2024 Breakfast with the Bishop Recap

Pictured: the 2024 SEMN LMM Board.

By Larry Iverson
May 17, 2024

Forty-six men and some women from our Southeastern Minnesota Synod and beyond joined together for a hearty breakfast on Saturday, April 20, at Cabela’s in Owatonna. Bishop Hassanally led us in opening devotions reflecting on the Easter story and our living as resurrection people. A brief video message from John Sundquist, Lutheran Men in Mission’s (LMM) Executive Director, was shown. John shared the latest LMM updates regarding the ministry, resources, and events. Spring 2024 LMM Ambassador-Grams were distributed as well. Tyler Anderson shared about the upcoming One Year to Live Retreat at Good Earth Village. Watch for announcements about a possible one there again in 2025.

Our keynote speaker was Dwight Tostenson, CEO and Co-founder of The Redemption Project, sharing the compassionate work his team does with those touched by the criminal justice system. They hold classes within the prison, working with inmates to develop an intellectual framework based on the cardinal virtues of Wisdom, Courage, Self-control, and Justice.

The organization works extensively with volunteer mentors assigned to the prisoners while in prison as they progress toward completion of the program through email at least once a week and can last up to 12 months after release. Tom Pippett was also present to explain how this program was helpful to him after he was released from prison. He now works for the organization as the coordinator for the mentoring program in this valuable aspect of The Redemption Project.

They also work by establishing relationships with employers, which is critical to inmates reentering society. This organization has had great success in the first classes held, and the recidivism rates of those participants offer great hope to the former inmates and all of us to reintroduce them into productive citizens in society.

There is a great need for men to serve as mentors to men in prison currently and as they prepare to be released. These mentors are crucial in helping to reintegrate former inmates into society after incarceration. If you are interested, contact The Redemption Project through their website at redemptionproject.org. or through calling them at 952-921-8288 or email at info@redemptionproject.org.

Go to www.lutheranmeninmission.org for more information about LMM’s ministry, resources, and events. The video shared is available on the website’s homepage. If you would like to receive updates via email, please contact Lon Buss, LMM’s SE MN Ambassador, at lonabuss0406@gmail.

*The event was sponsored by the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Lutheran Men in Mission.