The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

What happens when a family relocates from Germany to study at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis? Stephen Guzik (seminarian at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) and Stephanie Guzik (Support Coordinator, LCMS Office of National Mission) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about where they each grew up and how they met, how they ended up in Germany together, Stephen's journey into the Lutheran church in Germany, how he was formed along the way at Kaiserslautern Evangelical Lutheran Church and encouraged to consider a pastoral vocation, their discernment process and decision to come to St. Louis, how their transition has been going, Stephen's first year of seminary, and what they're looking forward to in this journey.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How can pastors, church workers, and congregational leaders be encouraged as they are called upon to encourage and care for the souls of their congregations? The Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan (President of the Missouri District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his 2025-published book Faithful, Hopeful, and Bold: Encouragement for the Church available from Concordia Publishing House, including the personal challenge he's faced over the last year and how he has been recovering, the inspiration to write this book for congregational leaders, challenges and accomplishments in the writing process, how he imagines groups will use the book, the personal stories he incorporated into the book, and how church leaders may be encouraged as they read and discuss each lesson. Find Faithful, Hopeful, and Bold: Encouragement for the Church at cph.org/faithful-hopeful-and-bold-encouragement-for-the-church.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

This time we go to the west side of Iowa to continue our conversation with the Council of Presidents! The Rev. Paul Egger (President, Iowa District West of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his upbringing in Iowa, his path through schooling and into pastoral ministry, the congregations he’s served along the way and how his experiences there shaped him into the pastor he is today, what makes Iowa District West a unique place, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS.Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Have you ever considered learning New Testament Greek? Concordia Seminary has an opportunity for exactly this! The Rev. Dr. John Genter (Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his own experience learning New Testament (Koine) Greek, the difference learning Greek has made for him in studying God’s Word, the upcoming online Fall Greek language course at Concordia Seminary, how the class is structured, and who it's for. Learn more at csl.edu/2026/05/registration-opens-for-2026-fall-online-greek-course.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We’re wrapping up Sharathon 2026 and also celebrating the work done through the By the Way program over the years! In this episode, we are highlighting this wonderful partnership. Joanie Harwell (former KFUO team member and member of the By the Way Board) and Jeanne Grone (member of the By the Way Board) join Sarah to talk about the work of By The Way, how they saw the work of the Rev. Dr. Paul Devantier positively impact the lives of listeners, how KFUO has been a partner to By The Way over the years, and the incredible ways By The Way is celebrating this partnership as their chapter closes. By the Way's website, bythewaytoday.org, will be available through September 1, 2026.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

God’s Word plainly teaches, “The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12). And so, we do not discard the Law, which is a holy gift from God. However, Lutherans have sometimes debated that Law’s applications. In the 16th century, Lutheran theologians debated the question, “How many uses of God’s Law are there?” While there is but one Law of God, He uses it in various ways, depending on the person to whom it is applied. Theologians attempted to catalogue these uses. Some disputes over numbering and terminology amounted to misunderstandings, but there were substantive disagreements as well, mainly involving the third use of the Law (the Law as a guide for Christian life). In response to these debates, the Formula identified three proper uses of God’s holy Law. This study will explore the biblical basis for these three uses.Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the first “Searching Scripture” feature in the June/July 2026 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “Article VI: The Third Use of God’s Law” on Article VI in the Formula of Concord. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Following the Formula” and will walk through the Formula of Concord in the Augsburg Confession. Follow along every month!This year, “Searching Scripture” is walking through the Formula of Concord (FC) from our Lutheran Confessions, exploring the biblical foundations for each topic. Before starting this study, it may be helpful to read FC Ep VI on the third use of the Law (p. 485–486) in Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, CPH 2005). Or follow along with the full Formula of Concord monthly reading plan at witness.lcms.org/reading-plan.Listen to the Coffee Hour episode with Rev. Brady Finnern on Article V at kfuo.org/2025/06/02/coffee-hour-060225-third-use-of-the-law-the-lords-supper-in-the-formula-of-concord, and find correlating Concord Matters episodes at kfuo.org/formulaofconcord.Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness.Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We celebrate the two recipients of the merit-based Regents' Scholarship at Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne! Recipient Robert Finch (2026 graduate of Concordia University, St. Paul) and recipient Evan Magness (2026 graduate of Concordia University, Chicago) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about why they chose to study at their respective universities, their experiences at their universities and their formation into future church workers, how they feel their university educations prepared them for their next chapter at Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, what kind of impact this scholarship makes for each of them, and what they're looking forward to at CTSFW this fall. Learn more about the Regents' Scholarship at ctsfw.edu/?scholarship=scholarship-mdiv-the-regents-scholarship.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How can congregations make physician assisted suicide an unthinkable option for those who are suffering? Benjamin Parviz (Philosopher and Bioethicist at St. Louis University and undergraduate instructor) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why this topic is so important for him, what physician assisted suicide is and how it differs from removing someone from life support, how we got to where we are with physician assisted suicide in the United States, and the Christian response that makes physician assisted suicide "unthinkable" as we love our neighbors in our church communities. Read Benjamin's article at cbhd.org/intersections/making-physician-assisted-suicide-unthinkable.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We go Mid-South today to continue our conversation with the Council of Presidents! The Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola (President, Mid-South District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his interesting childhood and how that influenced his vocational path, his path to pastoral ministry, the congregations he’s served along the way and how his experiences there shaped him into the pastor he is today, where the Mid-South District is and the people in it, and why President Paavola loves being a pastor in the LCMS.Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How does a retreat discussing Lutheran political theology, the doctrine of two kingdoms, vocation, and the limits of politics shape future church workers? Dr. Rachel Ferguson (Professor of Business Ethics & Assistant Dean of the College of Business/Director of the Free Enterprise Center, Concordia University Chicago), Jonah Witte (rising sophomore at Concordia University Chicago pursuing dual certification in secondary education–biology and Director of Christian Education), and Grace Levitt (rising junior at Concordia University Chicago in Lutheran Teacher Education, studying secondary education social sciences) join Andy and Sarah to talk about how Dr. Ferguson created the idea for this invitation-only retreat at the Kirk Center, what she hoped students would gain from the discussion-based format, how something like this is important for Lutheran church work students, what Jonah and Grace experienced along with six other CUC students, how their experiences will shape how they approach their future vocations, and how they were challenged to think more deeply about these topics. Learn more about the Free Enterprise Center at Concordia University Chicago at cuchicago.edu/academics/centers-of-excellence/free-enterprise-center.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How will the 2026 National Offering support efforts by local congregations and ministries? The Rev. Dan Galchutt (Chief Mission Officer, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod), Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor (Managing Director, LCMS Office of National Mission) and the Rev. Andy Becker (Director of Family Ministry, LCMS Office of National Mission) join Andy and Sarah to talk about how past National Offerings have made a difference for the church, who contributes to a National Offering, what the theme "Christ is Risen! Tell the Next Generation" means for the upcoming triennium, how this offering will serve the church, the types of projects that can be supported through grants from the National Offering, and how churches can prepare to support this National Offering. Learn more at lcms.org/convention/national/offering and reporter.lcms.org/2026/2026-national-offering-tell-the-next-generation.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How are districts of the LCMS reaching potential new Lutheran teachers? Josh Swartz (Education Executive for the Missouri District of the LCMS) and Bob Ziegler (Education Executive for the Nebraska District of the LCMS) join Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about how each of them serves as Education Executive for their districts, how Lutheran education became important to them, the landscape of schools in their respective districts and how they support those schools, the ad campaign each district ran for new teachers and the success of this campaign, and what they learned about the value of Lutheran education from the ad campaign feedback.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Convention is getting closer! Where are we in the cycle, and what things are happening soon? The Rev. Dr. John Sias (Secretary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about where we are in the Overture to Resolution cycle, what will happen at Floor Committee Weekend, the types of overtures the floor committees will consider, where we are in the presidential election cycle, and everything that will happen when we gather in Phoenix in July. Find everything you need to know about convention at lcms.org/convention.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We travel to beautiful Michigan for today’s episode! The Rev. David Davis (President, Michigan District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his upbringing and and path to pastoral ministry, the congregations he's served along the way and how those experiences shaped him into the servant leader he is today, unique things about the Michigan District, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS.Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

As we approach Pentecost, how are Lutheran Bible Translators and its partners making God's Word accessible to more language communities every day? Jessica Albers (Member of the Advancement Team with Lutheran Bible Translators) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how many language communities have access to God’s Word in their language and how many are without, what Lutheran Bible Translators is doing to fill the gap, some misconceptions about how the Bible translation process works, Jessica's experience traveling to the Shekgalagari Bible dedication in Botswana— including who she met and why this experience was so impactful for her— and Lutheran Bible Translators' historic goal for Bible translation by 2033. Learn more about the work of Lutheran Bible Translators at LBT.org.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What can we learn when we study theology alongside, art, culture, literature, and history? Dr. Brendan Wolfe (Principal Editor of the St. Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology) joins Sarah to talk about how he became interested in deep theological study, the sorts of topics he enjoys studying the most, the history of St. Andrews University and how the idea for the St. Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology came about, what this encyclopaedia encompasses, what we learn when we study at the intersection of theology, art, literature, history, and culture, and how we can come to a deeper understanding of theology when we understand its connections to the other facets of our lives.Find the St. Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology at saet.ac.uk, Dr. Wolfe's Sacred Landscapes at sacredlandscapes.org, and his co-authored book Arianism Revisited at fortresspress.com/store/product/9798889833857/Arianism-Revisited.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What role do ongoing conversations play in encouraging young people to consider church work vocations? The Rev. Gregory Jans (pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Somerset, NJ) and Mark Sadlo (senior majoring in history at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the congregation where Pastor Jans serves and his path to pastoral ministry, Mark's journey to Rutgers University and who encouraged him to consider church work, the conversations that Pastor Jans and Mark have had over the years, and what both of them think motivates young people to consider church work vocations.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Why is sabbatical valuable for church workers? The Rev. Dr. Greg Walton (Grace Place Wellness, LCEF) and Rehema Kavugha (Director of Synod Relations, LCEF) join Andy and Sarah to talk about why a Sabbatical Scholarship Program is important for the church and LCEF's mission, why sabbaticals are so critical for church workers, what kinds of things church workers do on sabbatical, how a scholarship can help, what a church might do to plan for sabbatical, and the application process for the Sabbatical Scholarship Program. Learn more and apply at lcef.org/sabbaticalscholarship.This episode originally aired on May 29, 2025.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We travel to eastern Iowa for today’s episode! The Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders (President, Iowa District East of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and associate pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church – Cedar Falls, IA) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his upbringing and how it prepared him for pastoral ministry, what he loves about being district president and also an associate pastor, how serving in a congregation helps him serve as a district president, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Rev. Dr. Jon Vieker, Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of Chapel at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about a brief history of the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord, where we see these observances throughout history, how we observe Ascension today, and the Scripture and hymns for this Feast.This episode originally aired on May 18, 2023.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What is it like to serve overseas as a Regional Business Manager with the LCMS Office of International Mission? Regional Business Managers Joyce Erber (Africa Region), Stan Stigdon (Latin America and the Caribbean Region), and Sam Borgwardt (Asia Region), along with Rev. Dr. Mark Rabe, Director of Missionary Recruitment for the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy to talk about their roles as Regional Business Managers in the field, including how they serve on the field and some of the duties they have, who they get to work with, how their work supports those they serve alongside in their regions, what they've come to appreciate about the cultures in which they serve, and what makes a great candidate for service as a Regional Business Manager in the LCMS Office of International Mission. Find opportunities to serve at servenow.lcms.org.This episode originally aired on May 20, 2025.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How do Lutheran School Associations support LCMS teachers and schools? Dr. Cole Braun (executive director of The Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools - ALSS) and Dr. Tom Wrege (executive director of Lutheran Education Association - LEA) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about their individual journeys into church work careers, the organizations each of them serve, how these organizations support Lutheran educators and schools, why Lutheran education is important to each of them, and how Lutheran education is responding to the needs of families today. Learn more about ALSS at alss.org and LEA at lea.org.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What hymns bring you comfort when seeking peace? In this episode, Chaplain Brian Hamer joins Andy to explore the significance of hymns in the context of war and peace. They discuss the origins and historical contexts of three hymns: 'Silent Night', 'Now Thank We All Our God' and ‘O God, Our Help in Ages Past’. The conversation highlights how these hymns have provided comfort and hope during times of conflict, emphasizing their enduring relevance and trans-cultural nature.To view Chaplain Hamer's article, visit whatdoesthismean.org/lifted-voice--brian-hamer.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We travel to Indiana for today’s episode! The Rev. Dr. Richard Stuckwisch (President, Indiana District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his unique childhood and how that prepared him for a career in church work, why reading with his family is so important to him, how he balances life as a District President and pastor with family life, and what he loves about being a pastor in the LCMS today.Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Do you know an older adult (or someone who cares for them) experiencing loss or loneliness who could use a little encouragement? Matthew Leighty (Executive Director, Worship Anew) and Tommy Moll (Director of Content, Worship Anew) join Andy and Sarah to talk about how Worship Anew cares for people beyond broadcasting worship services. They share about the care packages available on request, the new Grief Ministry program to care for others in your life, the partnerships and volunteers that make these programs possible, and why it's important that Worship Anew cares for people beyond their flagship broadcasting program. Learn more about Grief Ministry with Worship Anew at worshipanew.org.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Luther famously said that students of the Bible need “to retain the distinction between Law and Gospel” (AE 26: 406). This became the official position of Lutherans with Article V of the Formula of Concord: “We believe, teach, and confess that the distinction between the Law and the Gospel is to be kept in the Church with great diligence” (FC Ep V 2). If we want to be distinctively Lutheran today, this distinction between Law and Gospel must retain a prominent place in our interpretation of Scripture, preaching and catechesis.This task is challenging, because the terms “Law” and “Gospel” can be used in different senses. In the Bible, both terms can be used in a wide sense to refer to God’s work and speech, but they also can be used in a narrow (proper) sense, which is what this article focuses on. Properly speaking, the Law is what God tells us to do, think, say and be, and it threatens wrath and punishment on those who break His will; the Gospel is what God by grace has done and is still doing for our salvation through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. This distinction also opens the whole Bible to us, reinforcing the proper understanding that the Old Testament is not just Law and the New Testament is not just Gospel. In fact, the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) contain Law as well as Gospel, and the Law (the Books of Moses) contains Gospel as well as Law!Rev. Carl Roth, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the May 2026 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled “Article V: Law and Gospel” on Article V in the Formula of Concord. This year, “Searching Scripture” is themed “Following the Formula” and will walk through the Formula of Concord in the Augsburg Confession. Follow along every month!This year, “Searching Scripture” is walking through the Formula of Concord (FC) from our Lutheran Confessions, exploring the biblical foundations for each topic. Before starting this study, it may be helpful to read FC Ep V on The Law and The Gospel (p. 484–485 in Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, CPH 2005). Or follow along with the full Formula of Concord monthly reading plan at witness.lcms.org/reading-plan.Listen to the Coffee Hour episode with Rev. Brady Finnern on Article V at kfuo.org/2025/05/01/coffee-hour-050125-law-gospel-in-the-formula-of-concord, and find correlating Concord Matters episodes at kfuo.org/formulaofconcord.Find online exclusives of the Lutheran Witness at witness.lcms.org and subscribe to the Lutheran Witness at cph.org

How has Set Apart to Serve become a cultural shift in the LCMS? The Rev. Dr. James Baneck (Executive Director, LCMS Office of Pastoral Education and Set Apart to Serve) joins Andy and Sarah during Sharathon 2026 to talk about the cultural shift in the LCMS surrounding church worker formation, what he's learned about the LCMS through his work with Pastoral Education and Set Apart to Serve, how people can recognize their capacity for Christian service to their neighbors, what brings him joy in his work with Set Apart to Serve, and the impact he is seeing from the Set Apart to Serve partnership with KFUO Radio. Learn more about Set Apart to Serve at lcms.org/sas.Whether you listen on the radio, online, or by podcast, KFUO Radio walks with you through Scripture, prayer, and sacred music. Sharathon is April 30 through May 2. Join us as we celebrate the Gospel work God is doing through KFUO and proclaim Christ for You. Anytime. Anywhere. Give now or pledge at KFUO.org/sharathon!Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How can podcasts support Christians as they uphold the value of all life? Stephanie Neugebauer (Manager of Mercy Resource Development, LCMS Office of National Mission, and host of Friends for Life podcast) and the Rev. Andy Becker (Director of Family Ministry, LCMS Office of National Mission, co-host of Friends for Life Podcast) join Andy and Sarah during Sharathon 2026 to talk about the topics the Friends for Life podcast covers, why these topics are important to both of them, some of their favorite topics and guests, and why now is a critical time to have a podcast addressing these topics with gospel motivation. Learn more about Friends for Life and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform at kfuo.org/friendsforlife.Whether you listen on the radio, online, or by podcast, KFUO Radio walks with you through Scripture, prayer, and sacred music. Sharathon is April 30 through May 2. Join us as we celebrate the Gospel work God is doing through KFUO and proclaim Christ for You. Anytime. Anywhere. Give now or pledge at KFUO.org/sharathon!As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How does our current age of AI affect how we create content as humans? Dr. Bernard Bull (President of Concordia University, Nebraska) joins Andy and Sarah during Sharathon 2026 to talk about how he became a content creator, what he loves about the process of writing and creating content, how AI content creation is distinctly different from human content creation, what he's learned about how AI creates content, and some insights to guide those of us who create content.Whether you listen on the radio, online, or by podcast, KFUO Radio walks with you through Scripture, prayer, and sacred music. Sharathon is April 30 through May 2. Join us as we celebrate the Gospel work God is doing through KFUO and proclaim Christ for You. Anytime. Anywhere. Give now or pledge at KFUO.org/sharathon!As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

It's Sharathon 2026, and we're having a little fun! You hear KFUO team members on air or when you call in, but today you're going to learn a little more about them. The now infamous "Lightning Round" has become a staple of Coffee Hour episodes, so each KFUO team member answers the list of rapid-fire questions about their favorite things! Even Andy and Sarah are subjected to the Lightning Round this time. Get ready to know all about the KFUO team and whether you share favorite things in common!Whether you listen on the radio, online, or by podcast, KFUO Radio walks with you through Scripture, prayer, and sacred music. Sharathon is April 30 through May 2. Join us as we celebrate the Gospel work God is doing through KFUO and proclaim Christ for You. Anytime. Anywhere. Give now or pledge at KFUO.org/sharathon!As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We head south to Florida and Georgia for today's episode! The Rev. James Rockey (President, Florida-Georgia District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about the unique things the Florida-Georgia District does, how Pastor Rockey views his leadership of this district, his experiences in seminary and ministry, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS.Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What is catechesis, and why does it matter for us in our daily lives? The Rev. Dr. Peter Bender (Senior Pastor of Peace Lutheran Church and Academy President of the Concordia Catechetical Academy (CCA) in Sussex, Wisconsin) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what catechesis is and is not, why catechesis is important for us in our daily rhythms of life, how Recognized Service Organization (RSO) status has benefitted the Concordia Catechetical Academy, how CCA's resources benefit the church at large, and the recent work that's been done to translate and distribute the Small Catechism. Learn more about Concordia Catechetical Academy at peacesussex.org/cca and lutherancatechesis.org.This episode originally aired on October 2, 2025.

What could family devotions look like for your household? The Rev. Andy Becker (Director of Family Ministry, LCMS Office of National Mission) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what family devotions can look like, why it's important for families to develop a devotional practice, some simple things to include in family devotions, how to develop a routine, and resources from LCMS Family Ministry and Concordia Publishing House. Learn more at lcms.org/family.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How do LCMS Camps help form future church workers? Bob LaCroix (Executive Director, Camp Omega, Waterville, MN) and Signe White (Executive Director, Camp Perkins, The Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho) join Andy and Sarah to talk about where they currently live and serve, who encouraged them to consider full-time church work, why summer camp is so important for their campers, how LCMS camps feed the faith and life of the campers, stories of campers who developed an interest in full-time church work through their time at camp, and encouragement for young people to attend or work at camp. Learn more about LCMS Camps at nloma.org. Find the Set Apart to Serve resource on camp ministry at files.lcms.org/dl/f/sas-considering-church-work-at-camp.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.

Why is campus ministry important for the faith of young adults today, and how can we support those leading campus ministry? Julianna Shults, DCE (Program Manager, LCMS Youth Ministry), the Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe (Director of Discipleship Ministry for the LCMS Office of National Mission), and the Rev. Sean Kilgo (pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lawrence, Kansas; coordinator of Campus Ministry, LCMS Kansas District; LCMS Stewardship Presenter) join Andy and Sarah to talk about how campus ministry is critical to the life of young adults, how LCMS U Campus Ministry is meeting their needs, some examples of what LCMS U Campus Ministry looks like today, how congregations can support those leading campus ministry, and what participants in the LCMS U Campus Ministry Staff Conference will gain this year. Learn more at lcms.org/lcmsu and LCMSU.org.The LCMS U Campus Ministry Staff Conference (Free!)Thursday, June 4, - Friday, June 5, 2026Lawrence, KansasRegistration closes May 13. Learn more at calendar.lcms.org/event/lcms-u-campus-ministry-staff-conference-2026.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We head out East for this episode (and learn what "East" actually means)! The Rev. John Pingel (President, Eastern District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about what the "Eastern" district is really East of, his experiences in seminary and various churches, how he serves today as the President of the Eastern District, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS.Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What does a Christian and academic gathering space do to benefit students at state universities? The Rev. Dr. Trevor Sutton (Senior Pastor, St. Luke in Lansing, MI; Adjunct Professor of Theology at Concordia University, Irvine) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what a Christian Study Center is, how this space intersecting Christianity and academia benefits students, what makes a Christian Study Center different from other Christian spaces around a college campus, how the idea started for a Christian Study Center at Michigan State University, why this concept is uniquely important to Pastor Sutton, and what the future holds for the Christian Study Center at Michigan State.Learn more about Christian Study Centers at cscmovement.org. For more information on the Christian Study Center at MSU, reach out to Pastor Sutton through St. Luke's website, knowingjesus.org/about-us.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We're getting ready for KFUO Sharathon 2026, April 30-May 2! Sharathon is a time of gratitude, stories, and opportunities to give, and we're previewing Sharathon first through conversations with President Matthew Harrison, and then Mary Schmidt and Doug Griebenaw.First, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison (President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about who Herman Sasse was and the state of the Lutheran Church in Germany during his lifetime, Sasse's theology and response to the political turmoil around him, Sasse's legacy today, why it matters that we steadfastly broadcast Lutheran theology and stories through KFUO Radio, and why listeners should support KFUO Radio during Sharathon.Then, Mary Schmidt (KFUO Director of Development) and the Rev. Doug Griebenaw (your afternoon music host and KFUO Mission Advocate) join Andy and Sarah to preview Sharathon 2026, including this year's ways to give, giving levels, new things happening this year, how critical listener support is to our mission, and how to participate live in Sharathon 2026.Learn more about Sharathon 2026 and give now at kfuo.org/sharathon. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What goes on behind the scenes to produce all of the Set Apart to Serve resources? Jennifer Duffy (Managing Director, Production, LCMS Communications) and Veronica Cheney (Production Specialist, LCMS Communications) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about their roles in LCMS Communications, what each of them gets to do in production, how they serve the International Center and specifically Set Apart to Serve (SAS), how SAS materials and resources are produced, their favorite resources, and their most memorable experiences in taking SAS materials to conventions and gatherings.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How are LCMS missionaries sharing the Gospel with Persian refugees in Germany? The Rev. Dr. Christian Tiews (LCMS Missionary serving in Hamburg, Germany) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about his path to the LCMS and missionary service, the community he serves in Hamburg, how this community has changed with an increase of refugees, the historical reasoning for Persians being open to the Gospel, how he serves refugees in Germany, and the incredible ways God is working in the lives of these refugees. Read more about Pastor Tiews in Lutherans Engage online at engage.lcms.org/q-a-christian-tiews-spring-2026. Follow Pastor Tiews on Facebook to read more of his daily interactions in Germany at facebook.com/christian.tiews.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We head out to the West Coast for this episode! The Rev. Michael Lange (President, California/Nevada/Hawaii District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and talk about how a Midwestern boy ends up as a pastor in California, Michael's journey to seminary, how an interest in church planting has shaped his goals for the district, interesting things about the CNH District, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS.Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How do we celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial? Dr. Russell P. Dawn (President of Concordia University, Chicago) and Dr. Wilfred McClay (chair of classical history and western civilization at Hillsdale College, presenter for CUChicago Stand Tall for Freedom Series) join Andy and Sarah to talk about Concordia Chicago's Stand Tall for Freedom Series, why it's important that we consider the topics of freedom, virtue, and civic responsibility during America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, Dr. McClay's area of research and work at Hillsdale College, what people may not know or understand about America's founding documents, and what Dr. McClay will be speaking about at the Stand Tall for Freedom event in September. More details for this specific event will be released at a later date, so stay updated on the Stand Tall for Freedom series at cuchicago.edu/events.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How is the Church across nations united in praise to God? The Rev. Dr. Ely Prieto (Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Chairman Multiethnic Symposium Committee, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) and Erika Petsch (Director of Continuing Education, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) join Andy and Sarah to talk about Concordia Seminary's Multiethnic Symposium! They discuss how this Symposium fits within the broader mission of educational events at the Seminary, this year's theme and speakers, how the church is equipped to bear witness to God’s love and faithfulness across all nations through the Symposium, and why an event like this is important in continued learning. Learn more and register at csl.edu/multiethnic.United in Praise: Multiethnic Symposium 2026May 5-6, 2026Registration closes April 20csl.edu/multiethnicAs you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What role does music play in the formation of Christians for daily living and church work? Dr. Sam Eatherton (Assistant Professor of Practical Theology, Kantor, and the Kreft Professor for Music Arts at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) and Lois Eatherton (teacher of music at St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Des Peres, Missouri, and Project Coordinator, Children in Worship Initiative, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about how both of them pursued full-time church work, why they love to teach music both in academic settings and in the home, how music plays a role in their home with their children and grandchildren, why music is essential in Christian formation, and the joys and challenges of serving the church.Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How do new ideas help monetarily support the Concordia University System? Curt Gielow (CU Ventures Executive Vice President) and the Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy (President, Concordia University System) join Andy and Sarah to talk about what CU Ventures is, where the idea began and how it serves the Concordia Universities, what the Talents Fund is and how it provides monetary support for the Concordia Universities, and how CU Ventures and the Talents Fund supports students.Reach out to Curt at [email protected] for information on the Talents Fund. Find more information at cuventures.com and talentsvcfund.com. Find information on Concordia University Scholarships at cus.edu.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We head out to Kansas in this episode! The Rev. Justin Panzer (President, Kansas District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and talk about his journey through school to seminary, how his time at Westfield House in England was especially formative for him, interesting things about the Kansas District, how his time in congregations has shaped how he leads, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS. Follow goings-on in the Kansas District at facebook.com/kslcms.Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How does online evangelism lead to real-life church planting in Puerto Rico? The Rev. James Neuendorf (LCMS missionary serving in Puerto Rico) and the Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller (Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, Austin, TX) join Andy and Sarah to talk about how Rev. Neuendorf is called to serve in Puerto Rico, how Rev. Wolfmueller's congregation in Texas is involved in this work through the Puerto Rico FORO, how Puerto Ricans have learned about Lutheran teaching from online evangelism, the new online efforts happening through mission work in Puerto Rico which lead to Word and Sacrament ministry, and how the FORO supports this work in a meaningful way.Resources in this episode:Read about this story at engage.lcms.org/puerto-rico-spring-2026. Learn more about the LCMS presence in Puerto Rico at lcmspuertorico.org.Find information about a FORO to support at international.lcms.org/foro.Learn more about all LCMS International Mission at international.lcms.org.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How has Lutheran Bible Translators made a difference for people who want to read the Bible in their own language? The Rev. Dr. Rich Rudowske (Executive Director, Lutheran Bible Translators) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the work of Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT), where LBT serves around the world, why this work is so important to him, a recent Bible dedication for the Komba people in Ghana, and a historic translation goal for LBT and partner translation organizations. Learn more about Lutheran Bible Translators at lbt.org.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We go "non-geographical" today to learn about the English District! The Rev. Jeffrey Miskus (President & Bishop, The English District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and talk about growing up in Canada and his path to seminary, how his formation led to where he is serving now, a brief history of the English District (and how there are LCMS churches in Canada), and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS.Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Concordia Universities have an exciting opportunity for Lutheran high school students! Dr. Jamie Kowalczyk (Vice President for Strategic Operations/Chief of Staff, Concordia University Chicago), Breana Winnes (Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission, Concordia University St. Paul), Aaron Roberts (Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions, Concordia University, Nebraska) and Leah Toerpe (Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Concordia University Wisconsin) join Sarah to talk about the new Direct Admission program at these four Concordia Universities, including how this helps high school students gain a direct path into a Concordia University, the advantages of this program, what makes each Concordia a special and unique place for higher education, and their advice for high school upperclassmen. Learn more about this program at cus.edu/admissions.Learn more about the Concordias:Concordia University Chicago: cuchicago.eduConcordia University St. Paul: csp.eduConcordia University, Nebraska: cune.eduConcordia University Wisconsin: cuw.eduAs you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].