The annual meetings of ALDE (Association of Lutheran Development Executives) and the ELEA (Evangelical Lutheran Education Association) are took place on the territory of NT-NL Synod, ELCA the last week of January. Leaders from across the country taking advantage of proximity to DFW airport and the warmer (sort of) temps here. The reason that we believe Briarwood Retreat Center is also a valuable resource for the church.

I had the privilege of meeting today with ELCA Churchwide staff for Mission Advancement. Where each previously They have realigned their priorities to focus more regionally than in a particular part or fund of our shared mission. and I was excited to hear of how they are thinking holistically about gift planning and the mission of the whole church.

I got to share with them about the mission of NT-NL and the unique and exciting challenges and opportunities we have in this area. NT-NL individuals and congregations have been generous with giving towards these ministries. Rahel Williams will be our regional connector so I enjoyed connecting with her again.

I hope we can, working #InMissionTogether, grow as a synod body in awareness of these funds that support developing leaders, caring for the poor, hungry, and marginalized, accompaning those in disasters, and growing our global connections.

My spouse was also at the Gaylord today as a pastor mentor for the ELEA new director bootcamp. Last summer she spent two days with new school directors mentoring them on how to build connections between church and school. Today she followed up and was excited to hear how many of them are implementing the ideas and growing in confidence in their work.

We are a national church, a global church, and we will continue to grow how we as NT-NL connect with the ministries of our church. #NTNL #ALDE #ELEA#InMissionTogether

(In the photo with me: Rich Duncan – (team leader), Andrew Steele, Rahel Williams, Mark Olsen, Gabi Alebouni, Sharon Magnuson, Robin Brown, Dan Rift)