Reports - Central Illinois District - Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

Throughout the years, our Lord continues to shower His blessings of Word and Sacrament upon ourcongregations day by day. To Him alone be the glory.Rock Island Circuit – Rev. Gary Wright, Circuit CounselorThe Rock Island Circuit is served by some very wise, capable, and faithful undershepherds. Our circuit is veryunified theologically. All our congregations are served by orthodox Lutheran pastors and many serve in districtand synodical capacities as well! Since the last convention, we have been pleased to welcome three pastors intoour circuit.In July of 2006, the Rev. Mark Eddy began his ministry to the saints at Zion, Taylor Ridge replacing Rev. JohnHafferman who has since left the Missouri Synod.In August of 2006, Rev. Stephen Gallo accepted the call to serve Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Island,replacing Rev. Kevin Cramm who departed to serve as a chaplain in the U. S. Army.We were all saddened by the death of our brother in the ministry, Rev. Robert Woods who entered glory onFebruary 6, 2008 after a brief battle with stomach cancer, but were pleased to welcome the Rev. ChristopherBushre of Lyons, Nebraska, who accepted the call to shepherd the flock at St. John Lutheran Church in EdfordTwp.) Geneseo, in September of 2008.Rev. Dr. Daniel Olson was called by the Lord of the Church to minister to the saints of St. John, Buckley. Weacknowledge God’s goodness in sending the Rev. Dr. John Wohlrabe to shepherd his saints at Concordia,Geneseo in his place.We are also grateful for the services of Rev. Paul Weber who recently began serving the East Moline CorrectionalCenter as chaplain.In the past triennium, we have seen two congregations call DCEs and they have been a great blessing to thecongregations they serve.Two of our congregations participate in the vicarage program and we have been blessed with some exceptionalvicars in recent years.We give thanks for the “retired” brothers in the ministry (Rev. Les Dumer, and Rev. Robert Yount) in our midst,and hope that we have their level of energy when we reach retirement years.In September 2008 Christ Lutheran High School relocated from Davenport, Iowa to Rock Island, Illinois. Thehigh school shares the facilities of Immanuel Lutheran School, and will be offering a classical curriculum forgrades 7 through 12 next year.The members of Zion, Taylor Ridge have begun a mission congregation in the Aledo, Illinois area and areanxious to tell the Good News about Jesus there.Our circuit is also the home of Iglisia Luterana Cristo Rey, (or Christ the King Lutheran Church). Cristo Rey hasbeen faithfully served by Rev. Pablo Dominguez since 2003. Thanks to the blessing of God, the hard work ofRev. Dominguez, the financial backing of our Central Illinois District, and a faithful group of people who work tobring the gospel to our Hispanic community, Cristo Rey now has it’s own building on the border of East Molineand Silvis. Cristo Rey reaches out to the Hispanic community with Word and Sacrament Ministry, a Food Pantry,ESL (English as a Second Language) Classes, and in a variety of other ways. God blessings can be clearly seen asthis mission continues to serve the Lord of the Church.The men of several of our congregations (Zion, East Moline, Beautiful Savior, Colona, Holy Cross, Moline, andSt. John, East Moline) are involved in a study of the Lutheran Confessions and have affiliated with Brothers ofJohn the Steadfast. They meet monthly for breakfast, study, and discussion. It is gratifying to see these men grow2009 Convention Section B – Reports Page 45