Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries

In this episode, our guest Deb Jurchen talks about the importance of intergenerational connectedness as it relates to family ministry in churches and homes.   Bio: Deb Jurchen holds a BFA in K-12 Art Education from Concordia University, Nebraska, and an MSE in Family Life Education from Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor. Professionally, Deb serves as the Director of University Institutes...

Learn how recognizing milestones and benchmarks in the faith leads to healthy spiritual development for children and adults alike!  Bio: Mark Cook is a graduate of Concordia Nebraska and is in his 15th year serving as DCE at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN. He serves in the areas of family ministry, youth ministry, confirmation, and children’s ministry. He enjoys playing with his kids, mu...

Rev. Dan Galchutt talks about the privilege of parents to pass down the faith to their children, and how the setting of the home is a prime training ground for young believers.  Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life Ministry: www.lcms.org/life  LCMS Family Ministry: www.lcms.org/family  Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions w...

In this episode, Steph welcomes the newest co-host to Friends for Life – Rev. Andy Becker – as he shares his role with LCMS Family Ministry and introduces Season 9.   Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life Ministry: www.lcms.org/life  LCMS Family Ministry: www.lcms.org/family  Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pa...

Amanda and Pastor Krenz join Steph to talk about caring for mothers of children in foster care, and their goal to restore relationships between mothers and their children.   Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family An LCMS Guide to Supporting Foster Families: https://lcmslife.org/resource/l...

Chalyce Deterding joins Steph to talk about the joys and challenges of being a foster parent, along with the unique role that she plays as a CASA.   Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family An LCMS Guide to Supporting Foster Families: https://lcmslife.org/resource/lcms-guide-to-supporting-f...

Dr. Thomas Engel joins Steph to talk about the concerns of children in child dependency and how Christians can make a big impact in caring for these children.   Bio: Dr. Engel has been a member of the LCMS at various churches since the age of 4. He is an Eagle Scout, an alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute, and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He has also worked professionally as an EMS paramedic...

Join Steph and Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor as they introduce this season’s topic surrounding foster care and talk about why Christians have a special care for these children and families.   Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family To learn more about Recognized Service Organizations of the...

Keeya Vawar shares her story of struggle and survival, as she herself was a victim of human trafficking.   Bio: Keeya Vawar is an author, keynote speaker, and child safety advocate who empowers communities to recognize the patterns and strategies of traffickers, equipping them to build safer environments.  As a wife, mother, and the Executive Director of Mosaic Mission Network (LCMS Texas District...

Rev. Scott Heitshusen joins Steph to raise awareness of human trafficking and offer suggestions for how the Church can get involved in caring for victims.   Bio: Rev. Scott Heitshusen was born in April of 1969 in Ponca City, OK. In seventh grade, he moved to Houston, TX. He’s been married to Jennifer Heitshusen (née Stein) of Houston since August of 1991. They have two sons: Daniel (b. March 1999)...

Join hosts Tiffany and Steph as they introduce our topic for Season 7 and help clarify the definition of human trafficking.   Resources: For more information on human trafficking, visit https://polarisproject.org/ and https://www.lcms.org/social-issues/human-trafficking  Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife....

What is meant by Separation of Church and State? How does the First Amendment protect the Christian conscience? How can we defend religious liberties in the civil realm? Rev. Dr. Christopher Thoma joins Steph to tackle these questions and more!  Bio: Reverend Dr. Christopher I. Thoma serves as Senior Pastor of Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church & School in Hartland, Michigan.  Having become de...

Rev. Noah and Becky Rogness join Steph to talk about how parents, teachers, and youth workers can talk to kids about the election, encourage civic involvement, and model calm when the nation is anxious.   Bio: Rev. Noah Rogness is the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Tomah, WI. Prior to his call to Good Shepherd, Rogness served parishes in Fergus Fall, MN, and Alexandria, VA. He also ser...

Why should Christians be involved in government? How has the interaction between Christians in the civic realm changed over the years? Join Steph and guest Tim Goeglein as they explore these questions and more!  Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family Not all the views expressed are necess...

Join Steph and guest Rev. Graham Glover as they talk about the role of Christians in the civic realm, Christians and voting, and how Christians can influence government and civil issues beyond the polls.   Bio: Rev. Graham B. Glover is the Senior Pastor of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church and School in Gainesville, FL and a Chaplain (Major) in the US Army Reserve, where he is assigned to the Strateg...

Steph and Tiffany introduce Season 6: Christians in the Civic Realm. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family Not all views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

You’ve heard it’s a good idea to have a first aid kit close at hand. But what about a Mental Health First Aid kit? Kelly Menke joins Tiffany and Steph to talk about being trained in Mental Health First Aid and why it’s also an important toolkit to have on hand!   Bio: Kelly joined Concordia Plans in May 2022 as a Health and Wellness Educator. She holds a Master of Science in public health from Sou...

Is there a link between forgiveness and mental well-being? Join Steph and Dr. Mark Rockenbach for a discussion about how forgiveness affects mental health and how withholding forgiveness affects not just the soul, but the body and mind.   Bio: Dr. Mark Rockenbach received his B.A. from Concordia College, Seward, NE; M.Div. from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO; M.A. in counseling from Doane Colle...

Steph is joined by guest Julianna Shults to give a “state of the union” on the mental health of our young people.   Bio: Julianna Shults is a DCE serving as Program Manager of Resources and Leadership for LCMS Youth Ministry. With a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Community Development, Julianna served congregations in Florida and Chicago. She co-authored Relationships Count and contributed to o...

Dr. Karge and Dr. Bratton join Steph to talk about building mental resiliency in ourselves and in our young people.   Bio: Dr. Belinda Karge devotes her career to ensuring that all students have successful opportunities and leaders are equipped with tools to transform education environments. She is a Professor in the School of Education Doctoral Program at Concordia University Irvine. She has taug...

Join Steph and Sarah Gulseth as they talk about some very practical ways we can care for our own mental health.   Bio: Sarah Gulseth currently works for KFUO Radio as Digital Media Manager, which includes co-hosting The Lutheran Ladies’ Lounge podcast and The Coffee Hour with Andy Bates. She is a baptized child of God, INFJ Lutheran Lady, lover of First Article Gifts, certified #hymnnerd, history...

How do Christians approach the topic of mental health? Why should Christians care about their own mental health, as well as the mental health of those around them? Join Tiffany and Steph as they introduce this season on mental health!  Resources in this episode: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/famil...

Neural implants, eyeglasses, heart transplants: what do these all have in common? Join Steph and guest Trevor Sutton as they discuss emerging advances in the world of biotechnology and what it has to do with our soteriology...our view of life, death, and salvation. Bio: Rev. Dr. A. Trevor Sutton is Senior Pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Lansing, Michigan. Sutton has written several books, in...

What are the effects of modern-day technology on our relationships, our church, our selves? How can we help guide the next generation in using technology wisely? Join Steph and guest Dr. Rick Serina as they talk about the rapid changes of tech at our fingertips. Bio: Rev. Dr. Richard J. Serina, Jr., is Associate Executive Director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations. Serina came to...

Join Steph and Rev. Tim Bayer as they talk about the fundamentals of technology – what it is, what it’s for, and how Christians can use technology responsibly. Is technology good, bad, or a-moral? How can Christians steward technology well so that the kingdom of God is served? How do Law and Gospel guide us as we engage with technology? Resources in this episode: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.or...