Welcome to “Go!” a blog dedicated to encouraging God’s people to participate in Christ’s mission of seeking and saving the lost. When you visit “Go!” you will hear and see stories of God’s people as they “Go!” You will be directed to websites and other resources that will help you “Go!” Quotes from books, sermons, and academic papers will provide you with biblical and missiological foundations as you “Go!”
Although the administrator of “Go!” is an ordained pastor of Lutheran Church — Canada, this blog will embrace the “universal church.” There is so much God’s people have to learn from one another and to share with one another as we “Go!”
The administrator of “Go!” is Glenn Schaeffer. Glenn is the Bishop/District President for the Alberta-British Columbia District (ABC) of Lutheran Church — Canada (LCC). Prior to his service as a regional bishop, Glenn served for ten years as a mission/outreach consultant/coach to 127 congregations and to church workers in the ABC District. Glenn’s first call, in 1987, was to serve as a missionary pastor in Cobourg, Ontario. His next experience as a missionary/pastor was in Barrie, Ontario where he pastored a congregation and planted a new church (with a child care center). Glenn has a M.Div. and PhD (in missiology) from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne and is privileged to serve as a sessional instructor at Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton).
Dear Director,
Am a pastor, ministering to a Deaf congregation in Nairobi the capital of Kenya. The average attendance is ninety five (95) Deaf members in any given Sunday. Our Deaf Church is eight years old and has been supported by sponsors and well wishers.
Most of our Deaf members are either unemployed or underemployed. As such they lack enough financial capacity to fully support all Deaf Church expenses. The current sponsor does not appear very keen to see spiritually growth and Deaf independence. Our Deaf leaders lack training , seminars, etc and this is one reason we feel has contributed to our slow growth and stagnation.
After lots of prayer and soul searching we decided to reach out to your organization with the aim of forming a partnership. We believe this would give the much needed all round support required for our Deaf congregation to realise its full potential.
There is room for growth and expansion especially due to the high number of unreached Deaf people in Nairobi slums.
Please kindly contact us for more details. We look forward for the betterment of Deaf lives and the spreading God’s love through the Gospel.
Thanking you sincerely,
Deaf Pastor Charles Odira
Harvest Mission Deaf Church
PO BOX 28125
Nairobi, Kenya
Greetings Pastor Charles,
Thank you for contacting “Go!” Lutheran Church — Canada is involved in international outreach efforts. International outreach efforts are supervised by the Missions Executive of Lutheran Church — Canada. You can reach him and share your need via email at: missions@lutheranchurch.ca. May the Lord continue to bless your work as you share God’s Word with the deaf community in Nairobi.
May you have a faith-enriching Holy Week as you focus your heart and mind on the death and resurrection of our Saviour.
Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer
1 Timothy 6:12
Dear Mr. Schaeffer,
I am trying to find Luther’s message for modern mission. Please send me Montgomery’s study of Luther’s Missiology.
In Christian Service,
Steven Paas PhD
Hi Steven, I am not able to send you Montgomery’s study of Luther’s missiology but his book (with a chapter devoted to Luther’s missiology is available through the library at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta. His book is called, In Defense of Martin Luther: Essays Milwaukee, Northwestern Pub. House [1970]. Here is a link to the library book: http://concordia.worldcat.org/title/in-defense-of-martin-luther-essays/oclc/98758&referer=brief_results.
Hi! My husband and I are missionaries in Trinidad West Indies. I LOVE your post about taking VBS to a local park. That’s exactly what we are going to do this “summer” here. Do you have any suggestions or leads for VBS curriculum resources that cater to an outside VBS? Thank you in advance! Blessings!
Hi Carla, Thank you for sharing your enthusiastic affirmation of the post about taking VBS to a local park. I pray the Lord’s Spirit will open the hearts and minds of all who participate in your VBS to the unconditional love of our Saviour, Jesus Christ! I am not familiar with a VBS curriculum that caters to an outside VBS, but I will look into it. If you find one, please share it with me and I will post it on “Go!”