a ministry of Shepherd of the Hills

With this issue of the newsletter we begin a regular report featuring the outreach of our deaf brothers and sisters in Christ.

Deaf LaCrosse Lutheran Church is the “legal name” of our deaf community, although it is a ministry of Shepherd of the Hills. The deaf are now gathering at Shepherd of the Hills every Sunday from (at least) 4-6pm. Rev. John Reinke is the ordained pastor who comes monthly to lead worship and Bible study, while layman Mike Lewis convenes the group on the other Sundays. Mike has begun taking theology courses from his home with the intention of becoming a deacon. He also enjoys sitting in on our Adult Bible class on Sunday mornings! Mike is married to Theresa; they have a young son, Tyler, who often comes to our Sunday School.

Mike has recently felt the Lord’s nudging to go to various deaf social events and invite people to church. This has been quite successful, and last week seven more people came for the first time. Please continue praying for openness to the Gospel. National statistics indicate that fewer than 5% of the deaf have been reached by the Gospel.

If you would like to make a financial contribution toward deaf ministry in our area, you can now do that through your offering envelope. We have a Dedicated Account for local deaf outreach. Just be sure to write “local deaf’ on your check.