© the diakonia™ program 2011
Monday, 26 | 3 | 2013
The diakonia program changed my life. Being a lifelong Lutheran, I
thought I knew a whole lot about my faith. WOW, was I wrong. These
classes opened my eyes and my heart to answering the call from God.
The classes are sometimes intense but overall well worth the effort you
put into them. You will grow close to those who are taking the class with
you and you will grow in your own spirituality, understanding and joy in
being there. The Hobart class was the first class in the IK synod and
even 3 years after graduating we all keep in contact and have had
retreats, dinners, etc together. The Michigan City girls meet once a month
just for fellowship and we look forward to every one of those evenings. I
pray that you will find yourself opening up to the Spirit through these
classes. - Donna Knoll
Monday, 7 | 11 | 2011
Last year the Northern Illinois Synod diakonia group had a record
registration after using a new promotional tool. It was a Pizza Box
containing colored Posters, Bulletin Inserts, Brochures and a recruitment
DVD. Program graduates or current students would deliver the Pizza Box
and a real pizza to a church council meeting, show the DVD and explain
the benefits of promoting the program within the church. - Bob S
Tuesday, 24 | 05 | 2010
The diakonia program provides each person the opportunity to discover
their God-given gifts and strengthen their faith and abilities. This can be
the start of new chapter in your life, in which you come alive through
recognizing, nourishing and sharing with others your special God-given
gifts. Embrace these changes in your life and God will take you places
you never dreamed of. - Judy K
Monday, 8 | 04 | 2010
My reason for wanting to enroll in the program was very simple; I wanted
to know more… I wanted to learn the things you don’t learn in Sunday
school, Bible studies, etc. I wanted to know the history of the Church
from the beginning of time and how it evolved into the Church today. It
has been a spiritually enriching experience for me. The Diakonia
program is an excellent way of assisting you in your faith journey and
your spiritual life. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more
about themselves and their faith. You won’t regret it! - Julie L
diakonia exchange
Join in on the conversation,
what’s your thoughts?
“The Diakonia program in the
Northern Illinois Synod has been a
wonderful blessing to individuals,
congregations, the synod and indeed
the whole church. I see the fruits of
the program being how it empowers
the participant’s serving at home, in
the neighborhood, at church, at work
and school through the synod and
beyond.”
Bishop Gary Wollersheim,
Northern Illinois synod
Thursday, 4 | 4 | 2013
Hi, all Diakonia graduates, current participants, and those
considering joining the program! I'm a member of Messiah
Lutheran in Brownsburg, IN, and am at the "tail-end" of my
second year. Let me assure those of you who are
"considering," the 2-year program is challenging and highly
rewarding, and you will undoubtedly be exposed to some
wonderful Lutheran history and theology, as well as to some
outstanding minds in the persons of those teaching the 5-week
sessions! That latter has probably been as rewarding for me as
anything connected with Diakonia! Don't procrastinate---just
DO IT! Blessings, Joe Kemph
Thursday, 4 | 2 | 2013
I will graduate next month. WOW! What a journey. Jesus
said, "Go and make disciples". We are called to walk with
Christ but just like His disciples we need to be equipped to
be like Him. This program for me filled a missing part of the
equipping segment of my faith journey. Now, I need to go
out and work for Christ. I am ready to go out and work and
because of Diakonia I can be more effective in working for
Him. At 73, I feel the energy of a young man and I am
anxious to serve. Bob Cano
Thursday, 4 | 1 | 2013
I thought 2 years was a lot of time to invest in something
that I had no idea where it would take me. I graduate this
May. Two years zoomed by. Then I realized the purpose of
diakonia is to help you figure out just where your faith can
take you. My faith is not stronger due to diakonia, but I
have an easier time talking about my faith. My faith is
different and more focused at times. I think it would be a
huge gift to the program, to have more pastors volunteer
to teach some of the sessions. I also think it would be
beneficial to congregations to pay for the classes for
members that are interested. Jackie Danalewich
Monday, 26 | 3 | 2013
The diakonia program changed my life. Being a lifelong Lutheran, I
thought I knew a whole lot about my faith. WOW, was I wrong. These
classes opened my eyes and my heart to answering the call from God.
The classes are sometimes intense but overall well worth the effort you
put into them. You will grow close to those who are taking the class with
you and you will grow in your own spirituality, understanding and joy in
being there. The Hobart class was the first class in the IK synod and
even 3 years after graduating we all keep in contact and have had
retreats, dinners, etc together. The Michigan City girls meet once a month
just for fellowship and we look forward to every one of those evenings. I
pray that you will find yourself opening up to the Spirit through these
classes. - Donna Knoll
Monday, 7 | 11 | 2011
Last year the Northern Illinois Synod diakonia group had a record
registration after using a new promotional tool. It was a Pizza Box
containing colored Posters, Bulletin Inserts, Brochures and a recruitment
DVD. Program graduates or current students would deliver the Pizza Box
and a real pizza to a church council meeting, show the DVD and explain
the benefits of promoting the program within the church. - Bob S
Tuesday, 24 | 05 | 2010
The diakonia program provides each person the opportunity to discover
their God-given gifts and strengthen their faith and abilities. This can be
the start of new chapter in your life, in which you come alive through
recognizing, nourishing and sharing with others your special God-given
gifts. Embrace these changes in your life and God will take you places
you never dreamed of. - Judy K
Monday, 8 | 04 | 2010
My reason for wanting to enroll in the program was very simple; I wanted
to know more… I wanted to learn the things you don’t learn in Sunday
school, Bible studies, etc. I wanted to know the history of the Church
from the beginning of time and how it evolved into the Church today. It
has been a spiritually enriching experience for me. The Diakonia
program is an excellent way of assisting you in your faith journey and
your spiritual life. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more
about themselves and their faith. You won’t regret it! - Julie L
diakonia exchange
Join in on the conversation,
what’s your thoughts?
“The Diakonia program in the
Northern Illinois Synod has been a
wonderful blessing to individuals,
congregations, the synod and indeed
the whole church. I see the fruits of
the program being how it empowers
the participant’s serving at home, in
the neighborhood, at church, at work
and school through the synod and
beyond.”
Bishop Gary Wollersheim,
Northern Illinois synod
Thursday, 4 | 4 | 2013
Hi, all Diakonia graduates, current participants, and those
considering joining the program! I'm a member of Messiah
Lutheran in Brownsburg, IN, and am at the "tail-end" of my
second year. Let me assure those of you who are
"considering," the 2-year program is challenging and highly
rewarding, and you will undoubtedly be exposed to some
wonderful Lutheran history and theology, as well as to some
outstanding minds in the persons of those teaching the 5-week
sessions! That latter has probably been as rewarding for me as
anything connected with Diakonia! Don't procrastinate---just
DO IT! Blessings, Joe Kemph
Thursday, 4 | 2 | 2013
I will graduate next month. WOW! What a journey. Jesus
said, "Go and make disciples". We are called to walk with
Christ but just like His disciples we need to be equipped to
be like Him. This program for me filled a missing part of the
equipping segment of my faith journey. Now, I need to go
out and work for Christ. I am ready to go out and work and
because of Diakonia I can be more effective in working for
Him. At 73, I feel the energy of a young man and I am
anxious to serve. Bob Cano
Thursday, 4 | 1 | 2013
I thought 2 years was a lot of time to invest in something
that I had no idea where it would take me. I graduate this
May. Two years zoomed by. Then I realized the purpose of
diakonia is to help you figure out just where your faith can
take you. My faith is not stronger due to diakonia, but I
have an easier time talking about my faith. My faith is
different and more focused at times. I think it would be a
huge gift to the program, to have more pastors volunteer
to teach some of the sessions. I also think it would be
beneficial to congregations to pay for the classes for
members that are interested. Jackie Danalewich
