Director’s Letter
Partners in the Gospel
We are made one with Christ and one another, as we strive together for the sake of the Gospel.
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:3–6)
The apostle Paul writes this to the Christians in Philippi while he is imprisoned, most likely in Rome. Though separated from his brothers and sisters in Christ, he calls them partners.
That’s what the Gospel does to the people of God. Redeemed from our sin and baptized into Christ, we are brought together into the Body of Christ. We are made one with Christ and one another, and that makes us partners in the Gospel. As partners in the Gospel, we work and strive together for the sake of the Gospel (Phil. 1:27).
The stories found in this issue of Lutherans Engage the World describe the efforts of some of your partners in the Gospel who are working to show Christ’s mercy and spread His Good News to others all around the world.
As you reflect on these stories and the mission work being done around the world, I encourage you to follow the example of the apostle Paul who, though imprisoned, gives thanks to God for the efforts of the Christians in Philippi. So, too, we are to give thanks to God for the people who have been brought together within the LCMS and for their work.
I pray that you will join me as you read this issue in saying a prayer of thanksgiving for these people and their efforts. Even as you thank God for these partners, please know that we thank God for you, your support and the work you do for the Gospel.
In Christ,
Rev. Dan Galchutt
Chief Mission Officer, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
