Let’s Start Talking — Organization Profile
Let’s Start Talking, also known as LST, is a Christian ministry based in Hurst, Texas, with staff connected to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and remote locations. The ministry exists to create life-changing conversations around the world and across the street by helping Christians connect with international neighbors through English conversation, friendship, and the Word of God.
The organization’s core focus is equipping volunteers and churches to build one-on-one relationships with international Readers using Bible-based English conversation materials. LST’s approach offers people something many genuinely want: a friend who will help them practice conversational English. At the same time, the conversations are built around Scripture, giving Readers and Workers a natural setting for meaningful discussions about faith, life, and God’s Word.
Let’s Start Talking serves international neighbors locally, online, and through international destinations. Its ministry is designed for churches, campus ministries, mission teams, prison ministries, schools, outreach organizations, and individual Christians who want to serve people from other cultures. LST has been connecting people through one-on-one English conversation practice since 1980, and its materials have been used with Readers around the world who want to improve their English.
The ministry operates through several connected programs. LST Connect is an online pathway that matches English-speaking volunteers with international Readers for weekly conversations through platforms such as Zoom, WhatsApp, or Google Meet. FriendSpeak helps churches and community organizations reach international neighbors locally through English, friendship, and the Word of God. LST International Projects allow teams to travel to another country and support mission churches through the LST approach.
A distinctive part of Let’s Start Talking’s ministry is using one-on-one English conversation rather than a traditional classroom model. Its workbooks are designed for conversation and relationship, not simply language instruction. The Core Series, Discover Series, Advanced Series, and Beginner Series help Readers build English skills while discussing biblical stories, everyday life topics, personal perspectives, and faith experiences. LST also provides training before volunteers use the materials.
People can engage with Let’s Start Talking by registering for LST Connect, starting a FriendSpeak ministry, joining an international project, organizing a mission trip using LST training, purchasing workbooks, attending an Exploring LST session, praying, giving, or sponsoring a Worker. Churches and individuals can partner with LST to begin local, online, or international conversations that create space for friendship, language practice, and gospel-centered discussion.
Key Links
- Website: https://lst.org/
- About: https://lst.org/about-us/
- Our Team: https://lst.org/staff/
- FriendSpeak: https://lst.org/FriendSpeak/
- LST Connect: https://lst.org/connect/
- International Projects: https://lst.org/projects/
- Training: https://lst.org/training/
- Workbooks: https://lst.org/landing-page-lst-store/
- Donate: https://lst.org/donate/
- Contact: https://lst.org/contact/
Contact Information
- Email: LS*@*ST.org
- Phone: 817-684-7578
- Mailing address: PO Box 55398, Hurst, TX 76054
Socials
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetsStartTalking
- X: https://twitter.com/LSTMinistry
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lst_ministry/
Leadership
- Craig Altrock — Executive Director
- Ben Woodward — FriendSpeak Director / Strategic Development and Growth
- Casey Williams — Volunteer, Special Projects
- Donna Tucker — Business Office Administrator
- Julie Dancer — Program Support and Office Reception
- Leslee Altrock — Program Director
- Mackayla Rodriguez — Recruiting Specialist
- Mark Woodward — Founder
- Sherrylee Woodward — Founder
- Dr. Philip Woodward — Board President
- John Osborne — Board Vice President
- Jamie Sweeney — Board Secretary
- Mike Bell — Board Member
- Diane Davis — Board Member
- Casey Williams — Board Member
