“How Are They to Hear Without Someone Preaching?”
How many counties in the state of Indiana do not have an Indiana District – LCMS congregation in them? What would you guess? Do you know how many counties make up the state of Indiana? Here is a tougher question. How many counties in the state of Kentucky are included in the Indiana District – LCMS? How many of the Kentucky counties included in the Indiana District – LCMS have no Indiana District – LCMS congregation in them? The point of these questions is to spark your interest in reaching out to people who have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember, St. Paul writes, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14 ESV)
There is opportunity to start new preaching stations throughout the Indiana District – LCMS so that people who have never heard the Gospel might hear of Jesus Christ. There is money available to help a pastor start a new preaching station.
Perhaps you are wondering what a preaching station is. A preaching station is a place where the preaching and teaching of the Gospel occurs with the intention of gathering people together so that eventually a new congregation is formed. You might begin the preaching station with a catechetical Bible study first before you start a Divine Service, but ultimately the goal is to start a new congregation.
As I have stated earlier there is an opportunity to start a new preaching station in the Indiana District – LCMS. Why do I say this? Let me answer the questions I began this article by asking. There are ninety-two counties in the state of Indiana, twenty-nine of those counties have no Indiana District – LCMS congregation in them. There are thirty-seven Kentucky counties which are included in the Indiana District – LCMS. Twenty-five of those counties have no Indiana District – LCMS congregation in them. Even in counties which have Indiana District – LCMS congregations there is an opportunity for new preaching stations to be started.
If you have an interest in starting a new preaching station, give me a phone call, text, or an email. I am ready to assist you in starting a new preaching station.
Rev. Dr. Geoffrey L. Robinson
Executive for Outreach – Indiana District – LCMS
Cellphone: 260-409-4963
Email: geoff.robinson@in.lcms.org