September 10, 2024
A Family Shield Prodigal Parent Training
A Prodigal Parent Training for LCMS leaders and Prodigal Parents will be held at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 765 Lemay Ferry Rd., Lemay, Missouri 63125 on Saturday, October 26th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Paula Isakson will be the trainer. She is the founder of Faith Family Reunion and was a prodigal child for 25 years before she returned to the faith. There is no cost to attend, but registration in advance is required. Lunch will be provided. The training is provided through the Family Shield Ministries grant from The Oscar and Keturah Haab Foundation.
More Than a Guest Host -- Dr. Rev. Mark Femmel
You have heard the name Dr. Rev. Mark Femmel often if you receive and read our email newsletter or listen to our radio program and podcast. He often serves as our “Guest Host” on the Family Shield program. He also serves on the Family Shield Board of Directors. He is much more than a Guest Host! Learn more about him below.
Kay L. Meyer, President Emeritus
Mark has been a pastor since 2006 and currently serves as the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Maryland Heights, the northwest area of St. Louis, Missouri. He is from a family of teachers, earned a math teaching degree, and then earned a Master’s Degree of Divinity through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Because Mark is passionate about sharing the great news that God is on mission to reach the world, he also earned a Master’s Degree of Sacred Theology, specializing in the Historical Jesus, essentially helping people discover that the Gospels are accurate biographies of Jesus who has come to set us free and to lead us home. Finally, he earned a Doctorate in Church Health and Revitalization, focusing on helping individuals engage with God more often than just on most Sundays.
Mark became interested in Family Shield Ministries because it is a ministry focused on leading God’s people into God’s Word to help them overcome their struggles and to help them help others overcome their struggles. To empower people to live in God’s Word wherever we are—through devotions, blogs, podcasts, and other digital ministry—is to empower people to walk with God, to hear truth, and to be set free. (John 8:31–32)
Mark currently also serves as a volunteer police chaplain for the St. Louis County Police Department, as a volunteer police chaplain for the Maryland Heights Police Department, and as a living witness to the good news of Jesus at his gym where he and his family enjoy working out and connecting with people.
Radio Programs, Podcast Topics, and Guests
with host, Kay L. Meyer, founder & president of Family Shield Ministries
SEPTEMBER 2024
September 3-9
Topic: StrongHeart: Cultivating Humility, Respect & Resiliency in Your Child
Guest: Jill Garner
Guest Host: Rev. Brandon Larson of Concordia Lutheran Church, Kirkwood, MO
September 10-16
Archive Topic: What is Trauma?
Guest: Dr. Marie Yvette Seltz
Host: Kay Meyer
September 17-22
Topic: The Men We Need
Guest: Brant Hansen
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
September 23-September 30
Archive Topic: Discipling Our Children for Christ
Host: Kay Meyer
OCTOBER 2024
October 1-7
Topic: God's Encouraging Word
Guest: Faith Doerr
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
October 8-14
Archive Topic: Five Traits of a Healthy Families
Guest: Dr. Gary Chapman
Host: Kay Meyer
October 15-21
Topic: Journey Through the Church
Guest: Christa Petzold
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
October 22-28
Archive Topic: What is the Reformation?
Guest: Rev. Randy Golter
Host: Kay Meyer
October 29-November 4
Topic: The Disciple Dilemma: Rethinking and Reforming How The Church Does Discipleship
Guest: Dennis Allen
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
NOVEMBER 2024
November 5-11
Archive Topic: Jesus said "What?"
Guest: Rev. Christopher Kennedy
Host: Kay L. Meyer
November 12-18
Topic: Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry-Part One
Guest: Julianna Shults
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
November 19-25
Topic: Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry-Part Two
Guest: Julianna Shultz
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
November 25-December 2
Archive Topic: Advent and the Christmas Season
Guest: Dr. Mary Manz Simon
Host: Kay Meyer
DECEMBER 2024
December 3-9
Topic: I Want Him to Want Me
Guest: Sheri Mueller
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
December 10-16
Archive Topic: Christmas and the Angels
Guest: Dr. Ronald Rall
Host: Kay Meyer
December 17-22
Topic: Imagine Heaven
Guest: Dr. John Burke
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
December 23-30
Archive Topic: Family Shield Christmas Special
Guest: Rev. Derek Paetow
Host: Kay Meyer
December 31-January 7
Topic: Imagine the God of Heaven
Dr. John Burke
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
January 2025
January 8-14
Archive Topic: Ministering to the Grieving
Guest: Daniel Verkoyan
Host: Kay Meyer
January 15-21
Topic: Lies I Taught in Medical School
Guest: Dr. Robert Lufkin
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
January 22-27
Archive Topic: 5-Minute Bible Studies for Couples
Guest: Rev. Randy Hunter
Host: Kay L. Meyer
January 28-February 3
Topic: Seven Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry-Part Three
Guest: Mark Kiessling
Guest Host: Rev. Mark Femmel
"Give as freely as you have received." (Matthew 10:8)