Can we Christians pray for someone who has committed suicide? Part 1

Theology Q&A【Can we Christians pray for someone who has committed suicide? – Part 1】 To help us think about this question based on Scripture, it is useful to divide it into three parts: This time, we will think about the first question together. Look for the second question and the third question to be posted in the next few months. Part 1: Can we Christians pray for people who have already died? Prayer is talking to God. In prayer, our petitions ask God to use his power to take action for people. Whenever we Christians use … Continue Reading

He Speaks Gently

He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. Isaiah 42:2-3 Do you know someone with a voice that commands attention? If you are at a large family gathering and you need to quiet the crowd, there might be someone in your family with a deep and commanding voice to get everyone’s attention. Certain leaders are known for their distinct voice that can capture a nation’s attention with powerful words. If God were to speak … Continue Reading

ALS Professors Continue Learning Too!

A number of ALS professors are using the time between the semesters during the summer to take continuing education courses at our sister synod’s seminary, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS). Every other summer WLS holds a “Summer Quarter” when pastors and church leaders from all over America (and the world) are welcomed to spend up to three weeks living on campus studying God’s word through intensive courses. These courses build the students up in their faith and help them to lead others to grow in their faith. Study of God’s word is a life long pursuit, even … Continue Reading

Jesus’ Ministry

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 Preaching, teaching, and healing. Those three actions pretty much summarize Jesus’ earthly ministry. He touched a lot of lives during those thirty-plus years. But he’s touched a lot more lives since, like mine. He’s touched my life in ways beyond counting. He’s forgiven my sins. And there are plenty to pardon! He’s given me the peace of knowing that I’m loved by the Father despite myself. He’s reconciled the two … Continue Reading

Pres. Bare Elected Secretary of Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

Every three years, Lutheran church bodies of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) gather for a convention. Representatives from around the globe gather to discuss ministry, study God’s word together, and join in worship. This gathering celebrates the fact that these church bodies believe and confess the same doctrinal truths. This year, ALS President Jon Bare had the honor of being elected as the secretary of CELC. This is a proud moment for ALS. We look forward to serving CELC church bodies in Asia with solid theological education for the spread of the gospel.

Who Will Win?

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 Right in the middle of the wreckage, God speaks a promise. Adam and Eve have disobeyed. Trust is broken. Shame has entered the world. Everything good now feels fragile. And before the humans say a word—before they apologize, explain, or promise to do better—God talks to the serpent, “He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” It’s a strange moment. God isn’t giving instructions. He’s … Continue Reading

ALS attends EMDC Conference

ALS had the opportunity to engage with hundreds of other ministries across the globe at this year’s EMDC conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This allowed us to get view into what’s happening in the world of Bible translation and also what’s the latest with ministries that leverage the best of technology to get the gospel out to people. ALS’s TELL certificate piqued many people’s interest as a great way to train people on how to start groups that gather around God’s word.

Proclamation

[Abram] … pitched his tent there, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and proclaimed the name of the LORD. Genesis 12:8 “I can worship God at home. I can read the Bible at home. I can pray at home. And so, I really don’t get what the difference is between my worship at home and my worship at church. Isn’t it all the same thing?” Yes. And no. Can I praise my Lord in the privacy of my home? Yes. By myself, can I let … Continue Reading

Intensive Face-to- Face Course at Chiang Mai Campus

This month, ALS held an intensive live course at the Chiang Mai campus on Church Administration by Dr. Guy Marquardt. We praise God that despite the difficulties involved with traveling, students from all over Asia were still able to gather together in one place to study the Word of God.

The Same

What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3 It’s about thirty years after Jesus has risen from the dead and ascended into heaven. His followers have eagerly shared the Good News of what Jesus has done. As a result, many have come to faith in Jesus as their Savior from sin. New congregations are forming. There is even a gathering of Christians in the capital city of the Roman Empire. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul sits down to write a letter to these Roman … Continue Reading