"He is not safe, but he is good."

Many teachers and pastors like to use bookcases behind themselves as it helps to give an air of intellect and sophistication. Unfortunately, when one moves overseas, we can’t all bring a lot of books with us. Most missionaries have digital libraries, which are great for portability, but poor for looking impressive. 

So why the lion? Yes, it is called the “king of the jungle,” and yes, they are beautiful creatures. But I chose this for another reason as well. It is the same reason that C.S. Lewis made Aslan to be a lion: because one of the biblical images of Jesus is as a lion. Revelation 5:5 says, “And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” This is the fulfillment of Jacob’s (Israel’s) blessing of his son Judah in Genesis 49, “Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”

But even still, why the picture of the lion in the background of Zoom meetings? Because much of my work as a theological educator for Luther Academy is done via Zoom. And while the study of theology is indeed a deeply intellectual pursuit, there is still more to it than just theory and academia. The study of theology is about learning to trail behind this mighty lion. The true aim of studying theology is for all our students to say along with Paul, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)

As the Gospel is proclaimed from the lips of our students in over a dozen countries, I ask that you join me in praying that they, too, would know Christ and him crucified for sinners just like us. It is for the sake of the Gospel that mission work is carried out all over the world. Thank you for your support in this work so that we would always know that, while this lion is not safe, he is indeed good. 

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Cundiff

A new semester opens

January was full of hard work preparing for the beginning of the spring semester at Lutera Akademija (Luther Academy) in Rīga.

Quintin, as the newly-minted Dean of Students, has been compiling information on each of the English stream students, ensuring that they are on-track to graduate. As an instructor, he worked diligently to prepare his lessons for his Foundations in Mental Health course. Returning this term is an introductory class for potential students that are considering the Academy for their studies which Quintin is also teaching. Quintin continues to meet with the Academic Council of the Academy and take turns with the other local missionaries to provide English worship services here in Rīga.

Lindsay has taken a bigger role in setting up the courses within Canvas and assisting instructors and students in working with that program. She continues to compile information from students’ feedback evaluations for each course so that adjustments can be made as necessary to those courses. As the semester continues, she will be busy again with monitoring each submitted assignment for plagiarism and conformity with the academic guidelines of the Academy. 

Lindsay’s birthday was January 22nd, though celebrations were placed on hold as Carter tested positive for COVID on January 19th. Thanks be to God, though, that Carter made a quick recovery of his relatively mild symptoms and was able to get back to school a week later. Carter continues to do well in school and has joined the boys’ middle school basketball team. He will also be assisting the boy’s high school basketball team as their manager. Carter also recorded a podcast for KFUO’s 5 Minutes With a Missionary, and is featured in season 5, episodes 1 and 2. You can check out that series at https://www.kfuo.org/category/missionary-podcast/.