“…that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” — 2 CORINTHIANS 1:4 ESV — Strong Faith, Fervent Love: Resources Advancing Deaconess Service in the Church and Services The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Deaconess Ministry encourages and supports deaconess formation and mercy work nationally Support for the LCMS deaconess training programs and internationally. Deaconesses are Lutheran women who are theolog- ically trained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of mercy, Liaison to the Concordia spiritual care and teaching the Christian faith. They serve domestically Deaconess Conference and internationally — in congregations and institutions that exist to care for others — laboring in the Lord’s harvest fields and using their gifts Assistance and advice to LCMS to bless and serve others and to reach out to them with the partner churches seeking to healing balm of Christ’s saving Gospel. establish the deaconess office Coordination of deaconess DEACONESS GRACE RAO, director, training with partner churches LCMS Deaconess Ministry 888-THE LCMS • [email protected] lcms.org/deaconess • cuc.edu, ctsfw.edu or csl.edu Mercy Care for All by Laura J. Seaman hen Sandra Rhein forfeited tions and ministries. They bear witness Following the example of Peter’s moth- her plans to pursue a master’s and mercy to the young, the aged, prison- er-in-law, who rose to serve immediately W degree in church music to enter ers, women, new mothers, families, the after Jesus had healed her (Matt. 8:15), the deaconess program, she had no idea sick and many others. deaconesses serve out of gratitude for how God would work through her. the mercy they have received through These theologically trained women share Christ’s saving work. God used Rhein’s theological training the Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of and passion for music to spread the Gos- mercy, spiritual care and by teaching the A deaconess is a servant of Christ and the pel throughout Kenya. At the request of Christian faith. Like the women of old, Church. In whatever capacity is needed, a the Rev. Dr. Walter Obare, bishop of the they continue to work hard, laboring in deaconess exemplifies the heart of mercy, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, the Lord’s harvest fields. caring for people in need and reaching Rhein and a team of scholars and theo- out to them with God’s Word of life. W logians helped bring about a “Lutheran “We stand by Scripture and our Con- hymnal with a Kenyan [African] touch.” fessions,” said Deaconess Grace Rao, director of LCMS Deaconess Ministry. “Music combined with God’s Word,” said “Deaconess Ministry is centered on A History of Deaconess Rhein, “has the power to carry His Word serving the church through education Ministry in the LCMS deep into our souls, and bring comfort, and mercy, and we point to the pastor strength and encouragement.” for Word and Sacrament.” 1919 First LCMS deaconesses “Deaconess Ministry is centered Rao carries that message as she works to 1979 First LCMS deaconess on serving the church through assist, advise, facilitate and coordinate training program deaconess training with LCMS partner established at what education and mercy, and we churches around the world. Luther- is today Concordia point to the pastor for Word an women in Kenya, Liberia, Latvia, University Chicago and Sacrament.” Philippines, South Africa, India, Latin America, Russia and many other places 1989 Synod in convention adds Rhein is one of nearly 200 deaconesses receive theological and practical deacon- Synod-trained deaconesses in the LCMS today. They serve in mission ess training through the efforts of our to roster of church workers fields, parishes, schools, mercy institu- Deaconess Ministry office. 2001 Synod in convention approves deaconess training at LCMS seminaries 2002 Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, launches deaconess program 2003 Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, launches deaconess program Deaconess Intern Caitlin Worden helps children sing during chapel at Castillo Fuerte in La Victoria, Peru. .