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	July 24, 2003 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 82

	Int'l LLL leaders optimistic in spite of 'significant financial
challenges'

	Leaders of the International Lutheran Laymen's League and its
media arm, Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM), told the Int'l LLL's 86th
annual convention that they remain optimistic about the future of the
Synod auxiliary in spite of decreased funding. Some 3,000 people from 30
countries attended the convention, held July 17-20 in Peoria, Ill.,
under the theme "Ripe for Harvest."

	In his "Vision of the League" address on opening day, Int'l LLL
President Alvin Waldron emphasized the need for continued outreach,
involvement and financial support to maintain the quality and reach of
programs produced by LHM.

	"As members of the Int'l LLL, we must not lose sight of what
we've been chosen to do for our church," Waldron said. "We are the
sowers of God's seeds and the laborers for His harvest. I ask you to
prayerfully consider giving a little extra to Lutheran Hour Ministries
so that our outreach efforts will bear even greater fruit."

	LHM Executive Director Rodger Hebermehl reinforced Waldron's
message of mission, challenge and optimism in his ministry progress and
status report.

	Calling the past year "a difficult one," Hebermehl said, "There
is no way to sugarcoat it. Lutheran Hour Ministries is experiencing
significant financial challenges."

	Hebermehl said he is optimistic LHM donors' situations will
improve as the economy recovers. "I am optimistic because today's
challenges are an opportunity to better position this organization in
service to the Lord," he said.

	This year's convention assumed a new name -- the LHM 2003
Outreach Expo and Convention -- and offered activities designed for
families; family-life speakers; an international "expo" featuring LHM
staff from more than 50 countries; workshops on outreach, training and
empowerment; and "servant-event" projects.

	During business sessions, convention delegates elected three
officers to two-year terms:

	* Robert Beer, Pella City, Ala., vice president, first full term
(Beer began serving in the post in 2000, finishing the term of former
vice president Alvin Waldron, who was elected Int'l LLL president);

	* Mark Dunlop, Des Peres, Mo., treasurer, second term; and

	* Michael "Mick" Onnen, Davenport, Neb., secretary, first term.

	Also elected were eight regional governors:

	* Paul Martin, Fitchburg, Mass., Region 1, second term;

	* H. Werner Essig, Starkville, Miss., Region 3, second term;

	* John "Jack" Kidwell, Bay City, Mich., Region 5, second term;

	* John Tews, Baynard, Iowa, Region 7, first term;

	* Earl "Skip" Eno, Jefferson City, Mo., Region 9, first term;

	* James Kor, Cheyenne, Wyo., Region 11, second term;

	* Paul Kratzke, Pocatello, Idaho, Region 13, second term; and

	* Edwin "Ed" Tiefenbach, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Region
15, first term.

	Closing the convention was "God's Grace in Peoria -- A
Celebration Event," which drew more than 1,000 members and clergy from
local Lutheran congregations and featured choirs, a brass ensemble and
the "Parade of Nations," a procession featuring 80 flags from the
nations served by Lutheran Hour Ministries.

	Preaching at the two-hour service was Rev. Kenneth Klaus,
speaker for LHM, whose message, "It Only Takes a Few," was based on Acts
17:6.

	"The Bible is clear -- a few people, committed to a cause, can
change the world," Klaus said. "Wonderful and wondrous things will
happen when God's people become committed to Christ's cause for change.
The fields remain ripe for the harvest, and responsibility for reaping
this season's harvest is ours."

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

	PLEASE NOTE:

	LCMSNews release No. 81 (July 18) said that the 2003 LCMS
Michigan and Indiana District conventions passed resolutions supporting
Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich. "Indiana" should have read
"Ohio."

	A list of locations where the motion picture "Luther" will be
shown is scheduled to be available Aug. 10 at the Web site
www.lutherthemovie.com <http://www.lutherthemovie.com>	. LCMSNews
release No. 78 (July 14) reported that the movie is set for release to
theaters in late September.

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

	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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