Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries

Rev. Brandon Metcalf talks with Steph and Andy about his strategies for family ministry and why men play a vital role in the church and home. Bio: Brandon Metcalf currently serves as the Associate Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, IL and previously served as a DCE in the Missouri District. He is a contributing author to numerous books and Bible studies for youth ministries and has spoken at many district and national youth gatherings, including the session "Worth Dying For: A New Model for Dating/Relationships" at the past two LCMS Youth Gatherings. He enjoys playing volleyball, board games, trivia, and writing parody songs, but his greatest joys in life come from being a husband and a father. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life Ministry: www.lcms.org/life LCMS Family Ministry: www.lcms.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Rev. Dr. Todd Biermann joins Andy and Steph to talk about why family is so important in Christian theology and gives us simple habits that can make families stronger in both faith and love. Bio: Married to Heather Stange of Frankenmuth, MI in 1995, Rev. Dr. Todd A. Biermann has always had a passion for fostering marriages and families in God’s way. This has been true in his role as a parish pastor of the LCMS for 33 years (most recently at Faith Lutheran, Grand Blanc, MI), in his international ministry with Heather, Life in God’s Way, and now as they both are working with Concordia Center for the Family (CCF), a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). Dr. Biermann’s educational path (BA at Concordia University Nebraska, MDiv at Concordia Seminary St. Louis and DMin at Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne) along with a wide array of field experience has prepared him for his role as the Executive Director of CCF, which he was called to begin in February 2024. He rejoices in the privilege to promote family discipleship, uniting homes and congregations in making lifelong disciples of Jesus. Learn more about Dr. Biermann and CCF at www.concordiafamily.org. Contact him directly at toddbiermann@concordiafamily.org. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life Ministry: www.lcms.org/life LCMS Family Ministry: www.lcms.org/family Concordia Center for the Family https://www.concordiacenterforthefamily.org/ Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

In this episode, our guest Deb Jurchen talks about the importance of intergenerational connectedness as it relates to family ministry in churches and homes. Bio: Deb Jurchen holds a BFA in K-12 Art Education from Concordia University, Nebraska, and an MSE in Family Life Education from Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor. Professionally, Deb serves as the Director of University Institutes at Concordia University, Nebraska, an adjunct professor in the Family Life Education Graduate program at Concordia University, Nebraska, as well as the Family Life Ministry Consultant for the Nebraska District LCMS. Deb is married to Rev. Dr. Pete Jurchen who is Assistant Professor of Lutheran Education and Faith Formation at Concordia University, Nebraska. Together, they have five children and reside in Seward, Nebraska. She loves hiking, gardening, and staying active with her kids! Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life Ministry: www.lcms.org/life LCMS Family Ministry: www.lcms.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Learn how recognizing milestones and benchmarks in the faith leads to healthy spiritual development for children and adults alike! Bio: Mark Cook is a graduate of Concordia Nebraska and is in his 15th year serving as DCE at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN. He serves in the areas of family ministry, youth ministry, confirmation, and children’s ministry. He enjoys playing with his kids, music, camping, backpacking, and anything that involves being outdoors and going on adventures with his beautiful wife Libby and children, Micah (8), Karis (6), Ezra (3), Isaiah (20mo), and baby girl (coming soon!). Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life Ministry: www.lcms.org/life LCMS Family Ministry: www.lcms.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Rev. Dan Galchutt talks about the privilege of parents to pass down the faith to their children, and how the setting of the home is a prime training ground for young believers. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life Ministry: www.lcms.org/life LCMS Family Ministry: www.lcms.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

In this episode, Steph welcomes the newest co-host to Friends for Life – Rev. Andy Becker – as he shares his role with LCMS Family Ministry and introduces Season 9. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life Ministry: www.lcms.org/life LCMS Family Ministry: www.lcms.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Amanda and Pastor Krenz join Steph to talk about caring for mothers of children in foster care, and their goal to restore relationships between mothers and their children. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family An LCMS Guide to Supporting Foster Families: https://lcmslife.org/resource/lcms-guide-to-supporting-foster-families/ Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Chalyce Deterding joins Steph to talk about the joys and challenges of being a foster parent, along with the unique role that she plays as a CASA. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family An LCMS Guide to Supporting Foster Families: https://lcmslife.org/resource/lcms-guide-to-supporting-foster-families/ Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Dr. Thomas Engel joins Steph to talk about the concerns of children in child dependency and how Christians can make a big impact in caring for these children. Bio: Dr. Engel has been a member of the LCMS at various churches since the age of 4. He is an Eagle Scout, an alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute, and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He has also worked professionally as an EMS paramedic and an industrial saturation diver. He has an MBA and is a Doctor of Human Services with a focus on the concerns of children in child dependency. He has served children as a Child Protective Investigator, Guardian ad Litem supervisor, case manager supervisor, member of Florida's Critical Incident Rapid Response Team, ICPC Deputy Administrator, ICAMA Deputy Administrator, foster parent, and adoptive parent. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family An LCMS Guide to Supporting Foster Families: https://lcmslife.org/resource/lcms-guide-to-supporting-foster-families/ Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Join Steph and Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor as they introduce this season’s topic surrounding foster care and talk about why Christians have a special care for these children and families. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family To learn more about Recognized Service Organizations of the LCMS: lcms.org/rso An LCMS Guide to Supporting Foster Families: https://lcmslife.org/resource/lcms-guide-to-supporting-foster-families/ Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Keeya Vawar shares her story of struggle and survival, as she herself was a victim of human trafficking. Bio: Keeya Vawar is an author, keynote speaker, and child safety advocate who empowers communities to recognize the patterns and strategies of traffickers, equipping them to build safer environments. As a wife, mother, and the Executive Director of Mosaic Mission Network (LCMS Texas District), Keeya serves as a powerful voice of hope in an increasingly despairing world. Her passion for advocating for women and children who have been exploited is deeply rooted in her own story of survival from human trafficking in the United States during the 1990s. Keeya has an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences on a visceral level, helping them forge genuine emotional connections to complex and often hidden realities. She shared her story at the most recent National Youth Gathering during Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor’s session, where she inspired attendees with her resilience and advocacy work. Currently, her efforts focus on collaborating with NGOs that rescue women and children from human trafficking, both locally and internationally. Her book, One Thousand Elsewhere: A True Survivor Story, is available for purchase on Amazon. Resources: For more information on human trafficking, visit https://polarisproject.org/ and https://www.lcms.org/social-issues/human-trafficking Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911. In a non-emergency situation, contact the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 or visit: humantraffickinghotline.org Note: Your computer may be monitored while visiting lcms.org or any other website, and it is impossible to completely block tracking. Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Rev. Scott Heitshusen joins Steph to raise awareness of human trafficking and offer suggestions for how the Church can get involved in caring for victims. Bio: Rev. Scott Heitshusen was born in April of 1969 in Ponca City, OK. In seventh grade, he moved to Houston, TX. He’s been married to Jennifer Heitshusen (née Stein) of Houston since August of 1991. They have two sons: Daniel (b. March 1999) and Benjamin (b. February 2001). Ben has Trisomy 21 (the most common form of Down syndrome). Daniel is studying to be a pastor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Their wonderful daughter-in-law, Rachel, is also a student at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. She is a Deaconess. Daniel and Rachel are the parents of granddaughter, Hannah (b. August 2024). Rev. Heitshusen graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1996, and has served four congregations thus far. He’s been working in anti-trafficking efforts since 2013 and has been serving as the Texas District Life Coordinator in the area of trafficking since January 2020. Resources: For more information on human trafficking, visit https://polarisproject.org/ and https://www.lcms.org/social-issues/human-trafficking Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911. In a non-emergency situation, contact the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 or visit: humantraffickinghotline.org Note: Your computer may be monitored while visiting lcms.org or any other website, and it is impossible to completely block tracking. Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Join hosts Tiffany and Steph as they introduce our topic for Season 7 and help clarify the definition of human trafficking. Resources: For more information on human trafficking, visit https://polarisproject.org/ and https://www.lcms.org/social-issues/human-trafficking Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911. In a non-emergency situation, contact the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 or visit: humantraffickinghotline.org Note: Your computer may be monitored while visiting lcms.org or any other website, and it is impossible to completely block tracking. Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

What is meant by Separation of Church and State? How does the First Amendment protect the Christian conscience? How can we defend religious liberties in the civil realm? Rev. Dr. Christopher Thoma joins Steph to tackle these questions and more! Bio: Reverend Dr. Christopher I. Thoma serves as Senior Pastor of Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church & School in Hartland, Michigan. Having become deeply involved in Church and State issues, Thoma regularly engages with executive, legislative, and judicial leaders at the local, state, and federal levels. He labors in this way not only to bring the concerns of the Church to the forefront of government but also to carry back knowledge and resources to his congregation and the Christian community at large. Thoma is the Executive Director of The Body of Christ and the Public Square (BOCPS.org). He is often called upon to speak at various assemblies and conferences. Thoma has partnered with tier-one thinkers, sharing the stage with prominent newsmakers such as Matt Walsh, Ben Shapiro, Dennis Prager, Dinesh D’Souza, Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk, and others. Thoma continues to be a guest on podcasts and radio broadcasts to speak to current political and cultural issues. In addition to his social media presence and blogging, he is an avid writer, having authored various volumes on pastoral care, liturgy, and Christian suffering. His four-volume devotional collection entitled The Cruciform Way: A Steady Cadence of Christ for Life enjoys notable endorsements from Dr. Alveda King, Riley Gaines, Charlie Kirk, Lt. General Gerry Boykin, and others. On the lighter side, he has authored two children’s books, Tea with the Moon and There’s a Bug on the Floor, also the five-volume collection entitled The Angels’ Portion: A Clergyman’s Whisky Narrative, which exemplifies his abilities as a humorist. Having garnered attention in the field of distilled spirits, he enjoys forewords and endorsements from the likes of Dinesh D’Souza, Stephen Beam (Founder & Master Distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery), Mark Gillespie (Executive Producer and Host of Whisky Cast), and others. In the spring of 2017, Reverend Thoma was awarded a Distinguished Fellowship from Salt & Light Global Wilberforce Academy, an extension of the Great Lakes Justice Center. In January 2021, he was appointed the religious liberty liaison for the English District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He earned his doctorate in June of 2024 from Liberty University. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Rev. Noah and Becky Rogness join Steph to talk about how parents, teachers, and youth workers can talk to kids about the election, encourage civic involvement, and model calm when the nation is anxious. Bio: Rev. Noah Rogness is the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Tomah, WI. Prior to his call to Good Shepherd, Rogness served parishes in Fergus Fall, MN, and Alexandria, VA. He also served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Sergeant Major and retiring with 24 years of service. His undergraduate degree is from the University of Minnesota–Duluth, and he earned his M.Div from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. He is married to Becky and they are raising their six children. Becky Rogness is owner of Rogness Communications, a small business specializing in public relations for pro-life policy makers and non-profit organizations. Becky’s clients have included national and regional pro-life organizations and policy makers including Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch. Becky received her undergrad from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN, and she holds a Master of Arts in Communication from Johns Hopkins University. A former Capitol Hill staffer, Rogness lives in Warrens, WI, with her husband, Noah, an LCMS pastor, and six children. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Why should Christians be involved in government? How has the interaction between Christians in the civic realm changed over the years? Join Steph and guest Tim Goeglein as they explore these questions and more! Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Join Steph and guest Rev. Graham Glover as they talk about the role of Christians in the civic realm, Christians and voting, and how Christians can influence government and civil issues beyond the polls. Bio: Rev. Graham B. Glover is the Senior Pastor of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church and School in Gainesville, FL and a Chaplain (Major) in the US Army Reserve, where he is assigned to the Strategic Initiatives Group at the Office of the Chief of Chaplains in the Pentagon. Additionally, Rev. Glover serves as the Chaplain Fellow at the Religious Freedom Institute in Washington, DC. A native of Gainesville, Glover received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from the University of Florida. Afterwards, he went to work for his alma mater as a lobbyist, representing UF to the Florida Legislature. He began his studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO in 1998. While there, he spent a year studying at Westfield House and Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. He completed his vicarage at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carbondale, IL. After receiving the Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, Rev. Glover moved back to Gainesville to continue his graduate studies in Political Science at the University of Florida, where he received a Master of Arts degree. He was later called to be the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Chiefland, FL. In January 2008, Glover joined the US Army as an Active Duty Chaplain, with assignments at Fort Stewart, Georgia; Schweinfurt, Germany; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii and at the Pentagon, where he served as the inaugural Government Affairs Officer for the Army Chief of Chaplains. Chaplain Glover deployed to Iraq from 2009-2010 in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. Pastor Glover's wife, Alison, is also a native of Gainesville, and they have two children: HannahGrace and Graham, Jr. “Gray". Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family Not all views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Steph and Tiffany introduce Season 6: Christians in the Civic Realm. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family Not all views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

You’ve heard it’s a good idea to have a first aid kit close at hand. But what about a Mental Health First Aid kit? Kelly Menke joins Tiffany and Steph to talk about being trained in Mental Health First Aid and why it’s also an important toolkit to have on hand! Bio: Kelly joined Concordia Plans in May 2022 as a Health and Wellness Educator. She holds a Master of Science in public health from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Arts in health education with a minor in healthcare administration from Ashford University. Kelly has nearly 15 years of experience in a variety of health and wellness-oriented roles. As a military spouse (retired) and mother of three, she has seen first-hand the health challenges and successes people from all over the country in different stages of life can experience. Her focus is on encouraging overall healthy lifestyle choices for prevention and improved management of health concerns. Resources in this episode: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family To learn more about Mental Health First Aid training: https://forms.office.com/pages Download the booklet Restoring Hope: Care for Mental Health at https://resources.lcms.org/general/restoring-hope-care-for-mental-health-spiritual-care-companion/ If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911. If you are depressed or thinking about harming yourself or someone else, or if this is the case for someone you know, please call or text 988 from a smartphone to reach the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Is there a link between forgiveness and mental well-being? Join Steph and Dr. Mark Rockenbach for a discussion about how forgiveness affects mental health and how withholding forgiveness affects not just the soul, but the body and mind. Bio: Dr. Mark Rockenbach received his B.A. from Concordia College, Seward, NE; M.Div. from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO; M.A. in counseling from Doane College, Lincoln, NE and his Ph.D. in psychology from Capella University, Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Rockenbach served as a parish pastor before accepting a call to The Nebraska District Office where he served as the Executive for Church Worker Health and Reconciliation. He served as a mental health counselor and adjunct professor at Concordia University in Seward, NE and Concordia University in Mequon, WI. He currently serves in the following roles at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO: Professor of Practical Theology, Director of Personal Growth and Leadership Development, IRB Director, and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. Dr. Rockenbach is the co-author of the book “Unforgivable? How God’s Forgiveness Transforms our Lives.” Resources in this episode: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911. If you are depressed or thinking about harming yourself or someone else, or if this is the case for someone you know, please call or text 988 from a smartphone to reach the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.