LCMS Calendar

FORO — Uruguay
2026-05-15 - 2026-05-17
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Uruguay on May 15-17, 2026.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Rev. James Sharp, LCMS Missionary
james.sharp@lcms.org

LCMS U Campus Ministry Staff Conference - 2026
2026-06-04 00:00 - 2026-06-05 23:59 (America/Chicago)
The LCMS U Campus Ministry Staff Conference will be held Thursday, June 4, through Friday, June 5, 2026, in Lawrence, Kan.

Under the theme “From Generation to Generation,” the conference will feature plenary presentations, breakout sessions and roundtable discussions.

This conference is for pastors, DCEs, deaconesses and others who are leading campus ministries in the LCMS. Its purpose is to:

Facilitate networking among campus ministry leaders;

Facilitate sharing of ideas; and

Provide theological education and discussion, including plenary presentations, breakout sessions and a panel discussion.

Registration is free. Attendees will receive a complimentary single-occupancy hotel room on June 4 on a first-come, first-served basis. Lunch and dinner on June 4 plus lunch on June 5 are also included at no charge.

More information, including speaker and session information, will be available once finalized.

View conference schedule

Register online

LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee Listening Sessions — West-Southwest Region
2026-06-13 00:00 - 2026-06-15 23:59
The Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) is excited to be hosting Listening Sessions in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) West-Southwest Region on June 13 and June 15. Our hope is to engage in a fruitful discussion about how the LCMS is forming faithful pastors to meet the current and future demands of the holy ministry.

The panel will include the two seminary presidents — the Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger (St. Louis) and the Rev. Dr. Jon Bruss (Fort Wayne) — along with the Rev. Dan Galchutt, LCMS interim chief mission officer, and the Rev. Dr. James Baneck, executive director of LCMS Pastoral Education.

We are hoping for a healthy conversation as we answer questions and share insights and information. To that end, we are grateful to you for sharing information about the session with your congregation. District staff, pastors, commissioned workers and laity are invited to attend.

Schedule

LCMS West-Southwest Region

Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. — Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Monday, June 15, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Christ the King Lutheran Church, Kingwood, Texas

Bulletin Insert

LCMS West-Southwest Region — June 13 and June 15

Bulletin Blurb

Share in your Sunday Bulletin:

Have questions about how the LCMS is forming faithful pastors to meet the current and future demands of the holy ministry? Come and talk to the LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee, which includes the two seminary presidents, at the Listening Session hosted at [Congregation] on [Day, Date, Time].

Social Media

Share this graphic and the below caption on your congregation’s social media:

The LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee will soon hold two Listening Sessions in the LCMS [Region], sharing information and insights about forming faithful pastors to meet the present and future needs of the LCMS.

Bring your questions and join the discussion with both seminary presidents — the Rev. Dr. Jon Bruss (Fort Wayne) and the Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger (St. Louis) — along with the Rev. Dan Galchutt, LCMS interim chief mission officer, and the Rev. Dr. James Baneck, LCMS executive director of Pastoral Education. We’re looking forward to a fruitful discussion!

The Listening Sessions will take place:

[List the relevant information from above on the session(s) nearest you]

Download graphic

Pastoral Formation Listening Sessions

The LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee will be hosting Listening Sessions in all five LCMS Regions. The East-Southeast Region sessions will be March 26 and 27. Dates and details for listening sessions in the LCMS Central, Great Plains and Great Lakes Regions are coming soon.

View schedule

YouthLead Servant Event — June 2026
2026-06-14 - 2026-06-19 | Camp Lutheranhaven: Albion, Ind., 1596 S 150 W, Albion, IN, 46701, United States
LCMS Youth Ministry will host its inaugural YouthLead Servant Event from Sunday, June 14, to Friday, June 19, 2026 at Camp Lutherhaven in Albion, Ind.
The gathering blends a week-long servant event and our YouthLead training. Part of each day will serve the Burmese Mission Outreach’s Party in the Park, which shares Christ’s love through fun and fellowship with Burmese refugees in Fort Wayne, Ind.
The remainder of each day will be for large- and small-group time to cultivate Christian leadership skills, including communication development, writing and leading a devotion, and more.
Who can attend Youthlead?
Any high school youth who is an active member of an LCMS congregation and desires to be a leader along with adults who desire to mentor young leaders.
How much does it cost?
Registration is $300, which includes food and housing during the training, supplies, and a T-shirt. Some of the cost of this training is graciously provided by a grant from the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
Participants will have to provide their own transportation to and from Camp Lutherhaven.
If you would like to bring a group of more than four youth and two adults, please contact julianna.shults@lcms.org before you register.
What are the accommodations?
Housing will be in Camp Lutherhaven’s Daniel Retreat Center with men and women staying on separate sides of the cabin.
Participants should bring towels, sleeping bags, pillows, and other bedding as everyone will be staying on bunk beds.
Meals and snacks will be provided through Camp Lutherhaven and Burmese Mission Outreach.

Download flyer
Register

LCMS Youth Ministry

lcms.org/youth

youth.ministry@lcms.org

888-843-5267

facebook.com/LCMSyouth

facebook.com/lcmsgathering

twitter.com/LCMSyouth

FORO — Dominican Republic
2026-09-04 - 2026-09-06
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in the Dominican Republic on Sept. 4-6, 2026.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Erin Mackenzie, LCMS Missionary
erin.mackenzie@lcms.org

FORO — Honduras
2026-09-18 - 2026-09-20
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Honduras on Sept. 18-20, 2026, in Comayagüela, Honduras.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Rev. Herb Burch, LCMS Missionary
herb.burch@lcms.org

FORO — Germany
2026-09-23 - 2026-09-29
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Germany from Sept. 23–29, 2026, in Berlin and Wittenberg. The gathering includes the Independent Evangelical—Lutheran Church (SELK).
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples and address community needs, emphasizing mutual listening and shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contacts
Benjamin Helge, LCMS Missionary
benjamin.helge@lcms.org

FORO — Panama
2026-09-25 - 2026-09-27
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Panama on Sept. 25-27, 2026.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Rev. Dr. Arthur Rickman, LCMS Missionary
arthur.rickman@lcms.org

FORO — Puerto Rico
2026-10-02 - 2026-10-04
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Puerto Rico on Oct. 2-4, 2026.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contacts
Rev. James Sharp
james.sharp@lcms.org
card@lcmsintl.org

FORO — Peru
2026-10-16 - 2026-10-18
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Peru on Oct. 16-18, 2026.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Erin Mackenzie, LCMS Missionary
erin.mackenzie@lcms.org

FORO — Mexico (With Ylseta Lutheran Mission Human Care in El Paso, Texas)
2026-10-28 - 2026-10-29
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO with Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care about mission work in Mexico on Oct. 28-29, 2026, in El Paso, Texas.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Rev. Dr. Arthur Rickman, LCMS Missionary
arthur.rickman@lcms.org

FORO — Honduras
2027-02-19 - 2027-02-21
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Honduras on Feb. 19-21, 2027.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Rev. Herb Burch, LCMS Missionary
herb.burch@lcms.org

FORO — Dominican Republic
2027-03-04 - 2027-03-07
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in the Dominican Republic on March 4-7, 2027.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.
To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Erin Mackenzie, LCMS Missionary
erin.mackenzie@lcms.org

2027 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music
2027-07-12 00:00 - 2027-07-16 23:59
Hosted by LCMS Worship, the 2027 Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music will take place July 12-16.

Information, including a location and daily schedule, will be announced when details are finalized.

If you have any questions about the Institute, email LCMS Deaconess Cara Patton at worship@lcms.org.

LCMS Worship

lcms.org/worship

Worship planning resources

Subscribe to monthly resources email

FORO — Honduras
2027-09-17 - 2027-09-19
LCMS International Mission will host a FORO about mission work in Honduras on Sept. 17-19, 2027.
What is a FORO?
A FORO — Spanish for “forum” — fosters relationships between missionaries serving on behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and mission partners. The meetings facilitate networking, start conversations, and focus resources to make disciples of all nations for generations to come.
When do FOROs occur?
Once or twice a year, LCMS missionaries meet with partners — people from churches, organizations, schools, and partner churches — in their mission field. They discuss strategies to make disciples, address community needs, emphasize mutual listening, and encourage shared decision-making.
Why are FOROs needed?
Missionaries don’t only need funding and volunteers. Missionaries need relationships. They need support networks. They need people to walk with them, pray with them, listen to them, learn from them, and stand with them. FOROs help provide those relationships.

To learn more about FOROs, visit international.lcms.org/foro.

Contact
Rev. Herb Burch, LCMS Missionary

herb.burch@lcms.org
