The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Rev. J.P. and Aimee Cima join Andy for an update on the Lord's work in Cambodia. Pastor Cima travels throughout Cambodia to equip and empower the leaders of the Cambodia Lutheran Church with mentorship and theological education. Aimee serves as the Mercy Manager for the Asia region, supporting other personnel serving in this region. She also works with local church partners to coordinate mercy work. The Cimas share an update on family life, post-pandemic in Cambodia including school, travel, and favorite foods. You can follow updates on the Lord's work in Cambodia and the Cima family at CimaFam.com

Rev. Bryan Roberts, joins Andy for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about transitioning from a military career to seminary to being a parish pastor. Pastor Roberts shares stories of family life in the midst of transition and pastoral formation. He also shares the stories of ministry in the lives of his congregation members that have formed him into the pastor the Lord would have him be. Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.

Sheryl Tietz, teacher and director, Jesus Our Savior Preschool, Winnebago, Nebraska joins Andy with stories of 25 years of ministry to indigenous children and their families. The preschool began at the request of the Ho-Chunk tribe in the late 1990's and has continued by God's grace to bring the Good News of Jesus to young hearts and their families. Ministry on the reservation has provided opportunities to learn the language and culture and be welcomed into the community of the Ho-Chunk tribe. You can read more about Jesus Our Savior Preschool in the Spring 2023 issue of Lutherans Engage: https://engage.lcms.org/winnebago-outreach-spring-2023/

Beth Kramer, Marketing Manager for Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy to talk about what she loves about reading, why reading is an important part of summer break for kids, how CPH is helping kids keep up reading skills and supporting their faith this summer, and how to participate in the CPH Reads program. Learn more and sign up at cph.org/cph-reads.

The Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, executive director of Lutheran Heritage Foundation joins Andy to provide an update on the recent political unrest in Sudan and South Sudan and it's impact on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan and Sudan. Sudanese are fleeing the capital city of Khartoum seeking safe refuge to the West and South. Lutheran Heritage Foundation played a key role in the development of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in South Sudan and Sudan and continues to support the church today with books in the languages of the people.

Rev. Dr. Adam Filipek, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Lidgerwood, North Dakota, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms to talk about his new book, Life in Christ: Rooted, Woven, and Grafted into God’s Story, available from Concordia Publishing House, including the state of Biblical literacy today in the wider society and within the church, what changes in us with increased Biblical literacy, what we learn about God and us in the history of key figures and events in the Old and New Testaments, and how we can use this book. Find your copy at cph.org/life-in-christ-rooted-woven-and-grafted-into-gods-story and amazon.com.

Rev. Anthony Oliphant, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, IL, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the June/July 2023 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "Receive Him in the Lord" on Philippians 2:19–3:1. This year, "Searching Scripture" will study the book of Philippians, so stay tuned each month for a new Bible study. Follow along and search Scripture with us!Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.Philippians 2:19–3:1Timothy and Epaphroditus19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy's[a] proven worth, how as a son[b] with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died[c] for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.Righteousness Through Faith in Christ3 Finally, my brothers,[d] rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.FootnotesPhilippians 2:22 Greek hisPhilippians 2:22 Greek childPhilippians 2:30 Or he drew near to the point of death; compare verse 8Philippians 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. esv.org

Rev. Sam Shick, pastor of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, Florida, a Set Apart to Serve pilot project participant, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his journey into pastoral ministry, how the Set Apart to Serve Pilot Project is going in his congregation, how he and the congregation encourage young people and adults to consider church work, how he sees these resources being useful for Synod at large, and his advice for encouraging others to consider church work vocations.Learn more about the Set Apart to Serve Initiative at lcms.org/setaparttoserve.Feature image: The Rev. James H. Rockey, president of the LCMS Florida-Georgia District (far right) prays with church workers from local congregations in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on Saturday, Oct. 01, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church, Naples, Fla. LCMS Communications/Erik M. LunsfordChrist’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Rev. Dr. John Reinke, founder of Deaf Outreach, joins Andy to talk about his path to Deaf Outreach, what the hearing community might not know or understand about the Deaf community, how American Sign Language is different from other forms of communication, who can learn ASL, what hearing congregations can do to reach our Deaf neighbors with the Good News of Jesus, and the upcoming Jesus Signs Immersion Event 2023. Learn more and register at deafoutreach.org.

Julianna Shults, Program Manager with LCMS Youth Ministry, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why it's important to develop leadership among youth in our churches, some misconceptions we might have about the capability of youth to serve as leaders, some proven ways to develop leadership among youth, how YouthLead works to develop young leaders in the church, and how to participate in YouthLead. Learn more and register at lcms.org/youth-ministry/youthlead.