Wearing Four Missionary Hats

Dimas Jimenez is a valuable witness to the ministry of LINC Houston. Dimas serves as pastor to Iglesia Luterano Memorial, a congregation of predominately Spanish speaking people, within Memorial Lutheran Church in Katy. Dimas also serves as one of four Mission Coordinators for LINC Houston, a position providing supervision and support to LINC missionaries in the greater Houston area. Along with his wife Ana Maria, Dimas oversees the operation of LINC’s Liberia Cristiana Nuevo Oasis (New Oasis Christian Book Store). Ana Maria manages the book store, while the back of the store serves as a major source of ministry with English as a Second Language classes. Volunteer Mrs. Gerry Woelfel serves as teacher and mentor of her faith. If those three jobs weren’t enough, Dimas also serves as Chaplain for Christ Clinic, a free health care ministry in Katy supported by LINC Houston.

Dimas has a theology degree from a seminary in Panama and is currently working toward his formal ordination as a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pastor. He and Anna Marie moved to Houston in December, 2001 to begin his work with LINC. Dimas and Ana Maria are gifts of God to the outreach mission of the Texas District.

Lutheran Schools Support TPIM

Trinity Lutheran School, Houston

Mr. David Glienke, Principal

Lutheran Schools support TPIM

Trinity Lutheran School in Amarillo created a partnership with Texas Partners in Mission by sharing the mission story of mission outreach in the Texas District with their students. The teachers do their best to teach their little Trinity Tigers that the chapel offerings are one of the ways we echo to others God's call to each of us. In response to this story, $663.87 in chapel offerings were collected and given in support of the 90+ missionaries who share the Gospel hope of Jesus Christ in 15+ languages right here in our Texas District.

Pictured: Rev. Brian Hesse, Mr. Rick Ryan, Rev. David Schatte

Missions: Highest Priority in Texas District

The Texas District places mission outreach as the highest priority by dedicating 39% of its annual budget to support missionaries in Texas. These funds are distributed to 66 missions and agencies representing over 80 missionaries who share the Gospel message of hope in Jesus Christ in over 15 different languages right here in the Texas District. Your mission offerings sent to the Texas District are much appreciated by this wonderful list of men and women.


Texas Partners in Mission is a vital life line to this priority. Individuals, congregations and schools who have become partners realize that their involvement is providing direct support to these missionaries. Gifts to Texas Partners in Mission provide assurance that our missionaries receive the support promised from the Texas District. If you would like to become a partner in the mission outreach of the Texas District, either call the District Office at 1-800-951-3478, Michael Fuchs, Director of Development, at 1-817-368-4438 or visit the Texas Partners in Mission web site at www.txdistlcms.org/tpim. If you are interested in having your gift matched and gain a bonus 1% on a Church Extension Fund investment, be sure to inquire about the 100PLUS1 program. May God bless all of our missionaries and Texas Partners in Mission!

One Congregation - Faithful Mission

St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kingsville has a mission spirit that shows itself in the gift of hope and generosity. On an annual basis, St. Paul dedicates 25% of their annual budget to reflect the Biblical principal of first fruits giving back to God. 10% is given to the Texas District and 15% is given to other missions.

The story grows from this attitude and priority. St. Paul also includes a line item in their budget to support the mission outreach of the Texas District with a direct gift to Texas Partners in Mission. Since 2003, these gifts now total over $6,000.

The story continued on Pentecost Sunday when Rev. Allan Eckert presented a $2,682 check to Michael Fuchs, Director of Development for Texas Partners in Mission, from gifts received during Lent. A special gift of $30,000 was also received from St. Paul in support of the outreach mission in our Texas District. All praise to God for this congregation’s partnership!

May their example of hope and generosity inspire us all!

Sunday School Supports TPIM

Prince of Peace Lutheran Sunday School from Amarillo collected their offerings for three months in support of Texas Partners in Mission and the mission outreach in the Texas District, especially the 15+ languages used to share the Gospel.


If you would like to become a partner in the mission outreach of the Texas District, either call the District Office at 1-800-951-3478, Michael Fuchs, Director of Development, at 1-817-368-4438 or visit the Texas Partners in Mission web site at www.txdistlcms.org/tpim. If you are interested in having your gift matched and gain a bonus 1% on a Church Extension Fund investment, be sure to inquire about the 100PLUS1 program. May God bless all of our missionaries and Texas Partners in Mission!

Missional Congregation - Zion, Dallas

Zion Lutheran Church & School was founded in 1879, near downtown Dallas. In 1957, Zion moved to their current location. Zion Lutheran Church & School’s mission is to be a Christ-centered, growing, spiritual home for worshipping God, proclaiming the Gospel, nurturing faith, educating and loving and caring for people. Today, Zion shows itself as a Missional Congregation made up by a group of believers who continually look for ways to share the Gospel message of hope with others.

Zion Lutheran School’s enrollment of 200 children hear the message of Christ throughout their day. Of special significance, 60% of the students are not members of Zion.

Zion also serves as the site for two ethnic ministries. Rev. Kbrab Isaak drives from Houston once a month to minister to an Eritrean group of Lutheran Christians. Rev. Hiram Orea provides spiritual care to the Hispanic population through Bible classs and devotions each Friday night and worship each Sunday afternoon.

Zion is also sponsoring and supporting Vicar James Jarrett in planting a new mission, Water of Life, in Forney.Rev. Robert Preece serves as senior pastor at Zion.

Pastor Preece is also the 1st Vice-President of the Texas District. May God continue to bless the staff and members of Zion, and their encouragement

Texas Partners in Mission

Your mission offerings to the Texas District are at work! Over 66 missions and agencies representing over 100 missionaries share the Gospel message of hope in Jesus Christ in over 15 different languages right here in the Texas District. Many amazing stories can be told about the courageous Christians who lead our mission outreach. Pictured below are four men who lead mission agencies with multiple ministries. Together, these four agencies represent over 65 ministries. Ryan Busse chairs the Board of Directors of Rio MAC, supporting mission outreach in the valley. Rev. Karim Baidaoui leads POBLO-TX in mission outreach to the Muslim community in the DFW area. The LINC programs have united existing Lutheran congregations in outreach to many ethnic communities. Rev. Mark Junkans serves the greater Houston community and Rev. Oscar Benavides serves the greater North Texas area. Please check out each of their ministries through the Texas Partners in Mission web site.

Texas Partners in Mission is a ministry which invites direct support of mission outreach in the Texas District. Individuals, groups and congregations have provided faithful support. If you would like to become a partner in the mission outreach of the Texas District, either call the District Office at 1-800-951-3478, Michael Fuchs, Director of Development, at 1-817-368-4438 or visit the Texas Partners in Mission web site at www.txdistlcms.org/tpim. If you are interested in having your gift matched and gain a bonus 1% on a Church Extension Fund investment, be sure to inquire about the 100PLUS1 program. May God bless all of our missionaries and TPIM!

ESL at University of Texas, Austin

Dr. Keith Loomans is a name synonymous with ministry in the Texas District. Keith’s positive attitude about life and Christ’s love for mankind has been felt by children in the classroom and by adult leaders throughout the Texas District. In his retirement, he shares Christ’s love with students at the University of Texas in Austin by teaching English as a Second Language. Most ESL students are Korean, Chinese and Taiwanese. There are also students from Brazil, Spain and Japan. Most of the students are spouses of UT doctoral students and visiting scholars. Also working with the ESL students is Marcia Mittwede. In addition to the language classes, Bible studies are also offered. As a result of this ministry two Korean adults and one Korean child have been baptized. Praise the Lord for this ministry!

May God richly bless these missionaries of the Gospel!

Out of Sight...Out of Mind...NOT!!!

When Hurricane Ike was stirring its fury in the Gulf of Mexico, residents all along the Texas coastline from Port Arthur to Brownsville, were uncertain of their safety. We know that Ike struck our Texas coast with its greatest destruction from Galveston Island to Port Arthur. Do you remember? If you live in the greater Houston and southeast Texas areas you do remember...and are still recovering!

The Texas District, Lutheran Social Service of the South (LSSS) and LINC Houston began the race to restoration within hours of the storm’s passing. People were fed, water was distributed and the Gospel message of hope in Jesus Christ was shared. LINC Houston, LSSS and church members of Texas District LC-MS churches remain active participants in the restoration effort.

LINC Houston is now recognized as one of the top 10 agencies in Houston for their food bank and food distribution. Four distribution centers were set up throughout Houston and over 20,000 supplies of food and water have been given out. Vicar Lincon Guerra coordinated food distribution at the LINC office at Beautiful Savior. Robert & Betty Stephenson represent two of countless volunteers who helped distribute food.

LINC Houston has also received high praise from the city of Houston and FEMA for their work in helping people. Families have called the helpers their “LINC Angels.” Clients and employees of FEMA are including LINC in their prayers. What a testament to God’s hand at work in bringing hope through devastation.

The need for home repair has brought an entirely new system of volunteers to the ministry of LINC Houston. Gwen Franke now serves as Volunteer Director. Case Managers Michelle Gil, Noemi Guerra and Mary Behnken assist families in completing Case Applications for repair work. Frank & Pauline McKinley and Tom Behnken serve as Project Managers who plan construction projects that have been approved. Dan & Rose Laugavits (Reed City, Michigan) serve as Construction Supervisors. Edward Gil, Saul Orozco and Steven Berlanga serve as Site Foreman. Countless volunteers show up to work!

Rev. Mark Junkans, LINC Executive Director, reports that LINC staff and volunteers have done work at over 260 homes (tree removal, tarps, clean up, repair work). The list continues to grow! Pastor Junkans is amazed at how God is using His people to share Christ’s love with others.

Houston - City of Immigrants

I have started a YouTube channel with videos of the missionary work happening in the Texas District. Here's the first one of a series, more are available by clicking "TPIM Video" in the Links list to the left. Keep checking the blog, I'll be highlighting more videos as the weeks go by.