The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

What role does music play in the formation of Christians for daily living and church work? Dr. Sam Eatherton (Assistant Professor of Practical Theology, Kantor, and the Kreft Professor for Music Arts at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) and Lois Eatherton (teacher of music at St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Des Peres, Missouri, and Project Coordinator, Children in Worship Initiative, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about how both of them pursued full-time church work, why they love to teach music both in academic settings and in the home, how music plays a role in their home with their children and grandchildren, why music is essential in Christian formation, and the joys and challenges of serving the church.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How do new ideas help monetarily support the Concordia University System? Curt Gielow (CU Ventures Executive Vice President) and the Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy (President, Concordia University System) join Andy and Sarah to talk about what CU Ventures is, where the idea began and how it serves the Concordia Universities, what the Talents Fund is and how it provides monetary support for the Concordia Universities, and how CU Ventures and the Talents Fund supports students.
 
 Reach out to Curt at [email protected] for information on the Talents Fund. Find more information at cuventures.com and talentsvcfund.com. Find information on Concordia University Scholarships at cus.edu.
 
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We head out to Kansas in this episode! The Rev. Justin Panzer (President, Kansas District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and talk about his journey through school to seminary, how his time at Westfield House in England was especially formative for him, interesting things about the Kansas District, how his time in congregations has shaped how he leads, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS. Follow goings-on in the Kansas District at facebook.com/kslcms.
 
 Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How does online evangelism lead to real-life church planting in Puerto Rico? The Rev. James Neuendorf (LCMS missionary serving in Puerto Rico) and the Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller (Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church, Austin, TX) join Andy and Sarah to talk about how Rev. Neuendorf is called to serve in Puerto Rico, how Rev. Wolfmueller's congregation in Texas is involved in this work through the Puerto Rico FORO, how Puerto Ricans have learned about Lutheran teaching from online evangelism, the new online efforts happening through mission work in Puerto Rico which lead to Word and Sacrament ministry, and how the FORO supports this work in a meaningful way.
 
 Resources in this episode:
 Read about this story at engage.lcms.org/puerto-rico-spring-2026.
 Learn more about the LCMS presence in Puerto Rico at lcmspuertorico.org.
 Find information about a FORO to support at international.lcms.org/foro.
 Learn more about all LCMS International Mission at international.lcms.org.
 
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How has Lutheran Bible Translators made a difference for people who want to read the Bible in their own language? The Rev. Dr. Rich Rudowske (Executive Director, Lutheran Bible Translators) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the work of Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT), where LBT serves around the world, why this work is so important to him, a recent Bible dedication for the Komba people in Ghana, and a historic translation goal for LBT and partner translation organizations. Learn more about Lutheran Bible Translators at lbt.org.
 
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We go "non-geographical" today to learn about the English District! The Rev. Jeffrey Miskus (President & Bishop, The English District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and talk about growing up in Canada and his path to seminary, how his formation led to where he is serving now, a brief history of the English District (and how there are LCMS churches in Canada), and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS.
 
 Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Concordia Universities have an exciting opportunity for Lutheran high school students! Dr. Jamie Kowalczyk (Vice President for Strategic Operations/Chief of Staff, Concordia University Chicago), Breana Winnes (Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission, Concordia University St. Paul), Aaron Roberts (Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions, Concordia University, Nebraska) and Leah Toerpe (Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Concordia University Wisconsin) join Sarah to talk about the new Direct Admission program at these four Concordia Universities, including how this helps high school students gain a direct path into a Concordia University, the advantages of this program, what makes each Concordia a special and unique place for higher education, and their advice for high school upperclassmen. Learn more about this program at cus.edu/admissions.
 
 Learn more about the Concordias:
 
 Concordia University Chicago: cuchicago.edu
 Concordia University St. Paul: csp.edu
 Concordia University, Nebraska: cune.edu
 Concordia University Wisconsin: cuw.edu
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How can we encourage children's presence and participation in the worship service? Professor Jared Stiek (Assistant Professor, Lutheran Teacher Education; Assistant Dean, College Education, Concordia University Chicago) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what drew him into the education field, what he loves about teaching future Lutheran educators, the aspects of children’s value in church that are often overlooked, what we learn about children from Scripture and our Lutheran doctrine, and some ideas for fostering a child's upbringing in the church.
 
 Resources in this episode:
 
 lea.org/childrens-place-in-the-church
 cph.org/whisper-whisper-learning-about-church
 cph.org/about-the-lutheran-church-set (Worship)
 cph.org/right-from-the-start
 amazon.com/Parenting-Pew-Guiding-Children-Worship/dp/0830823409
 blog.cph.org/read/everyday-faith/parenting-in-the-pew-6-steps-to-help-kids-behave-in-church
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What role does pastoral recruitment play in Set Apart to Serve? The Rev. James Baumgartner (Manager, Pastoral Missionary Recruitment with the LCMS Office of International Mission) and the Rev. Dr. Quintin Cundiff (Director of Church Planting with the LCMS Office of National Mission) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about what they get to do in their respective positions, their journeys into church work vocations, the need for international pastors and what these pastors get to do, how church planting works and why it is important, and how we can continue to raise up new pastors by the work of the Holy Spirit. Learn more about serving internationally with the Office of International Mission at international.lcms.org and learn more about church planting by emailing [email protected].
 
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How do students from the Peace Lutheran Campus Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point serve God's people through their Spring Break mission trips? Scott West (faculty advisor for Peace Lutheran Campus Center at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) is joined by Peace Lutheran Campus Center members Clara, Ethan, Sebastian, Melissa, Matt, Rylan, and Rachel to talk about how the Center enriches the lives of college students at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, why mission trips are a priority, how Scott has seen students grow in their faith in God and love toward their neighbors during these trips, what the students have learned, and how they see these trips as helpful in forming them for their future vocations.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

We launch a new series today, answering this question: Who is on the LCMS Council of Presidents, and what do they get to do? The Rev. Benjamin Ball (Senior Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, Hamel IL; Second Vice President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to kick off the series by answering the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to), sharing his journey from childhood through seminary formation, what he loves about the congregations he's been blessed to serve, the duties of the Second Vice President of the LCMS, why he's a pastor in the LCMS today, and what brings him joy in serving God's people.
 
 Learn more about the LCMS President and Vice Presidents at lcms.org/about/leadership/president and the 35 LCMS Districts at lcms.org/districts.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Have you heard the 1725 version of Bach's St. John Passion? You have a chance to hear it live in St. Louis during Holy Week! Dr. Maurice Boyer (Artistic Director of the American Kantorei) and the Rev. Dr. Jon Vieker (Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Dean of Chapel, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) join Sarah to talk about what Bach's St. John Passion is, how it is different from the more popular version that the American Kantorei performed two years ago, the highlights of this Passion, what sets the Passion apart from Bach's other works, and how this can be a part of a listener's Holy Week journey. Learn more at american-kantorei.org and csl.edu/event/st-john-passion-by-johann-sebastian-bach-1725.
 
 Sunday, March 29
 3:00 p.m. CT
 Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
 
 Tuesday, March 31
 7:30 p.m. CT
 St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Des Peres, MO
 
 Both performances are free admission.
 A door offering will be collected.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How can Lutheran congregations support military service members and veterans through Operation Barnabas? Jill Tendler — Operation Barnabas volunteer at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Eureka, MO, and Lee Hinton — Administrative Coordinator for LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces, join Andy and Sarah to talk about Jill's military family story, why Operation Barnabas is important to her, and how small actions make a huge difference for veterans and military families. Learn more at 314-996-1337 and lcms.org/ministry-to-the-armed-forces/operation-barnabas.
 
 This episode originally aired on January 9, 2024.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What's it like to be a student in a church work program at Concordia University Irvine? The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Ruehs (Assistant Dean of Christ College at Concordia University Irvine) and Carrie Donohoe (Director of LCMS Recruitment, Christ College Program Coordinator, and Assistant Director of LCMS Placement at Concordia University Irvine) join Andy and Sarah to talk about what they love about working at Concordia Irvine (CUI), why church worker formation is important to them and to CUI, the church work programs available at CUI and what makes them unique, what students would experience on a visit day, and how to take the next steps to learn more. Find Concordia University Irvine online at cui.edu.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What’s unfolding right now at the Lutheran Heritage Foundation? The Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise (Executive Director, Lutheran Heritage Foundation) and the Rev. Dr. Douglas Rutt (Board Member, Lutheran Heritage Foundation) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the LHF-sponsored African Translation conference in Addis Ababa, the very exciting work underway in Iceland and Norway, the extensive distribution of the Spanish Lutheran Book of Prayer, and the recently published Vietnamese translation of Unchanging Truth in Changing Times. Learn more about Lutheran Heritage Foundation at lhfmissions.org.
 
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How does the Parable of the Prodigal Son end? The Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller (Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas) joins Andy and Sarah for Part Three of a three-part series on his new book Finally Free: Lessons in the Parable of the Prodigal Son from Concordia Publishing House. He revisits the types of slavery and freedom covered in his book, what the older son does when the father welcomes the prodigal son, how this parable compares to the other lost-and-found parables in Scripture, and who has the resulting joy in these parables.
 
 Find Finally Free at cph.org/finally-free-three-lessons-in-the-parable-of-the-prodigal-son. Find more content from Rev. Wolfmueller at youtube.com/wolfmueller1 and wolfmueller.co.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Rev. Sean Daenzer, LCMS Director of Worship and International Center Chaplain, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the history and legacy of St. Patrick, what is significant about his early years, the misunderstandings we may have about him, the impact of his work on Ireland and the rest of Christianity, and where we find his work in our Lutheran circles. Find Lutheran Service Book 604, St. Patrick's Breastplate, at hymnary.org/hymn/LSB2006/604.
 
 This episode originally aired on March 17, 2021.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What will men be learning about at this year's Men's Gathering at Lakeview Villages? Men's Gathering organizers Joshua Vandercar and Luke Vandercar join the Rev. Dr. Richard Stuckwisch (President of the Indiana District of the LCMS, and Men’s Gathering Presenter and Pastor), Dr. Donna Harrison, MD (Retired Board-Certified Obstetrician, active leader in AAPLOG and Men’s Gathering Presenter), and Andy and Sarah to talk about Dr. Harrison's involvement with the Men's Gathering this year, what she will be presenting on, why life ministry topics are important to discuss with this group of men, Dr. Stuckwisch's involvement in the Gathering, and the fun and formational activities men at this year's Gathering will experience. Learn more about the Men's Gathering happening April 9-12 at Lakeview Villages in Seymour, IN at mensgathering.us.
 
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How are music and theology students formed at Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE)? Dr. Jeffrey Blersch (Professor of Music, Concordia University Nebraska) and the Rev. Dr. John Genter (Assistant Professor of Theology, Concordia University Nebraska) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about what drew them to their areas of expertise in music and theology, the church work programs each of them interact with, how they see their individual areas of expertise as important in forming future church workers, what students at CUNE experience academically and socially, how students are fed spiritually, and their encouragement for parents and students to consider CUNE or another Concordia for church worker formation.
 
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

What is a FORO? The Rev. Dr. Brian Gauthier (Managing Director, Global Mission Operations, LCMS Office of International Mission) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the structure of the LCMS approach to international mission, how missionaries and support staff are organized, how these missionaries and support staff are supported from outside the International Center, what a FORO is and how it supports mission work efforts, why church planting is such an important strategic priority, and how you can support the work of a FORO. Learn more at lcms.org/international and international.lcms.org.
 
 This episode originally aired on June 9, 2025.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

Where do we see despair in the Parable of the Prodigal Son? The Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller (Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas) joins Andy and Sarah for Part Two of a three-part series on his new book Finally Free: Lessons in the Parable of the Prodigal Son from Concordia Publishing House. He shares how despair is a slavery, specifically a theological slavery, the relationship between proclamation of the Word and faith, what we see when the younger son returns to his father's home, and what true repentance is. 
 
 Find Finally Free at cph.org/finally-free-three-lessons-in-the-parable-of-the-prodigal-son. Find more content from Rev. Wolfmueller at youtube.com/wolfmueller1 and wolfmueller.co.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How can church workers and graduate level church work students refine their God-given talents and skills in spiritual care from a historic Lutheran perspective? The Rev. Dr. Brian Heller (Manager, LCMS Office of National Mission, Mercy Training, LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about what Lutheran Visitation is, how listeners may have experienced visitation, how Lutheran Visitation Education serves the Church, the key components of Lutheran Visitation Education, how this training fits into the bigger picture of Specialized Spiritual Care, and how church workers can take advantage of Lutheran Visitation Education. Learn more by emailing [email protected] or visiting lcms.org/how-we-serve/mercy/specialized-spiritual-care-ministry/lutheran-visitation-education-program.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How do we as Lutherans support women facing unplanned pregnancies? Deaconess Jessica Thompson (Director of Program and Ministry Services for Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries) joins Sarah to talk about the mission and work of Redeeming Life Outreach Ministries (RLOM), the need for this type of ministry in the LCMS, how RLOM has impacted women with physical and spiritual care over the years, the RLOM expansion plans for St. Louis, and how people can support RLOM in general as well as this expansion plan. Learn more at rlom.org and facebook.com/RedeemingLifeOutreachMinistries.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How are students formed into faithful future pastors and deaconesses at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis? The Rev. Dr. Jason Lane (Associate Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) and the Rev. Dr. Peter Nafzger (Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about what they love about their work at Concordia Seminary, their areas of theological expertise and why they were drawn to those areas, how these branches of theology intersect for seminary students, the classes that fall under each branch of theology, how their areas of expertise are important in the forming of future pastors and deaconesses, how students are fed spiritually on campus, and the students' academic and social experience on campus. Learn more about formation at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis by visiting csl.edu.
 
 Christ’s church will continue until He returns, and that church will continue to need church workers.
 
 Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Together, we pray for workers for the Kingdom of God and encourage children to consider church work vocations.
 
 Here are three easy ways you can participate in SAS:
 1. Pray with your children for God to provide church workers.
 2. Talk to your children about becoming church workers.
 3. Thank God for the people who work in your congregation.
 
 To learn more about Set Apart to Serve, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve.
 
 Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].

How has Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), been equipping students for service in God’s church and the world for over 130 years? Derek Englebart (Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Concordia University, Nebraska) and Scott Seevers (Senior Director of Development and Engagement, Concordia University, Nebraska) join Andy and Sarah to talk about what students are equipped for when they complete their Christ-centered education at CUNE, what a Christ-centered education at CUNE looks like for both the church work student and the liberal arts student seeking a career, Derek and Scott's CUNE stories and why they returned to work for the university in leadership roles, the difference scholarships have made for CUNE students, how the “Concordia Fund” enables Concordia University, Nebraska to provide financial assistance, and the exciting Seeds of Generosity celebration at CUNE. Learn more at cune.edu/seeds.
 
 As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: [email protected].