SID In Mission…

Matthew 25:34-45 reads 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Jesus’ point here is to urge his disciples to share God’s generous saving grace with all. As a District we share God’s grace, peace and mercy to all. By the workings and help of the Holy Spirit we have been given the insight, and the needs of God’s people. We walk faithfully trusting the possibilities of God’s kingdom being practiced on earth as it is in heaven. The good news is that Jesus is the light unto all the world!

Presently, our District supports prison ministry, campus ministry, the ministry of Seminario Concordia El Reformador in the Dominican Republic, and East St. Louis ministry (Unity Lutheran School and Lansdowne Community Initiative). Past and future Lutheran Witness supplements have/will highlight these opportunities to tell others about Jesus. I ask that you pray for these ministries and where you are able, support them with your time and talents.

Finally, I wanted to take a moment to offer my sincere thanks to all missionary service shown by the Southern Illinois District. For those of you who have given your time and energy to spread the Word of God; Jesus crucified died and buried and raised from the dead who lives on high, we appreciate your efforts. It is a blessing to share your experiences as witnesses to the power of the Lord with those who do not know Him as they should. To Seminario Concordia El Reformador missionaries you have taken this a step further, sacrificing the comforts and routines of your daily lives to offer the gift of Jesus Christ in another land. I applaud your determination and dedication to the mission of spreading the Word of the Lord across cultural and physical boundaries.

Thank you all for your work on behalf of the Southern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. You have opened the hearts and minds of others and set an example for your brothers and sisters in Christ.

In Christ’s service,
Rev. Dr. Willie P. Stallworth, Sr.  – Mission Board Chairman

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. Romans 1:8 (NIV)