North Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission

2007 Annual Synod Report

This past year has been one of many accomplishments but it has also been one that has opened up new opportunities for ministry.

At last years Synod Assembly we proudly announced that our goal to establish a Chair in Bible and Mission at Southern Seminary had become a reality. After years of hard work our goal to raise $1,000,000 was accomplished.   The endowed chair became a reality. The promise that this chair holds for the future of mission development work in the North Carolina Synod, the ELCA, and through out the world is immeasurable.   

The Professorship in Bible and Mission wasn’t the only goal accomplished. In 2005 we set a goal to raise $37,000 to support the national LMM Endowment Campaign. The NC Synod provided a $37,000 matching grant through the Michael Peeler Fund to go towards the national LMM Endowment. Once again, the Men in Mission did it! The grant has been matched and approximately $76,500 has been contributed to the national LMM.

We are called to be good stewards of what God has given us. Our Disaster Response Truck and Trailer continues to assist in Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. The NCLMM equipment is still located in Bayou La Bare, Alabama. Charlie Moeller, who heads up our disaster relief efforts, reports volunteers from NC, NY, IA, NJ, KS, MN, VA and SC have already used equipment available on the truck and trailer. The disaster relief ministry has developed into a great evangelism tool.

We continue to minister to our military personnel. At this time 4,800 copies of the devotional booklet, “Strength for Service to God and Country”, have been distributed. Again, this has been a great ministry that supports the men and women serving in the armed forces.

 

We continue to distribute the Master Builders Bible. This past year we received a $4,000 grant from the ELCA’s Division of Evangelical Outreach. The proceeds were used to purchase 217 Master Builder Bibles and 500 El Nuevo Testamento (Spanish Language New Testament), all for free distribution in evangelical outreach opportunities. The Master Builder bibles will be distributed to men’s groups through out North Carolina with the Spanish New Testaments going to any congregation or church related group with local Spanish outreach programs or that is going on a mission trip were Spanish is the primary language.  

 

Our flagship ministry, the Loan and Gift Fund, continues to thrive. New opportunities for ministry are beginning to happen with new mission congregations organizing in the next couple years.   

 

We continue to expand our ministry to young men.   The book, “Coming of Age, Exploring the Spirituality of Young Men” is now available. I encourage your congregation to get a copy of this informative book and learn new ways you can minister to the needs of young men.

 

On May 12, 1979, an Open House and Service of Blessing was held at Camp Agape, as the Walter Yount Retreat Lodge was formally dedicated to the honor and glory of God and in honor of the first Executive Director of the NCLMM, Dr Walter Yount. On June 9, 1979 at the Synod meeting the keys were formally presented to Dr. Ernest Misenheimer as a gift from the Lutheran Men of North Carolina to the North Carolina Synod. Over a 5 plus year span of time Lutheran Men raised a little over $100,000 to cover the costs of construction and over $30,000 to cover the costs of furnishings. This was truly an amazing accomplishment.

 

 Now, we have pledged $75,000 to the Camp Agape-Kure Beach Capital Campaign to cover the cost of refurbishing this retreat lodge. The Lutheran men now plan to do our share in keeping this excellent Church ministry camping, educational, and environmental program operating at a high level.

 

The 84^th annual Gathering of NCLMM was held on February 3^rd at Antioch Lutheran Church in Dallas, NC. The theme of our Gathering, “Go Tell Your Brother”, is asking the NCLMM to share God’s Word with other men and tell them about the saving love of our Lord and Savior. 

 

“Go tell your brother” has challenged us to reach out to our brothers in Christ and bring them into our fellowship, to be mentors to the younger generation of men that we come in contact with through our community activities.   Sharing our time, our beliefs, and our talents is what God expects of each of us.

 

I would like to express a special thank you to all the people and congregations across North Carolina and to Bishop Bolick and his staff for your support of men’s ministries

 

The vision of Lutheran Men in Mission is for every man to have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.  

 

Don’t forget, “go tell your brother” of the great things that Jesus has done for you.

 

Amen for Lutheran Men!

 

Don Williams