wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Missions sets up Web site for 'Ablaze!'

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	August 27, 2004 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 64

	World Mission sets up Web site to track 'Ablaze!'

	LCMS World Mission has set up a new Web site to track "Ablaze!"
activities worldwide. The Web site -- www.lcmsworldmission.org/ablaze
<http://www.lcmsworldmission.org/ablaze>  -- is designed to record the
number of people with whom LCMS and partner church members have shared
the Gospel of Christ, and the ways in which they are sharing their faith
with others.

	The site also offers resources for taking part in "Ablaze!," and
provides answers to "frequently asked questions" about the initiative.

	"Ablaze!" is a vision of LCMS World Mission to share the Gospel
with 100 million people "unreached by the Gospel or uncommitted to
Christ" by 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

	Leaders of the Synod's 29 partner/sister churches in other
countries have been invited to participate, along with virtually every
LCMS entity in North America, including districts, schools, recognized
service organizations, auxiliaries and mission societies.

	While many Synod members are excited about "Ablaze!," its goal
of reaching 100 million people has been called "impossible" and
"unrealistic" by others, acknowledged LCMS World Mission Executive
Director Robert Roegner. He says he has fielded "a lot of questions
about how we will count" 100 million witnessing opportunities.

	That's the beauty of the Web site, he says. There, visitors can
report the number of times they have shared their faith with others --
545, at this writing -- and how they did it. Several witnessing stories
already have been posted on the site, and they range from simple
one-on-one sharing to organized group events.

	"Personal witness to an awning salesman who has dropped away
from the Roman Catholic Church," reads one from Kansas City, Mo. "I
shared the importance of letting Christ be the focus of our lives."

	Another describes a six-week day camp for 30 Bosnian immigrants
in St. Louis. "People Reached: 30."

	Another, from Jacksonville, Fla., says simply, "I shared the
Gospel with someone who is struggling to know God."

	Every Gospel witness is precious, says Roegner, who is asking
every LCMS member to take part in "Ablaze!" and to share their
experiences on the Web site as a resource and encouragement for others.

	In September, LCMS World Mission is mailing to the Synod's 6,142
congregations an "Ablaze!" reporting form that may be reproduced and
distributed to those who do not have Internet access so that they, too,
may share their activities. The completed form may be mailed or faxed to
LCMS World Mission, Roegner said.

	The system is set up to record the number of people "presented
with a clear Gospel message and [who] were given an opportunity to
respond," according to Roegner. That "response" can include accepting
the message, rejecting it, or asking for more information, he said.

	In other words, if a congregation distributes 1,000 fliers to
its community, the 1,000 fliers would not count. But any inquiries that
come as a result of the fliers and open the door for the congregation to
share the Gospel personally with an unreached or uncommitted person
would count toward the 100 million goal.

	"It is the Spirit's work to create faith in the hearts and minds
of those who hear the Good News of Jesus," Roegner said. "But it is our
work, commanded by God, to share that Good News."

	A statement from LCMS World Mission titled "Why count? Why
report?" explains why those who share their faith are also being asked
to share their experiences on the Web site:

	"Their reports will remind us that our God is a living and
active God who uses the words of His people to perform that greatest
miracle of all, planting the seed of faith in the hearts and minds of
those who do not know Him," the statement reads. "Their reports will
also remind us of what we can all do and say, simply sharing what we
know of the great things God has done with the people around us.

	"They will remind us that God uses us, just as we are, to spread
His Word in the world."

	****************************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

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