The very first president of the Texas District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod was Rev. A.W. Kramer. Just recently, I met his great-granddaughter! Pastor Kramer began his ministry in Texas as a church planter, taking over mission development in Coryell City in 1890 and starting the congregation in Copperas Cove.
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On Sunday, August 18, Beautiful Savior in Austin had two guest speakers from LINC Austin. Haleh and Kevin Kersten shared information about LINC Austin, a network of churches and organizations that strives to build a strong community in the Austin area, by providing authentic relationships and holistic care for those
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Earlier this fall, all four churches of the ACTS Network came together for worship at Brazos Hall in downtown Austin. With united voice, they praised God for His plan and purpose, recognizing that both insiders and outsiders are “fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise
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Across the nation, there are hundreds of conferences delivering top-notch information and inspiration to God’s people. One such gathering was held last week in Indianapolis, Indiana, titled Denominational Investors & Loan Administrators (DILA). As their website states, this informal fellowship meets annually with a goal of maximizing the effectiveness of
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On July 13, Fortress celebrated its first baptism! Kristina, a 29-year-old Army soldier, was baptized into the faith. Raised as a Muslim and Hindu, she had not learned about the hope and peace we have in Christ. But, through a Fortress member’s neighboring and God’s work through His Word, Kristina
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“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs
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This summer, I was privileged to join more than 3,100 people in Mobile, Ala., for the national Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) 38th Biennial Convention. Here’s what I learned: A vibrant church is passionate about the mission of God. Helping to reach people with the Good News of Jesus is
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It’s not often that a lender and borrower come together to celebrate a debt paid-in-full, but that is exactly what happens when there is a ministry partnership. On September 8, 2019, members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Cedar Park, gathered to worship and rejoice a momentous accomplishment, becoming debt-free. It
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Almost one year ago, I was installed as president of the Texas District. What a joy and honor it has been to see congregations, schools, and ministries around Texas sharing the Good News of Jesus, to meet outstanding servant-leaders who care deeply about God’s precious people and their communities, and
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Sometimes things that “go without saying” actually need to be said. My responsibilities of late have required me to review some material that could be utilized by congregations and pastors to help people live financially generous lives. There is much that is good about the material, to the point that
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