LHF founder celebrates 90 years March 9, 2026

Few 90-year-olds still clock in at the office every day, never mind take trans-national and even international trips to connect with mission supporters and church leaders. But God has blessed Rev. Robert Rahn, LHF founder, with the energy and health to continue vigorous service. Reflecting on his 9 decades of life, Rev. Rahn (pictured above with wife, Donna) writes:

It’s been 90 years of God’s grace, especially 33 years of unbelievable blessings showered upon the Lutheran Heritage Foundation since its founding in 1992. I well remember those early beginnings in the basement and den of my home, working with a fax machine mostly in the middle of the night because Russia, LHF’s first country of work, was in a time zone eight hours ahead of us.

All the time, we (my wife, Donna and I, as well as our founding LHF Board members) wondered how this new venture would work out. Through many trials and errors, I was often reminded of a Bible passage that I noticed when reading through the Bible every year: “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7). We took heart from the words of Solomon as he built the Lord’s temple. He referred to his work as “building a house for the Lord that His name might be there.” And always we kept before us the words of Psalm 115:1, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake.”

Our work began in Russia, where our goal was to help restore Lutheranism in a country where Lutheranism had been decimated by 70 years of atheistic, communistic government rule. Because of people’s interest in learning English as a second language, LHF distributed a side-by-side English/Russian edition of the New Testament, one of the first books published by Lutherans in Russia in over 70 years. This seminal work marks the only time LHF has started work without an invitation.

To my amazement, LHF is now at work in more than 100 countries on the basis of Macedonian calls. New requests have continued to be accepted, and willing people have blessed us with their partnership with new and bold leadership.

One of the totally unexpected and appreciated results has been the God-blessed response to the publishing of the little Gospel booklet I wrote, “Jesus Never Fails,” now in more than 120 languages.

As I celebrate 90 years, I am especially thankful to the Lord for the privilege of serving with such a loyal and capable staff that surrounds me every day. I see this as the key to the future years ahead. Yes, the work has been rewarded and blessed by our grace-giving God. To Him be the glory and praise and to you the thankfulness and gratitude. Glory to God, the Giver of every good and perfect gift!