Christ Is Risen! Indeed, as the largest contiguous district of the LCMS, with 164 congregations, 47 preschools, 28 elementary schools, and 2 high school across the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Texas, Arizona, and Nebraska, we pray daily for faith to move mountains as we seek to remain confession ally faithful amidst our western frontier, proclaiming to the ends of the earth, Christ Is Risen! Indeed, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. In all our visitation, a lot of discussions happen regarding both recruitment and retention of our workers. How congregations, schools, and other ministries treat and care for their current workers directly impacts the perception future workers have toward this work: Will it be a joy or a burden (Heb. 13:17)? Thus, in our walk together, we prioritize worker care so that our youth or any others led to aspire to this service may see those who labor in the harvest field going joyfully to their work and singing out the Easter proclamation, Christ Is Risen! Indeed, we have a vast amount of work to do both in the planting of new congregations and ministries as well as strengthening established ones. Strategic conversations happen on a regular basis to ensure that ministry can continue in our cities, mountain towns, and rural settings with varying levels of congregational partnerships. The Office of National Mission continues to be a huge blessing, especially as we have begun to take purposeful steps to further our mission presence in Utah, which in many ways for us is “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). As droves continue to leave Mormonism, Lord willing, we will baptize and teach them to say, Christ Is Risen!
Christ Is Risen, Indeed. Alleluia!