The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

Mike Fischer, Senior Gift Planning Advocate with LCMS Mission Advancement, and Mark Hofman, Executive Director of LCMS Mission Advancement, join Andy to talk about what LCMS Mission Advancement is and how it supports the LCMS, Why Mission Advancement offers and promotes gift planning, what the theme of “Blessed to Be a Blessing?” means for Mission Advancement, and how to learn more about gift plan...

Crysten Sanchez, Events Executive for Higher Things, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about Retreat in a Box and the 2024 "Who Am I" Conferences, including what comes in the Retreat in a Box and how congregations can use it, the theme for next summer's main conferences, who will be presenting at these conferences, and what these conferences on identity and vocation will teach youth and young adults. F...

Dr. Russell Dawn, president of Concordia University Chicago (CUC), joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about his interesting path to becoming a church worker, how his varied background gives him perspective in leading a university and forming young people for service, CUC's role in preparing men and women for full-time church work, what sets the deaconess program apart f...

Karen Lanter, Executive Director of St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (HELP), joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how St. Louis HELP has made a difference for individuals and families, how St. Louis HELP began and how it continues to meet the needs of the community, the upcoming Equipment Drive on Saturday October 21, and what to donate to this equipment drive. Learn more and find location...

 Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson, Director of LCMS Disaster Response, joins Andy to talk about flooding in southern Brazil, including the LCMS's relationship to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil (IELB), his visit to southern Brazil, the damaged caused by flooding and how it impacted the homes and communities of Lutherans, how the IELB is working to serve communities affected by floods, and how LCMS...

Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop of the LCMS English District and author of Pastoral Leadership, Shepherding and Caring for God’s People available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for our series on Leadership to talk about uplifting others in their leadership positions, including why it's important to do this to be an effective leader, what we mean by "servant leadership," where...

Aubrey Blank, KFUO Radio Intern, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why she was interested in serving as an intern at KFUO Radio, some of the skills she's gained so far, what's been most challenging and most enjoyable, and what she's hoping to gain from this experience.  Applications are open now for Spring 2024 internship opportunities. Apply at lcms.org/careers.

Rev. Ken Krueger, President and Chair of Ministry Focus, joins Sarah to talk about the investment and cost of the education to become a rostered church worker, how debt can become a distraction for pastors and other called workers, how MinistryFOCUS addresses this challenge, who supports this ministry, and who is eligible for support. Learn more and apply at ministryfocus.org.

Kay Berry and Julia Petrovic — volunteer team leaders for short-term mission trips, Erin Mackenzie — volunteer coordinator for the Latin America & the Caribbean region, and Anne Gonzalez — manager of Short-term Mission Training and Engagement with the LCMS Office of International Mission, join Andy and Sarah to talk about Kay and Julia's service as team leaders, the different mission trips they've...

Dr. Alan Freeman — Director of LCMS School Ministry, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about the faithful service of Lutheran Teachers during Church Worker Appreciation Month, including the teachers that influenced his journey to church work, what sets Lutheran teachers apart, and how he's able to interact with Lutheran educators in his role. Learn more about LCMS Scho...

Rev. Anthony Oliphant, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, IL, joins Andy and guest co-host Jordan Harms to talk about the “Searching Scripture” feature in the October 2023 issue of the Lutheran Witness titled "Pressing on Toward the Goal" on Philippians 3:12-16. This year, "Searching Scripture" will study the book of Philippians, so stay tuned each month for a new Bible study. Follow...

Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop of the LCMS English District and author of Pastoral Leadership, Shepherding and Caring for God’s People available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for our series on Leadership to talk about effective communication, including models of communication pastors use and what might be most effective, how communication in a ministry setting can differ fr...

Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Mascoutah, IL, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming Apologetics 101 Workshop at Zion Lutheran, including what "apologetics" actually means, why apologetics is important to him, how we can use apologetics in our conversations, and the lineup of speakers. Learn more at sidlcms.org/2023/08/13/apologetics-101-apologetics-workshop.

Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan — President of the LCMS Missouri District, and Josh Swartz — Director of Schools for the LCMS Missouri District, join Andy and Sarah to talk about how how Concordia Universities and Seminaries are unique, how attending these institutions was important for both of them, what College Fair participants will experience, and how to attend. Learn more at mo.lcms.org/college-fair.

Josh Douglas, Gift Planning Advocate with LCMS Mission Advancement, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about why he joined LCMS Mission Advancement, what a Gift Planning Advocate does, how he builds relationships with people across Synod as he helps them plan their giving, why joyful giving matters, and how to start the process of a long-term gift for the LCMS. Learn more at giftplanning.lcms.org.

Jennifer Glicker, Principal of Hephatha Lutheran School in Anaheim Hills, CA, joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about what led her to Hephatha Lutheran School, her work in public schools before coming to Lutheran schools, the colloquy process she went through to become a commissioned rostered worker in the LCMS, why it was important for her to become a commissioned ros...

Rev. David Gruenwald, pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO, and Libby Gutberlet, CEO of the Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA), join Andy and Sarah to talk about why Lutheran Schools are important for kids and families, how Lutheran education has made a different for both of their families, how LESA supports Lutheran schools and families in the St. Louis area, and the...

Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop of the LCMS English District and author of Pastoral Leadership, Shepherding and Caring for God’s People available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for our series on Leadership to talk about responsibilities in the office of Pastoral Leader, including how the success of others is important to the role of the leader, why words must match actions of...

Rev. Stephen Starke — published hymnwriter and retired Pastor of St. John Amelith Lutheran Church in Bay City, MI, Bary Bobb — published composer of choral and organ music and Director of the Center for Church Music at Concordia University Chicago, and Dr. Steven Wente — Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Music at Concordia University Chicago, join Andy and Sarah to talk about Lectures in Church...

Daniel Jenkins, President of Lutheran Braille Workers, and  Nate Paredes, CFO of Lutheran Braille Workers, join Andy to talk about how many people are blind or visually impaired worldwide and in the US, what resources like Bibles are available to the blind and visually impaired, some roadblocks to resources like these being widely available, how LBW is meeting the needs of these people, and storie...

Deaconess Pamela Boehle-Silva, R.N. — serving at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rocklin, CA, and Founding director of Always Mercy, a US non-profit supporting the work of Rehema Open Door hospice and palliative care center in Kenya — joins Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve Series to talk about when she first learned about the office of deaconess, the path from serving as a parish nurse to a...

Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA, Chair of the LCMS Board for National Mission, and author of the forthcoming book Faith that Shines in the Culture from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about how this book fits into his trilogy of books about faith and culture, how we understand vocation as Lutherans, our vertical relationship wi...

Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop of the LCMS English District and author of Pastoral Leadership, Shepherding and Caring for God’s People available from Concordia Publishing House, joins Andy and Sarah for our series on Leadership to talk about learning from your mistakes as a leader, understanding the beauty of forgiveness even for leaders, responding to criticism, leading the perpetually unhappy pe...

Rev. Peter Bender, Director of the Concordia Catechetical Academy, and Rev. Dr. Al Espinosa, member of the board of directors for the Concordia Catechetical Academy, join Andy and Sarah to talk about what catechesis is, what the Catechism is, why catechesis is important, how the Concordia Catechetical Academy began, how the Concordia Catechetical Academy serves the church at large, and how the sta...

Rev. Stephen Kieser, Headmaster of Faith Lutheran School in Plano, Texas, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about classical Lutheran education, the marks of classical Lutheran education, why classical education has become a growing movement, why classical education works for Lutherans, the value schools being distinctly Lutheran, and the upcoming golf tournament to support Faith Lutheran School. Learn...