Miles Are No Obstacle to Missional Efforts
In the southwest corner of the Texas District, the towns of Kermit, Monahans, Fort Stockton, and Alpine are served by one pastor. His name is Pastor Mike Fickenscher. Pastor Fickenscher
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The Worldwide Church
I heard from my dear friends recently about life in a remote village in West Africa. I’ll keep the details confidential so I don’t endanger anyone’s life. The village is
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Why a Day of Repentance?
Martin Luther began his 95 Theses by stating: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent’ (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of
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Puppies and Potlucks for All
A few years ago, during a fourth-of-July sermon, a pastor asked the congregation we were visiting, “What would your slogan for America be?” My daughter, being a dog enthusiast, leaned
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The Avarice of Covetousness
“For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” Rom. 7:7B I feel the need to say, from
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Mystery Gift
When local churches determine to serve their surrounding communities, it’s not always clear whether their efforts are truly making a difference. So they continue to extend themselves in love, uplifted
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See the Church!
Did you know that Texas District reflects a new church demographic for the twenty-first century? While general statistics in the LCMS show a declining, aging, mono-cultural church body, God’s mission
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Blessed to Bless
After His death and resurrection, Jesus told his disciples: “Go and share the blessing given to Abraham. Don’t keep it to yourselves. It’s time to extend the Message everywhere and
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Ministry of Reconciliation: God’s Missionary Plan
It is no secret that the demographics in the State of Texas have been changing. Even the small towns are reflecting the changing nature of our communities. Moreover, our children
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Music in the Mess
Tucked away in the corner of a Chick-fil-A I visited recently was a not-so-typical accessory of a fast-food restaurant. On the way to the kids’ play area; across from the
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