SOAR 2021 Fall Seminar
Theme: God tells us to proclaim His Word to the World.
Download a Copy of the Program Here: Microsoft Word | PDF File
Held September 20-21, 2021
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
2100 Wadsworth Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80214
SOAR 2021 Fall Seminar Highlights
REV. DR. MICHAEL ZEIGLER, our keynote speaker, is Speaker of The Lutheran Hour® radio program. Seven in ten Christians are reluctant to have a spiritual conversation with anyone, even other Christians. The good news is that people talk about the stories in which they are immersed. And they immerse themselves in the stories they share. All Christians will more boldly, joyfully, and naturally share God’s story in word and deed when plunged into the true stories of the Bible.
Watch the Presentation
Rev. Dr. Zeigler – Part 1: What God Does is Worth Talking About
Rev. Dr. Zeigler – Part 2: Sharing God’s Story in Deed
Rev. Dr. Zeigler – Part 3: Sharing God’s Story in Word
REV. DR. TILAHUN MENDEDO, Executive Development Officer for Lutheran Bible Translators will speak on the importance of having God’s Word in our language. God speaks every language and hears every language. He created all of us in His image – fearfully and wonderfully. Millions of people don’t have the Bible in a language they understand.
Watch the Presentation: Rev. Dr. Mendedo – God Speaks My Language
REV. ROGER SCHLECHTE, President of the Rocky Mountain District-LCMS will inform us about the Rocky Mountain District Focus and the importance of developing relationships with others, including youth. Seniors can have a significant impact in the lives of young people.
Watch the Presentation: Rev. Schlechte, President of the Rocky Mountain District – Are You a Bridge Builder?
DR. MIKE RODEWALD is the Chief Executive Officer for Lutheran Bible Translators. He will explain that many people have the Bible – in English or major language but do not understand it. The gospel proclaimed but not understood is not the gospel proclaimed. He will take us on the journey of one remote language community from bibleless to today – from bible poverty to understanding God’s message.
Watch the Presentation: Dr. Mike Rodewald – Bible Poverty. Viewing the Bibleless through One Community
THE LUTHERAN CHORALE will entertain us with a thirty-minute concert on Monday evening. They will share their love of music with our group. Maybe, they will invite us to sing along on a number. We are Lutherans who like to sing!
Watch the Performance: The Lutheran Chorale
This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:14
More About Our Recorded Presenters
Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour®, is our keynote speaker. Dr. Zeigler began serving with LHM as Speaker of The Lutheran Hour in October 2018. Prior to that, he served as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church (2014-2018) and assistant pastor at Timothy Lutheran Church (2012-2014), both in St. Louis. Before becoming a pastor, he served as an aircraft maintenance officer in the Air Force. Michael grew up in a military family, living throughout the U.S., from North Dakota to Alabama, Virginia to Colorado. His family moved eleven times before he finished high school in Springfield, Missouri. He graduated from the U. S. Air Force Academy in 2001 with a general engineering degree and served five years in the Air Force. He left active duty in 2006 to prepare to be a pastor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, completing a Master of Divinity in 2010 and a Ph.D. in 2014. He continues to serve part-time as an Air Force Reserve officer at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, and as a guest instructor at Concordia Seminary. Michael and his wife, Amy, have four children. Amy enjoys being a home-school and Sunday school teacher, cooking, crafting, and being a catalyst for events aimed at strengthening bonds between family and friends.
Rev. Dr. Tilahun Mendedo serves as the Executive Development Officer of Lutheran Bible Translators. Tilahun was born and raised in Ethiopia. He knows firsthand the value of the heart language to communicate God’s promises. Dr. Mendedo spearheaded the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus effort to develop a strong, accredited training system. The effort utilizes many local Bible schools and training institutions the church has throughout Ethiopia. He served as the seventh President of Concordia University in Selma, Alabama from 2010 – 2016. Tilahun draws on his experiences and relationships in Ethiopia and the USA. He is delighted to serve God by making His Name known to those who have never had the Bible in a language they understand. Dr. Mendedo is a gifted event speaker, Law and Gospel Preacher, Mission Communicator, and Higher Education and Cultural Education presenter. He has spoken at District, Synodical, LWML, LCMS conventions and National Youth Gathering events.
Rev. Roger Schlechte is President of the Rocky Mountain District-LCMS. Denver has been “home” since 1991. After serving Emmaus Lutheran Church, he was trained and certified as an Intentional Interim Minister. He served two congregations in that capacity. From 2010 to 2018 as Intentional Interim/Rebirthing pastor at Resurrection in the City (RitC) (formerly Mount Calvary), he worked with the congregation as it made the bold decision to close and re-birth as RitC. “Love God. Love your neighbor.” reflects his passion to reach those who do not know Jesus and his ministry with RitC. Both brought energy and clarity to his work with the Rocky Mountain District. His prayer—that the District’s focus, “Know the Truth. Understand the Culture. Live the Faith.” will be embraced personally and collectively by congregations. Pastor Schlechte is married to Karen. He has three sons and daughters-in-love, five grand-daughters and two grandsons. He enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling, and tutoring at RitC’s SOAR tutoring program.
Dr. Mike Rodewald serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Lutheran Bible Translators. He is committed to growing the vision and of LBT, capacity, and inviting others to join the Bible translation movement to reach even more people with God’s Word through the language they understand best. Mike served as an LBT missionary in rural Liberia (western Africa) with the Bandi ethnic group from 1981-1987. Then he and his family served with the mostly pastoral Kalanga ethnic group in Botswana from 1993-2007. They also served with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod living in South Africa from 2008-2014, where Mike served as Regional Director–Africa before returning to the US to serve as CEO for Lutheran Bible Translators. Mike resides with his family in Concordia, MO where Lutheran Bible Translators international offices are located. Mike has a Ph.D. in Missiology from Concordia Theological Seminary, an MA in Linguistics from the University of Texas–Arlington.
From its first season in 1976, The Lutheran Chorale has shared its love of music with the front range community, performing a rich variety of musical works with a special emphasis on the abundant choral tradition of Lutheran heritage. Under the direction of Conductor David Hodel, former Assistant Conductor DeLoy Goeglein and Conductor Emeritus Wesley Broderius, the Chorale has performed major works by composers such as Bach, Handel, Brahms, and Verdi, as well as contemporary anthems, spirituals, secular pieces, and motets. The Lutheran Chorale numbers over 60 members. It is composed of volunteers who share an interest in singing a wide variety of music. The have collaborated with local area churches, secular choirs, and the Lakewood Symphony. Yearly performances include 6-8 major concerts each season performing for special events such as fundraisers, civic organizations, dedications, and conventions.