In an ever-increasingly digitized world, isolation from true community has become the reality of many. God has a better vision for His people – a way of life that makes people members of each other through their connection to Christ. Listen in as Pastor Brian Davies talks about the Christian community as remedy for isolation. Bio:Brian Davies serves as pastor of Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, Illinois, and as chaplain for the Grayslake Fire District and the Round Lake Fire Protection District. Rev. Davies graduated from Concordia River Forest (now Concordia Chicago) in 2002, studying communications and biblical languages, and then went on to earn his master of divinity at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He is the author of Captivating Conversations: How Christians can Reclaim the Lost Art of Listening (CPH, 2024) and Connected to Christ: Overcoming Isolation through Community (CPH, 2021). He is married to his wife, Elizabeth, who serves as the Mayor of Grayslake. Together they have three children: Kate, Megan, and Luke. Resources:Email us at [email protected] Life Ministry: lcms.org/lifeLCMS Family Ministry: lcms.org/familyFind Rev. Brian Davies’ books at cph.org Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Recent statistics make a shocking claim: 1 in 2 U.S. adults report loneliness! What’s the remedy to loneliness and how do the people of God respond? Rev. Dr. David Petersen joins Steph and Andy to address the issue of loneliness. Bio:Rev. Dr. David H. Petersen became Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in 2000. He earned a B.S. in History from Central Michigan University. He also earned a Master of Divinity degree, a Master of Sacred Theology, and a Doctor of Ministry from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne. He and his wife Jacqui have three grown children and seven grandchildren. He is a regular guest on Issues, Etc, a contributing editor to Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy, where he writes both for the print journal and the blog, and a frequent blogger at the Lutheran Witness. He has served on the English District Board of Directors and is currently on the Commission on Theology and Church Relations for the LCMS. A collection of Pastor Petersen’s teaching ministry in various media forms is available at Theological Commonplaces: Spiritual Renewal for Pastors and Laity. Resources:Email us at [email protected] Life Ministry: lcms.org/lifeLCMS Family Ministry: lcms.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Join Steph and Andy as they talk about the gift and complexity of relationships and share what you can look forward to in Season 11! Resources:Email us at [email protected] Life Ministry: lcms.org/life LCMS Family Ministry: lcms.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, takes some time during the Gathering to talk about Christ’s life and Christian love for all human life.

Bio:

The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison has served as president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) since 2010. As president, he is the chief ecclesiastical supervisor of the Synod and is responsible for the ministries directed by LCMS International Center staff, including the Office of International Mission and its nearly 150 missionaries serving around the globe. Before becoming president, Harrison served for nine years as executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care (2001–2010), which expended over $100 million for mercy efforts done in the clear name of Christ. These efforts included caring for people after 9-11, Katrina and many hurricanes, the great Asia tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and many other disasters and humanitarian efforts. Harrison also managed relationships with some 120 LCMS Recognized Service Organizations and other inter-Lutheran social ministry organizations, worked in consultation with LCMS partner/sister churches to build capacity during numerous mercy outreach efforts, and managed LCMS pro-life efforts. From 1995 to 2001, Harrison served as pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Prior to that, he served St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Westgate, Iowa (1991–1995). Ordained in 1991, he has served in a number of elected and appointed positions in the LCMS and on various entity boards of directors. Harrison is co-founder and chairman of the board of The International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg (Old Latin School), which hosts some 40 students and church planters from the European Union and beyond who are studying to become ordained pastors. In addition, Harrison chairs the board of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty and serves on the executive committee of the International Lutheran Council. Harrison is also active in the prolife movement and frequently speaks at such events. A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Harrison holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa. He attended Concordia University, Nebraska, in 1984. He has M.Div. and S.T.M. degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Harrison has pursued additional graduate study at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Furthermore, he has received honorary doctorates from Concordia University Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Since 2010, Harrison has served as assistant pastor of Village Lutheran Church, Ladue, Mo. He has translated and edited five volumes of essays and letters by Lutheran theologian Hermann Sasse (published through Concordia Publishing House [CPH]). He has also revised C.F.W. Walther’s The Church and the Office of the Ministry (CPH) and written several other books, including Christ Have Mercy, A Little Book on Joy and At Home in the House of My Fathers. Harrison has been married to Kathy (Schimm) Harrison since 1981, and they have two sons (Matthew M.L. married to Courtney, and Mark M.C. married to Tara). The Harrisons have two grandchildren, Rosie and Shiloh. In his spare time, Harrison enjoys reading, writing, vintage Jeeps, old banjos and books, and — most of all — time with family.

Resources:

• Email us at [email protected]
• LCMS Life Ministry: lcms.org/life

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Kristen Clapper is a local of New Orleans and share her passion for life in a creative way at the 2025 Gathering.

Resources:

• Email us at [email protected]
• LCMS Life Ministry: lcms.org/life

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Join Allison Daigle, CEO of Women’s New Life Clinic, as she discusses the clinic’s partnership with LCMS Life Ministry for the 2025 Gathering.

Resources:

• Email us at [email protected]
• LCMS Life Ministry: lcms.org/life

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Dr. Latoya Kuester is an OB/GYN in Jacksonville, FL, and she joined Friends for Life at the Gathering to talk about what life means to her as a physician.

Resources:

• Email us at [email protected]
• LCMS Life Ministry: lcms.org/life

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.