Each year one of our highlights as a District is to come together for what we call our Annual Gathering. If you’ve been before, then you know what a treat it is! LCMC Texas has Gathered each summer since it’s inception in 2009 with only one exception in 2020. On July 28-29, our District will gather for the 14th Annual Gathering at St. Paul’s, New Braunfels! I hope you will make plans to join us this year!
Our theme for the 2023 Gathering is SENT, based on Acts 1:8. As Jesus gathered with his disciples in his final moments before ascending into heaven, he sent them out saying “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” What does it look like to be sent by Jesus in 2023? What does your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and ends of the earth look like for you and your congregation as you respond in faith to Jesus’ commissioning?
We are privileged to welcome Pastor Tilaye Daba to be our keynote speaker this year. Tilaye is the Director of the Global Mission Society for the largest and fastest growing Lutheran church body in the world: Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus. He has dedicated his life to the mission of Jesus and been a leader in evangelism and theological education.
Over these past several months as my excitement and anticipation of Tilaye’s visit has been building, I have shared this recurring thought: While we are all quite aware of Lutheran missionaries from America traveling to Africa, I think it is pretty special that the American church is now welcoming an African missionary! We have so much to learn from the Ethiopians, especially when it comes to being Jesus’ witnesses in the world around us.
If you are reading this, then please know that this Gathering is for you. This isn’t a conference just for pastors or church council members. It is for someone just like you! We gather for the purpose of encouraging the whole body of Christ for the sake of his mission. We worship together around God’s Word and Sacrament; we fellowship together over good food, enjoying the company of our brothers and sisters in Christ; we are inspired by excellent, faithful communicators; we network with other pastors, churches, and ministry partners; and we learn from three of the 15 different breakouts offered. So please come gather with us!
I’d be remiss if I did not also mention the Youth Gathering and Lock-in. Middle and High School students are encouraged to come for a special Youth Gathering planned just for them. The Youth Gathering takes place concurrently and includes fun games, food, teaching time, and a mission project. Students will stay the night in the church facility, so no lodging is required.
To learn more and register, go to www.lcmctexas.org/annual-gathering. We hope to see you in New Braunfels!
