Learn to Talk About Jesus the Way You Talk With a Friend
Third Saturday of the month · 10:00 to 11:30 AM · Fellowship Hall
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804
Every One His Witness is an evangelism training course from the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. It helps ordinary Christians share their faith naturally in everyday conversations, with no script and no pressure. Immanuel’s Board of Evangelism hosts it in the Fellowship Hall, working through the course’s six modules one session at a time. Learn more about the course at everyonehiswitness.org, the LCMS’s official evangelism program site.
How It Started
Immanuel was chosen as the Missouri District’s pilot congregation for a new one-day introduction to the course, helping the District test its content, timing and engagement before a District-wide launch in 2027. On Saturday, August 22, 2026, more than twenty members and church leaders spent the day in the Fellowship Hall with Rev. John Perling, Director of Mission Services for the Missouri District of the LCMS, and everyone stayed for the whole workshop.
The workshop made the cover of the District’s newsletter, The Voice (September 2026), in Rev. Perling’s article “Volunteers Lift High the Cross Together.”
“Great workshop. It brought to the forefront that we have work to do and emphasized the importance of it.”
A participant, shared by the Missouri District
Rev. Perling introduced the course that day. The course is built around a simple acronym, LASSIE, and the first letter carries the most weight: L is for listen. Then listen some more. Read the recap from that weekend.
Since then the group has continued with sessions streamed over Zoom, gathering together in the Fellowship Hall to watch, talk and practice.
The LASSIE Approach at a Glance
The course is built around six simple steps that spell LASSIE. Here is a short summary; the course workbook goes much deeper.
Listen
Pay attention to the person in front of you: their story, their worries and what they already believe. Listen first. Then listen some more.
“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak.” James 1:19
Ask
Ask gentle, honest questions to learn where someone is with God. The goal is understanding, not winning an argument.
Seek
Watch for natural openings, like a hard season, a big question or a change in life, where talk of faith already fits the conversation.
Share
Tell what Jesus has done. God’s Law shows us our sin; the Gospel gives forgiveness and life through Christ. Your own story of His grace is part of it.
Invite
Invite them to come and see: Sunday worship, a Bible study, a family event or a meal. An invitation from a friend is often how people find a church home.
“Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.'” John 1:46
Encourage
Keep walking alongside them. Pray for them, check in, and stay a friend, whatever they decide. Faith often grows slowly.
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
Common Questions
Who can come? Anyone who wants to grow more comfortable talking about their faith. You do not need to be a member of Immanuel, and you do not need to have attended the earlier sessions.
Do I have to knock on doors or speak in front of people? No. The course is about the conversations you already have with family, friends, coworkers and neighbors.
When is the next session? Sessions are usually on the third Saturday. The group may pause over the holidays, so check the church calendar or call the church office before you come.
Immanuel Lutheran Church · 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804
Church office: (417) 624-0333 · info@immanueljoplin.com