The Coffee Hour from KFUO Radio

How did Concordia University students have conversations about church work while serving as Young Adult Representatives at this year’s Higher Things conferences? In the first half, Joshua Price (Concordia University, Wisconsin; Junior; Pre-Sem) and Samuel Wilkins (Concordia University, Wisconsin; Junior; Pre-Sem), and in the second half Emily Lindau (Concordia University, Nebraska; Sophomore; pre-deaconess; secondary education, history endorsement) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about the church work programs they’re in, why they chose their respective Concordias and their individual journeys into their programs, campus life, who encouraged them to consider chur...

We’ve talked about what it means to love our neighbors. Now, what does this actually look like in practice? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we’re exploring “loving your neighbor” from a variety of perspectives! In Episode 7, Darlene Chier (Director of Victory Resource Center, Chula Vista, CA) and the Rev. Tim Gerdes (Pastor at Victory Church in Chula Vista, CA) join Sarah and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about the needs for a pregnancy resource center in Chula Vista, the community of Chula Vista and how Victory Church a...

We go west to (again) meet the vice president of the West/Southwest Region, following Rev. Dr. Scott Murray's retirement! The Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa (newly elected and installed 3rd Vice President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, West/Southwest Region; pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Irvine, CA; author of several books; Regent of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and becoming a Lutheran, his journey through school to semi...

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in South Africa? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Helmut Paul (Bishop, Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be...

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Portugal? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Adalberto Hiller (President, Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions...

How does a pair of musicians end up playing with the Getty band? Zach and Maggie White (singer-songwriters and recording artists, also known as Zaggie) join Andy and Sarah from the 2026 Getty Sing! Conference to talk about the Christian tradition in which they were raised, how they met, their paths to becoming accomplished musicians and recording artists, their parts in Getty Music, and what they've learned about the musician's role in leading the congregation in song.

Find Zach and Maggie's music at zaggiemusic.com.

As you grab your morning...

How does a Lutheran church in a college town serve the needs of students? The Rev. Bryan Spang, (Pastor, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, State College, PA) joins Andy and Sarah as the KFUO Radio Church of the Week to talk about the community of State College and Penn State University, how Good Shepherd reaches out to college students, other ministries at Good Shepherd, and how ministry has changed over the decades that Pastor Spang has been there.

Learn more about Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at goodshepherdsc.org and the Revive Campus Ministry at revivepsu...

How is church worker formation influenced by family life? The Rev. James Woelmer (pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Manhattan, KS), the Rev. Joshua Woelmer (pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Paola, KS), the Rev. David Woelmer (pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Smithville, TX), the Rev. Jacob Tuma (pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Pierce, NE), and Kantor Bethany Johnson (kantor at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS ) join Andy and Sarah for a family meeting during our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about where each of them serves, what makes for so many church workers in o...

We’ve talked about what it means to love our neighbors. Now, what does this actually look like in practice? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we’re exploring “loving your neighbor” from a variety of perspectives! In Episode 6, the Rev. Trae Fistler (Mid South District Disaster Response Coordinator) joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about what LCMS Disaster Response does, how showing God's mercy and love play a major role in disaster response, how volunteers are trained to respond to disasters, how this is both physical...

We head west to the beautiful Northwest for today’s conversation! The Rev. Dr. Michael Von Behren (President, Northwest District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how he has served over the years, unique things he has experienced in his time in the parish and serving as district president, his duties as a district president, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in the Philippines? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Antonio Reyes (President, The Lutheran Church in the Philippines) joins Andy and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of The Lutheran Church in the Philippines, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture...

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Norway and Iceland? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Torkild Masvie (Bishop, Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland) joins Andy and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful...

How do music artists create meaningful stories through song? Blake Flattley, (singer-songwriter; Director of Worship Arts, Concordia University Irvine) joins Andy and Sarah from the Getty Sing! Conference to talk about what he gets to do as a singer-songwriter, how hymns have been an important part of his life, what goes into writing new hymnody for the church, how The Songwriter Initiative from Concordia Irvine adds music to the church's repertoire, and the collaboration he's been able to do with Lutheran Braille Workers.

Find the collaborative songs with Lutheran Braille Workers at lbwloveworks.org...

What does formation for service in the church as a musician look like? Dr. Kurt von Kampen (Professor of Music, Chair of the Music Department, Concordia University, Nebraska) and Paul Soulek (Cantor and Director of Music, St. John Lutheran Church and School, Seward, NE; Adjunct Faculty in Music, Concordia University, Nebraska) join Andy and Sarah to talk about where their love of church music came from, why they each chose their respective paths in education and church music, how music plays a role in the lives of the students and parishioners they serve, what Director of Parish Music formation...

We've talked about what it means to love our neighbors. Now, what does this actually look like in practice? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we’re exploring “loving your neighbor” from a variety of perspectives! In the first half of Episode 5, Rev. Max Phillips (Chief Executive Officer and Chaplain, Perry Lutheran Homes, Perry, Iowa ) joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about what prompted the development of Perry Lutheran Homes, what loving your neighbor looks like in the day-to-day at Perry Lutheran Homes, what makes Perry Luther...

We head west to the beautiful Pacific Southwest for today’s conversation! The Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson (President, Pacific Southwest District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how he has served over the years, unique things he has experienced in his time in the parish and serving as district president, his duties as a district president, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Norway? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Thor With (Bishop, The Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, The Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the...

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Nigeria? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Dr. Christian Ekong (Archbishop, Lutheran Church of Nigeria) joins Andy and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Lutheran Church of Nigeria, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran...

What are the latest updates from our friends in Lutheran Mission - Australia? The Rev. Michael Prenzler (Interim Principal, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia) and Deaconess Kathleen Mills (Registrar, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia) join Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about the very exciting first Synodical Assembly for Lutheran Mission - Australia (LM-A), the now-official altar and pulpit fellowship between LM-A and the LCMS, the new developments for LM-A's seminary (Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia), the story of the beginning and development of the...

What are the latest updates from our friends in Lutheran Mission - Australia? The Rev. Michael Prenzler (Interim Principal, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia) and Deaconess Kathleen Mills (Registrar, Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia) join Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about the very exciting first Synodical Assembly for Lutheran Mission - Australia (LM-A), the now-official altar and pulpit fellowship between LM-A and the LCMS, the new developments for LM-A's seminary (Lutheran Theological Seminary - Australia), the story of the beginning and development of the seminary, the state of...

What's it like to be a freshman church work student at Concordia University Chicago? Eva Maria Askins (Classical Lutheran Educator program, secondary track majoring in English), Thea Ball (Classical Lutheran Educator program), Abby Warren (deaconess program), Elizabeth Wendt (English/Linguistics, aiming to be a Concordia Professor), and Mary Egger (Classical Lutheran Educator program) join Andy and Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about their experiences as freshmen in church work programs, including why they chose the program they're in, the influence their fathers (who are all church workers) had in their faith formation and decision...

What are the hard questions that affect how we love our neighbors? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we’re exploring “loving your neighbor” from a variety of perspectives! In the first half of Episode 4, Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann (Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary St. Louis) joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about whether loving your neighbor is always law-abiding, if we should take risks to love our neighbor, why these risks are often the small things right in front of us, and the things...

We head to beautiful New England for today’s conversation! The Rev. Robert Beinke (President, New England District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how he has served over the years, unique things he has experienced in his time in the parish and serving as district president, his duties as a district president, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS today.

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Sweden? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Bengt Ådahl (Bishop, Mission Province in Sweden) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Mission Province in Sweden, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, h...

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Paraguay? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Alceu Figur (President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay) joins Sarah and guest co-host the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture...

How does a St. Louis tradition provide huge support to Lutheran education? Libby Gutberlet (CEO, Lutheran Elementary School Association) and Dr. Jessica Bergholdt (Head of School, St. John School, Ellisville, MO) join Andy and Sarah to talk about Brew in the Lou happening this Saturday, October 10. Dr. Bergholdt shares the story of St. John School in Ellisville, how St. John School meets the needs of families in the surrounding community, what is unique about St. John School, and how a personalized learning approach benefits students. Libby shares details about the Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA), how LESA supports educators...

“Adiaphora,” while not a biblical term, was employed during the Reformation to refer to “ceremonies and Church practices … neither commanded nor forbidden in God’s Word, but … introduced into the Church with good intention, for the sake of good order and proper custom, or otherwise to maintain Christian discipline” (SD X 1). Already in the Augsburg Confession, the basic Lutheran position on adiaphora was articulated: “For the true unity of the Church it is … not necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies instituted by men, should be the same everywhere” (AC VII 2–3).

However, a question soon arose...

How does philosophy impact our understanding of God's command to love our neighbor? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we’re exploring “loving your neighbor” from a variety of perspectives! In Episode 3, Dr. Angus Menuge (Professor and Chair of Philosophy Program, Concordia University, Wisconsin) joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about philosophy and its implications on how we understand who we are as human beings, different philosophical influences on our culture, the difference between modernism and post-modernism and how both affect how we love our neighbors, and ho...

We head to Oklahoma for today’s conversation! The Rev. Dr. David Nehrenz (President, Oklahoma District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how he has served over the years, unique things he has experienced in his time in the parish and serving as district president, his duties as a district president, what makes the Oklahoma District unique, and why he loves being a pastor in the LCMS toda...

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Lithuania? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Bishop Mindaugas Sabutis (Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania) joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of Lutheranism in Lithuania and the history of his church body, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and...

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Kenya? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Omolo (Archbishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya) joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran...

How can you bring the Gospel to the next generation of First Nations communities? The Rev. Dr. Steven D. Schave (Executive Director, LAMP - Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots) joins Andy and Sarah to talk about the present needs of the communities LAMP serves in Northern Canada, how these communities embrace the teams who come year after year, what the new Luke 24 Project is, how this project will further the mission of LAMP, and what people can do to get involved.

Learn more about the Luke 24 Project and LAMP at lampministry.org.

How did Concordia University students have conversations about church work while serving as Young Adult Representatives at this year's Higher Things conferences? Heidi McKeage (Concordia University, Chicago; Sophomore; Deaconess Program), Maximus Fritsche (Concordia University, Nebraska; Junior; Pre-Seminary) and Isabel Seifferlein (Concordia University, Nebraska; Sophomore; Lutheran Teacher Program) join Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about the church work programs they're in, the Concordia Universities they're attending, their individual journeys into these programs, who encouraged them to consider church work, campus life on their respective Concordias, their experiences at Higher Things over the summer, the conversations...

What does "mercy" mean? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we're exploring "loving your neighbor" from a variety of perspectives! In Episode 2, Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor (Managing Director, LCMS Office of National Mission) joins Andy, Sarah, and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about mercy. Deaconess Manor explores how we consider mercy and grace, how mercy is loving your neighbor, who is given to show mercy, if loving your neighbor always means sharing the Gospel at the same time, and if there's a difference in how we show mercy to...

We head to North Dakota for today’s conversation! The Rev. Mark Chepulis (President, North Dakota District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) joins Andy and Sarah to answer the now infamous Lightning Round of Favorites (which every COP member will be subjected to) and to talk about his early life and journey to seminary, how his varied studies in high school and college lend to being a pastor, his time serving in congregations and what makes a tri-point parish unique, his duties as a district president, what makes the North Dakota District unique, and why he loves being a pa...

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Ghana? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. John Donkoh (President, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana) joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history and culture of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, the church body's relationship with the LCMS, how the church fits into the broader culture of...

What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in Germany? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, Hans-Jörg Voigt (Bishop, Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church - SELK, Germany) joins Sarah and guest co-host Rachel Bomberger (managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of SELK, the SELK's relationship with the LCMS, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the L...

How do LCMS missionaries share the love of Christ in Tanzania? The Rev. Bryan and Deaconess Keah Payne (Theological Educator and Deaconess, Serving the Lord in Tanzania) join Sarah to talk about where they serve, their journey to the mission field, what has happened since our previous conversation with them in April 2025, how they are able to partner with the local church body in Tanzania, what theological education for pastors and deaconesses looks like in Tanzania, and their family life on the field.

Learn more about the Paynes and how to support their work...

What are the joys and challenges of sending a student off to college to prepare for a life of church work? Ally Moreno (Senior at Concordia University, Wisconsin, Director of Church Ministries Program) and her dad the Rev. Mike Moreno (Senior pastor, Christ Lutheran Church in Norfolk, NE) join Sarah for our Set Apart to Serve series to talk about what Ally is studying, why she chose the Director of Church Ministries program, what makes this program unique, her faith formation since childhood, and who has encouraged her along the way. Pastor Moreno talks about his own journey into...

What does it mean to love your neighbor? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life podcast, we're exploring "loving your neighbor" from a variety of perspectives! In Episode 1, Rev. Dr. James Fickenscher (Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of Certification, Concordia Seminary St. Louis) joins Sarah and guest co-host Steph Neugebauer (host, Friends for Life podcast) to talk about "love" in Scripture. Dr. Fickenscher explores where "loving your neighbor" is recorded in Scripture, various Old and New Testament examples of love, gives an exegetical study of the words "love" and "neighbor," and shares what these words...