EVANGELISM CONFERENCEOUR SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

AVON, INDIANA | SEPTEMBER 9 & 10, 2016

COEXIST? CONFESSING CHRIST IN A CONTRARY CULTURE

An Evangelism Conference is to be held at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Avon on September 9 and 10 with the theme of “Confessing Christ in a Contrary Culture.” Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast, Jr., President of Concordia Theological Seminary, will be the keynote speaker. Rev. Hesham Shehab from Chicago will be one of the plenary speakers talking on “Reaching Out to the Muslims” and Chaplain Paul Lepley will be another plenary speaker talking about “Reaching out to the Military Families.” Several Breakout sessions will focus on:

• Confessing Christ to Veterans • Confessing Christ to Immigrants • Confessing Christ through the Best Use of Your Financials • Confessing Christ to Millenials • Confessing Christ in the Neighborhood • Confessing Christ to Muslims • Confessing Christ through Lutheran Liturgy • Confessing Christ to Senior Saints • Confessing Christ through Social Media • Confessing Christ through LASSIE Evangelism • Confessing Christ through Counseling

Two tracks of breakout sessions will be offered. In the first track you will be able to pick four different breakout sessions. You will stay on the Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and School’s campus the whole time. In the second track you will have the opportunity to actually participate in canvassing the community around Our Shepherd Lutheran Church. If you would like to have this hands on training, please register for all the breakout sessions that Rev. David Mommens is teaching.

The cost per person will be $45.00 which will include a dinner on Friday Night and Lunch on Saturday. After August 26, 2016 registration costs will be $55.00 per person. We will take registrations up to and through the day of the event.

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

EVANGELISM CONFERENCE 2016

Friday, September 9th5:00-6:00 p.m. .................................................................................................Registration6:00-7:00 p.m. .........................................................................................................Dinner 7:00-7:15 p.m. .....................................................................................................Worship7:15-8:30 p.m. .................................Keynote Address by Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast, Jr.

Saturday, September 10th8:30-9:00 a.m. ...............................................................................................Registration9:00-9:15 a.m. .....................................................................................Opening Devotion 9:15-10:00 a.m. .........................................................Plenary with Chaplain Paul Lepley10:15-11:00 a.m. ............................................................................. Breakout Session #111:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ..................................................................... Breakout Session #212:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. .............................................................................................. Lunch1:00-1:45 p.m. ................................................................................. Breakout Session #32:00-2:45 p.m. ................................................................................. Breakout Session #43:00-3:45 p.m. ...........................................................Plenary with Rev. Hesham Shehab3:45-4:00 p.m. .......................................................................................Closing Devotion

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

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BREAKOUT SESSION #1

1. Confessing Christ to Veterans – Chaplain Paul LepleyMany churches want to minister to members of the military. Service members are formed and affected by the military ethos, combat stressors, PTSD and moral injuries. This can quickly get complicated. Chaplain Paul Lepley will share his experience ministering to soldiers, homeless vets and training counselors to explore how to bring Christ to bear on the often unseen wounds of service members so that they can know God’s love and peace.

2. Confessing Christ to Immigrants – Rev. Sam Ruiz & Rev. Udhayanesan RajiAre you interested in reaching out to immigrants in your community? If so, come to this sectional. Pastors Ruiz and Raji both have extensive experience in reaching out to first generation immigrants. They are eager to help you learn how to do this in your community.

3. Confessing Christ through the Best Use of Your Financials – Steve StrauchBecome a more effective steward of the finances that God has entrusted to us. Challenging times lend themselves to refocus on Christ. You don’t need to be alone struggling with financial stewardship decisions. The Bible encourages us to seek financial wisdom and Godly counsel in order to be effective stewards of what God has provided. What help is available? What is the proper balance? How do we honor Christ through our money management?

4. Confessing Christ to Millenials – Rev. David McCleanReaching Millennials has become a “hot topic” in Christian Circles. From research that suggests that when this generation leaves the church they are “Gone” (Barna Research Group), to our own observations that this generation is “absent from our churches,” this is a significant (some say critical) challenge. While not an expert on this topic, Rev. McClean is the father of 3 very spiritually engaged millennial children, with whom he has wrestled together about the role of the church in “their world.” Together we will set forth the issues and challenges, examine some current models and present some options.

5. Confessing Christ in the Neighborhood (Canvassing Prep Part 1) – Rev. David MommensWould you like to actually go out and witness to people about Christ? Rev. David Mommens will first instruct on how to conduct door to door witnessing in the two morning sessions that he is leading. Following the morning sessions you will actually have the opportunity to go door to door in the Avon community witnessing for Christ! (PLEASE NOTE: If you register for this session, you need to register for all of Rev. Mommen’s sessions.)

6. Confessing Christ to Muslims – Rev. Hesham ShehabLearn more about Jesus Christ in the Eschatology of Sunni / Shia Muslims and ISIS.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

COEXIST? CONFESSING CHRIST IN A CONTRARY CULTURE

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EVANGELISM CONFERENCE 2016

BREAKOUT SESSION #2

1. Confessing Christ to Veterans – Chaplain Paul LepleyMany churches want to minister to members of the military. Service members are formed and affected by the military ethos, combat stressors, PTSD and moral injuries. This can quickly get complicated. Chaplain Paul Lepley will share his experience ministering to soldiers, homeless vets and training counselors to explore how to bring Christ to bear on the often unseen wounds of service members so that they can know God’s love and peace.

2. Confessing Christ through Lutheran Liturgy – Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzieCome learn how Martin Luther used the Liturgy to share the Gospel.

3. Confessing Christ to Senior Saints – Rev. Patrick GalligarThis session focuses on sharing a familiar hope with those approaching the fulfillment of His promises. As we grow older, God’s promises take on greater depth. Sometimes we develop questioning hearts. Sometimes our circumstances overwhelm our steadfast trust in God. How do we share the hope of Christ with those who are desperately in need of it? Who else is listening? Where do we point them in the Word? What should we not say? And what should we be sure not to miss? Sharing from the experience of caring for a shut-in population averaging 65 members, Pastor Galligar will lead us through some “best practices” in this area.

4. Confessing Christ through Social Media – Aimee CottleIn this sectional, learn how to approach your online presence with strategy and confidence. As we talk with pastors and church leaders, we often hear them express a fear of social media and sometimes even websites. What happens if someone comments on something in an inappropriate way? Who monitors our pages and keeps them current? Are we allowed to post pictures of people? Why would we open ourselves up to a public forum like this? How can we use our online presence to engage others? Won’t it be content overload? Are our people even there? What should we say? Behind all of these questions is usually a desire to be relevant and minister to a wider audience … but, how do you really do that? Join Aimee (an Online Engagement Strategist for Fishhook) to tackle your fears and cover 5 tips for using your website and social media as strategic tools for ministry.

5. Confessing Christ through LASSIE Evangelism – Rev. Mark WoodRev. Mark Wood, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod synodical leader in Evangelism, will train you in LASSIE Evangelism. Come to this breakout and learn how you can build a relationship with your friends, relatives, associates and neighbors so that you might witness to them of Jesus Christ!

6. Confessing Christ in the Neighborhood (Canvassing Prep Part 2) – Rev. David MommensWould you like to actually go out and witness to people about Christ? Rev. David Mommens will first instruct on how to conduct door to door witnessing in the two morning sessions that he is leading. Following the morning sessions you will actually have the opportunity to go door to door in the Avon community witnessing for Christ!

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BREAKOUT SESSION #3

1. Confessing Christ to Muslims – Rev. Hesham ShehabLearn how Christ confesses himself through visions and dreams in Islamic Communities.

2. Confessing Christ through the Best Use of Your Financials – Steve StrauchBecome a more effective steward of the finances that God has entrusted to us. Challenging times lend themselves to refocus on Christ. You don’t need to be alone struggling with financial stewardship decisions. The Bible encourages us to seek financial wisdom and Godly counsel in order to be effective stewards of what God has provided. What help is available? What is the proper balance? How do we honor Christ through our money management?

3. Confessing Christ through Social Media – Aimee CottleIn this sectional, learn how to approach your online presence with strategy and confidence. As we talk with pastors and church leaders, we often hear them express a fear of social media and sometimes even websites. What happens if someone comments on something in an inappropriate way? Who monitors our pages and keeps them current? Are we allowed to post pictures of people? Why would we open ourselves up to a public forum like this? How can we use our online presence to engage others? Won’t it be content overload? Are our people even there? What should we say? Behind all of these questions is usually a desire to be relevant and minister to a wider audience … but, how do you really do that? Join Aimee (an Online Engagement Strategist for Fishhook) to tackle your fears and cover 5 tips for using your website and social media as strategic tools for ministry.

4. Confessing Christ to Millenials – Rev. David McCleanReaching Millennials has become a “hot topic” in Christian Circles. From research that suggests that when this generation leaves the church they are “Gone” (Barna Research Group), to our own observations that this generation is “absent from our churches,” this is a significant (some say critical) challenge. While not an expert on this topic, Rev. McClean is the father of 3 very spiritually engaged millennial children, with whom he has wrestled together about the role of the church in “their world.” Together we will set forth the issues and challenges, examine some current models and present some options.

5. Confessing Christ in the Neighborhood (Canvassing Part 1) – Rev. David MommensIn this session Rev. Mommens will lead you in a time of actual door to door witnessing in the community of Avon, Indiana. So if you want hands on experience. This is the breakout track for you!

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Continued)

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BREAKOUT SESSION #4

1. Confessing Christ through Lutheran Liturgy – Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzieCome learn how Martin Luther used the Liturgy to share the Gospel.

2. Confessing Christ to Immigrants – Rev. Sam Ruiz & Rev. Udhayanesan RajiAre you interested in reaching out to immigrants in your community? If so, come to this sectional. Pastors Ruiz and Raji both have extensive experience in reaching out to first generation immigrants. They are eager to help you learn how to do this in your community.

3. Confessing Christ through Counseling – Terrie Ensley, LCSW, ACSWTerrie Ensley, professional counselor and co-founder of Cross Connections, Inc., will discuss the significance of Christ-centered counseling services. When people are hurting or searching for meaning, they are often very open to learning about the real, lasting, and unchangeable solutions we have in Christ. Unique opportunities for evangelism happen in the counseling office. Ensley will provide helpful guidelines for churches to identify and partner with faith-filled and faithful Christian counselors as referral sources.

4. Confessing Christ to Senior Saints – Rev. Patrick GalligarThis session focuses on sharing a familiar hope with those approaching the fulfillment of His promises. As we grow older, God’s promises take on greater depth. Sometimes we develop questioning hearts. Sometimes our circumstances overwhelm our steadfast trust in God. How do we share the hope of Christ with those who are desperately in need of it? Who else is listening? Where do we point them in the Word? What should we not say? And what should we be sure not to miss? Sharing from the experience of caring for a shut-in population averaging 65 members, Pastor Galligar will lead us through some “best practices” in this area.

5. Confessing Christ through LASSIE Evangelism – Rev. Mark WoodRev. Mark Wood, the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod synodical leader in Evangelism, will train you in LASSIE Evangelism. Come to this breakout and learn how you can build a relationship with your friends, relatives, associates and neighbors so that you might witness to them of Jesus Christ!

6. Confessing Christ in the Neighborhood (Canvassing Part 2) – Rev. David MommensIn this session Rev. Mommens will lead you in a time of actual door to door witnessing in the community of Avon, Indiana. So if you want hands on experience. This is the breakout track for you!

The Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr. serves as the sixteenth president of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and professor of American Christianity and American Lutheranism. Dr. Rast joined the Department of Historical Theology in the fall of 1996 after serving as pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church, Madison, Tennessee (1992-96).

He received his B.A. in Theological Languages with a minor in Theology from Concordia College (now University), River Forest, Illinois (1986), and his M.Div. (1990) and S.T.M. (1995), both with a major in Historical Theology and a minor in Systematic Theology, from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. In 2000 he received the M.A. degree and in 2003, he successfully defended his

dissertation, “Joseph A. Seiss and the Lutheran Church in America,” and earned his Ph.D. in American Church History from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.

Dr. Rast is a member of the Board of Directors for the journal Lutheran Quarterly. He is the chairman of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) on which he has served since 2006. The CTCR provides guidance and leadership in the areas of theology and church relations. This includes doctrinal issues as well as social concerns such as divorce, gender identity and immigration.

He has authored numerous articles on a wide range of topics with special interest in the growth and expansion of Lutheranism in the United States in the mid to late 19th century. He is also working on an ongoing oral history project dealing with African-American ministry in both the LCMS and the old Synodical Conference.

In addition to serving at the Seminary, Dr. Rast regularly presents at workshops, retreats and conferences around the United States. He has represented the Seminary and Synod at numerous international conferences and by teaching in Argentina, Brazil, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Russia, Germany, Sweden, the Czech Republic and elsewhere throughout the world.His professional associations include:

• Editorial Committee, Concordia Historical Quarterly (2000-2010) • President, Concordia Historical Institute, St. Louis, Missouri (2001-2007) • Board of Governors, Concordia Historical Institute, St. Louis Missouri (1995-2009) • Commission on Doctrinal Review (1998-2001) • American Society of Church History • Concordia Historical Institute • American Academy of Religion

When not teaching or traveling, Dr. Rast still enjoys the delving into history, especially from the Civil War era. He is a music enthusiast, his iPod playlist includes genres, from Classical to Bluegrass…the more obscure the better. But, perhaps his favorite pastime is all things pertaining to railroads. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of locomotives, train stations and routes. He is a long-time member of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society and models the Pennsy in HO scale from the year 1948.

The greatest joy of his life, however, comes from the time he spends with his family. He and his wife, Amy, have three children: Lawrence III, Karl and Joanna.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERSRev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast, Jr.—President

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CH (CPT) Paul Lepley was born in Grand Rapids Michigan. He joined the Army Reserves in January 2004 and attended BCT (Basic Combat Training) at FT Knox, KY to be a Command Bugler. He rebranched into the Michigan Army National Guard as a Chaplain in 2008. During his career, CH Lepley served as an Army Bandsmen, Section Leader, Designated Unit Marksmen, Squadron Chaplain, Deputy Task Force Chaplain, Installation Chaplain, Ready and Resilient Program Coordinator, and Brigade Chaplain. His deployment to Afghanistan was in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

CH Lepley has been assigned to the following units: Det 1 338th Army Band Livonia MI, 1-126 Cavalry Squadron Wyoming MI, CENTCOM Joint Taskforce Afghanistan. CH Lepley is currently assigned as the Brigade Chaplain of the 177 Military Police Brigade, Taylor, Michigan. CH Lepley’s military and civilian education includes BCT, Worrier Leadership Course, Army Combat Live Saver Course, Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Chaplain Captain Career Course, Bachelors in Music from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. CH Lepley works for the Michigan Army National Guard as the Ready and Resilient Program Coordinator providing oversight of the Resilience, Substance Abuse, and Suicide Prevention Programs. He is the Project Coordinator for Star Behavioral Health Providers at Michigan State University and develops curriculum with the Center for Deployment Psychology in Bethesda MD. CH Lepley is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor. CH Lepley was selected as Soldier of the Year 338th Army Band (2004); and selected for the Commandant’s List at Chaplain Captain Career Course (2015). His other awards and decoration include the Bronze Star, Army Achievement Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserves Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Over Seas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Michigan National Guard Broadsword Service Military Medal, Michigan National Guard War on Terror Military Medal, Michigan National Guard OCONUS Service Military Medal.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERSChaplain (CPT) Paul LepleyBrigade Chaplain, 177 MP CMD

Hesham Shehab grew up in a world of bitter animosity between Muslims and Christians, in Beirut, Lebanon, which he experienced personally in a physical attack when only about 7. By age 13, he was recruited by the Muslim Brotherhood (Lebanese Chapter) and later fought against Christians in the 1975 war there. In 1980, while Hesham was going to an American college in Beirut, Lebanon, his brother was killed by a Christian militia. Hesham’s response was to study by day, and by night take out his revenge in attacks on Christians. However, hearing the Sermon on the Mount, in a course of cultural studies (at that college), brought him to faith. Hesham found a way of forgiveness and reconciliation instead of hatred and revenge.

Later, Hesham earned an M.A. in the history of the Arabs from the American University of Beirut (AUB), and did Ph.D studies in the history of Islam. In 2001, Hesham, who worked as a journalist and adjunct professor (at AUB), met a retired Lutheran pastor, Rev. Dr. Bernie Lutz, working with the Lutheran Hour Ministry in Beirut. Dr. Lutz plugged Hesham into the LCMS. Hesham moved to the US in 2004, finished his pastoral education at Concordia, Fort Wayne, IN, and is currently in the Ph. D missiology program there.

In 2008, with the support of local LCMS churches, Hesham planted Salam Christian Fellowship, a mission to Muslims in the western suburbs, and has so far baptized 30 people from the Middle East. Salam Christian Fellowship is a faith ministry that depends on the donations of God’s people and their zeal to fulfill the Great Commission. Salam reaches out to refugees and new immigrants from eight Middle Eastern countries and shares the Gospel with Muslims in three languages. Salam converts and seekers meet at three different locations in western suburbs of Chicago. In order to support Salam and ignite the love of Christ towards Muslims in the heart of lukewarm Christians, Hesham speaks nationwide on Islam and evangelism.

Hesham was adjunct faculty at Concordia, Ann Arbor, MI, where he taught Islam. He is currently adjunct instructor of Islam at College of Dupage. Hesham is married to Mona and has four children.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERSRev. Hesham Shehab

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Registration FormName________________________________________________________________________________________

Street_________________________________________________________________________________________

City_________________________________________State_______________________Zip_______________

E-mail___________________________________________ Telephone___________________________________

Write your first and second choice for each Saturday Session:

First Choice Second Choice Session I: 10:15 to 11:00 __________ __________

Session 2: 11:15 – 12:00 __________ __________

Session 3: 1:00 – 1:45 __________ __________

Session 4: 2:00 – 2:45 __________ __________

PLEASE NOTE: If you are registering for Rev. Mommen’s sessions you will be with him for ALL sessions. Make check payable and mail to:

Indiana District-LCMS Memo line: Evangelism Conference1145 S. Barr Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802Attention: Rev. Geoffrey RobinsonQuestions: Contact Rev. Geoffrey Robinson at (260) 423-1511 x. 2207 or geoff.robinson@in.lcms.org.

EVANGELISM CONFERENCESEPTEMBER 9 & 10, 2016OUR SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCHAVON, INDIANA9201 E. County Road 100 NorthAvon, Indiana 46123

Cost: $45 per person through August 26, 2016. After August 26, registration costs will be $55 per person.

1145 South Barr Street | Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802(800) 837-1145 x. 2208 | Fax (260) 423-1514

in.lcms.org

EVANGELISM CONFERENCEOUR SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCHAVON, INDIANA | SEPTEMBER 9 & 10, 2016