A public school teacher who ends up serving as a missionary in Europe then comes back to America to lead Deaconess studies in the U.S.

This is the inspiring story of Dr. Jennie Asher, Deaconess and Director of Deaconess Studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

To find out more about the Deaconess Program at Concordia Seminary, click here.

Books recommended by Dr. Asher:

The Lutheran Study Bible

The Lutheran Service Book (hymnal)

Cottage Decorating Books from Amazon

To connect with St. Matthew Lutheran, click here: ⁠

Please take a quick second to rate this podcast on your favorite platform—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening.

Those stars really help others discover us.

Next, hit that like button or give us a thumbs-up—it’s a small gesture that makes a big difference.

Finally, share this episode!

Text it to a friend, post it on social media, or tell someone about it over coffee. You never know who might need to hear this message today.

Sometimes we have a plan for our lives and then God comes along and says, "Have I got something for you!"

That's what happened to Jamie Crustals.

And you are about to hear her story.

Books recommend by Jamie:

Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel

Spark by John J. Ratey MD and Eric Hagerman

The Spark of Learning by Sarah Rose Cavanagh

To connect with St. Matthew Lutheran, click here:

Please take a quick second to rate this podcast on your favorite platform—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening.

Those stars really help others discover us.

Next, hit that like button or give us a thumbs-up—it’s a small gesture that makes a big difference.

Finally, share this episode!

Text it to a friend, post it on social media, or tell someone about it over coffee. You never know who might need to hear this message today.

Dreams are a reflection of what is in our heart. And if our heart belongs to God then our dreams can be anchored in God!

Today's conversation is with Dave Ficken, who is the Chicago City Director for LINC - Leaders in every Community (the "e" is silent).

The dream of LINC is that there will come a day when everyone on every corner of our cities can experience the Gospel in terms they can understand from someone they know.

If you would like to hear more about LINC and live in or will be visiting Chicago in early November, check out the LINC UP Dinner by clicking here.

To find out more about LINC click here.

Some books that Dave recommends to help you catch their dream:

The Other Half of Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks

The Voice of the Heart: A Call to Full Living by Chip Dodd

Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory by Tod Bolsinger

Please take a quick second to rate this podcast on your favorite platform—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening. Those stars really help others discover us.

Next, hit that like button or give us a thumbs-up—it’s a small gesture that makes a big difference.

Finally, share this episode! Text it to a friend, post it on social media, or tell someone about it over coffee. You never know who might need to hear this message today.

For more about St. Matthew, click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.