The city had been burned. The people exiled from Jerusalem, the temple, their place of worship. Years later, they return. Nehemiah returns, with King Artaxerxes' blessing, they will rebuild.
I have just read the obituary of Rev. Antti Lepisto. He lovingly and faithfully served as President of Suomi Conference, USA since 1993 (after retirement). Our primary (but, not only) mission was/is, with the help of God, to help rebuild and grow the Ingrian Lutheran Church in Russia. He had a deep love for the people and a great desire to see the Gospel proclaimed throughout the region, as well as here. At least once a year he would include in his travels, a visit with me (and other members of the Sumi Conference board) for purposes of soul care. He was about building and rebuilding the Body of Christ by sharing the Good News of the Kingdom.
As a young Pastor, Antti, served at Wainola Lutheran Church, MI. Very many things have changed over the years. Attendance dwindled down to about a dozen or so as the population of the whole area declined. The congregation felt that they needed to do something different in order to more fully proclaim the Gospel - to more fully do God's will. They are now an Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ (LCMC) congregation. I have volunteered as their interim. At least that is what they call me. I am more like a mentor as I am working with three lay men (Joe, Mike and Mark) from Wainola to train them to lead worship, preside at Communion, visit shut-ins, bury the dead.... The congregation is growing once again. The building is there. It is intact. The rebuilding of the Church that is needed there includes much soul care. Our goal is, with the help of God, to build up the Body of Christ in Wainola.
Please keep Antti's family in your prayers and say an extra prayer or two for one of his first congregation's, Wainola Lutheran Church, as they rebuild their church, their congregation, with the help of God.
I have just read the obituary of Rev. Antti Lepisto. He lovingly and faithfully served as President of Suomi Conference, USA since 1993 (after retirement). Our primary (but, not only) mission was/is, with the help of God, to help rebuild and grow the Ingrian Lutheran Church in Russia. He had a deep love for the people and a great desire to see the Gospel proclaimed throughout the region, as well as here. At least once a year he would include in his travels, a visit with me (and other members of the Sumi Conference board) for purposes of soul care. He was about building and rebuilding the Body of Christ by sharing the Good News of the Kingdom.
As a young Pastor, Antti, served at Wainola Lutheran Church, MI. Very many things have changed over the years. Attendance dwindled down to about a dozen or so as the population of the whole area declined. The congregation felt that they needed to do something different in order to more fully proclaim the Gospel - to more fully do God's will. They are now an Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ (LCMC) congregation. I have volunteered as their interim. At least that is what they call me. I am more like a mentor as I am working with three lay men (Joe, Mike and Mark) from Wainola to train them to lead worship, preside at Communion, visit shut-ins, bury the dead.... The congregation is growing once again. The building is there. It is intact. The rebuilding of the Church that is needed there includes much soul care. Our goal is, with the help of God, to build up the Body of Christ in Wainola.
Please keep Antti's family in your prayers and say an extra prayer or two for one of his first congregation's, Wainola Lutheran Church, as they rebuild their church, their congregation, with the help of God.
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