Concordia Seminary’s Preachers basketball team will wrap up its season at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, with a game against alumni players in a benefit event for the Lutheran Hope Center in Ferguson, Mo.

Former Preachers players — now serving as pastors throughout the St. Louis region — will step back onto the court at Pederson Fieldhouse and enjoy some friendly competition against their future colleagues in ministry. This “Hoops for Hope” basketball game also will be an opportunity to collect school supplies and funds for the Lutheran Hope Center.

“It is awesome that former Preachers are coming together again to play this game we all love and to support the ministry of our brother, Lutheran Hope Center Executive Director Rev. Micah Glenn,” said Preachers Coach Dr. Timothy Saleska, dean of ministerial formation. “I am looking forward to seeing some dear friends and to a great game. GO PREACHERS!”

The Lutheran Hope Center is a partnership of five The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations in north St. Louis County. The churches are Salem Lutheran Church, Blessed Savior Lutheran Church, Grace Lutheran Church, Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Chapel. The goal of the center is to give the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ by providing opportunities for youth and families to grow spiritually, academically, socially and personally.

“Hoops for Hope” fans are encouraged to bring donations of backpacks and school supplies for students and teachers in Ferguson schools for the 2017-18 school year. An offering also will be collected at the game.

Glenn is a 2016 Seminary alumnus and a former Preachers basketball player. Glenn is leading the center’s effort to reach out to people who are hurting, struggling and in need of innumerable resources.

The needs extend into local schools. About 80 percent of the students in grades third through eighth are not proficient in English. To combat the issue, the Lutheran Hope Center is beginning a literacy program for children in grades kindergarten through third grade with the intention of adding a grade every year up to at least eighth grade. Many of these students begin the school year without sufficient school supplies, which also impacts their learning environment.

Pederson Fieldhouse is located on the campus of Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, Mo.

For more information on the Lutheran Hope Center, visit:
Facebook: The Lutheran Hope Center – Ferguson
Website: www.thelutheranhopecenter.org

About Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit www.csl.edu.