English District of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
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Living Our Baptized Life in Christ
Galatians 2:20
| | Pictured: Pastor Jared Rudolph, Pastor Jeff Teeple, Deaconess Gina Teeple, and Bishop Jeff Miskus. | | |
Bishop Jeff Miskus presided over the installation service of Rev. Jeffrey Teeple and his wife, Deaconess Gina Teeple, as missionaries. The Teeples were called by the Board of International Mission of the LCMS to serve in Frankfurt, Germany, and the Region of Eurasia. The service took place at Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, IN, served by Pastor Jared Rudolph.
The Teeples will remain with the English District. We will be supporting their ministry with 1-1-1 Dollar for Missions funds in the coming year.
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Call Received and Accepted
The Rev. Emmanuel C. Nyema (Colloquy) has received and accepted the Divine Call to serve as Sole Pastor of Hope Community, Syracuse, NY.
| | Canadian Pastors Advent Winkel | | | Bishop Jeff Miskus participated in the recent Canadian Pastors Advent Winkel held in London, ON. Pastors and their families attended. A worship service was followed by fellowship and sharing ministry experiences while enjoying a meal at a local restaurant. | | English District Vice President's Visit | | | Rev. Rob Kieselowsky, 2nd Vice President of the English District, recently joined Concordia University System President Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Vice President Rev. Dr. Douglas Spittel, and others from the Synod for an official visitation of Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW). It was a meaningful time of learning and encouragement. Thanks be to God for the gift CUW is to the church. | | |
Expanding the Kingdom
Would you like to see God’s Kingdom grow? That’s a silly question, isn’t it? As followers of Jesus, we would all like to see His Kingdom grow. A better question is: Are you willing to do something to see God’s Kingdom grow?
While it’s true that none of us can do anything to make God’s Kingdom grow (that is the work of the Holy Spirit), there are things that we can do that contribute to the growth of the Kingdom. In the words of 1 Corinthians 3, we can “plant” and “water” as our work in God’s Kingdom growth.
Here's a fact that many people trip over: God’s Kingdom grows when congregations grow. There are two ways in which congregations grow under God’s blessing: strengthening existing congregations and planting new churches. It’s not an either/or proposition. We need to labor in both fields. There are plenty of opportunities in each of them.
One way in which you can help “plant” and “water” is by supporting the planting of new churches. The Mission Action Team is seeking kingdom-minded believers to provide guidance and support to new church starts. Those new starts can be local or can be in another part of the English District. We’ll provide training, support, and encouragement for team members. You don’t need to have church planting experience to help church planting teams in their efforts to start new churches. All you need is a desire to see God’s Kingdom grow and a willingness to do some “planting” and “watering.”
For more information, contact one of the co-chairs of the Mission Action Team: Rev. Derek Mathers or Rev. Dr. Mark Wood.
| | MinistryFocus Grants for Rostered Church Workers | | | |
Applications for church worker financial assistance in 2026 are now available. All rostered church workers of the LCMS are eligible for these grants. Since 2015, MinistryFocus has awarded more than $1.1 million in financial assistance grants to 392 LCMS church workers.
Additionally, in a partnership with LCEF and MinistryFocus through a matching fund from the Lilly Endowment, the English District is pleased to announce that applications for up to three (3) Ministry Excellence Fund grants are also now available at MinistryFocus.org for pastors and deaconesses in the district. These grants include an online financial education course from Concordia University Wisconsin in addition to a financial assistance grant. The application for all grant programs is the same and MinistryFocus will determine eligibility for the respective grants. Grant applications are due December 31st and award announcements will be made in late January 2026.
If you have any questions, please email Rev. Ken Krueger.
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We pray for those caring for elderly parents that God will provide them strength and peace.
District daily prayers for December 2025 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.
| | 1-1-1 Dollar for Missions | | | |
We read in Philippians 1:3-5, "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."
Thanksgiving is both a time and, in prayer, a practice for remembering, as it is for St. Paul in the above verses. It is also a time for us to stop, pause, and consider what God has done and is still doing. On each and every Sunday, for example, our people who are scattered in congregations in multiple states and provinces from two countries are moved to act on one common thought— to contribute $1 to 1-1-1 Dollar for Missions campaign to further the gospel. This one act shows that the partnership of which Paul speaks is still working.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
| | If your church is seeking some further encouragement or guidance regarding your 1-1-1 Dollar for Missions efforts, there is a ready source on the English District website. | | |
Through your ongoing generosity, the English District continues to share God’s message of love in sending Jesus, not to condemn but to save those who need to hear His message. We minister to those in need by clothing them, fitting them for His presence, and filling them with His Spirit in baptism. Every gift matters. Whatever God leads you to give will be a great blessing as we all work together to plant new missions and schools and to provide resources to existing ministries and church workers across the United States, Canada, and around the world.
Click here to give now.
| | Calling a Seminary Candidate/Requesting a Vicar | | | |
If your congregation is interested in extending a divine call to a seminary candidate, or plans to make application for a vicar, the call documents and vicarage applications must be received no later than Saturday, January 31, 2026. Please add this topic to your congregational voter’s meeting agenda for discussion in November or December. This will allow for the necessary paperwork to be completed in a timely manner. Calling congregations must access the Call Documents for Ordained Ministers and the Vicarage Application using a web address/URL. Please contact Kathy Stanis, Administrative Assistant, at 248-476-0039 or by email for the login information.
| | Contact John Hoover, LCEF Vice President, by email or phone 314-276-3370 for more information. | | Lutheran Federal Credit Union | | | For more information, please contact our Operations Department at 314-394-2790. | | |
Christ the King, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Pastor Solomon Spangler and the congregation of Christ the King Lutheran Church recently shared some exciting news: they officially paid off the mortgage! A mortgage burning followed worship. Pastor Emeritus Randy Boelter joined the congregation as they celebrated this accomplishment.
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Catalina, Tucson, AZ
The Life Team at Catalina Lutheran Church, served by Pastor Michael Morehouse, hosted the Sanctity of Life into Eternity end of (earthly) Life planning symposium. In addition to members of Catalina, members of Faith Lutheran Church also attended.
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Redeemer, Oakmont, PA
Pastor Adam Koontz and members of Redeemer Lutheran Church recently welcomed their newest member through the waters of Holy Baptism. We rejoice with the Beers family in their little one becoming God's child!
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Faith, Overgaard, AZ
Pastor Rodney Schmeltz and the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church recently welcomed Todd into membership by Profession of Faith. We celebrate with Todd and the congregation on this blessing!
| | Lutheran Witness Renewals | | | |
The Lutheran Witness renewal forms were mailed this week to all subscribing churches. They are due back to the district by January 29, 2026. It is not necessary to return forms if there are no changes. Subscriptions will automatically renew.
The annual subscription rate for 2026-27 will remain at $20.65 U.S. and $29.65 (U.S. funds) for Canadian addresses.
Email or call the district office at 800.755.9335 if you have any questions.
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"The Lutheran Advantage" is an e-journal of the latest news across the Concordia University System. Click here for more information or to sign up.
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Members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bethany Lutheran Church, and Grace Lutheran Church are hosting a live Nativity presentation. The “Breath of Heaven” live Nativity will take place at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 15617 Mason Road, Vermilion, OH 44089. Call Kathy at 440-225-9775 if you have any questions.
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We want to see how YOUR congregation or school is showing the love of God to those in your community and around the world.
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