It is estimated that more than 90 percent of the world’s population has access to radio, allowing this medium to reach people in even the most remote and underserved locations. This is why Lutheran Hour Ministries continues to invest in The Lutheran Hour® and local broadcasts produced by LHM ministry centers around the world to shine the light of Christ into places where other Christian evangelistic organizations are often not present.
With The Lutheran Hour now available on a multitude of online platforms beyond traditional radio, people everywhere are being reached weekly with Christ’s messages of love and hope. This was the case earlier this year when a listener named Marc in Ukraine heard the March 3 broadcast titled, “Included in Such Company.” Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, shared a story in his sermon that day about his college roommate, Duke, preparing to move to Budapest, Hungary, to serve as a U.S. diplomat. Since Marc had also previously served a diplomatic role there, he sent an email to LHM offering a personal invitation to connect with Duke.
“I want to thank you for Pastor Zeigler’s wonderful sermon,” shared Marc. “I can’t tell you how much it means to have The Lutheran Hour as a resource when you are far from home and family in a foreign land.
“Since he mentioned that his friend Duke will be moving soon to Budapest, I wanted to offer a suggestion for a church there,” continued Marc. “I was brought to faith by the Holy Spirit while I was working at the U.S. embassy in Budapest and became a Lutheran at a beautiful church there. They offer a beautiful, traditional liturgy and you will never hear a better organist. My wife and I were married there many years ago, and although we’ve been foreign service nomads, it is our church home in Budapest. Please give Duke our best wishes as he makes his transition to Budapest. It is a beautiful city that will provide a challenging but hopefully rewarding assignment.”
Marc has since been in contact with Duke and shared his firsthand experiences from serving there to help Duke’s family quickly get acclimated to their new surroundings. He also introduced them to his pastor in Budapest so that they would have a welcoming church home to attend for worship.
“This is an amazing example of how God is working through His people around the world to let His light shine, even in the most dark and difficult places,” says Zeigler.