A blitz of love & hope

Lutheran, The, Sep 2005 by Clemmer, Cindi L

'Master builders of men in Christ' tackle a different kind of construction

From July 22-24 in Charleston, S.C., Lutheran men from across the country not only talked about their faith but put it into action in a sweltering parking lot. There they framed a Habitat for Humanity house in less than four hours. The fast-forward "blitz build " was just one of many sweeping experiences at the 2005 Lutheran Men in Mission Gathering, which met under the theme "Run the Race: Keep the Faith."

The gathering also included inspirational speakers on prayer and the Christian life, workshops, worship, an interactive climbing center and varied entertainment from soft rock to hip-hop.

Harvard Stephens Jr., dean of Siebert Chapel at Carthage College, an ELCA school in Kenosha, Wis., discussed types of prayer, sharing that good prayers can be recycled and that Jesus intercedes for praying Christians.

Michael Foss, a pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Burnsville, Minn., prayed, "God help us build lives worth living."

Clemson [S.C.] University head football coach Tommy Bowden encouraged participants to talk about their faith with friends and family members. And retired NASCAR champion Ned Jarrett, a lifelong Lutheran, did just that, sharing with gathering participants stories of his faith life.

Despite the 100-plus-degree heat index, more than 200 : of the 600 men attending-with some spouses, sons and even grandsons-hammered wall sections on the sizzling pavement and then assembled them like a giant 3-D puzzle. "I was amazed to see all the walls come up together within 30 minutes," said retired pastor Henri Bishop of Pomaria, S.C.

The construction project, which also sprouted four storage sheds, involved five local Habitat groups and initial funding of $25,000 from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (as well as funding for the entire LMM gathering) and $3,000 from Habitat for Humanity International.

By offering action-oriented activities such as the build and an interactive ropes and climbing center to foster trust and teamwork, LMM leaders say they've worked intentionally to attract and involve more men aged 18 to 34 and to build more intergenerational relationships. This is an issue that goes to the core of the church's future, says Doug Haugen, LMM director.

"Young men like to do things, not just meet," says Heber Rast of Cameron, S.C., LMM president. Leaders glean ideas from a Young Men's Ministry Council, as well as from a related LMM-funded study. (Final study findings are expected to be published by year's end.)

Gus Brockmann, 29, of Longmont, CoIo., a newly elected LMM board member, says the free-time activities also allowed attendees "to get to know someone and talk about the ideas [they've] just heard [from the speakers], whether building a home or swinging on ropes."

While watching sweating volunteers pound nails in the hot sun, Jeff Engholm, a staff member of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod, may have best summarized it: "These guys are committed... they're building houses, building lives and building the church."

Toward that goal, men from the North Carolina and South Carolina synods raised more than $50,000 as part of a challenge to help LMM become self-supporting. An anonymous donor committed to providing $ 1 for every $2 given to LMM's endowment fund, up to $500,000. Visit www.elca.org/lmm or call Doug Haugen at (800) 63 83522, Ext. 2566, for more information.

Clemmer, a freelance writer and graphic designer, is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Charleston, S.C.