Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Praying earnestly to the Lord of the harvest is what the church continues to do. This month, we rejoice to see physical, tangible answers to these prayers. Our seminaries in Fort Wayne and Saint Louis are welcoming approximately 170 new students into residential programs and approximately 55 new students into distance education programs. These students are beginning their formal seminary preparation to serve as pastors in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. They are answers to the prayers of God’s people that He would raise-up workers for His harvest field.

The article, “Preparing the Messengers,” appeared in the May 2008 Lutheran Witness (click here to download the article). How encouraging to see the picture of last year’s new students at our seminary in Fort Wayne processing into Kramer Chapel for the worship service that opened the new school year. That picture, repeated on both of our seminary campuses this fall, is cause for rejoicing. Think of the thousands of people in His harvest field who will hear the Good News of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ from them!

Please remember these new students and their families in your prayers. Please also consider a gift to The LCMS Joint Seminary Fund in order to support the formation of these new students, along with approximately 700 others at our two seminaries who are in more advanced stages of their preparation. One gift will help both seminaries provide the very best workers possible for His harvest field and will help these workers carry a smaller educational debt as they begin their pastoral ministry.

On behalf of those being prepared to work in His harvest field at both seminaries, and on behalf of those who are preparing them, I thank you for your partnership in this effort. Your prayers and your gifts of financial support are greatly appreciated!

Cordially in Christ,


Rev. Glen D. Thomas
Executive Director
LCMS Board for Pastoral Education