Disasters have a nasty way of turning our world inside out. In Facing Disaster Like A Man—the newest Bible study from Lutheran Hour Ministries' Men's NetWork—Pastor Kurt Klaus of Child of God Lutheran Church in St. Peters, Missouri, considers the catastrophes that nature wreaks, man causes, or we bring on ourselves—or others. This three-part Bible study offers a telling glimpse into the lives of people who have faced heart-rending calamities. Facing Disaster Like A Man features the following three segments: "Acts of God," "Unnatural Disasters," and "My Self-made Disasters." The third session includes a powerful and familiar biblical narrative that sounds as real today as it did three thousand years ago.

Facing Disaster Like A Man takes on the natural question "Why?" in response to tragedy—and proposes an alternative: "What for?" How is it that God can and will use a disaster for good and for His glory? It may not be how most of us react to an event that might have swept away our loved ones or property—and when it's all said and done, those experiencing a disaster in their lives may never know all the details behind why some titanic event befell them. But that's where God comes in. What He brings is His presence and His sure and steady hand— "a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

It could be a hurricane, a car accident, or a divorce. It might not only bring loss of property and life but our sanity as well. Whatever the disaster is, facing it—and overcoming it—can be achieved by God's grace and the comfort He provides.

All Men's NetWork Bible studies and a host of other useful resources are available at lhmmen.com! Check it out today.

Staff members of LHM's ministry center in Ghana recently traveled to the remote northern area of Bunkpurugu to hold an Equipping the Saints (ETS) evangelism workshop. What they found was an audience that was eager to learn methods for sharing their faith.

St. Andrews Lutheran Congregation in Bunkpurugu operates more than twenty preaching stations—most of which are manned by lay people because pastors are in short supply. The lay leaders who attended the ETS event were particularly enthusiastic about gaining Gospel knowledge to share with others.

One participant, Simon Laar, said he would like to attend ETS training regularly: "This area needs more of these workshops. They help pastors and other leaders to function effectively." According to Laar, it has been more than twenty years since an evangelism workshop of any kind was held in Bunkpurugu.

The Ghana staff is planning to conduct ETS workshops in other distant areas where the need is great. To learn more about LHM—Ghana's Equipping the Saints training workshops and other ministry activities, visit the center's blog. Please pray for the efforts of this ministry center. To support the efforts of LHM—Ghana financially, visit www.lhmgift.org.

On May 27 the people of southern Guatemala were caught by surprise when the Pacaya volcano erupted, raining sand and ash down on nearby Guatemala City and surrounding communities. Seven villages around the volcano were damaged as huge rocks and fire destroyed houses. More than 1,900 people had to be evacuated to several shelters across three municipalities.

On the heels of the Pacaya eruption came Tropical Storm Agatha—called the worst storm since 1949—which caused a landslide on a hillside settlement that killed 162 people and left 103 missing. More than 135,000 people had to be evacuated from their homes, and 32,000 of those houses were seriously damaged.

Lutheran Hour Ministries—Guatemala has been active in responding with physical, emotional, and spiritual care for the survivors of these events. To see images of LHM—Guatemala's response efforts visit the center's photo blog.

Oct. 2, 2010 marks the 80^th anniversary of Gospel proclamation through The Lutheran Hour^® radio program. For the Lord's blessings over the years, we praise Him and celebrate! No matter what is going on in the world, from economic instability to war with foreign nations, from civil unrest to violence within our own borders, the message remains the same: we preach Christ crucified.

The Lutheran Hour has served as a catalyst for 80 years of ministry, from international ministry centers to radio and TV programs and from Internet ministry to evangelism-training. Over the decades since the program first aired, the media have evolved. Now, not only is The Lutheran Hour heard on traditional radio stations, but it is also heard online and via satellite radio and podcast; in addition, people can read sermons they receive via e-mail right on their computer screens. Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour since 2002, also writes daily devotions to be read and listened to online or via e-mail and records short videos and Bible studies to be watched online through our Men's NetWork.

The Lutheran Hour continues to reach new audiences. A slightly modified version of the program airs on the American Forces Network for military personnel and their families. And earlier this year, the program's reach expanded by more than 30 percent (to more than 1,350 stations) through a partnership with Christian Satellite Network International.

Your support can help ensure that The Lutheran Hour continues to touch lives with Christ's message of hope! To celebrate the 80^th anniversary, friends of Lutheran Hour Ministries have offered special challenge gifts totaling $65,000 (so far). They will match, dollar-for-dollar up to $65,000, the gifts you give in honor of the 80^th anniversary. Funds raised will be designated for The Lutheran Hour radio program.

As part of this unique giving opportunity, we will collect a special offering during the International Convention of the International Lutheran Laymen's League in Omaha later this month. Attendees can use a special offering envelope to give their gift during The Lutheran Hour Celebration Event on Saturday, July 24. But you may give now to add to this offering, even if you will not be at the convention. Just visit www.lutheranhour.org/80years.