The Monroe Circuit (#24) is up to something. Part of it is probably that we pastors get along pretty well. Part of it is probably that we have some excellent scholars among us. But the major factor is what all of us in the Michigan District, LCMS share—we are People of Hope, vigorously making known the Love of Christ.
Teamwork
In late 2014, Monroe Circuit Winkel pastors were approached by a marketing and outreach representative from Crawford Broadcasting, which operates radio station WRDT-AM 560. The Lutheran Hour® airs on that station at noon on Sundays, and the representative suggested that we should make a true Lutheran “hour” out of it—of course, for a fee.
As we considered this, we decided to work together and get it done. Our idea was a half-hour Bible study program each week, covering a book of the Bible, chapter by chapter. Each pastor and one deaconess would take turns recording a conversation about that chapter with the host. Since I had done quite a bit of radio in my life, I was drafted as the host. The idea turned into “The Gospel for You,” a radio program that airs every Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. We record four programs at a time, usually in a basement room of Grace Lutheran Church in Monroe, Mich. or in an office at St. John’s in New Boston, Mich. Each of the 13 brothers (and sister), comes in prepared for their chapter, determining what should be emphasized and discussed, and also fields a question posed from a student of one of our Lutheran day schools.
Quality Tech and Media
Our circuit tech-wizard, Rev. Jeffrey Wade, in his rookie year as associate pastor at St. John’s, New Boston, records the program on his laptop, employing some high-quality microphones he purchased for the endeavor; then he edits the show for time, adds our intro and outro, and emails the programs to the radio station.
We also have created a website, thegospelforyou.org, which features information about each of our congregations and an archive of past programs. Programs are also available on iTunes. When we’ve completed our first book of the Bible, the Gospel of John, we plan to put the series on a CD and perhaps accompany it with a Bible study guide for small groups.
Providing Clear Channels for the Gospel
The program is funded by the contributions of each congregation in our circuit, Lutheran High South, and Thrivent Financial. The broadcast covers Monroe and Wayne counties and reaches into Washtenaw and Oakland counties as well. Anyone can listen at a time more convenient for them at thegospelforyou.org or iTunes. We are hopeful that the program will grow and make a difference, especially reaching those who don’t know Christ. Prayers for “The Gospel for You” are certainly welcomed, and we hope you can tune in and listen sometime.
