A message from Rev. Paul Ernewein about his story and how Forged by Fire Ministries began and blossomed.
Learn more about 2025–2027 LWML Mission Grant #3 Portable Laundry Trailer here.
Learn more about 2023–2025 LWML Mission Grant #6 Mobile Kitchen here.
By Rachel Potts with Mission Editor Brianne Stahlecker
When you walk into a kitchen and catch the scent of something delicious being stirred on the stove, your senses awaken. You lean in. You want to be part of it. That image captures what Paul encourages in Hebrews: a stirring that awakens the spirit and draws others in ― not toward soup, but toward love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24b). It's an active phrase. It suggests movement, encouragement, even a gentle nudge, when someone grows weary. In a world that often pushes us toward isolation or self-focus, God's Word invites us to look outward, to notice, to uplift, and to spur each other onward in Christ's love.
At Lutheran Braille Workers (LBW), we’ve seen this stirring happen in beautiful ways. Every day, somewhere around the world, a person who is blind or visually impaired opens a book from LBW and reads words that stir their hearts: the living Word of God. Through its pages, people who once felt isolated discover they are seen, known, and loved by the Creator. And, remarkably, they are stirred — not only to receive, but to give. We've heard stories of recipients who now lead Bible studies, encourage others, share Christ with neighbors, and care for those with disabilities.
God also stirs hearts within the LBW ministry in love and good works. Volunteers, often women of the LWML, are vital partners, bringing spiritual light to those without physical sight. Over 3,000 volunteers across the United States dedicate their time and talents to produce these free Bibles and Christian materials in Braille and Specialized Large Print. Their labor is often unseen by us, but it is never unnoticed by God. This sacred rhythm, receiving the Word and responding in love, flows onward: from volunteer to recipient and from recipient to community. This is how God works; He stirs us up through His Word, and He sends us out for the good of others.
Ultimately, our stirring comes not from ourselves but from the One who first stirred us, Jesus. He stirred compassion for the broken, hope for the lost, and sacrifice for the unworthy. His love moves us to love. His works move us to work.
May we be women who notice the needs around us and boldly stir each other toward love. May we be gentle with those who feel overwhelmed, patient with those unsure, and joyful with those ready to serve. As we stir up one another with love and good works, we bear witness to a Savior who gave His all, and who continues to work through us, for the good of others and the glory of His name.
Rachel Potts serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Ministry Relations at Lutheran Braille Workers, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Formerly a speech-language pathologist and school director, she now shares LBW’s mission and the good news of Jesus with churches and individuals across the eastern U.S. Rachel especially enjoys spending time with her favorite ministry and mission group — the LWML! In her free time, she loves music, gardening, and family time with her husband and three children.
This story was originally featured in the Fall 2025 Lutheran Woman's Quarterly. Order your subscription here.
For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.
Worship Anew, a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), develops and distributes biblical, Christ-centered resources to thousands of people across the United States.
Worship Anew sponsors the publication of a daily devotion booklet, Hope-Full Living, written by seniors and for seniors. Worship Anew also publishes the Broadcaster, a magazine that is free of cost and available by mail or online.
With this grant, Worship Anew will expand the Broadcaster to a monthly magazine which will include feature articles addressing the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of aging adults, a monthly Bible study, activity pages and Bible stories to help in sharing their faith with children and grandchildren.
For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.
By Emily Stocking with Mission Editor Brianne Stahlecker
I vividly remember the day I called my pastor with my news. The Lord was telling me our church should start a homeless ministry in the house our congregation had been given. Bearing one another’s burdens is one thing, but to step out in faith — to this level — in small-town Missouri? My pastor was more than sure that the Lord had spoken, and we were to listen. Since that day, the road has not always been an easy one. Housing homeless, pregnant women as well as women with their children, comes with a significant number of burdens. However, walking alongside these women and children is an incredible blessing. The Lord has faithfully provided for all our needs. We have been blessed with numerous donors and grants that have made our work at Zoe’s Home possible.
Women in our program are either pregnant or have a child under the age of three. To support their journey, we employ three part-time staff members and have a host of volunteers. While at Zoe’s Home, women are met with the grace of Jesus, regardless of how long we have them. We want them to know, no matter where they are in their journey, they are loved and cared for, and we are honored to walk alongside them. Upon arrival in our program, residents establish long-term goals and short-term objectives to help them reach their goals. Each resident participates in weekly case management, financial coaching, meal planning, cooking, household chores, parenting classes, Bible study, Celebrate Recovery, community mental health/substance abuse services, and employment services. Additionally, they must participate in all medical appointments for themselves and their children. Church attendance is also required. Once residents are stable in our environment, we encourage them to find gainful employment. Each resident is required to save half of her income to put toward large purchases, such as a car, or deposits for independent living. Residents are allowed to stay in our program as long as they are working toward their goals; for most women this is around nine months.
Over the last year, we were able to open a second home and are now able to house up to seven women and their children. Funds from the LWML Mission Grant have been used to help cover the cost of increased utilities, additional staffing needs, and supplying this new home with household items. The grant has been an incredible blessing for us because it has relieved some of the burden of fundraising and allows us to focus more of our attention on caring for these women and their children.
Emily Stocking is a Licensed Professional Counselor who felt the Lord’s urging to begin a homeless ministry. Having spent her whole life loving babies and young children and seeing the need for housing for homeless, pregnant women and their children, Emily leaned into this idea and began a program for this exact population. She is the wife of Dillon and mom to three beautiful children — Kynlee, Jase, and Arnie.
This story was originally featured in the Summer 2025 Lutheran Woman's Quarterly. Order your subscription here.
For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.
Lutheran Women in Mission President Eden Keefe spoke with Rev. Paul Ernewein of Forged By Fire Disaster Relief Organization for an update on their ministry. Through 2023–2025 Mission Grant #6, an $85,000 grant will help fund a mobile kitchen to serve warm meals and spiritual care in disaster-affected communities. Over 130,000 meals have already been served, sharing Christ’s love — one plate at a time.
For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.
By Caitlin McCallum with Mission Editor Brianne Stahlecker
Lutheran Special Education Ministries (LSEM) is incredibly grateful for the support they’ve received from the ladies of the LWML. Funding Mission Grant #23, “A Legacy of Love for Special Needs Children” has enabled them to serve children who learn diversely in Lutheran schools across the country. This means that more children were able to attend, remain, and be successful in their Lutheran schools while experiencing God’s love in a supportive Christian environment.
Support from donors like LWML enables this vision to become a reality.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Read on to see how LWML mission grant support has helped these children come to Jesus.
One teacher, Sandi Goerish, in Anchorage, Alaska, shared that she had a sixth grade student with autism who had many struggles. Notably, he never learned how to properly form his letters and couldn’t write legibly. He struggled with spelling, despite being a good reader, and he had no idea how to add, subtract, multiply, or divide. In a matter of a few short months, he became confident in his ability to write, his spelling abilities improved, and he learned the four basic math operations. This student made tremendous strides, showing how resilient kids can be if someone takes the time to work with them.
Robert Hoch, teaching in Macomb, Michigan, read the chapter book, Hannah, with two fourth grade students. The story tells about how Hannah, a blind girl in 1887, was made fun of and excluded by fellow students when she attended the one room school. They talked about how handicapped children are not always treated nicely and how we should treat everyone kindly. The students realized that if people get to know you, others are ready to accept you and include you, whatever your handicap.
In Minnesota, LSEM teacher Terri Bentz saw a child and parent fighting to win battles together. Terri worked with the kindergartner to overcome large learning gaps and give him the building blocks for successful learning. Simultaneously, the child’s mother was fighting breast cancer, requiring many treatments and several surgeries. Together, this mother and son team faced their troubles, were encouraged and supported by their Lutheran school and community, and, with God’s grace and blessing, won their respective battles.
These are just a few of the small moments of making a difference in the lives of children. Lutheran Women in Mission, your mission grant support enabled LSEM to continue to reach out and serve these children in their local Lutheran schools, so that they can be academically successful while being spiritually filled in a Christ-centered learning environment.
Caitlin McCallum is the Donor Relations Specialist of LSEM and celebrates the impact of stories and the written word. She hopes these words inspire hope, foster joy, and impart gratitude.
This story was originally featured in the Spring 2025 Lutheran Woman's Quarterly. Order your subscription here.
For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.
On December 5, 2024, the LWML Nebraska North District was honored to present a check on behalf of Lutheran Women in Mission for $50,000 to Siouxland Lutheran Hispanic Ministry. District President LaDonna Stanosheck and District Vice President of Gospel Outreach Pam Williams presented the check to Yasmin Osterholt, who is a worker for the ministry, an ESL teacher, and a DCE student. Others present were Rev. Michael Awe, pastor of Hope Lutheran, and Rev. Henry Witte, vacancy pastor for the ministry, as well as ministry board members.
From left, back row: Ed Stone, Ruth Witte, Sheila Floyd, Rev. Michael Awe, Rev. Henry Witte Front row: Pam Williams, Yasmin Osterholt, LaDonna Stanosheck, Pat Glover
This ministry serves the Hispanic people in the surrounding area. Services in Spanish, confirmation classes, ESL classes, and fun are just a few of the activities of this ministry. This is a much-needed ministry for this area, and prayers are always needed for its success to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus.
For more information about this mission grant, view the individual mission grant page here.
