Engaging Truth

Join us for an insightful interview with LCMS Texas District President Jon Braunersreuther as he shares the latest updates on district ministries, exciting progress in church planting initiatives reaching new communities, practical ideas for congregational renewal and revitalization, and the current landscape of pastoral formation amid growing needs. Anchoring it all in timeless hope, he'll reflec...

When eternal God was born into a human body that first Christmas (the Incarnation), the Word of God through whom all creation came into being, also became flesh. But why did He do it? God did it to personally deliver the divine blessings of forgiveness, eternal life and ultimately renewal. Understanding the Bible in the way that is “true to the original” is teaching Scripture as it was understood...

Who is Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas, Easter, and all year-round? From the creation of the universe through Him, to His birth into human flesh that first Christmas, to the end of time, Jesus is eternal God and has earned our place with Him for eternity. Talking about the creation and Jesus’ incarnation into human flesh is the Rev. Brad Jurischk. He is the Senior Pastor of St. Timothy Luther...

Christmas is coming and Pastor Jeff Doria, the Senior Pastor at St. Paul in Thorndale, Texas, assists us in preparing for the joy of Christ's birth. Starting with John 1, Pastor Doria guides the audience through various ways they may prepare for Christmas at home, at school, in the youth group, and in the sanctuary. Along the way, participants learn about the church year, the season of Advent, and...

What does it mean that Jesus was born at Christmas? It means that the Eternal God chose to be born into human flesh to help us, entering our world at that one point in history to begin our restoration. Setting aside the glories of Heaven, Jesus was born to rescue us from sin, death and the devil. By His sinless death on the cross, and resurrection back to life again, Jesus earned our exemption fro...

Pastor Stephen DeMik spent several years in the Cypress, Texas, area serving as an Associate Pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, then to launching Cypress Chapel in a local pub, while also joining the U.S. Navy Reserves as a military chaplain. Pastor Demik currently serves as co-pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Lubbock. Join us as we hear of Pastor DeMik's interesting and varied career serving th...

God is all-knowing, but we have our limits. God has partially revealed Himself to us through His Word (the Bible). We know that Christians live under His forgiveness, earned by Jesus. But, what can we know about His plan for the Church on earth, its structure and its pastors? The Rev. Dr. John Davis is First Vice President of the Texas District, in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod ( txlcms.org )...

Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel shares his extensive research on the anniversary of the Nicene Creed turning 1700 years old this year. In 325 AD, Emperor Constantine called together a universal church council in order to unify the whole church around the biblical truth about the person of Jesus Christ. While the theology stated in this Creed is currently confessed by billions of souls, this interview foc...

In 1906, the American journalist Alfred Henry Lewis stated, "There are only nine meals between mankind and anarchy." In this season of Thanksgiving, we don’t always recognize the many things we have to be thankful for, even for the safety of our food and the wide availability of products on store shelves. Today we are talking with Gary Huddleston, a Christian executive, chair for the board of a Da...

Why does the church need pastors? How does the church prepare pastors? In the Bible, the office of shepherd, or pastor, is not only described, but is prescribed for the church. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Boyle (Ph. D., University of Michigan), the Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, introduces the listeners to what the pastoral office is and ho...

Sola scriptura, sola gratia and sola fide, that is, scripture alone, by grace alone, through faith alone. Join host Pastor David Schultz as he welcomes the Rev. Dr. Laurence White to the Engaging Truth microphone to offer comment on the basis of Luther's efforts to reform the church.

Modern day sexual morals (or lack thereof) are vigorously debated inside and outside the church today. God selected a wife for the prophet Hosea. Her name was Gomer. Gomer’s sexual expression would fit in well with today’s hyper-sexual culture. Yet, despite Gomer’s numerous flings, Hosea repeatedly received her back as his wife. In this interview, Professor Kevin Golden, Concordia Seminary, explai...

Interested in missions? Then this interview is for you. Lutheran Women in Mission, also known as the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), is a leader in the world-wide mission to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sally Krueger serves in part of this mission field as the President of the Texas District chapter of LWML. Listeners will learn how the risen and reigning Christ miraculously...

Faith draws us to eternity, while rehabilitation is one of its fruits today. . . A wonderful benefit to every citizen is that true moral rehabilitation is happening in many prisons. Real rehabilitation is happening with inmates, prior to their release, all working to keep us safer. One couple, Grove and Dr. Brenna Norwood, have made it their lives' work to help establish and raise support for two...

Faith draws us to eternity, while rehabilitation is one of its fruits today. . . A wonderful benefit to every citizen is that of true moral rehabilitation is happening in many prisons. Real rehabilitation is happening with inmates, prior to their release, all working to keep us safer. One couple, Grove and Dr. Brenna Norwood, have made it their lives' work to help establish and raise support for t...

The only thing Las Vegas and Liberia seem to have in common is that the names for both places begin with the letter “L.” By the hand of the risen Lord Jesus, while living in the Las Vegas area, Linda Kurtz was introduced to a person from Liberia. Stories of wars and the results of such wars were shared. The Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of His people and a mission to Liberia was started. Now ove...

Culture is all around us, and much of what we see in it runs contrary to the good, the true, and the beautiful. This week we talk to Dr. Benjamin Quinn of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We discuss a range of topics, including how Christians can approach culture with wisdom and do kingdom work in each of our contexts. Rev. Josh Knippa hosts.

How do you explain something important, in a way that people will remember? You tell a true story, like Jesus did! The Rev. Nate Jore spent 17 years as a missionary in Uganda, Africa. In Africa he practiced retelling the Good News of Jesus Christ using help from the Orality Institute ( oralityinstitute.org ). And you can too! Rev. John Cain hosts.

How can we help the Hill Country? This week, we talk to Julie Tucker, the Texas District Emergency Management Director. Julie updates us on the status of flood recovery in the Kerrville, Texas, area and in other parts of the state. We discuss ways to help and how we can find hope in the midst of the storm. Pastor Josh Knippa hosts.

Join host Bill Prewitt as he welcomes Pastor Eric Hiner, 4th Vice President of the Texas District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, to discuss his dual roles within the district. Pastor Hiner serves both as Sr. Pastor of a vibrant congregation in Lubbock, TX, as well as one of the district’s active administrators.

The news talks about immigration enforcement efforts, trade, deportation, smuggling and wall building. What newsworthy things is God doing in the midst of these other movements? The Rev. Nathan Wendorf lives and works there, on the border, as the Sr. Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harlingen, Texas, and he is the 3rd Vice President of the Texas District of the LCMS. He tells us "Jesus is mov...

Colonel Michael Fossum served his country as an Air Force test pilot, a NASA astronaut, and now as COO of Texas A&M - Galveston. In this interview, the Colonel describes how he endured through numerous challenges by keeping his Christian calling as his foremost mission. We also discuss how STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and the Christian faith are a good match both personally an...

Part Two of a two-part presentation by LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison on the national state of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod presented. at the triennial Convention of the Texas District of the LCMS held in June at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, TX.

Life is good because it is a gift from God. This sentence is lived out daily by Rev. Dr. Aric Fenske, Executive Director of Lutherans for Life, as well as by the many Christians who are involved in this powerful ministry. In this interview, we discuss the large spectrum of contemporary issues which Lutherans for Life addresses. Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel hosts.

Part One of a two-part presentation by LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison on the national state of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod presented. at the triennial Convention of the Texas District of the LCMS held in June at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, TX.