The newest member of our Wheat Ridge staff, Anya Knodt, is from Texas and like most Texans I know, she regularly reminds us of the many wonders of the Lone Star State. Since I just returned from a brief trip to Texas visiting Wheat Ridge friends, supporters and projects, I thought I’d make Anya happy by sharing a few reflections about one of my favorite cities, the state capital of Texas.Yes, of all the cities I’ve visited in this great state, Austin is my favorite. It’s not as massive as Houston or Dallas. It has a young entrepreneurial feel, likely fed by the major high-tech presence in town including companies such as Dell, Intel and Qualcomm. If you’re a music lover, you’re aware that Austin has gained a reputation as the live music capital of the U.S. and home of my favorite public television show – Austin City Limits.
Austin is also home to many great congregations and Christian organizations that give witness to the Gospel. The footprint of the Lutheran church is much larger than can be capsulated in this brief space. Here are just a few examples …
Very significant is the presence of Lutheran Social Services of the South. This wonderful statewide agency, led by Dr. Kurt Senske, is known for its care and compassion for those with special needs throughout the state. Wheat Ridge has been a proud partner of LSSS through the years. One of the innovative programs developed by LSSS several years ago – with help from Wheat Ridge Ministries – utilizes Stephen Ministries as a tool for caring for colleagues and clients.
Another significant example of the Lutheran community’s impact in Austin is Concordia University Texas, which touches the lives of thousands of young people each year. Thanks to the exceptional leadership of President Tom Cedel and a talented faculty and staff, Concordia is growing rapidly on its beautiful new campus. It is producing students who are serving the Lord by using their God-given gifts and talents in service to the community.
Indicative of the creative spirit of service in the congregations of the Austin area is “Water to Thrive,” an impactful new human care initiative based in Austin that is currently being seeded by Wheat Ridge Ministries. During this trip to Texas, I enjoyed a great visit with Dick Moeller, founder of W2T. Dick was inspired to begin this new ministry after his Bible study group at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church decided to raise $5,000 to dig a well in Ethiopia in order to provide clean water. They raised enough money for 12 wells! W2T has partnered with non-government organizations in several countries in eastern Africa and its impact includes more than 300 water projects that have impacted the lives of over 150,000 people now experiencing the health benefits of clean water.
During my brief stay in Austin last week, I also met the new pastor of Triumphant Love Lutheran, Steve Troisi. I was pleased to learn that Pastor Steve’s previous church in South Carolina was the recipient of a Wheat Ridge seed grant for an Alzheimer’s support and respite program. Pastor Steve and Triumphant Love were recently invited to join several other Lutheran congregations to develop a counseling and leadership training program for at-risk youth in the Austin community … a great example of creative ministry spirit in Austin! I was not surprised to learn that a leader of this effort is Pastor Tom Grevlos, a good friend of Wheat Ridge Ministries, who recently arrived in Austin to serve as senior pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.
I returned from this visit to Texas reminded once again of the power of God’s Spirit to inspire people around the world to acts of justice and mercy in response to the Good News that Jesus came that we may experience the fullness of life (John 10:10). It’s a privilege for Wheat Ridge Ministries to encourage and support the passion for service that exists in homes, churches and agencies as people share the healing touch of Christ with others!
