LCMS Texas District Director of External Relations Lisa Candido joins host Pastor David Bahn to discuss the challenges and successes of spreading God's word during a pandemic and beyond.

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Welcome to engaging truth. My name's David Vaughn. I'm the host for tonight's program and I'm happy to have Lisa Canto, uh, with us. She is the well, tell us what is, what is your actual title with the Texas district of the Lutheran church, Missouri Senate?

Uh, my title is director of external relations

Director of external relations. Well, we'll talk a little bit more about that. Tell us a little bit about your family. You married. Do you have children? You have tell us

About that? I do. I, I, um, am Mar I am married with three children. We live out in Georgetown. Um, I have three boys, um, one in college and one in high school and one starting fourth grade

Boy. Oh boy. So that's some interesting times in your, uh, house when, uh, everybody's home and some of that, uh, male hormones, uh, kick in right with the each other. Yeah. Did you ever, did you ever have to worry about like, you know, you may actually hurt each other, uh, when we had four boys and that's kind of what I was, uh, remembering about that. Uh,

So yeah, I know my mom, my mom friends are always like, doesn't that wrestling bother you? I'm like, Nope, Nope. I know somebody's gonna get, but they're all aware of the consequences. So ,

That's a good lesson for them. Isn't it? Yeah. So, uh, your position with the Texas district, tell us a little bit about that.

Sure. So I started five years ago and at that time, my position, um, was named director of communications. So it it's really changed over the last five years. Uh, but really my role is to, um, share the stories that are going on across the district. Wow. Whether that's website or video or letters, but I get the, uh, unique opportunity to learn those stories about how the word of God is being spread across Texas and share those with our various, um, audiences mm-hmm .

So some of the audiences that you reach out to who, who are you trying to connect with? Uh, we

Obviously congregations, you know, our mission is to strengthen congregation, so congregations and, um, ordaining commission workers are, you know, are top audience. Um, but then also, um, everyone that's part of the Texas district or not honestly, mm-hmm , um, I mean maybe I, I should say that those that are unchurched are our priority audience, because that's, that's what we're trying to do. Um, but in the way of keeping our congregations updated on upcoming events or changes to policies and procedures, those kinds of things, mm-hmm um, that, that is our main goal to make sure that they have the tools that they need from the district in order to do what they need to do.

So do you actually provide support, uh, to congregations in terms of their own communications efforts? Or is it much more trying to get the story out?

I think it's more about getting the story out, um, from my role mm-hmm, from the president's office, you know, we've got a great staff there that ministered minister and, uh, some of our external communication. Um, and so they're really there to provide that key information that, um, especially our regained, um, individuals need to know mm-hmm ,

Mm-hmm , uh, and as you're sharing the stories, uh, I'm, I'm a little bit of on the inside here, because I've seen some correspondence that, uh, you've had regarding, uh, some of the particular specific mission start, uh, stories that we're trying to get out. Can you think of one off hand that maybe is worth, uh, maybe sharing with, with folks is they're listening tonight?

Absolutely. And I guess, uh, before I do that though, so, uh, part of my role is communications for Texas partners and mission. Ah, so, um, you know, we're communicating with givers, um, to raise money for those missions and a hundred percent of what is donated goes to missions, whether that's, um, you know, our evangelist program or mission starts church planners. And, um, so we really wanna focus on sharing how this is being used, um, across the district and letting people know that, um, the gifts of they've given are truly going to spreading the word of God. So

Just, I'm gonna stop you for just a second about that. That's really good. Uh, you mentioned Texas partners and mission that is a specific, uh, fund, if you will, a specific, uh, opportunity for people to support direct mission work. Is that, is that fair way to

Say that that is correct? Um, so giving to the, the Texas district, but noting that it's Texas partners and mission, um, that will go directly to missions a hundred percent. Uh, we also work with Texas district church extension fund on a Texas two step program to partner with them to even increase your donation to mission. So giving, um, an opening account with Texas CES minimum of 5,000, um, then making those donations to Texas partners, a mission actually increases, uh, what we're able to do. Yeah.

So say, say just a little bit about that Texas two step program. Then when you get back to what you were saying a moment ago, um, the Texas two step program open an account with the Texas church extension fund, uh, for $5,000, mm-hmm , uh, I think you get an extra percentage, uh, bump because of doing that

That's correct. So you open that account and make a minimum $1,000 donation to Texas partners in mission. Um, and then you do get that, um, added point as you mentioned. Wow. Um, and we were very lucky at convention. Our offspring was for Texas partners in mission mm-hmm we got an outpouring at gifts. Um, the generosity was just overwhelming, um, and that was matched by Texas and the legacy day mm-hmm . So, um, yeah, that was just, that was just something that was so fabulous to see.

So I'm gonna circle back to what I interrupted you from a moment ago and, uh, was asking about the, um, story that you might have, um, with regard to one of the stories you're trying to share.

Sure. Um, and I'll, I, I think it means so much to me because it has a bit of a personal connection and it's one that we haven't shared yet in our mission story, um, videos, but we will upcoming, um, my youngest child has down syndrome. And so one of the things that as a family, we have a mission to create meaningful jobs, um, for individuals, um, with intellectual disability. And so following, uh, what Reverend, um, Stein is doing with link San Antonio, um, and opening up, you know, a, a way to reach out to others is opening a bit of a coffee trailer. And I, I wanna learn more about that, um, in the next little bit, but, um, speaking to him, I, I know that he's at somebody, um, that also has some disabilities. And so I, I, I just think that's fabulous. You know, church doesn't have to be within the four walls.

It can be anywhere mm-hmm and, um, whether that's serving coffee or having, you know, your worship gathering at a coffee shop. And so that really intrigues me how I'm seeing what's happening in across Texas go, um, outside of those four walls and we're meeting people where they're at, um, which I just think is, is fabulous. You know, another one is the expansion, um, ministries that go on, um, in the Dallas area and how they're offering tutoring to students, again, meeting people where they're at serving a need that they have and showing Christ love just in day to day activities. That's,

That's wonderful. Um, you, you mentioned, uh, website videos and letters, uh, if somebody would like to actually see, um, are the, are the videos available on the website or how does somebody get to that and maybe see some of these so that they could be encouraged by that?

Yeah. Um, on our homepage@txlcms.org, there are links to our most current videos. Um, we also have a, um, Texas district LCMS YouTube channel, uh, which has all of our videos, um, including even the recent convention. Um, that was one thing that we're doing a little bit different, you know, with changes in communication. We were able to post our Bible studies, the whole convention, not just the worship gatherings. Um, and so we were able to put those on YouTube. So folks could go back and, um, participate and watch,

You know, you mentioned, uh, changes that that really does remind us, there's been some changes in the whole communication scene over the last years and, and especially probably through COVID what, tell us a little bit about that.

Yeah. Um, so, you know, for us, we needed to think outside the box and come up with some unique ways that we continue to do what we're doing, um, to support congregations, um, not in person. So the first thing that we did was the professional church workers conference, um, typically held every three years, we made that a completely online event. I think it worked really well. It was our first one ever to do it that way, but we were enable, we were able to engage folks, um, virtually they were able to chat and connect. We were able to share some videos and do some things that honestly we wouldn't have been able to do in person. Um, and at a reduced cost too, you know, honestly, you know, you can look at the negatives of COVID and how it's changed communication, but one of the positives is we're able to engage and do these things with folks, right from their home. They don't have to travel, they don't have to, you know, spend money to go, um, at hotels. And so I think that's been a real benefit as well. Mm-hmm

so you did the, uh, church workers conference, uh, by video. Um, and as you did that, what was there like any big aha, any big, you mentioned just the fact that people could access it a little bit easier, what I'm sure there was a learning curve.

There was, there was, you know, finding a platform, you know, it, you know, what capabilities does zoom have, uh, what capabilities does, you know, Google hangout, there are all these different platforms you can use and finding out what's gonna serve you the best. Um, and we, we have had a blessing of working most outside, um, companies that, um, you know, hit the road running when COVID hit. And so that they had a lot more experience and they walked us through it. But I think that is gonna be something that will continue to remain and we will continue to offer kind of this hybrid, um, event opportunity. And so internally we want to learn how to do that ourselves. So it seem it's seamless, mm-hmm , um, for audience and they can feel like they're there, even though they're not physically present, they can still engage and not, not just feel like they're being talked as, but it's, it's a two way, um, communication road. We're

Talking with Lisa Cando of the Texas district of the Luther church, Missouri Senate. She is the, uh, director of external relations. Is that, uh, is that right? And so you're wanting to make sure that, uh, people outside of the Texas dis strict, especially people outside, I'm thinking of the district office, uh, the various congregations and workers are connected with the mission and the mission of the Texas district is to, uh, help congregations

Strength and congregations. Yes. yeah. Both globally and locally. Yes.

So we wanna make disciples, we wanna have people learn more about Jesus and follow him, and that's really important to all you do. And I really, really do appreciate that. So, um, you mentioned, uh, the, uh, the coffee shop, San Antonio is one of the stories that you're telling, uh, you, you have others as well and other, and are these on video? Are they written form? How, how do you typically get those out

In the beginning? You know, we really tried to utilize blogs, um, and through the assistance of, um, at that time they were called mission and ministry. They were really the boots on the ground, remote workers that were hearing these stories. Um, but what we found and especially with trying to engage younger people, is that videos really spoke to people mm-hmm , um, more than reading a blog. And so we've transitioned over the last, I'd say 12 to 16 months to capture videos, um, sharing these stories and, and they're, you know, they can be everything from how our Lutheran schools, um, did graduation when you couldn't do in-person graduations for COVID 19, or when Austin, um, had their large storm, you know, some of the local congregations that were getting trailers where people could do their laundry or get food or to take showers. So I, I mean, I just, I can't, I can't just keep it to one story.

There's so many great ones that are happening and so many great ones that we're hearing that we wanna be able to cover. Um, but we have really transitioned into more video, um, than just the, the written part of it with blocks. Um, and eventually I'd like to do some thing like podcasts. I think podcasts are something that people really enjoy. And I think they like to hear from the horse's mouth, you know, these stories. So, um, videos can capture that, but you don't want them to be too long. So then we're limited that way where something like podcast, you know, you can have more time and you can, and really, um, enhance the story for two people to hear it and get engaged with it. So we're always kind of thinking of newer ways that we can share these stories, um, and need a more diverse audience. So whether that's translation into Spanish or like I mentioned, um, younger individuals, you know, some social media teaser where we just are enough to get them interested in the story, uh, and then loop them back to the longer vision or longer video. Yeah.

Yeah. Uh, thank you. We're speaking with Lisa Cando, the director of external relations with the Texas district of the Lutheran church, Missouri Senate. Thank you for connecting with us on engaging truth evangelical life ministries. Elm is a group of volunteers in the heat scenarios who not only plan each of these broadcasts, but also produce them. Each broadcast is founded on God's word centered in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, your prayers and financial gifts help us send each broadcast through various delivery technologies to our country. And even throughout the world, please go to Elm houston.org and click on the donate button to help support us in that. Or you can send your support to Elm P O box 5 6, 8, Cypress, Texas, 77, 410. Again, that's Elm P O box 5 6 8, Cypress Texas 7 7 4 1 0. We appreciate every gift and promise to use your gift to send the good news of Jesus to all the world.

Thanks so much for your help. Again, Elm houston.org that's, uh, place. You can connect with us, but we also want you to connect with Lisa and with the Texas district. You mentioned podcasts. I think that seems at least to me to be a growing, uh, phenomenon. I'm, you know, you, you can, you can, uh, right now I'm listening to a podcast series on the revolutionary war. I mean, you can, you can get things about, just about anything, uh, very well done. So is this something that you have plans for, or is it at this point in time of hope or how, where are you with that?

You know, for me, it's a hope and a goal and, um, what we can do. Um, and, you know, I am so fortunate to have such a supportive team, um, and a supportive present, and Michael Newman that we can explore these things. You know, what's a, what's a, what's a thought what's a, a pop and, and what can we do? So I, I, that's one thing, you know, that I would really like to see, um, in my role over the next couple of years, hopefully that we could start producing something like that.

Yeah. That, that really sounds good. Um, so tell us about now when you went to, uh, you had to make this big transition with, uh, with whole COVID and, and, uh, you decided, okay, we're going to actually record not only the worship services, but the Bible Bible classes, um, and the Bible studies that were made, uh, did that include even recording, like the breakout sessions, uh, at the district convention or those, is that something separate or how did that were work?

Yeah, I mean, all credit for what congregations did that, that's all them and, and kudos to them. Um, but for the district convention, yes, we, we did record all the breakout sessions, so people, um, could listen to what those, um, very valuable speakers had to say. Yeah.

And all of that is available on the YouTube and

We will have, or mm-hmm . It is. Yeah. Yeah. Um, I was just gonna say, you know, coming up in October, we'll also have our pastor's conference. And so again, on that same model, how can we provide the ability for, um, our pastors to interact not only in a physical space, but online as well, um, and then share for those that are unable to

Attend. So, so you're, it will be actually a hybrid option. So pastors can be present physically in person, as well as tune in online. Is that correct?

Yeah. That is what we're trying to, that's what our hope is to be able to do that. Yes. Yeah.

I've been a part of that. That can be challenging.

It can be, it can be, and we really are fortunate to have, you know, congregations that work with us to help post those events and have the expertise in their congregations for the AV support and those kinds of things. Um, we're, we're all a team across Texas. Right. We can't do it alone. So,

Yeah. So did you, you, I'm sure you maybe also saw, uh, congregations make that huge switch, uh, when COVID shut so many things down and they went online and, and so forth, uh, were you able to be a part of like, uh, seeing that happen or your own church, for example, or was tell us, you know, give, give us any insight you have about that?

Yeah. You know, there's a couple of videos. In fact, I think it was a three part series that we did on how COVID affected, um, worship, um, and how we gathered together and then kind of what is the future gonna bring? And those are some great videos that highlight what some of the congregations were doing. Um, you know, we were able to provide some resources in the beginning. We had a COVID 19 resource page that we tried to provide as much information, whether it was statewide or federal and, and also some, um, is that could help them make that transition to an online gathering. Um, and I mean, I've been so impressed with what the congregations have been able to do. And I, I think many will continue to sustain that, um, as having, you know, a family member with a compromised immune system, you know, and especially as things continue to change it's is like every day things are changing again, um, for that kind of population to be able to still worship and do that from home. Um, and to keep others safe, you know, if you're not feeling well, you can still be part of worship and, and stay within your space and keep others safe. So,

Um, for you personally, during this last year, and, and maybe just even now, what, what would you say is your biggest challenge as you're trying to carry out the mission that you have as part of the Texas district? Oh

Boy. Um, I guess I would have to say, you know, as, as a full-time working mom and trying to balance online schooling for both, um, an elementary and high school, I would like to be out there more, um, interacting personally with the congregations, um, before COVID I was able to really go with our videographer and, and meet the congregations and the pastors and the individuals sharing their story about how they came to, to Christ. And I just haven't able to do that as much. And so that's a challenge for me to really be able to share those stories personally, when I haven't been able to, to be there, to hear them. Um, but we have a, a great team that goes out and just captures those stories in such a great way that, that I really feel like, you know, so many of them have brought me to tears. You're, you're able to, to really just feel touched by what they're saying within those videos. Yeah. So, but I think on a personal level that that's probably the, been the most challenging as I'm, as I'm sure it has for many families for the last.

And you mentioned here, uh, bringing you to tears and that's really because it's connecting people with the love of Jesus. I I'm thinking that that's really what, uh, would be, would be, uh, what's important to you. Uh, if at the end of the day, when you, when you have finished your work day and you know that you've had a big win, uh, what, what is that, I mean, what's your big win? Is it like, ah, I finally made that perfect recording or is it something else?

You know, honestly, I, I get to see what I get to see the staff of people looking at things. Okay. So a big win for me is that, you know, we sent out our monthly catalyst newsletter and we had 65% of the people. We sent it to open it up and we had 40% actually go on to the video. So that's a huge win that, you know, we put time and effort and people received it and enjoyed it and experienced it and heard it, you know, so that's just fabulous for me, that is point and think like, you know, Texas partners and mission, we continue to plant churches. You know, we continue to increase the number of evangelists in the training program. We are, you know, reaching more than 9,000 people on a weekly basis. And, and it's those the, that just fulfill me and, um, just keep us going, right. You know, to continue to spread the gospel and the number of folks that can hear it. This is such a crucial time, in my opinion, for people to be hearing it and to feel, um, that the church is there for them during this challenging time. Oh, I

Know kidding nine. It's say that number again, 9,000 people

Nine more than 9,000 weekly. We, um, you know, are reaching the gospel through what we're doing. So

They're hearing about the love of Jesus and the, the, the promise of everlasting life that he has for us through the work that you're doing. That's got to be very rewarding and, uh, well,

Not just me a right, right. A larger, but you're facilitating, you know, as a, as a collaborative group of individuals, the missionaries and the church planners and the evangelists, you know, we are reaching so many people mm-hmm, within the Texas district. And I think that's just fabulous.

Well, we're talking with Lisa Kendo of the Texas strict, uh, Lutheran church, Missouri Senate. She is sharing her work in communications as the director of, uh, external relations. And Lisa, let's just one final thought here that you'd love to leave us with. If, if you somebody's listening to this and you would like them to, uh, engage with what you're doing, how is the best way for them to

Do that through the website? Um, they can go on, there's an info at TXL, cms.org. My personal email is on there, um, as well, but I, I just wanna share gratitude for not only us that we receive, but the prayers and the words of encouragement and support that we get from members and congregations and, um, ordained and commissioned workers, church workers, um, across, you know, it's just such a supportive group of individuals that are working to do this in our state. Well,

God bless you. Thank you for joining us, us on engaging truth. And we look forward to hearing more stories about the gospel. God

Bless. Thank you for listening to this broadcast of engaging truth. Be sure to join us each week at this time, to help support our ministry, contact evangelical life ministries, post office Fox 5 68, Cypress Texas 7 7 4 1 0. Or visit our website@elmhouston.org, or find us on Facebook evangelical life ministries. Thank you.