CCL-Congo - Lubumbashi Visit - May 2026

Pastor Yumba Lumbala Leads Worship

Missionary Evensen and I arrived in Lubumbashi on Tuesday, May 5th for a short visit with Pastor Yumba Lumbala, along with several pastors, leaders, members, and seminary students, of the Congrégation Luthérienne Confessionnelle du Congo (CCLC). It was a busy week with a two-day Bible seminar in Kasumbalesa, seminary graduates doctrinal theses defense in Lubumbashi, gradution, and a full day of worship, baptisms, marriage blessings, Lord's Supper, and ordination of new pastors at a newly established CCLC congregation on the outskirts of Lubumbashi. 

At the Bible Seminar, Peter taught on Law and Gospel and the Doctrine of Objective and Subjective Justification the first day. I taught on the topic of Love in the Bible with special emphasis on how God's love shines forth in our approach to the pastoral ministry. The seminar was held in a small building at the local congregation in Kasumbalesa near the Zambia border. This is where the CCLC seminary has been meeting for the past several months due to security issues in the area of the seminary compound in Ntondo. The seminary has sat vacant for several months because of militant armed conflict in the area. The DRC military has been forcibly conscripting young men into the military in the area as a deterrant to joining the local malitias that oppose the current government. The violence has subsided in recent weeks and they are hoping to return to the seminary soon. Pray for peace and good leadership for this area of the DRC.

CCLC Bible Seminar Banner

My view while taking a break at the Bible Seminar in Kasumbalesa

CCLC pastors, seminary students, and leaders at the two-day CCLC Bible Seminar in Kasumbalesa

On Saturday, Peter and I were privileged to hear three seminary students defend their doctrinal dissertations. The three men were chosen out of the fifteen students to receive a Bachlor's Degree of Theology and were ordained as pastors of the CCLC. The other twelve students also completed their studies and were issued certifcates rather than diplomas and will serve the Lord as faithful CCLC evangelists and congregational leaders. The three students publically defended their dissertations in front of CCLC pastors, leaders, and several members of the congregations they will serve. The three topics were 1) Man is Justified by Faith Alone, Not of Works, By the Grace of God Alone 2) The Command and Promise of the Sacrament of Baptism, and 3) The Scriptural Understanding of Spiritual Gifts and a Refutation of Current False Teachings on Spiritual Gifts. Following their defense, Peter and I were given the opportunity to ask them questions about their essay and thier topic in general. They were, understandably, nervous but each one did well and I was encouraged to hear them speak so confidently and convincingly concerning the truths of God's saving word. Praise the Lord for preparing more faithful preachers and teachers of His saving word!

Seminary Dean, Pastor Yumba Lumbala, welcomes students and guests to the theological dissertation defense by the three seminary students

CCLC Seminary student, Yumba Musoya Wa Kasanza defending his essay on Justification by Faith Alone

CCLC Seminary student, Ngoy Wa Kwadimalenge defending his essay on Baptism

CCLC Seminary student, Patrick Lumbala defending his essay on Spiritual Gifts

(L-R) Peter, Patrick, Yumba, Ngoy, and some nobody

Sunday (May 10) was a long, full, and encouraging day of worship. A joint worship service with members from several CCLC congregations gathered at a newly established congregation on the outskirts of Lubumbashi. Some pastors and members traveled all the way from Manono in the Tanganyika Province to the north. This is no small task. I visited Manono a few years ago. You can read about the journey and see a few pictures HERE. There were well over 200 in attendance! The service began around 10:00 am and didn't end until after 3:30 pm. The service included the baptism of thirteen infants, six children, and 1 adult! I also had the privilege of conducting the Marriage Blessing for two couples. In the DRC marriages are officially done by the government, but Christians, understanding that marriage was instituted by God and needs His blessings, then also conduct a marriage blessing ceremony in church. Following the ordination of three seminary students, two of whom are called to serve this new congregation, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was served. Peter preached for the service. Because he preached in French and it was then translated into Congolese Swahili/Kingwana, I have no idea what his sermon text was nor his theme. But I'm sure it was great and faithful to the Scriptures. Between the different parts of the service, choirs from a few different CCLC congregations sang and danced praises to our Savior. Following the service Peter, Yumba, and I returned to our hotel for a final meeting to discuss the work and future plans of the CCLC and the seminary and how the CLC can better parnter with them. It was a long and tiring day, but one I wouldn't have wanted to miss. What a joy to join in with brothers and sisters in Christ to rejoice over and grow in the saving grace and mercy of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! The joy that exudes from their worship and their dancing and singing is infectious and brings joy to my heart and a smile to my face. I marvel daily and still can't wrap my head around (apart from His grace and mercy) why He let's someone like me be a part of this amazing work, but THANK YOU Lord for the privilege of serving You and Your Kingdom in this way and for giving me a wife and family who are so supportive!!

Newly Established CCLC Congregation on the outskirts of Lubumbashi, DRC

CCLC Joint Worship waiting for distant members of arrive

Pastor Yumba Leads Worship at the joint CCLC Worship Service

Another great blessing of the visit was finally getting to meet Pastor Eddy Nakalala. He has been aquainted with Pastor Yumba since he spent almost a full year during the pandemic staying in Lubumbashi where he visited the CCLC seminary and joined a CCLC congregation. He is also aquainted with Pastor Tim Daub and me through Facebook. He was trained by the LC-MS affiliated seminary in South Africa, but did not accept a call into the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Congo upon graduation due to leadership issues within the church body. Since then, he has discovered the CCLC and the CLC and desires to bring the congregations he serves into our fellowship. He serves a congregation and two preaching stations with more than 400 believers being served  in the city of Uvira near the Burundi boarder in the north-east part of the DRC. He traveled to Lubumbashi to meet us and to attend the Bible Seminar and other events. He was quite pleased with what he heard and learned and is now more convinced that the congregation and congregations he serves should formally apply for membership in the CCLC. He and Yumba will be working together to provide study materials for Pastor Nakalala to use with the congregations he serves. Praise the Lord!!

At his request, a selfie with Pastor Nakalala and the Missionaries

On Monday morning Peter and I worked our way through the chaotic Lubumbashi Internatiional Airport where Peter flew home to Togo and I flew to Lusaka, Zambia where I will spend the next twelve days working with Pastor Ibrahim and the other pastors and leaders of the Zambia-CLC (ZCLC). The first couple of days will be spent trying to finalize the much needed and difficult to acquire church registration process. Later in the week fifteen pastors and church leaders from three different districts will travel to Lusaka for a Bible seminar and the first official organizational conference of the ZCLC. Following the semiar and conference, I will travel to Livingstone to assist Pastors Ibrahim and Kulobone with outreach and evangelism efforts for a few days and to help settle some issues with the ZCLC property.

More Pictures from the CCLC HERE.

DR Congo - Kinshasa Visit - APR/MAY 2026

Yesterday morning (5/11), Missionary Peter Evensen and I parted ways. He flew back to Togo via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and I flew to Lusaka, Zambia via Johanessburg, South Africa. We spent the past two weeks visiting the two ministries we work with in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As the visit to the DRC drew to a close it was one of those bitter/sweet moments of life. I've been visiting the DRC since 2010. Since the DRC is a former Belgium colony and thus a French speaking nation, it has been the plan of the Board of Missions for the past seven years that Missionary Evensen has been living and working Togo (another French speaking nation) for him to be the primary contact for the DRC and to make the annual visits. This makes a lot of sense due because he speaks fluent French and it is much easier for him to get the required visa. Due to several factors, this change hasn't happened...until now. This was most likely my last regular annual visit to the DR Congo. I call it bitter/sweet, because as much as I have come to love and appreciate those I have worked closely with over these past 16 years and I will miss fellowshipping with them, I am also very thankful that our Savior has provided a missionary with such amazing gifts in Peter Evensen who will continue the work much better than me. I will miss these regular visits to the DRC, but I can also honestly say that I won't miss the crazy DRC airports, chaotic Kinshasa traffic (it takes 3 hours to travel 22 miles!), and the less than effecient visa application process. Not to worry though...there are still lots of crazy airports and chaotic traffic that I will get to "enjoy" in the many other developing nations I visit every year on behalf of the CLC :).  

After meeting at the airport in Lome', Togo on April 28th, Peter and I flew directly to Kinshasa. We spent about week meeting with Pastor Jacques Pondi Lumiangu and conducting a Bible seminar at the local congregation. Peter taught the first day on Law and Gospel and the doctrine of Objective vs Subjective Justification. I taught the second day on Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone with a closer look at what saving Faith is and is not according to Scripture. I also had the privilege of preaching for the Sunday morning worship service on John 14...Jesus - The Way, The Truth, and The Life. My sermon was translated from English to French (by Peter) to Lingala (the local language). 

Pastor Lumiangu is a very sincere and dedicated servant of the Lord. The congregation has faced several challenges over the past couple of years. They lost the place of worship they had been renting for several years. The elderly couple who owned the property passed away and the family decided to sell it. The congregation didn't have the financial resources to purchase the property so they have had to move locations a couple of times in recent years. Since most of the members do not own cars and transportation is difficult and costly, the congregation needs to stay within reasonable walking distance of all the members. They found vacant lot to rent and have constructed a small worship place. They would like to purchase property and build a proper church, but the cost is very expensive in Kinshasa. 

Pray that the Lord will provide for this ministry as they strive to estalish a confessional Lutheran congregation that will serve as a strong foundation from which to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ among the 21+ million residents of Kinshasa and beyond.

On Tuesday, May 5th, Peter and I flew from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi for our visit with Pastor Yumba Lumbala and the CCLC.

Visitation Album HERE

(L-R) Me, Pastor Lumiangu, Peter, and the Liturgist Jean Raphael

Lunch...yep, that's a caterpillar, and yep...I ate them all. They taste like chewy dirt

Enough catapillars for everyone!

Peter teaching in French with Jean Rapael Translating into Lingala at the Bible Seminar

Two little girls sitting near me that kept asking me to take their picture

CLC Affiliated congregation in Kinshasa

Boarding our Air Congo flight from Kinshasa to Lubumbashi

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 - DR Congo - Zambia - APR/MAY 2026

Later today I'll head to the airport for a five-week trip to Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia. 

For the first leg of the trip, I will be joined by CLC President Michael Wilke and his wife Gloria, as well as CLC Board of Missions chairman, Mr. Joel Krafft. We are traveling to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Nigeria Church of the Lutheran Confession (NCLC).

Our seven-day Nigeria itinerary is packed...

• The NCLC Annual Convention and Pastor Conference: Pastor Wilke, Joel Krafft, and I will each be delivering theological essays. 

• Dedication Ceremony: We will dedicate the newly constructed NCLC academic building and headquarters. 

• Worship & Fellowship: Pastor Wilke will preach for the NCLC-wide Sunday morning worship service. 

• NCLC Women's Conference: Gloria will deliver an essay on the blessings of Christian motherhood and lead a Sunday School teacher workshop for the women of the NCLC.

After a week in Nigeria, the Wilkes and Joel Krafft will return to the U.S., and I will fly from Lagos to Lomé, Togo. There, I will meet Missionary Peter Evensen in the airport, From there, we will fly together to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Having Peter along is a real blessing; since the DRC is French-speaking, his fluency—honed through his regular teaching and preaching in French for the past several years in Togo will be much appreciated. Our time in the DRC will be split between two locations:

• Kinshasa: visiting Pastor Luminangu and assisting in efforts to establish a confessional Lutheran ministry in the capital city of the DRC. 

• Lubumbashi: visiting the headquarters of the CCLC and Holy Trinity Lutheran Seminary. We will host a pastor conference and participate in the graduation and ordination of the latest seminary class.

The final two weeks of the trip will be spent in Zambia working with the Zambia CLC (ZCLC). While I am there, I will conduct a four-day pastor training seminar. The ZCLC will also conduct the first formal organizational meetings for the church, with pastors traveling from four different districts to attend. The last week in Zambia will be spent in Livingstone helping to conduct an outreach seminar.

Your prayers for safe and uneventful travel, Godly wisdom, patience, and love, along with God's blessings on all the plans and logistics as He fulfills His promise to bless the preaching and teaching of His holy word are requested and much appreciated.

March 2026 - CLC World Missions Prayer List

Bangladesh (South Asia) – The February 12^th elections were mostly peaceful, and pre‑election violence has subsided. Christians are praying that the newly elected Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) majority government and upcoming constitutional reforms will provide protection for minorities, including Christians. Construction on the multipurpose building is almost finished. The Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission (BLCM) has already begun using the building as construction continues. Plans are underway to conduct a pastor and church leader training seminar there in April, and the building will be dedicated to our Savior’s service later this year. Pray that the Lord provides good government that will be a blessing to the citizens of Bangladesh. Thank the Lord for His provision and blessings on the new BLCM building and for the preaching and teaching of God’s saving Word that will take place there.

Pakistan (Asia) – Pastor Tim Daub has been conducting online training and Bible studies with a group in Faisalabad for the past few years. A congregation has been established and now meets weekly for worship. Pastor Daub and Missionary Ohlmann made their first face‑to‑face visit in January, and the visit went very well. A recommendation to begin the more in‑depth colloquy process was made to President Wilke, who will now assign a CLC representative to oversee the colloquy. A second visit is planned for early 2027. Thank the Lord for safe travel and a positive, productive visit. Ask the Lord for His continued blessings on the preaching and teaching of His saving Word in this predominantly Muslim nation.

The Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Mr. Joel Krafft, CLC Board of Missions chairman, and Missionary Ohlmann visited the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP). They conducted a two‑day seminar and Sunday worship service at one LAMP congregation in Delles and visited two preaching stations. Follow‑up outreach seminars are planned for both preaching stations at the end of March and again in April. Pray that the Lord blesses these outreach efforts so that more people may join us in repenting of our sins and rejoicing in the forgiveness we have through faith in Jesus Christ. Thank the Lord for recent growth and ask for His blessings on these new members. Pray also that the Lord provides everything necessary to complete the new worship and training facility.

Nepal (South Asia) – Following the Gen‑Z protests last fall that led to the resignation of the prime minister and dissolution of the government, peaceful elections were held on March 5. The newly elected government, which ran on a secular, anti-corruption platform, won an overwhelming majority over the Hindu nationalist party. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are cautiously optimistic as they pray and trust in God’s protection and blessings. Due to security concerns leading up to the elections, the Himalayan Bible Institute (HBI) delayed the start of classes until April. A new cohort of 15 students is planned. Ask the Lord to bless the new HBI students and teachers and pray that He provides a stable and good government that will be a blessing to the citizens of Nepal and to the Gospel ministry of the HCLCN.

India (South Asia) – Classes continue at the BELC Bible Institute with twenty-seven students and the CLCI seminary with fifty-one students. The CLCI will graduate seventeen seminary students in May or June. Please pray that the Lord will protect, provide, strengthen, and give hope to His children in India through the Gospel ministry of the BELC and CLCI.

Liberia (West Africa) – A regular schedule of Bible training seminars continues for pastors and church leaders across several regions of Liberia. Missionary Ohlmann visited for two weeks in November. Together with Pastor Kwiwalazu, he conducted a pastor training seminar in Bopolu with 18 pastors and church leaders. Thank the Lord for the ongoing Biblical training and outreach and ask for His continued blessings on the work in Liberia.

Nigeria (West Africa) – The NCLC is planning its 50th‑anniversary celebration in April. CLC President Mike Wilke and his wife Gloria, along with CLC Board of Missions Chairman Mr. Joel Krafft and Missionary Ohlmann are scheduled to travel to Nigeria May 20–28 to celebrate with them. During the visit, the new academic building will also be dedicated. Ask the Lord to bless the new building, the travel plans, and the up-coming conference, and thank Him for 50 years of cooperation in training faithful workers for His Nigerian harvest.

Togo (West Africa) – Pastor Kossi Blewu, Missionary Evensen, and recent seminary graduates continue outreach efforts aimed at starting new congregations. Pastor Blewu conducts a weekly Gospel radio program in Assahoun, a town about 30 minutes from the seminary. Following the broadcasts, people have been calling to attend services. One graduate will be called to begin a congregation there.

Myanmar (South Asia) – The civil war continues with no end in sight. Nearly 90,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Pastor Kham reports that the military junta continues nightly raids on homes and public spaces to forcibly conscript young men, and now older men as well. Ransoms are no longer accepted due to the junta’s urgent need for soldiers. The orphan boys cared for by Pastor Kham and his wife remain in hiding, as military checkpoints are widespread, even near schools. Pray for peace, justice, and relief for all affected by this conflict.

Tanzania (East Africa) — The Tanzania Church of the Lutheran Confession is seeking renewal of its government registration. Officials have requested a name change to distinguish it from other Lutheran churches in Tanzania. The chosen name is Augsburg Evangelical Church in Tanzania (AECT). Pray for success in this process so the church may exercise public fellowship without hindrance. Like so many other places around the world, several congregations are in need of permanent places of worship. Twelve students are enrolled in the seminary this year. Ask the Lord to bless their studies as they grow in grace and knowledge of Scripture. Pray for the Lord’s provision in providing places to worship.

Kenya (East Africa) – Several pastors and congregations have expressed interest in fellowship with the Kenya‑CLC. Nearly 300 students at St. David’s, Etago, and Emmaus in Moi’s Bridge receive Bible and Catechism instruction. Pray for continued growth, unity, and faithful Gospel proclamation as new congregations are established.

Uganda (East Africa) – Missionary Naumann recently visited pastors and church leaders of the Confessional Church of the Reformation in Uganda (CCCRU). Ask the Lord to grant the five pastors, their families, and those they serve good health, daily bread, and zeal for spreading His true Word.

DR Congo-CCLC (Central Africa) – Seminary students have completed their vicarages. Final exams, graduation, and ordination are scheduled for April during a visit by Missionaries Evensen and Ohlmann. Thank the Lord for faithful teaching over the past several years, and pray for His blessings on these students as they prepare to serve in the public ministry.

DR Congo-ECLSAFA (Central Africa) – Pastor Jacques Pondi Lumiangu has scheduled several outreach seminars in early 2026. The congregation faces challenges securing a rental worship space and fully supporting their pastor. Pray that God abundantly provides for the needs of ECLSAFA Congo and blesses their outreach efforts.

CLC Mission Helper Trip – Nine volunteers and three team leaders are making plans to travel to Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia to help our brothers and sisters in Christ spread the Gospel. They will divide into three teams and conduct child-evangelism and outreach seminars. Pray that all goes smoothly as airfare is arranged, lessons are prepared, and in-country preparations begin. Thank the Lord for this opportunity and for those who volunteer their time and resources for this important work!

Please continue to pray for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, who, by God's grace, are dedicated to proclaiming the truths of God's saving Word for the salvation of souls as they trust the promise of our Savior that His Word will not return to Him void but will accomplish that for which He sends it
.

Missionary Peter Evensen (Togo, West Africa) – Since the Mt. Horeb Seminary graduation in early December, Missionary Evensen has been working to edit and improve the French translations of the Online Theological Studies curriculum for the next cohort of students. He will join Missionary Ohlmann on a visit to the DR Congo in late April. Pray for his continued health as his right knee, which was operated on over a year ago in the U.S., has started to bother him again, and for the Lord’s continued blessing on Missionary Evensen’s work to prepare faithful preachers and teachers of God’s saving word.

Missionary Bruce Naumann (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda-East Africa) - Missionary Naumann and his wife Paula were able to return to the U.S. in December and were blessed to spend time with family. Missionary Naumann returned to Tanzania in early January and spend a couple of weeks in Kenya and recently visited Uganda. Paula returned in late January. You can see the latest news and photos of their work and daily lives at clc-tz.blogspot.com.

Missionary Todd Ohlmann – Missionary Ohlmann recently visited Pakistan and the Philippines. In April and May he is scheduled to visit Nigeria, DR Congo, and Zambia. He continues weekly Online Theological Studies correspondence courses with men in Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Indonesia, Zambia, the Philippines, Zambia, and Bangladesh. Pray for God's blessing on the necessary arrangements for his upcoming trips, and for his wife, Beth, as she continues to care for her elderly father, who is on hospice care and is longing for his heavenly home. You can read reports and see pictures here: missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com