Pres. Jon Bare addressed the graduating students of Immanuel Lutheran College on May 30th. ALS’s and ILC’s history goes back to the 1960s when missionaries from America came over to Hong Kong at the invitation of a pastor from Hong Kong to help support the growth of his church and school. That school eventually became what ILC is today. We are blessed to share these roots with ILC. Pres. Bare shared Revelation 7:9-14 and reminded those graduates to begin their journey in life with the end in mind, knowing that our eternal home gives us clarity, ...
Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11,12 Jesus could not have been clearer. He said, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned” (Luke 6:37). ...
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another. Romans 13:8 Credit cards and car payments. Mortgages and medical bills. Leases and braces. Collectors and filing for bankruptcy. Then there is always the question of whether there will be enough retirement benefits and enough for tuition payments. We all know the burden of financial commitments to one degree or another. It’s like a treadmill that we can’t get off. It can feel like a mountain that keeps us buried. Debt leaves us imprisoned and burdened. No wonder wise Solomon wrote, “The borrower ...
On June 1, ALS celebrated its 20th anniversary with a worship service and banquet. We were so happy to see so many guests come from near and far to celebrate God’s grace to and through ALS over the last 20 years. Guests came from America, India, the UK, Thailand, and other parts of Asia to be with us for this joyous occasion. The banquet included games, prizes, speeches, and performances by guests. Fun was had by all. We thank God once again for the blessings of the last 20 years and look forward to seeing what ...
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. . . I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19,23 It may be a virtue to put other people’s needs ahead of your own, but it can burn you out fast. Compassion fatigue is a real thing. Needy people can take everything out of you. Unappreciative people can make you resentful. If you are going to find out other people’s needs ...
Dear Friends of Asia Lutheran Seminary, It was the right time. Twenty years ago, on May 29, 2005, Dr. John Lawrenz preached for the opening service of a brand new seminary: Asia Lutheran Seminary. His sermon was based on 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, where Paul writes “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” As we review the history and work of ALS over the past 20 years, we are reminded again and again how God has used the right people in the right places at just the right time to ...
Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:43-45 If your main goal in life is to meet the needs of others, not yourself, what does that make you? A flight attendant? The parent of a newborn? Service staff in a restaurant? No, it makes you a Christian. Let me explain. When Jesus became a human ...
But at that time your people – everyone whose name is found written in the book – will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:1,2 Picture the scene. A courtroom with a judge and jury. A gallery full of people. The prosecutor armed with damning evidence. And a defendant who knows his guilt. The prosecutor has a book full of the wicked things the defendant has done. With a smirk on his face, he begins to open his ...
This semester, ALS launched its formal English-language Continuing Education program, offering BTh, MAR, and M.Div. degrees to English-speaking students across Asia. This new initiative is equipping active church leaders across the region for deeper theological training. We’re excited to offer this opportunity and invite you to join us if you’re interested in growing through theological education!
Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10 Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah got a glimpse of what Jesus would do. The details in Isaiah chapter 53 lead us to believe that Isaiah saw pretty clearly how Jesus would die on a cross. The selfless sacrifice of the suffering servant of the ...
