Last fall I heard a Lutheran sermon on the parable of the Sower and heard the following quote, but keep in mind the context. Right before He told this parable, Jesus was proclaiming the Gospel in cities and villages. Among those with Him were women who had been affected by various situations like Mary Magdalene, who had seven demons, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s household manager. Many soils were represented upon which the seed of the Gospel had fallen.
“The image of a Sower scattering seeds with abandon—watching to see if they might take root even in the most unexpected places—is both frustrating and puzzling to anyone familiar with planting. How could someone waste seed on infertile soil, rocky ground, among thorns, or even on the path? … The seeds reach even the most unexpected hearts, places where it seems impossible for anything to grow … In the hands of our God, even in the hardest places, He sows then produces faith. Examples of this are found throughout Scriptures and in the many conversions the Church has witnessed over the centuries… The parable is not ultimately about the seeds or the soil… This parable is not about the ground—it’s about the Sower. It’s not about us—it’s about God… The productivity of the ground does not determine whether the Sower will sow… Beloved in Christ, let us take the gospel to all the soils of the world—to hard soil, rocky soil, thorny soil, and fertile soil—and sow the precious gospel of our Lord.” (Luke 8:4–15 Rev. Limberth Fernandez, Coranado, Bolivia)
The sower sows; his reckless love
Scatters abroad the goodly seed,
Intent alone that all may have
The wholesome loaves that all men need.
“Preach You the Word” LSB #586, v.3
Glenn R. Obenberger
Colloquy
The Rev. Insub “Isaac” Paik who was an ordained Korean Presbyterian pastor, has changed to being a pastor in the Lutheran Church – Korea and has been pursuing his Ph.D. in Missiology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is graduating on May 15. He has been in touch with both Rev. David Choi and Rev. David Jay Webber and would like to be associated with a Confessional Lutheran Korean church body that does not practice unionism. He requested a colloquy into the ELS has successfully completed Part 1 on May 13. He is scheduled for Part 2 on June 8.
Serving on the ELS Colloquy Committee are Pres. Obenberger, VP Smith, Pres. Hartwig, Prof. Rank (chairman of the DC), Dr. David Reagles (layman on the DC), Rev. Andrew Palmquist and Mr. Mark Madson.
Our Bethany Lutheran College
Bethany Lutheran College has announced that Mr. Steve Jaeger and the late Rev. Walter Buszin will receive the 2026 Exceptional Service to Bethany Award, presented annually by the Bethany Alumni Board to recognize faithful service that has strengthened the mission and ministry of Bethany Lutheran College and the former Bethany Lutheran High School. A 1972 Bethany graduate, Steve Jaeger served the college for nearly 30 years in leadership roles including admissions counselor, vice president of student affairs, athletic director, and coach. Known for his faithful service, steady encouragement, and genuine care for students, he also played an important role in Bethany’s transition from a two-year institution to a four-year college.
Rev. Walter Buszin was one of the foundational figures in Bethany’s early history and a passionate advocate for Lutheran sacred music. Serving at Bethany from 1929–1935, he founded and directed the Bethany Choir while also serving as interim president, dean of men, and music and religion instructor. Through his leadership, the choir became known for its musical excellence and its proclamation of the Gospel through Lutheran sacred music. Mr. Jaeger and Rev. Buszin will be formally recognized following the worship service in Trinity Chapel on Sunday, September 27, at 9 a.m. during Bethany’s Fall Festival – A Homecoming Weekend.
Assignments
On May 6, 2026 the following assignments were made:
- Candidate of Theology Peter Estrem was called to serve the Clearwater Lutheran Parish, Oklee, MN as pastor.
- Adam Hoeft, was assigned as vicar to work under the oversight of Pastor James Kassera, at Divine Mercy Lutheran Church, Weatherford, TX.
- Arthur Langhorst, was assigned as vicar to work under the oversight of Pastor Daniel Basel at Faith and Trinity, Evangelical Lutheran Churches, Hillman and Rogers City, MI.
- Graham Parsons, was assigned as vicar to work under the oversight of Pastor Matthew Luttman at Grace Lutheran Church, Vero Beach, FL.
- Noah Schleusener, was assigned as vicar to work under the oversight of Pastor Piet Van Kampen at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Madison, WI.
Convention Road Construction
Several road construction projects in the Mankato area may affect your travel for convention. Please plan ahead for the following:
- Highway 22 is closed from St. Peter to Mankato. Detour via Highway 169.
- Belgrade Avenue is closed in both directions (Veterans Memorial Bridge construction work). There is no access from Highway 169 directly up the hill to the college. Detour via Highway 14 from the north, or Riverfront Drive from the south.
- Main Street is closed in both directions for resurfacing/construction from Agency Road to Garden Boulevard (east of the college). Detour via Glenwood or Madison Avenues.
ELS Synod Report Change
This year there is a change in convention registration: printed Synod Reports are no longer automatically provided with your registration and an electronic version will be distributed. However, you can still get a printed copy if you would like to have one.
Because of this change, all delegates and pastors (including emeriti) need to register this year and in future years. Please go to els.org/convention and look for the registration links. There is one link for pastors/teachers/delegates and another link for emeriti/professors/staff.
Please contact Elsa or Myrna with questions.
ELS Youth Missionary Fund
The Hugh Brooks Mission Fund was established Rev. Matthew & Rebecca Brooks in memory of their dear son Hugh who died from heart complications before he was a year old. This wonderful memorial fund exists to assist ELS teens and college students with financial help to participate in mission projects within our fellowship. Youth leaders and/or parents of our young people are encouraged to contact to our ELS Board for Youth Outreach chairman, Josh Mayer, through their congregational pastor to learn more about how their youth might make use of these funds in kingdom work. “Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Ps. 90:17)
Upcoming Events
June 21–25 – Synod Convention
July 9–10 – Board for Home Outreach
July 23–26 – LYA Convention
View current vacancies and calls in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Download this newsletter as a bulletin insert.
