Nigeria Visit - APR 2026

 When I visited Nigeria last year the leaders of the Nigeria-CLC (NCLC) were excited to tell me about their upcoming 50th Church Anniversary celebration they were planning for 2026. They asked me to invite dignitaries from the CLC to attend the festivities. I laughed and explained that the CLC does not have dignitaries, but I would be glad invite the CLC President and CLC Board of Missions chairman. And so, CLC President Wilke, his wife Gloria, Mr. Joel Krafft, and I began looking at schedules and making plans. The Lord blessed those plans and we were able to spend a week with many of our brothers and sisters in Christ of the NCLC for their 50th Anniversary celebration and annual convention. President Wilke delivered an essay on Objective Justification, Joel presented an essay on Communion and Fellowship, Gloria was able to teach a Bible lesson the children and delver an essay to the Women's Fellowship of the NCLC. I delivered an essay on the dangers of the Prosperity Theology. President Wilke served as the guest preacher for the Sunday NCLC worship service. President Wilke and I were also asked to officiate the the dedication of the new NCLC Seminary Academic and HQ building that is nearing completion and already being used for seminary classes. On our final day in Akwa Ibom State before we flew back to Lagos, we visited the compound where Missionary Norbert Reim (Gloria Wilke's father) lived with his wife Celeste and their family in the 1950s when he was a missionary for the Synodical Conference. We also got to tour the seminary where he taught. In addition to all of these blessings we also got to spend time getting to know many of our brothers and sisters in Christ of the NCLC and putting names to the faces that many have only read about in various Lutheran Spokesman articles and reports. It was a blessed week, blessed in too many way to list them all. 

The Wilkes and Joel Krafft have safely returned to the U.S.. I am currently in Kinshasa, DR Congo (DRC). I flew from Lagos, Nigeria to Lomé, Togo where I met up with Missionary Peter Evensen. From there we flew together to Kinshasa. We will spend about a week working with Pastor Jacques Pondi Lumiangu who serves a Confessional Lutheran congregation in this very large and chaotic city. Since the DRC was once a Belgium colony, French in the official language and very few speak English. That means that Peter does most of the talking and teaching while we're here. The plan is for Peter to take over the annual visits to the DRC going forward. Which also means that this will my last annual visit to the DRC. Next week, Peter and I will fly to Lubumbashi in the south where Pastor Yumba Lumbala, the CCLC, and the Holy Trinity Lutheran Seminary are located. 

Enjoy the pictures from Nigeria...more pictures available HERE

CLC President Wilke, NCLC President Essien, Bd of Missions Chairman Joel Krafft

CLC President Wilke greeting the attendees at the NCLC 50th Anniversary Celebration

The NCLC 50th Anniversary Cake

CLC delegation with Pastors Mike and Charles Essien in front of the "Mission House" where CLC Missionaries have lived

Six of the Seven current NCLC Immanuel Lutheran Seminary Students

NCLC Immanuel Lutheran Seminary Students and Teachers

Dedication of the new NCLC Seminary Academic and HQ Building

Sunday Morning worship service at the NCLC church in Efa Anyam, Akwa Ibom State

CLC Board of Missions Chairman Joel Krafft delivering his essay

We flew to and from Lagos to Uyo on Ibom Air

Nigeria Visit - NOV/DEC 2025

I am currently sitting in Missionary Peter Evensen's apartment after traveling from Nigeria to Togo yesterday (12/5) afternoon. It's only 285 km (177 miles) from Lagos to Lome, but it took 2 short flights to get here.  It was like taking a big bus in the sky. We took off from Lagos, flew for about 30 minutes, and landed in Cotonou, Benin. A few passengers got off, a few more got on, and we then flew for about 35 minutes to Lome, where some passengers and I got off. I'm not sure where the plane was going from there. Missionary Evensen and Pastor Kossi were at the airport to meet me. It was good to see them both!

The visit to Nigeria was brief but filled with many activities. Pastor Mike Essien has served as the president of the Nigeria-CLC for the past five years. It is a real privilege to work closely with Pastor Mike. The Lord has truly blessed his leadership. After the death of the founding president, Pastor E.E. Essien, about 20 years ago, and the sudden, unexpected passing of Pastor Patrick Udo a few years later, the NCLC faced significant challenges. However, the Lord has blessed NCLC with a renewed focus on Gospel outreach and pastoral training. With MDF grants from the CLC, they have been carrying out Gospel outreach in Bayelsa State and are also working to reopen some congregations that closed. They plan to assign an NCLC pastor to the capital city of Yenagoa, Bayelsa, to conduct outreach and provide theological training for the six independent Lutheran pastors serving in this waterlogged river delta region of Nigeria. Additionally, the seminary faculty has been regularly conducting NCLC pastoral training seminars for all NCLC pastors to encourage one another in ministry and to continue to grow in their understanding of God's Word. The NCLC has also been working to reaffirm its status, especially in the Akwa Ibom State area, as a confessional Lutheran church grounded in the faithful preaching and teachings of all the truths of God's saving word. These efforts are part of the NCLC's recent renewed efforts, including the construction of a multi-purpose academic and NCLC headquarters on the seminary campus. They are also working on a major expansion of the main church building in Efa. Exciting developments are happening among our brothers and sisters in Christ in the NCLC.

Planning is also underway for an NCLC 50th anniversary celebration in 2026. The event will take place during their annual convention in April. They have invited CLC President Mike Wilke, CLC Board of Missions Chairman Mr. Joel Krafft, and I to attend. This will also coincide with the completion and dedication of the Academic and NCLC HQ building. 

My visit to Nigeria lasted only 8 days, but I left feeling excited about the renewed zeal and exciting plans that the Lord is blessing among our brothers and sisters in Christ of the NCLC. I am eagerly looking forward to returning for the festivities in April!

Here are a few videos and pictures from the visit. You can see more HERE

Essien Brothers LtoR - Alfred, Mike, Martin, and Charles

Main NCLC Church Building In Efa

NCLC Pastors after the 2-day Pastor Conference

NCLC Pastor Conference in the newly completed seminary classroom

NCLC Academic and HQ Building Project

NCLC Immanuel Lutheran Seminary Faculty

NCLC Seminary Students

NCLC Youth Choir

Sent to Liberia - Nigeria - Togo - NOV/DEC 2025

On Wednesday, Nov. 12, I'll be heading to West Africa for visits to Liberia, Nigeria, and Togo. 

The trip will begin with flights from St. Louis to Washington, DC, then to Accra, Ghana, and finally to Monrovia, Liberia. I'll spend a little over two weeks in Liberia working with the LCLC. We'll make visits to Gbarnga and Global Village. We will then travel back to Monrovia on our way to Bopolu, where eighteen pastors and church leaders will gather for a three-day pastoral training seminar and conference. Following the conference, we'll head back to Monrovia for a weekend of worship and meetings.

I'll travel from Liberia to Nigeria on Nov 26th. Thanksgiving Day will be spent traveling from Lagos to Akwa Ibom State, where the NCLC's headquarters and seminary are located. If all goes according to schedule, I'll arrive in time to attend the afternoon session of the pastoral training seminar. Friday and Saturday will be spent teaching at the training seminar and attending meetings with the NCLC boards and committees. I will also have the privilege of attending the dedication of the new seminary academic building, visiting a few congregations, and worshipping at one of the NCLC congregations in the area. I'll then make my way back to Lagos for a day of report writing, rest, and a trip from Lagos to Lome', Togo.

I'm scheduled to arrive in Lome' on Thursday, Dec. 4th. The Togo visit will be short. I'll have just enough time in Togo to visit Missionary Evensen, attend and preach at the Mt. Horeb Lutheran Seminary graduation, worship with the Lome' congregation, and discuss the work with Missionary Evensen and Pastor Kossi. 

On Dec. 9th, I'll fly from Lome' to Brussels to Chicago to Home...just in time to get in on the late-season deer hunt in Missouri and a quick trip to Phoenix to celebrate my mom's 85th birthday!

It's going to be a busy month. Your prayers for safe and uneventful travels, safety, good health, and all the blessings necessary to carry out this Kingdom work are requested and much appreciated. 

 

West Africa CLC Pastoral Conference Recap...

Tuesday February 28 - The West Africa CLC Pastoral Conference is off to a blessed start. With twenty pastors arriving safely yesterday (Monday, 2/27) afternoon and evening from Togo, Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria, we started early with morning prayers, Psalms, and breakfast.

Following an opening devotion, review of the schedule, greeting, and encouragement from CLC President Wilke and Board of Missions Chairman Krafft, and the appointment of a conference chairman and secretary, we heard the first of six essays under the theme "Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness." The first essay was titled "What God Reveals About His Kingdom."

Following a lunch-break we gathered again for our second essay titled "What God Reveals About His Righteousness," delivered by Missionary Peter Evensen.

Missionary Peter Evensen 

Wednesday, March 1 - Day two of the West Africa CLC Pastoral Conference has begun as we expect another fruitful day in our Savior's word.

Pastor Sunday Akpan Udo led us in the singing of "Rock of Ages" and encouraged us with our Savior's words recorded in Matthew 18:1-4.

Today we will hear and be encouraged by God's saving Word through two essays delivered by Pastor Godwin Akpan (Seminary Dean from the Nigeria-CLC) and Pastor Kossi Blewu (MELC-Togo).

This evening we will gather for worship and the Lord's supper.

Pastor Mike Essien (Nigeria)

Pastor Joseph Kwiwalazu (Liberia)

Pastor Godwin Akpan Ukoh (Nigeria)

Pastor Sunday Akpan (Nigeria)

Pastor Kossi Blewu (Togo)

Pastor Samuel Cheneken (Liberia)

Thursday, March 2 - The third and final day of the West Africa CLC Pastoral Conference is about to begin. We're looking forward to essays delivered by Pastors Mike Essien (President of the Nigeria-CLC) and Joseph Kwiwalazu (Liberia-CLC). Pastor Samuel Cheneken (Liberia-CLC), our morning Chaplain, encouraged us in our work with the Word of God from Matthew 4:18-19 & 1 Peter 2:20-21.

Before we began today, we took a few group pictures.

Join us in thanking our Savior for the many blessings He has given to this conference and ask for His continued blessings on our travels home over the next few days.

Deborah and the ladies who took such good care of us.

Liberia Delegation

Nigeria Delegation

Togo Delegation

Group Picture of all delegates

Pastor Essien Michael (Nigeria)

Sent to West Africa...

 

I'm gearing up for my first visit to Togo since before the pandemic. I'm leaving Sunday (2/19) morning, so I'll be able to arrive in time to travel with Missionary Evensen to the seminary to spend a couple of days teaching and observing classes. I'm excited to spend some time with my good friends and colleagues Missionary Peter Evensen and Pastor Kossi Blewu. I am also looking forward to seeing firsthand how the land and building have progressed. The last time I was there was when Peter first took up residence in Togo. At that time nothing had yet been built. Missionary Evensen has sent several pictures, but it will be great to see things with my own eyes. 

The following week, pastors from Togo, Liberia, Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria will gather in Lomé, Togo for the three-day West Africa CLC Pastoral Conference that is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Feb. 28th. This conference was initially scheduled for 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. We are expecting twenty pastors and seminary students to attend. Missionary Evensen, Pastor Blewu, and I will be hosting this semi-annual conference. Six essays will be delivered by some of the pastors in attendance from each nation in attendance. An evening worship service with the Lord's Supper will be a highlight as we gather to be encouraged by a sermon from one of the Nigerian pastors. 

Your prayers are requested and much appreciated, asking the Lord to bless all those traveling to Lomé on February 27th with safe and uneventful travel. Thank the Lord for this opportunity for these pastors to gather, study, encourage, and grow together in the saving truths of God's saving word. Ask the Lord to bless the preaching, teaching, and hearing of His word that His name will be honored. And please pray for my wife Beth and family while I am gone.

Nigeria - 2022 Visit

I'm a few days delayed in getting this posted. The visit to Nigeria was short and hectic and didn't allow for much time to write. Overall, things went well. The headquarters of the Nigeria-CLC are located in Akwa Ibom State. This is a rural area located a fair distance away from the bigger cities with international airports. So, that means either several hours traveling by car or flying on a local airline to Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom. The past few times I have visited Nigeria, I have opted for the local airlines. I'm told that driving just isn't a safe option due to the frequency of roadside banditry (as the U.S. State Dept. calls it) and the potential for kidnapping that seems to be prevalent throughout the oil-rich states in the southern part of Nigeria. So, I flew into Lagos and was met at the international airport by Martin Essien, who serves as the chairman of the NCLC Board of Trustees. Martin had already arranged for a car and driver to take us from the international airport to the domestic airport so we could catch our flight from Lagos to Uyo. Unfortunately, the airline announced a flight schedule change, so we had several hours that changed our flight from an early afternoon flight to an evening flight. In the end, it all worked out. I was able to buy a sim card and get it loaded up with internet data for the week, and I was also able to take a much-needed nap. 

The flight from Lagos to Uyo is only about an hour long, so we arrived around 8pm, collected our luggage, and met the driver who Martin had arranged. We then drove about an hour to a home that Martin owns in Ikot Ekpene and got settled in for the night. The electricity in the house wasn't working, so that meant some hot nights without even a fan to keep us cool. But we managed and even had a neighbor lady bring us hot water in the mornings for coffee. Ikot Ekpene is about a 45-minute drive from the village of Efa Anyam, where the NCLC headquarters and seminary are located. For the next few days, we either made the trip to Efa or church leaders came to meet with us at the house. It worked out well. I had several meetings with the various boards and leaders to discuss and advise on some of the recent challenges they are facing. I also had the opportunity to visit the seminary a meet with the current faculty a couple of times. The good news is that they currently have six students (one will graduate in December), and they are expecting at least three new students to begin in January. The challenges they are facing are a current shortage of teachers and classroom space.  Currently, they only have one instructor. The NCLC Board met while I was there, and they will be meeting again soon to call another instructor before the new school year begins in January. The classroom space issue has been ongoing for some time. The current seminary campus has just three buildings. The building they have been using for classrooms has three small rooms that were originally intended for dormitory rooms. The other two small buildings are instructor housing so that the instructors don't need to travel back and forth from their home villages every day to teach. Since the intended dormitory rooms are being used for classrooms, the students have either had to travel back to their home villages every day or, in most cases, have stayed in the teacher's housing. This has not been the best situation, with cramped quarters and, perhaps, a little too much togetherness! The NCLC Board is planning to appoint a "Works Committee" to oversee all facility repairs and improvements going forward to take this work from the plate of the faculty. Over the next few months, they will be putting together plans and estimates to construct a new building with two large classrooms along with a library, study room, office, and computer lab. They will also begin fundraising among the NCLC congregations and submit a proposal and request to the CLC Bd of Missions for assistance with this project. Please pray for the necessary planning and resources to continue this work.

NCLC Seminary Classroom Building (originally built as a dormitory)

Seminary Students with Instructor Pastor Godwin Akpan

I also had the opportunity to worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Nya on Sunday morning. This is the first time I have been able to worship at this congregation. It was Reformation Sunday, so I also had the privilege of preaching a reformation-themed sermon as we were reminded of God's love in the three Solas of the Reformation...Sola Gratia-God's Love for Us, Sola Fides-God's Love In Us, and Sola Scriptura-God's Love To Us. It was such a blessing to be there gathered around God's saving word with brothers and sisters in Christ united in the truths of God's saving word!

Members of St. Stephen Church of the Lutheran Confession in Nya, Nigeria

On Monday, we visited the seminary again and ran a few errands around the area that Martin needed to attend to. In the afternoon, we flew back to Lagos, where I checked into a hotel near the airport for a morning flight that would take me to Kinshasa, D.R. Congo, where I am currently as I write this blog post.

The Lord continues to bless with health, safety, and the joy of being about our Heavenly Father's business!