The NALC is committed to the renewal of all our congregations, working to develop and deliver resources that challenge and open the NALC to the work of the Holy Spirit in our ministry and mission. During Lutheran Week in Indianapolis, the Mission Festival is designed to inspire and serve as a resource to congregations. This includes specific “breakout” sessions on a variety of topics. “Mission Driven: Mission with Discernment and Intentionality” will be presented by Mr. Brian Sutton and Pastor Heidi Punt.
What do the Gifts of the Spirit and the churches in Revelation have to do with discernment and intentionality in your own mission work? Bring your Bible and find out. Being mission driven is in our DNA. It should be simple but the options are endless and it’s easy to get stuck. How do you decide without getting overwhelmed? Discernment and intentionality. Find out more with passionate mission encouragers Pastor Heidi Punt and Mr. Brian Sutton, co-chairs of the Mission Connections Team.
Brian Sutton – A native of Montreal, Canada, is married to Hazel, has two married children and three grandchildren. Brian earned both his BBA and MBA degrees at Montreat College in Montreat, NC. He has served St. John’s Lutheran Church in Statesville, NC in many capacities. For four of those years he served as Council President, tasked with steering the church during a time of pastor vacancy including obtaining supply pastors and in several cases leading worship and preaching when supply pastors were not available. He also served on the team to establish Grace Lutheran Church in Advance, NC, a mission start of the Carolinas Mission District, and continues to serve on the St. John’s disaster relief team having participated in delivering relief supplies to two NC coastal cities. Brian currently serves on the NALC Executive Council. In that capacity, he currently chairs the Task Force, charged with developing a strategy of structure for the NALC that will enable us to fulfill our four core values as we continue to experience growth, co-chairs the NALC Mission Connectors team, and serves on the Executive Council Personnel committee. Brian also participates in area ecumenical activities by providing narration for special services of other churches in the region on various occasions. In the community, he also serves as President of the Iredell Health System volunteer organization, providing support to both patients and staff.
Pastor Heidi Punt was born and raised in South Africa, completing all her formal studies in South Africa and majored in Missiology and New Testament Studies at UNISA and the Lutheran House of Studies.Pastor Punt accepted the call to serve in the USA about 15 years ago and began her ministry in Illinois. In 2013, God lead her and her family to North Carolina, where her husband was called to serve Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman and her two younger children entered Junior High and High School, while her oldest daughter remained behind to finish college in Illinois. By March 2014, she accepted the call to serve Christ United Lutheran Church. Her passion for Mission and desire to bring God’s Word to all generations in a tangible and joy-filled manner made her a dynamic force in our midst. The congregation has grown in discipleship and membership, Biblical literacy and social outreach.
For more information about schedules, hotel information, or to register today for Lutheran Week – please visit: 2019 Lutheran Week. For additional information about other breakouts and presenters, please visit: 2019 Mission Festival.