In today's News:

LCMS helps Lutherans in Africa

Hand washing has been touted as the best way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But for people who don’t have regular access to soap and water in public places, this can be a challenge. In April, the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod (LCMS) approved a grant of $6,250 to the Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church — Sierra Leone to help combat the transmission of covid-19 by increasing public awareness of the need for safety measures such as hand washing and by providing funds to build 154 hand washing stations, one at each church and school. Part of the grant also was used to print and distribute educational materials on good hygiene amid the pandemic. As part of this educational effort, members of the Sierra Leone church are using the Community Health Evangelism curriculum, which pairs health concepts with the gospel.

Concordia Texas offers new online degree programs

Concordia University Texas (CTX), Austin, Texas, is responding to the realities of covid-19 with two, new fully online degree programs. The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a competency-based graduate program to help meet the demand for public health knowledge and leadership. The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (BSRC) is a degree advancement program for registered respiratory therapists who already hold an associate degree. CTX new online MPH program provides training in eight core competencies, then encourages students to apply them to their own passions, interests and career paths. The 16-month curriculum imparts leadership-level knowledge and skills to teach students how to become policy makers, advocates and change agents. Students can complete a capstone course to gain real-world, hands-on experience in their own specialization or focus. Many health care workers call respiratory therapists the true “heroes of the frontlines” right now, as they provide ventilator support to a high percentage of covid-19 patients. Respiratory therapists also treat any patient with breathing difficulty, often serving those with asthma, respiratory viruses, chronic lung diseases, and in neonatal and intensive care. Respiratory therapists with a two-year degree can now earn a bachelor's degree entirely online through CTX’s degree advancement program. Upcoming cohorts will begin in October 2020 and January 2021.

Christian owned company cancels plans

Chick-fil-A confirmed this week that the company has canceled plans to open a restaurant at San Antonio International Airport in Texas. On Monday, a spokesperson for the Christian-owned fast-food chain said the company won’t pursue plans at this time to open a restaurant in the airport after city officials last year blocked its plans do so, prompting complaints from the state’s attorney general, the passing of new state law, and an FAA investigation. In March 2019, the San Antonio City Council voted to remove Chick-fil-A from a concession agreement with San Antonio International Airport amid unproven accusations of “anti-LGBT behavior.”