On the road again! LWML Treasurer Marilyn Schroeder and I traveled to New Orleans, November 16-18 to attend the Lutheran Church Extension Fund Conference, love.BOLDLY! Men and women across the country involved with LCEF met to be inspired to love, boldly, in their Christian lives. Individuals and ministries who have loved, boldly over the past year were recognized.

A ministry familiar to LWML received the Lietz Mission Project Award. Redeeming Life Maternity Home, (Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries), Sanford, Florida, a 2015-2017 LWML mission grant recipient and the founders, Rev. Ed and Sheryl DeWitt expressed thankfulness to the women of LWML for the grant they received.

There was a great lineup of guest speakers over the weekend who motivated attendees to love boldly which included Herman Cain, Gregory Seltz, Dave Dravecky, and Rev. John Nunes. Also addressing the assembly were LCMS President Matthew Harrison, Rev. Tim Carter, LCMS Southern District President Kurtis Schultz, Megan Miessler, and LCEF Board Chairman Rev. Max Phillips.

Rev. Ulmer Marshall, Mobile, Alabama, was proclaimer at the Sunday worship service.

The Rev. Max Biesenthal, LCEF Senior Vice President—Ministry Support since 2011, served as conference host and emcee, opening and closing the conference through biblical applications of the conference theme, “Love BOLDLY!” Biesenthal is the son of the late Marie Biesenthal, a dearly loved LWML sister.

LWML past presidents were also in New Orleans for meetings during the week which included the LCMS Foundation Board (Kay Kreklau, 2011-2015) and LCMS Board of Directors (Gloria Edwards, 1995-1999).

Marilyn and I were pleased and honored to be invited to attend. It was a joy to see one of “our” mission grantees receive the Lietz Award. We enjoyed meeting many of the LCMS District leaders and their wives and other LWML women in attendance. We also heard many positive comments about the mission of LWML!

And what is that positive mission? LWML loves boldly! We boldly step out of our comfort zone in service to the marginalized and those in need. We step up to fund ministries, like Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries. We step out boldly to serve on LCMS boards and committees. We love our LWML sisters like Marie who have lasting impacts on our lives.

We are Lutheran Women in Mission!

Love boldly and serve gladly!

Patti