Rev. David Andrus served as Missionary-In-Residence at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, on Jan. 17-19. The three-day residency program is designed to inform and encourage the Seminary’s students, faculty and staff regarding mission opportunities. Andrus currently serves as executive director of Lutheran Blind Mission, St. Louis, Mo. In his position, he encourages and recruits volunteers, publicizes the organization, helps develop outreach centers, leads the Christian Blind Institute and trains leaders.
Andrus was born and raised in Wausau, Wis., receiving a degree in evangelism from Concordia College (now University), St. Paul,Minn., in 1981. He then received his master of divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo., in 1985. He served as pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Mo., from 1985-1998. Andrus is a founder and past chairman of the Lutheran Blind Mission Society. He also helped establish the Christian Blind Institute, a correspondent school which trains blind and visually impaired leaders.
Andrus spoke with students concerning mission opportunities in informal settings, including a “Fireside Chat” on Jan. 17 and individual sessions with students during meals throughout his stay on campus. He also visited classes, preached in the Seminary’s morning chapel service on Jan. 18, and led student devotions that evening.
On Jan. 19, Andrus lectured on the theme “Jesus in the 21st Century, Ministering to Blind People” as a special convocation address for the entire Seminary community. He spoke about the history and mission of Lutheran Blind Mission, as well as the challenges of being blind in today’s world. He also commented on ways to reach out to blind people in order to witness the Gospel to them.
“So often, people aren’t even aware that Lutheran Blind Mission is there, and has been around for over 80 years, as a resource for the people of God,” Andrus commented. “We need to make people more aware of who we are and how we can serve. In doing that, people become aware also that it’s an opportunity, through their offerings and their time, to give in a missional way to help God’s kingdom. We are the servant of the church and if anyone has a concern, an issue, a question, a need, all they need do is contact us and we will do our very best to assist both individuals and congregations.”
The Missionary-In-Residence program is part of three “in-residence” programs held each year at Concordia Seminary. For three days in the Fall Quarter, a Pastor-In-Residence follows the same general pattern of activities on the Seminary campus. In the Spring Quarter, aLutheran Church – Missouri Synod district president serves as District President-In-Residence. On April 11-13, the District President-In-Residence will be Dr. John Brunner of the Eastern District.
For more information, contact Communications, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; (314) 505-7374; [email protected] [1].