Stories
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Fisher Comfort Dog Makes Her Way to Coeur d’Alene
On May 31, Christ the King Lutheran Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, welcomed the newest comfort dog to the NOW District. Fisher was commissioned during a special service that day,
Concordia Deaconess Conference Cares for Those Who Serve
As “The True Deaconess Spirit” by Wilhelm Loehe reminds, “What is my want? I want to serve.” But even deaconesses need time to rest, and that is one offering the
Built to Grow! Meet the 2026 Catalyst Grant Recipients
The NOW District Catalyst Grant will once again fund some innovative and enriching ministry projects in 2026. This year’s recipients truly embrace the concept of building ministry bridges by feeding
Six Mission Minutes: A New Sprig
Many of our ministries in the Northwest can recall the days of their zenith, when, as a congregation or school, they had grown to noble height and fullness of strength
2026 PSYG Helps Youth Walk in ‘Footsteps’
“Footsteps” was the engaging theme of this year’s Puget Sound Youth Gathering held at Camp Arnold near Eatonville, Washington (March 6-8). 1 John 1:6-7 provided the inspiration — “But if
Integrating Grief Into Life After Loss
NOTE: Becky Oswald is a resource for our ministries in understanding death, the grief process, and providing support for our workers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education, a
What You Know (And Don’t Know) About Grief
Grief is a complicated and personal emotional process. “The grief journey is unique to each person, and for pastors and church workers who have walked with others through grief, its
Trinity’s 20-Year Journey of Faith
Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Bend, Oregon, is an incredible story of faith and perseverance. After deciding to leave their original sanctuary about 20 years ago, the congregation
Resurrection Mission Minutes: Resurrection in the Magic Valley
“He is risen,” Christians say to one another this season. Yet, living in the way of His resurrection means dying to bear resurrection fruit. “Unless a grain of wheat falls
Playground Project Gives Community a Safe Place to Play
After more than 2 years of planning and fundraising, the children at Faith Lutheran Church of Monmouth-Independence have a safe place to play. The final push to start the playground
Pastor Wives Celebrate the Bond of Walking a Similar Path
The 2026 Pastor’s Wives Retreat was a wonderful success! This year, we were blessed to welcome both familiar faces and a few new ones. Among those attending was one woman
Dozens Become Equipped During Spiritual Conversation Workshop
“What keeps us from sharing the most valuable piece of information we have?” On Saturday, Jan. 31, this question was addressed during a workshop on Spiritual Conversations at Redeemer Lutheran
Six Mission Minutes: Hong Kong Riches Rooted in the Word
The Word of God through which this world was created became flesh for us so that we might become rich – not with wealth and status, but with the heavenly
Getting to Know Our Ministry in Hong Kong
Fun fact: Did you know the NOW District has a congregation all the way over in Hong Kong? President Mike Von Behren and his wife, Jennifer, recently visited and shared
YLI at BPM: ‘What Makes This Different From Other Youth Stuff?’
The Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) is up and rolling across the NOW District (click here to download the overview!). On the afternoon of Feb. 12, the classroom at Christ Lutheran
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