Megan Mertz

St. Louis

Staff Writer, The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and Contributor at St. Louis Magazine

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Articles

Clinging to Christ's promises

3 weeks ago | reporter.lcms.org | Megan Mertz

During the past year, many people around the world have been rocked by disaster — flooding in North Carolina, typhoons in the Philippines, wildfires in California. Lutherans are not spared from the consequences of a fallen world. Yet, they are called “to be together around Word and Sacrament” even at a time like this, says the Rev. Christopher Schaar, pastor of Historic First Lutheran Church in Pasadena, Calif., which narrowly escaped the Eaton fire in early January.
YouthLead: Equipped and eager to share Christ

3 weeks ago | reporter.lcms.org | Megan Mertz

By Megan K. MertzIn mid-March, 93 teenagers and their adult leaders gathered at the Pallottine Retreat Center in Florissant, Mo., for four days of learning, discussion, fellowship and fun. They were attending YouthLead (formerly called Lutheran Youth Fellowship), a program of LCMS Youth Ministry that helps teens develop leadership skills that they can use within their congregations and communities.
Ask Veronica: What Are Your Best Tips For Submitting Projects To The Architect & Designer Awards Competition? | St. Louis Magazine

1 month ago | stlmag.com | Veronica Theodoro |Megan Mertz |Melissa Meinzer |George Mahe

I’ve been asked this question a lot throughout the nine–or is it 10–years I’ve hosted the awards. With the conclusion last night of this year’s competition, I thought today would be a good time to provide advice for how to submit projects that catch the judges’ eye. Whether you’re new to the competition, or submit projects annually, I always tell people to begin by reading through the submission details on our website and adding important dates, from deadlines to announcements, to their calendar.
An Indonesian Lutheran hymnal

1 month ago | reporter.lcms.org | Megan Mertz

By Megan K. MertzA statue of Jesus Christ, inscribed with the words of John 14:6, looks over the rural village of Sihabonghabong, Indonesia. Although Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim country, this part of North Sumatra has a large Christian population — including the 20,000 members of the Indonesian Christian Lutheran Church (Gereja Kristen Luther Indonesia, or GKLI), an emerging partner of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Public Funding for AI in Canada 2011-2022: An equity-focused environmental scan

Feb 4, 2025 | biorxiv.org | Megan Mertz |Alex Anawati |Andrew Austin |Ghislaine Attema

AbstractBackground : In this new equity-driven landscape, if there is to be system-wide transformation in research funding allocation, indicators of funding allocations need to be explored. This environmental scan aims to understand how research funding for artificial intelligence (AI) has been allocated and distributed in Canada from 2011-2022.
Christ's light during trials

Jan 17, 2025 | reporter.lcms.org | Megan Mertz

“I know that God works His greatest good when everything seems to be falling around us,” said the Rev. Kevin Loughran, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg, Fla. Grace’s church and school building suffered significant damage when Hurricane Milton blew through the area on Oct. 9. The very next morning, more than 40 volunteers from the church, school, community and even farther afield arrived to help.
Amy Studebaker Design moves to Ladue

Nov 12, 2024 | stlmag.com | Megan Mertz

After a two-year search and a lengthy renovation, Amy Studebaker Design has found a new home in Ladue (9749 Clayton). The 1,950-square-foot space is a tour through owner and principal designer Amy Studebaker’s take on some great destinations, from an English conservatory to a French café to Palm Beach, Florida.
Nourishing the faithful in Japan

Oct 23, 2024 | reporter.lcms.org | Megan Mertz

By Megan K. MertzThe Rev. Dr. Daniel Jastram is the only missionary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) currently serving in Japan. Born in Shibata, Japan, he speaks Japanese fluently. At the age of 19, he came to the United States for college and seminary. He hoped that he might be sent to teach at a fledgling seminary somewhere in the world, but that wasn’t part of God’s plan.
A conversation with Joe Isenhower Jr.

Oct 21, 2024 | reporter.lcms.org | Megan Mertz

By Megan MertzFor 40 years, the name Joe Isenhower Jr. was a familiar byline in the pages of Reporter. He began working as a writer for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1973, amid the deep theological divide that would eventually lead to the Walkout at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, just one year later. Over the years, Isenhower took on more responsibility with Reporter, eventually serving as its managing editor until his retirement in 2017.
Gospel for all times

Oct 21, 2024 | reporter.lcms.org | Megan Mertz

In February, historic wildfires ravaged two communities in Chile, destroying 12,000 homes and killing more than 100 people. As Chilean Lutherans cared for victims, one pastor noted, “On my own, I don’t have anything good to say to anybody. … [But] I realized … I could say to [the victims], ‘Through the Word of God, you are not alone.’ ” The Fall 2024 issue of Lutherans Engage the World explores how Lutherans are sharing the Gospel in both good times and bad.