Engaging Truth

Rev. Joshua LeBorious, Sr. Pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Friendswood, TX, is an expert on “relational ministry”. If this term is new to you, I encourage you to listen to the Engaging Truth program featuring Pastor Laborious as he explains how Jesus’ ministry was relational and encourages us to follow Jesus’ way of offering ministry. Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel hosts.

Explaining an aspect of Jesus that he appreciates so much is the Rev. Scott Heitshusen. Scott is the pastor of LifeBridge Community Church in Sealy, Texas (https://www.lifebridgesealy.com/). Hosting today’s conversation is Pastor John Cain.

One day from the pulpit at Joy Lutheran Church in Summerwood, Pastor Trey Sansom told his congregation, "Jesus is even better at forgiving than we are at sinning." One of his parishoners was so moved by the message that he committed to printing it on t-shirts to be given away. Pastor Sansom joins host Bill Prewitt to discuss both the message and the movement on this week's episode of "Engaging Truth."

Pastor Robert Bailey has served in very large churches and most recently started a church between Houston and Galveston. With no permanent church building, Pastor Bailey has learned to be very creative. For example, the “Questions and Pints” gathering engages new people in spiritual conversations while enjoying a beverage. Pastor Bailey has also connected with the community he serves while serving as a chaplain for the local police department. As a second career pastor, Pastor Bailey brings a fresh perspective to the work of the Lord. Tune in and learn how the risen Christ is at work today.

Late last year Rev. Matthew Brackman, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Texas City, took on a new role as a dual-congregation pastor also serving Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Houston. Join host Bill Prewitt as they discuss the challenges of being the spiritual leader of two congregations.

Join us for an insightful interview with LCMS Texas District President Jon Braunersreuther as he shares the latest updates on district ministries, exciting progress in church planting initiatives reaching new communities, practical ideas for congregational renewal and revitalization, and the current landscape of pastoral formation amid growing needs.Anchoring it all in timeless hope, he'll reflect on the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection—proof of victory over death and the foundation of our faith. Pastor Josh Knippa hosts.

When eternal God was born into a human body that first Christmas (the Incarnation), the Word of God through whom all creation came into being, also became flesh. But why did He do it? God did it to personally deliver the divine blessings of forgiveness, eternal life and ultimately renewal. Understanding the Bible in the way that is “true to the original” is teaching Scripture as it was understood by the apostles and transmitted to the early church. This is an incredibly important aspect of our Christianity and one that was shared by Athanasius (c. 296-373) as his “rule of faith.” Sharing these thoughts about the blessings Jesus has for us is the Rev. Doyle Theimer. He is the Associate Pastor for Mission Development with Christ the King Lutheran Church, Kingwood, Texas (Christ4u.net). Pastor John Cain hosts.

Who is Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas, Easter, and all year-round? From the creation of the universe through Him, to His birth into human flesh that first Christmas, to the end of time, Jesus is eternal God and has earned our place with Him for eternity. Talking about the creation and Jesus’ incarnation into human flesh is the Rev. Brad Jurischk. He is the Senior Pastor of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, in NW Houston, Texas (www.STLHouston.org). Pastor John Cain hosts.

Christmas is coming and Pastor Jeff Doria, the Senior Pastor at St. Paul in Thorndale, Texas, assists us in preparing for the joy of Christ's birth. Starting with John 1, Pastor Doria guides the audience through various ways they may prepare for Christmas at home, at school, in the youth group, and in the sanctuary. Along the way, participants learn about the church year, the season of Advent, and the "fleshiness" of the Christian faith as found in God-made-flesh in Jesus. In addition, Pastor Doria leads us in differentiating between fun, fictional Christmas-y stories and the most real, reality of all found in the Messiah, the Savior, Jesus, the Christ. The reality of salvation from sin, death, and the devil is emphasized as the Apostle John's other writings (for example, Revelation 12) are contrasted with the vague "spirituality" that often supplants the true (Holy) Spirit of Christmas. Finally, Pastor Doria, a trained fine artist, describes several ways one may express the Christmas Gospel while using various artistic methods. Please know you are invited to join the Engaging Truth broadcast team as we prepare to celebrate the love of God in Christ this Christmas. Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel hosts.

What does it mean that Jesus was born at Christmas? It means that the Eternal God chose to be born into human flesh to help us, entering our world at that one point in history to begin our restoration. Setting aside the glories of Heaven, Jesus was born to rescue us from sin, death and the devil. By His sinless death on the cross, and resurrection back to life again, Jesus earned our exemption from God the Father’s judgment on human sin and our ultimate place with Jesus in eternity. Today’s guest is the Rev. Michael Meissner, who will talk about Jesus' incarnation into human flesh and who also serves as Jesus showed and calls us to live. He is pastor of LifeBridge Church (lifebridgecypress.org) and the Executive Director of Abba’s House ministry to refugees, both of Cypress, Texas. (abbashousetexas.com) Host is Pastor John Cain.

Pastor Stephen DeMik spent several years in the Cypress, Texas, area serving as an Associate Pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, then to launching Cypress Chapel in a local pub, while also joining the U.S. Navy Reserves as a military chaplain. Pastor Demik currently serves as co-pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Lubbock. Join us as we hear of Pastor DeMik's interesting and varied career serving the people of God. Bill Prewitt hosts.

God is all-knowing, but we have our limits. God has partially revealed Himself to us through His Word (the Bible). We know that Christians live under His forgiveness, earned by Jesus. But, what can we know about His plan for the Church on earth, its structure and its pastors? The Rev. Dr. John Davis is First Vice President of the Texas District, in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (txlcms.org); and he is the senior pastor of Memorial Lutheran Church of Katy, Texas (mlckaty.com). In a wide-ranging interview, he talks about God's omniscient (all-knowing) nature, and how the Good News of our complete forgiveness is made known in the Bible. Some things remain a mystery to us, but the Church and its pastors have been established by God to share His saving faith with people. Pastor John Cain hosts.

Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel shares his extensive research on the anniversary of the Nicene Creed turning 1700 years old this year. In 325 AD, Emperor Constantine called together a universal church council in order to unify the whole church around the biblical truth about the person of Jesus Christ. While the theology stated in this Creed is currently confessed by billions of souls, this interview focuses on the leadership God raised up as the church united around the identity of Jesus Christ. May the one, holy, Christian, and apostolic church continue to be so led. Pastor Joshua Knippa hosts.

In 1906, the American journalist Alfred Henry Lewis stated, "There are only nine meals between mankind and anarchy." In this season of Thanksgiving, we don’t always recognize the many things we have to be thankful for, even for the safety of our food and the wide availability of products on store shelves. Today we are talking with Gary Huddleston, a Christian executive, chair for the board of a Dallas Christian radio station, who had a forty-five-year career with Kroger Corporation as a store manager. In this position he was also involved in labor relations, human resources management, public relations, charitable giving, governmental relations, and consumer affairs. Pastor John Cain hosts.

Why does the church need pastors? How does the church prepare pastors? In the Bible, the office of shepherd, or pastor, is not only described, but is prescribed for the church. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Boyle (Ph.D., University of Michigan), the Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, introduces the listeners to what the pastoral office is and how pastoral formation is undertaken in the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod. Professor Boyle connects the family life of the pastor with the pastoral calling to shepherd souls. In addition to learning about how English- speaking pastors are formed for their vocation, Professor Boyle also shares how pastors from various language groups (i.e., Spanish, German) are prepared to serve in the Office of the Holy Ministry. In conclusion, Professor Boyle specifies how a person who feels called to serve as a pastor, or a deaconess, or a professional church worker, may receive help, support, and prayer, as he/she explores his/her calling. Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel hosts.

Sola scriptura, sola gratia and sola fide, that is, scripture alone, by grace alone, through faith alone. Join host Pastor David Schultz as he welcomes the Rev. Dr. Laurence White to the Engaging Truth microphone to offer comment on the basis of Luther's efforts to reform the church.

Modern day sexual morals (or lack thereof) are vigorously debated inside and outside the church today. God selected a wife for the prophet Hosea. Her name was Gomer. Gomer’s sexual expression would fit in well with today’s hyper-sexual culture. Yet, despite Gomer’s numerous flings, Hosea repeatedly received her back as his wife. In this interview, Professor Kevin Golden, Concordia Seminary, explains the marital dynamics between Hosea and Gomer and how this unusual marital union came to communicate God’s great love for all sinful people. With Dr. Golden as an expert guide, this Old Testament prophet speaks powerfully to our modern world concerns. Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel hosts.

Interested in missions? Then this interview is for you. Lutheran Women in Mission, also known as the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), is a leader in the world-wide mission to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sally Krueger serves in part of this mission field as the President of the Texas District chapter of LWML. Listeners will learn how the risen and reigning Christ miraculously turns pocket change into millions of dollars of effective evangelism ministry. In addition to supporting worldwide missions, the women of the LWML also lead outreach efforts in the mission field where they live, work, and worship. This interview is not about the theory of mission work; rather, President Krueger, and her coworkers in Christ, are delivering incarnational ministry that affects the body, soul, mind, and spirit of real people in these modern days. Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel hosts.

Faith draws us to eternity, while rehabilitation is one of its fruits today. . . A wonderful benefit to every citizen is that true moral rehabilitation is happening in many prisons. Real rehabilitation is happening with inmates, prior to their release, all working to keep us safer. One couple, Grove and Dr. Brenna Norwood, have made it their lives' work to help establish and raise support for two accredited Colleges, awarding the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Applied Ministry. As a result of this education, trained inmates have become ministers to their fellow incarcerated in 55 prisons, while more will graduate soon. Listen as the Norwoods tell us about the educational progress of the Heart of Texas Foundation College of Ministry (hotfcom.org). Pastor John Cain hosts.

Faith draws us to eternity, while rehabilitation is one of its fruits today. . . A wonderful benefit to every citizen is that of true moral rehabilitation is happening in many prisons. Real rehabilitation is happening with inmates, prior to their release, all working to keep us safer. One couple, Grove and Dr. Brenna Norwood, have made it their lives' work to help establish and raise support for two accredited Colleges, awarding the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Applied Ministry. As a result of this education, trained inmates have become ministers to their fellow incarcerated in 55 prisons, while more will graduate soon. Listen as the Norwoods tell us about the educational progress of the Heart of Texas Foundation College of Ministry (hotfcom.org). Pastor John Cain hosts.