christ, Debbie Weltmer, AST Program Tutor Word of Life Lutheran School

Serving With Those Who Serve

By Karen Robertson

Servant Team, Our Shepherd, Avon, IN

Team Members with New Americans

The adventure began in December 2013, when a team of 18 people signed up for a Mystery Mission trip. Only a few leaders for the trip knew the destination—the rest of the team, including 6 high school youth, signed up to go wherever God was calling them to serve.

The team was told the destination in late February and then 3 members of the leadership team came down to speak with the Buckmans and other key volunteers at CFNA to plan and schedule the tasks we would complete on our week at the Peace Center.

concordia seminary visit

God had chosen the perfect team to conquer the tasks that were given on this trip. When God picked the team He chose medical people to help with the monthly medical clinic; He chose fantastic cooks to plan and lead the Volunteer Appreciation dinner; He chose men with good construction skills to complete difficult tasks (like a fan installation in the 2nd floor bath), and He supplied many hard workers with willing hearts to complete whatever tasks arose. Yes, He especially chose those who learned and completed tuck pointing all week!

What a wonderful week we had serving at the Peace Center! We completed many construction, organizing, and painting tasks but each member of the team would agree that the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, VBS, and the Health Screening were the highlights of the week. We really enjoyed interacting with the volunteers of CFNA, teaching the children more about Jesus, and meeting the adults the Peace Center serves.

It was a humbling week, serving in ways that stretched us, but always seeing God provide the resources, skills, endurance, and attitudes needed to complete each endeavor. We realized each day that we are the ones who were blessed by the experience and service. We have new perspective: we truly have seen that “all things are possible with God” as we saw Him provide for our every need. We also have been changed by meeting the New Americans and faithful volunteers at CFNA.

Seeing the regular volunteers working tirelessly as God’s hands and feet, pouring out His love and hope to those who are new to our country is inspiring. We are already wondering when we will take our next trip to serve at the Peace Center!

Family to Family

By Kristy Hutchison

Looking back, we had no idea what to expect with our new commitment to CFNA. We had asked for a family ministry opportunity, but what we got was so much more. By God’s grace, my young family of four was welcomed into the home of Nepali refugees this past March and “Family to Family Ministry” was born. The goal? Make authentic connections with new Americans. The strategy? Teach them English in their home. Several months into our adventure, we’ve found that God has given us more through our new friends than we could ever hope to offer them through ESL. Without ever leaving our hometown, this has changed the way we see the world and deepened our convictions.

With multiple generations under one roof, it requires teamwork and a little planning to coordinate simultaneous lessons to meet everyone’s needs. The challenge has been fun for us, however, and it has kept our twin ten-year-old boys engaged. They are the perfect age to teach the younger children phonics while we adults work on some reading. Not wanting to leave anyone out, we bring the sweet grandma and aunt into all of our games and songs. We try to keep the lessons to about an hour and thanks to the grandma’s prompting, we always close in prayer. For fun, we try to incorporate lessons that are culturally relevant… such as birthdays and bubbles! Pictured to the right is an example of one of our “field trips” outside to learn how to blow bubbles in the wind.

As we think about how this ministry can grow, we are encouraged by the simplicity of this model. The commitment can be owned by a family or shared by a few. All it takes for it to work is the willingness of both sides to risk a little and trust someone new. Admittedly, the toughest part for us was taking that first step, but the sincere love and joy that greet us each week make staying connected a breeze.

CFNA After School Tutoring

Reaching out and Engaging Our Needy Neighbor: CFNA After School Tutoring

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1: 22).

Christian witness to the world around us is what the Word of God exhorts us to do. For Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA), witnessing to their immigrant and refugee neighbors is the calling they have received in Christ. So, this academic year 2013-2014, the CFNA volunteers reached out with the love of Christ to their New American neighbors who, seen through socio-economic parameters, are the ‘least’ among us.

Operating in the city of St. Louis, and working with its model of ‘draw-bridge-home’, CFNA was able to reach out to New American kids through its After School Tutoring program on Mondays and Tuesdays from its location at the Peace Center, 4019 South Grand. Around 150 students from nations such as Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan, were served through this ministry.

In this cross-cultural sharing of God’s love, CFNA was blessed to have the commitment and partnership of local LCMS pastors who regularly provided faith building devotions. It was equally blessed by the large number of committed believers who volunteered their expertise, energy and time as they worked with these New American kids. Most of the 50 volunteers who helped throughout the year as their schedules permitted, were LCMS members - including several students from Concordia Seminary. We were also blessed to have the assistance of students from Saint Louis University.

There were many moments when the entire exercise seemed difficult and challenging, however, every tutor stuck to the task, while displaying both concern and commitment. On the last day (May 27), 52 young students along with 15 tutors, walked the five blocks to Ted Drewes to celebrate the end of tutoring for the academic year - the culmination of much committed effort. Through this ministry of service, CFNA continues to reach out to New American families and welcome them into local LCMS churches where many have found a faith-strengthening church home.

Interested in the possibility of serving in this ministry? Please contact me at 314-724-4664 or stanleys@csl.edu.

Rev. Stanish Stanley (AST Coordinator)

Fantaye Zerihun

CFNA Ministry Facilitator

Hi, My name is Fantaye Zerihun. I came to St. Louis, MO with my two daughters Kedamawit and Simret from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on August 29, 2007. My husband Eddie was already in the USA. He had been here for five years before us. He was a pastor at a local Lutheran church. A year after we got here he got a job at CFNA as a chaplain.

In 2009 I started college for the second time to get a degree in medical technology. I have been in school since 2009. From 2007 Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) has given my two daughters the opportunity to go to a Lutheran school with a scholarship. We are very glad for the fact they have the chance to be surrounded by wonderful people in a Christian environment.

Earlier this year my husband got another job in Council Bluffs, Iowa, so in September he moved there. My two daughters and I decided to stay in St. Louis for the remainder of the school year seeing as all three of us were students and we were in the middle of a school year.

When Eddie left, I got a job at CFNA as a facilitator to help other East African immigrant families. CFNA has helped us in many ways since we got here. I cannot express how thankful I am for their help and support.

By Fantaye Zerihun

Where Christian Friends and Technology Meet

In my adult life there have been two constants. The first has been education, and I have been involved in educating youth since before I graduated from college. I have been a substitute teacher at a High School, I taught confirmation students during my vicarage (and enjoyed it!), and I continue to regularly teach an adult Bible study. Through these experiences I learned how important it is to show care and concern for all as they interact with the world.

The second constant has been technology, and over the course of time I have become proficient in many things relating to computers and technology. Mac or PC, iPhone or Android, Wireless or Wired Internet, these things don’t faze me. I handle all of them well because I’ve used computers and technology since my youth.

Because of this it seemed fitting that I would end up volunteering at the CFNA Peace Center in the After School Program computer lab. However, all my “expertise” couldn’t prepare me for the reality I faced. First, children are oftentimes a lot quicker (and sometimes more impatient) than computers. Second, technology doesn’t always work the way you want it to. Some days it was a struggle to harness a child’s energy toward the aim of helping them learn. Yet there was always a feeling of satisfaction when I could see them beginning to learn patience, cooperation, and sharing because of the technology provided available at the Peace Center.

However, among my experiences, one thing stands in my mind as the most important thing I recognized. Technology is a great tool but it can never supersede the value of human interaction. Can a child learn math and reading from a Website on a computer? Sure. But technology could never teach these children that there is someone who is willing to work with them and be there for them amidst the challenges, struggles, and joys that they experience as a friend who is there for them week-in and week-out.

Raymond Holman is a recent graduate of Concordia Seminary. He has been called to serve as Pastor at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Emporia, KS and will be ordained in early July.

I AM.

I AM.

Jesus loves us

Sarah helps art students with their cameras

“Well that’s a funny name…he says his name is I AM?”

“Yes, He is existence. He simply is. He is beyond understanding.” Pastor Bob replies and continues the story of Moses and the burning bush as students fill their pages with dancing flames of paint.

“Whoa, God is cool.” An accented voice pipes up.

“Someone else said ‘I AM’ hundreds of years later, and using metaphors, told us the kind of God that He is.”

“Jesus?” little New American voices call out.

Yes, Jesus. Youth from ages 5-14 have been learning about Jesus’ “I AM” statements from John over the past three months. We have explored drawing sheep and the Good Shepherd, studying images anywhere from provincial sheep pastures to Byzantine mosaics of Jesus with the lost sheep around his neck. Next we talked about Jesus as the Vine, and we the branches bearing good fruit. A warm spring day led us outside with paper and charcoal to draw creation from life. I am the Resurrection and the Life inspired us to create a collaborative painting depicting the scenes of Holy Week. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life led us down rural and wooded pathways. I am the Door, and I am the Light of the World are yet to come in our Saturday workshops hosted at the CFNA Peace Center in May. You can see our artwork filling the walls of the basement art room! Many thanks to our volunteers!

By Sarah Bernhardt — Holy Cross Lutheran Church

A Growing Gospel Partnership

Pastor clark signing the ministry agreement while Dr. A Buckman, Gagan gurung and doug pfitzinger look on.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).

Partnership. That’s how the apostle Paul describes his relationship, or fellowship, with the Christians in the city of Philippi. Paul had shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with the Philippians, and now they join with him in extending the Gospel to others. Because of this partnership between Paul and the Philippians, more people are served, more lives are changed, more disciples of Christ are made.

If I was asked to describe Ascension Lutheran Church’s relationship with Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) in just one word, that word would be “partnership.” The Lord has blessed both CFNA and Ascension with a vibrant ministry to, and with, refugees from Nepal. This ministry would not exist, however, if it were not for CFNA making initial contact with immigrants and connecting them to our congregation. At the same time, this work would be incomplete if were not for a local Lutheran congregation providing Word and Sacrament ministry to Nepali immigrants.

With the Lord’s blessing, this partnership continues to grow strong and prove vital to immigrant ministry. A recently updated “Ministry Agreement” between Ascension and CFNA includes the shared financial support of Gagan Gurung from Nepal as he serves as our Nepali Ministry Facilitator. Another aspect of this partnership is our congregation’s sponsorship of “New Life Lutheran Nepali Fellowship,” which meets at the CFNA Peace Center the second, third, and fourth Sundays of the month. On the first Sunday, Nepali individuals come to Ascension for worship and the Lord’s Supper. CFNA and Ascension also work together to offer a bilingual confirmation class, which currently meets on Saturday afternoons at the Peace Center.

What does the future hold for the Lutheran Nepali immigrant community? Only the Lord knows. But by God’s grace, through the partnership of Ascension and CFNA, more people will be served, more lives will be changed, more disciples of Christ will be made!

By Rev. Matt Clark

Judith Meyer - Volunteer Of The Month

Volunteer of the Month

Judith Meyer has served as coordinator of the Adopt a Student ministry for the last four years. She actually got involved with the program at its beginning seven years ago, when she was President of the Lutheran High School Association and a member of the School Board of King of Glory Lutheran School. At that time, Allan Buckman invited her to participate in writing a grant to the Lutheran Foundation to provide scholarships to Lutheran elementary schools and Lutheran High School South for children of immigrant and refugee families. In recent years, she has been primarily responsible for writing the renewal proposals that have secured continued funding for this ministry from the Lutheran Foundation.

Her favorite responsibility is her annual meeting with each of the students. She meets with each student to get some information about them and take their pictures. That information is turned into packets which she sends to each donor who helps support one of the approximately 25 annual student scholarships. She also turns information from these interviews into articles about students that appear in the CFNA E-Newsletter. As a member of Timothy, she enjoys seeing many of those students at church on a regular basis.

This year, she has also begun meeting regularly with the facilitators, those five people who work directly with the immigrant and refugee families to assure effective communication between families, schools and congregations. The number of students actually served by the facilitators now numbers more than 40, because many of the younger children receive Today and Tomorrow scholarships to attend Word of Life. Working with the facilitators has given her new insights into the challenges that the children and families face as they adjust to living in St. Louis.Finally, as chair of the Board of Directors of EAGLE College Prep Endeavor, a charter school enterprise in St. Louis, Judith has been working to assure that the new charter schools opened under the charter can serve immigrant and refugee children. These charter schools provide free public education, but also have Christian preschools and Christian after-school programs.

Congrats Sandy!

Sandy Gerber was installed April 29th as the state president of Missouri Alpha Delta Kappa.  Alpha Delta Kappa is an international honorary organization of active and retired women educators dedicated to educational excellence, altruism and world understanding. The volunteers at the Peace Center are blessed with the opportunity to donate their time and talents while serving their Lord. In working with children from so many different countries, they learn about their cultures and customs and develop a better understanding of our world. —Sandy Gerber

Congrats Sandy! Missouri educators, students, and families will be blessed by your leadership. Thanks for all you have done and are doing as part of the CFNA family.

Emily Lutes

Practicum Student, Emily Lutes writes:

I just completed my MA in TESOL from Lincoln Christian University. One of the requirements was to complete 100 hours of practicum. So, I began looking around for opportunities. I found one of those with CFNA. I have loved getting to know the students and working with the volunteers at CFNA to constantly improve the program to better meet the needs of the people. CFNA has proven to be a marvelous organization with a true heart for the Lord and International peoples. I have been blessed to work with them to teach adults English.

Lutheran Hour Ministries Feature CFNA

In the May-June 2014 issue of THE LUTHERAN LAYMAN, the cover story featured the Ministry Among New Americans.  Read the article!

Virginia Tech Students Get A+

Leta kent spends time with new american kids during the after school tutoring program

Vicar Adam Thompson and 8 college students from Virginia Tech spent part of their Spring Break with CFNA. They cleaned, scrubbed, organized, and painted with boundless enthusiasm and then they had fun loving the kids at the After School Tutoring program. Everybody went home happy. It was a visit that CFNA will never forget!

Tyler DeYoung helps woth improvements to the peace center

Gagan Gurung

CFNA New American of the Month

Gagan with rev. Matt Clark

Having grown up in Bhutan, Gagan – together with thousands of other Nepali residents – made his way to neighboring Nepal, this the result of a forced departure ordered by the government of Bhutan. At the time, Gagan was 14 years of age.

During his 22 years as a resident of Beldange 3, one of seven refugee camps in Nepal, Gagan developed a curiosity about Christianity. Through the urging of family members and the power of the Holy Spirit, this curiosity turned into commitment. On Sunday, October 13, 2002, Gagan left Hinduism to become a baptized believer in Christ.

Having been selected for resettlement in the USA, Gagan left Beldange 3 and on July 9, 2013, arrived in St. Louis. Upon arrival he immediately joined other members of his extended family, most of whom (14) had been baptized into the Christian faith at the Peace Center three years prior to his arrival. Almost immediately, Gagan joined a confirmation class and on January 12, 2014, was confirmed as an adult believer during the Sunday worship service at Ascension Lutheran Church, St. Louis.

Presently, Gagan serves on behalf of Ascension Lutheran Church and CFNA as a missionary among the Nepali people in St. Louis and beyond. In addition to personally welcoming recently arrived Nepali families with welcome packages and with food and furniture donations, Gagan also leads a 40-member home Bible study, as well as the New Life Fellowship now worshipping Sunday mornings at the Peace Center – this as a satellite of Ascension Lutheran Church. For more about New Life, read this post!

Please keep Gagan in your prayers as he pursues his most recent calling.

New Life Fellowship

Preacher Gagan Gurung

With temperatures in the 20’s accompanied by sleet, snow and a 20 mph wind, the weather was a bit uncertain for the first service of the New Life Fellowship the morning of Sunday, March 16. They came to the Peace Center anyway – more than 50 people seeking to be part of that first service. Of those gathered, 12 were visitors from established Lutheran congregations; some from as far away as Indianapolis, IN.  The remainder were from the refugee camps in Nepal, almost all of them having arrived within the past six to eight months.

Nepali singers (here pictured at ascension Lutheran Church)

Pastor-in-Training Gagan Gurung, himself a recent Nepali arrival, served as the worship leader. Having performed a similar service for a growing congregation that had been established in one of the refugee camps, Gagan was confirmed just two months ago at Ascension Lutheran Church in south City. He is also a participant in the weekly Leadership Formation Class which has been meeting at the Peace Center for the past several months.

This Fellowship is being established in partnership with Ascension Lutheran Church and will in effect, serve as a satellite of that congregation – this by virtue of a ministry agreement between CFNA (Christian Friends of New Americans) and Ascension. On the first Sunday of each month they meet at Ascension to participate in worship services there. Those who have been confirmed also receive the Lord’s Supper.

The remaining Sundays of each month the Fellowship meets at the Peace Center, which serves as a more convenient worship location for many of them. Presently, 12 of the Fellowship members are enrolled in a catechetical class taught by Pastor Matt Clark of Ascension. These classes are taught at the Peace Center.

We wish Evangelist Gagan and the members of the New Life Lutheran Fellowship our Lord’s richest blessings as they seek to reach out further into the growing Nepali refugee community in St. Louis with the hope-generating message of a living and forgiving Christ.

Students of the Month

ezekiel, ishmael, and sujan

What can bring eight year old boys born in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nepal together in St. Louis? Word of Life Lutheran School and Christian Friends of New Americans have made that happen with the Adopt a Student Ministry.

If you asked them, Ezekiel King, Ishmael Sesay and Sujan Basnet would be quick to tell you they have enjoyed their time together at Word of Life. Although they learned different languages as young children, they now all speak English fluently and that’s how they communicate with each other, most of the time. Sometimes they use Creole to talk with each other, and Ezekiel and Ishmael helped Sujan learn a little Creole so they could share some secrets. They do like to sit together at lunch.

They have different favorite subjects in third grade; Ishmael likes math, Sujan likes reading and Ezekiel’s favorite is religion. When Mrs. Klug, their teacher, assigns teams to work on projects together, sometimes they get to work with each other, but usually they team up with other classmates, and even choose others to work with when they get to pick their teammates.

All three play soccer, although Ishmael was hurt in the first practice of this season and has decided not to play this year.

Sujan and his family belong to Messiah Lutheran, while Ishmael and Ezekiel are members at Timothy. Ezekiel hopes to acolyte for the Lenten midweek services there.

Now in its sixth year, the scholarship program has provided assistance for between 25 and 30 New American students per year. Interestingly, 80 percent of them, together with their families, are now members of LCMS congregations.

By: Judith Meyer (Timothy Lutheran Church)

Volunteer of the Month

Rich Schaefer

Four years ago a good friend invited me to visit the Peace Center to see some of the services offered to recently arrived refugee families. I accepted the invitation, and having observed an evening of student tutoring, chose to become involved as well and soon found myself working with other tutors during the Tuesday evening classes.

Reflecting on that invitation, I always recall how my friend made no promises of any kind… how easy/hard it might be, how rewarding it could be, or minimalizing the time as being ‘only once a week’. None of this was ever mentioned because my friend knew that if I would just come and see, all of these questions would be addressed.

Four years on, where are these students now? One of them graduates from high school this spring. Another graduated from Word of Life Elementary School last spring, and is now a high school student. Interestingly, two sisters from among that first group now attend Sunday School and worship at Ascension Lutheran Church, where I also worship.

Most memorable have been the insights of some of these young people. All of them are from families new to this country, language and culture, for whom the Gospel message was also very new. Nevertheless, at the end of a small group discussion a few months ago I asked them to share something for which they were truly grateful.  Immediately, one of the students responded saying, “My baptism”.

Yes, God is good – all the time. But don’t take my word for it. Rather, accept this as your personal invitation to “come and see” for yourself!

By Rich Schaefer (Ascension Lutheran Church)