Living Our Baptized Life in Christ

Galatians 2:20

January 30, 2026

January 29, 2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What I share with you today weighs heavily on me and upon our whole church. In fact, it’s devastating. I’m in shock at the injury of innocent victims, and the shame brought upon our faithful people. Jesus have mercy upon us! This afternoon, the Rev. Michael Mohr appeared before a federal magistrate to hear the charges against him. He did not contest the government’s motion to detain him until trial, and a grand jury hearing is expected. The press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri, states that hidden camera devices were found at his residence and an additional accusation of lewd behavior with a minor was part of the criminal complaint.

As the press release noted, an accusation does not constitute proof of guilt. Our church body has an ecclesiastical process for conduct unbecoming a minister of the Gospel. These processes will be followed. The duties of the District President for the Central Illinois District have been assumed by the First Vice President Michael Burdick. If these allegations prove true, they are an unfathomable betrayal of the responsibility and trust placed in the servants of the church by Christ and His people. To commit sexual violence or exploitation against others, especially children, is an unconscionable sin and crime. This has no place in the church. Our Lord has strong words for all who would lead His little ones to stumble (Matt. 18:6). The LCMS will fully cooperate with civil authorities on this matter.

We know that such sins and crimes, as alleged, inflict intense pain and suffering on victims. Christ alone provides the healing, and we turn to Him. I commend those who, in any circumstance, courageously shed light on these crimes and sins. If you or a loved one have something to report in regard to this matter, please contact FBI St. Louis, Special Agent Trevor Welter at 314-589-2500.

The LCMS Central Illinois District has established a special resource to receive reports from any individual who may have experienced harm by Michael Mohr: 877-276-1740 or email at districtassistance@cidlcms.org. These channels are being monitored by Ms. Rebekah Wendling, a mental health professional.

There are other pastoral matters to address as this process plays out before us, and I’ll do so.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too” (2 Cor. 1:3–5).

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Pr. Matthew C. Harrison

President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

January 30, 2026

Keep Your Eyes Fixed On Jesus

Dear brothers and sisters,

You were likely as shocked and grieved as I was to hear about the charges against Central Illinois District President, Rev. Michael Mohr.

What do we do when charges like this are brought against leaders in the church?

We keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us to keep, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Our Lord Jesus was without sin.

He is Lord and God. The author of our faith, and the one who lived it perfectly.

He, the Holy Lamb of God, bore our sins in his body on the cross of Calvary.

He took away the sin of the world, rose from the dead, and lives and rules forever at God’s right hand.

Look to Jesus.

We rightly expect our pastors and church leaders to be examples of the faith.

When a leader falls into sin, look to Jesus.

And as you look to Jesus, repent.

We are all sinners in need of God’s forgiveness.

And as you look to Jesus, pray.

Pray for the victims of crimes, that God would restore and heal their souls.

Pray for everyone impacted by the sins of others.

Pray for the truth to be revealed.

Pray for those young or weak in the faith who will be crushed by this sort of news.

Pray for the witness of the Church.

Pray for the many faithful pastors and church leaders who are devastated by this news.

Pray for Rev. Michael Mohr.

And as you look to Jesus, beware of temptations to pride as Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:1b “Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

And finally, as you look to Jesus, listen to those around you that He loves. Hear their struggles with this issue and give them your support and encouragement.

You will always find Jesus where He has told you He would be… with His people, where two or three are gathered at church this Sunday… in His Word preached and proclaimed… and in His body and blood in the Lord’s Supper given and shed for us for the forgiveness of our sins.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. (2 Thes. 2:16-17)

Your servant in Christ,

Bishop Jeffrey Miskus

Call Returned

The Rev. Jonathan A. Torreson (Ohio District) has returned the Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of St. Mark’s, Janesville, WI.

This year's March for Life in Washington D.C. was well attended. Participants included congregation members from Immanuel, Alexandria, VA, Messiah, Princeton, NJ, and many others.

Pictured here are Pastor Chris Esget, who serves Immanuel Evangelical-Lutheran Church, and Pastor Martin Erhardt, who serves Lutheran Church of the Messiah.

The mission of the English District's Ministerial Health Commission (MHC) is "to understand the issues of concern, envision the possibilities, strategies, and available support to enhance the well-being of English District workers and their families."

Congratulations to MHC chairperson Pastor Tim Holzerland. Pastor Holzerland was recently recognized by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod with a primary ecclesiastical endorsement in Specialized Pastoral Ministry as a Fire Department Chaplain. The West Bloomfield (MI) Fire Department recognized the endorsement in a special ceremony. To receive an ecclesiastical endorsement, a person must have one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (450 hours), a letter of recommendation from the district bishop, letters of recommendation from two rostered church workers and a congregational president. Finally, there is an interview conducted by the Office of Specialized Ministry and a board meeting to determine endorsement.

We pray for God's continued blessings upon Pastor Holzerland and his work of caring for and supporting our English District church workers as part of the MHC ministry.

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

The state of the heart is of the Lord’s concern here, according to St. Paul. Let’s consider the contrast that is laid out for us in this verse. Many of us likely grew up with the King James Version which says “to not give grudgingly or of necessity”—a characterization which might bring up the contrast in this way: what is the difference between a donation and a gift?

Often a donation—especially one which has been asked for over the phone or at the front door unexpectedly—might be given grudgingly out of a sense of guilt or obligation. Let’s contrast that with a gift. What is the state of the heart when giving a gift to a loved one? A desire to be pleasing to the receiver of the gift, perhaps even an extra level of planning and preparation for the gift, coming from your love for the recipient.

1-1-1 Dollar for Missions contributions have always been meant to come from the heart of a giver, not a donor. Because ultimately, we know that the receiver is the Giver, and the giver is merely giving back from what has first been received. We know from reading James 1:17. “Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows.”

More Scripture and messages for Mission 1-1-1 are available on the district website. 

We pray for the family of Albert Amling Sr., father of English District staff member Albert Amling, who was called to his eternal rest.

We pray for the family of Norman W. Schumm, father of English District staff member Kathy Stanis, who entered eternal life.

We commend to God’s care Mrs. Janet Stechholz and family upon the death of her brother, Norman Kaminske, who is now in our Lord’s nearer presence.

We pray for the family of Stephen Gierak, father of English District staff member Peggy Oke, who was called to his eternal rest.

District daily prayers for February 2026 are located on our website.

Your prayer concerns are important to the English District. If you have a prayer request you would like shared in this newsletter, email the district office.

Pastor Jeffrey and Deaconess Gina Teeple serve the Lord through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) as missionaries in Germany. Read their most recent newsletter here.

The Teeples invite you to join them on their journey! Click here to sign up to receive their newsletter.

Congregations of the Synod, to enable the Synod to plan current and future ministry efforts and to lend accuracy and integrity to the Synod’s delegate representation and voting processes, agree to provide annual membership and statistical information to the Synod. (Synod Bylaw 1.3.4.3)

An email was distributed during the week of January 19th requesting your congregation’s end-of-year statistics and an updated roster of lay leaders. Reference that email for further information. The submission deadline is Saturday, February 28, 2026. To upload, review, or update this information—including service times—please visit lc.lcms.org.

Thank you in advance for providing this valuable information. Should you require assistance or have any questions, email Rosters & Statistics at LCMS or call (314)996-1366).

Contact John Hoover, LCEF District Vice President, by email or phone 314-276-3370 for more information.

Contact Ron Grimm, English District Gift Planning Counselor, 412-584-7039 or visit www.LCMSFoundation.org.

For more information, please contact our Operations Department at 314-394-2790.

Peace, Palm Desert, CA

Peace Lutheran Church of the Desert's very own Linda Kieft rode the Lutheran Hour Ministries Float at the recent Rose Bowl Parade. Linda and her husband Jim have been involved in the parade for decades, and this was a high honor for her to ride on the float this year.

Celebration, St. John's, FL

Pastor Santiago Keinbaum, members of Celebration Lutheran Church, and guests recently gathered for a bonfire and shared a really meaningful evening. There were good conversations as they enjoyed each other’s company. With food, laughter, and warmth, it was a simple but special time of fellowship that reminded them of the joy of being together as a church family.

West Portal, San Francisco, CA

Pastor Curtis Binz's retirement party took place in the Fellowship Hall of West Portal Lutheran Church recently, just after he gave his last official sermon as their beloved senior pastor! Members expressed how blessed they are that Pastor Binz served the congregation for nine dedicated years. We join the congregation in asking that our heavenly Father bless his retirement!

Hales Corners, Hales Corners, WI

Mr. Austin Thur was recently commissioned and installed as a teacher at Hales Corners Lutheran Church. Pastor Leon Jameson officiated.

Mount Olive, Tucson, AZ

Crosspoint, Sahuarita, AZ

Mount Olive Lutheran Church recently joined with Crosspoint Lutheran Church for a lock-in. Twenty-four children came together with their pastors to hear God's word, participate in a service project, and have lots of fun as brothers and sisters in Christ.

This week has been National Lutheran Schools Week for many. We'd love to share photos and stories about how you celebrated. Email photos for consideration.

Immanuel, Orange, CA

Kristine Rohm, Director of Immanuel Lutheran Preschool, is shown here (center) ringing handbells at worship. Pastor Robb Ring of Immanuel Lutheran Church greets members and visitors after worship.

St. Paul's, Long Beach, CA

Rachel Peterson, Program Director of St. Paul's Lutheran Preschool stands in the school's "almost complete" new playground!



Members of the LWML English District Greater Detroit Zone will be hosting a Valentine's Day brunch with a Bible study led by Bishop Miskus at Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church.

Email Janet Stechholz or call 734-464-2810 to

reserve your seat by Monday, February 9th.

Tree of Life Lutheran Church has kneelers available for church use. The two long kneelers are 12' long and 2' wide; the corner kneelers are 4' long and 2' wide. Interested congregations will have to arrange for shipping or pickup.

If interested, please email.

ENGLISH DISTRICT LCMS

248-476-0039

info@englishdistrict.org

www.englishdistrict.org

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