From the Field...by David Koenig, Missionary Emeritus

In the CLC one of our chief goals in working in other countries is to train and help in training pastors. We have consistently worked with our sister churches in this area. Below you have a rundown on the progress in establishing and maintaining seminaries and Bible institutes for this formal training.

Nigeria - The Lutheran Bible Institute was started in 1987 with 12 students. Today there are three men enrolled.

India - The Church of the Lutheran Confession of India started a seminary in 1998. This last June they graduated seventeen. The school has 51 in training. The Berea Evangelical Lutheran Church had Martin Luther Bible School for a number of years up until 2002 when a disruption happened in the church and it was closed. It was started again in 2007. This year they graduated 20 men and accepted 25 new.

Tanzania - From 2003 to 2010 a seminary was in operation until a disruption happened in the church and it was closed. Now the CLC-TZ opened Wartburg Lutheran Seminary in 2018 with six students. 

Nepal - The Himalayan Bible Institute was started in 2016. In early 2020 they expect to graduate 21.

Togo - Mt. Horeb Lutheran Bible Institute is in operation with 7 students having graduated recently its first class.

Congo - In 2018 the Holy Trinity Lutheran Bible Insitute opened and has 5 students.

Zambia - Seven pastors are in training and a building is planned for a site of a school. 

Mexico - Four men are in training

Myanmar - In the CLCM four men are in training. 

Theological Education by Extension

Overseas we have many situations where the men cannot leave their home, family or congregation to go to a seminary or Bible institute site. The theological training is then brought to them. Especially in the BELC in India this has been carried out with monthly meetings until the men are found to be in doctrinal agreement and have learned a lot. Then further monthly meetings are held to continue in the Word. 

Most recently in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam this kind of meeting has been held to lead men through the Word. The CLC will have more and more of a part in this growing effort at training men in South East Asia.

CLC Online Theological Studies – continue to pray for individuals in the following countries around the world who are studying God’s word through email correspondence courses as they continue to train to be faithful preachers and teachers of God’s saving word:

1.    Burundi, East Africa

2.    Senegal, West Africa

3.    D. R. Congo, Central Africa

4.    Liberia, West Africa

5.    Bangladesh, South East Asia

6.    Zimbabwe, Africa

7.    Myanmar, South East Asia

8.    Kenya, East Africa

9.    Uganda, East Africa

10.  Congo-Brazzaville, Central Africa

We thank our God that He has given us such wonderful opportunities to work with the Word of Truth and Life with our overseas brothers. 

CLC Mission Opportunities Prayer List - August 2019

August 2019 

Finally, brethren, pray for us, 

that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, 

just as it is with you...

2 Thessalonians 3:1 (NKJV)

India – South India, where many of our brothers and sisters in Christ live, is again experiencing extreme heat and severe drought. Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering. Pray that the Lord will send the rains soon and provide relief from the extreme heat.  

Nepal and Bangladesh – The annual monsoon season rains have been heavier than usual this year. This has brought severe flooding and landslides to the foothills of the Himalaya where several HCLCN congregations are located. There has also been server flooding in Bangladesh among some of the congregations of the BLCM with whom we have been corresponding. More than three-hundred people have lost their lives.

India – Persecution of Christians in India continues to increase. Recent elections resulted in a landslide victory for the Hindu Nationalist President Modi and the BJP party. This will, no doubt, embolden Hindu extremists who seek to establish Hinduism as the only and official religion of India. Pray that the Lord will protect His children and that He will use this persecution to strengthen and increase His flock in India.

India – Pastor David P. recently returned from a teaching visit to our brothers and sisters in Christ in India of the CLC-India and the BELC. Give praise and thanks to our Savior the blessings of safe and uneventful travel and for the privilege of proclaiming the truth of His saving word among the pastors, leaders, and members of the CLCI and BELC.

Mission Helper Trip – Nine CLC Mission Helper recently returned from a three-week trip to Tanzania and Zambia. Give thanks to the Lord for the blessings received by those who participated and those who received the word of God that was taught. Pray that the word of God taught to thousands of children will bear much fruit. You can read about the on the blog at: https://2019clcmhteastafrica.blogspot.com/

Bangladesh – Pastor Monotosh, who has successfully completed several Online Theological Studies courses with our missionary over the past few years and was visited by our missionary and Bd of Missions chairman this past March, has finished the translation and printing of the Online Theological Studies course titled “An Introduction to Lutheran Theology and the CLC.” He has recently traveled throughout several districts of the Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission to teach these lessons to pastors, congregational leaders, and evangelists of the BLCM. Pray that this effort to proclaim the truth and train faithful leaders with be successful.  

Nepal – Pastor Raju recently reported that he and his father have returned from a successful week of pastoral training in a district of Nepal that is dominated by an anti-Christian political majority and law enforcement. The Lord blessed this training with eager and attentive men and safe travels during the severe monsoon/landslide season.

Tanzania – The newly established Wartburg Lutheran Seminary of the CLC-Tanzania recently began their second semester of classes with six students in attendance. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless this effort with all the resources necessary to train these men to be faithful preachers and teachers of God’s saving word.

Zambia – Repairs, renovations, and construction of a classroom continue on the building recently purchased in Livingstone. The classroom and dormitory rooms are not yet finished, but plans to conduct pastoral training classes at the facility are be developed with the hope of beginning classes in October. Ten students/pastors from four districts of Zambia are planning to attend. Pray that the Lord will provide for the completion of the facility and will bless all the preparations that need to take place before classes can begin.

Democratic Republic of Congo – The CCLC is working to complete construction of multipurpose building that will serve as a seminary classrooms, offices, library, and dormitory. This project was partially funded through offerings to the CLC Mission Development Fund (MDF). Thank the Lord for opening the hearts of His children to support His work of training more men to preach and teach His saving word in DRC.

Democratic Republic of Congo – Due to political unrest during the recent presidential elections, our missionary was twice denied a visa to visit our brothers and sisters in Christ of the CCLC two years in a row. With the elections complete we are hopeful that a visa will be approved so our missionary can make a much-needed visit in October. Pray that the Lord will clear the way for a visit to take place.

Uganda – Evangelism seminars in Busia are planned for mid-August. Pray that the Lord will bless this opportunity to spread the Gospel and that many will be led by the Holy Spirit to repent of their sins and rejoice with us in the forgiveness and salvation found only through faith in Jesus Christ.

Missionary Evensen in Togo – Missionary Peter Evensen continues to get settled into his apartment and work in Lomé.  Pray that the Lord will continue to bless this transition to Togo and the work he is doing to assist in training men to be faithful preachers and teachers of God’s saving word. You can read Missionary Evensen’s blog at: http://evensen.lutheranmissions.org/

CLC Online Theological Studies – continue to pray for individuals in the following countries around the world who are studying God’s word through email correspondence courses as they continue to train to be faithful preachers and teachers of God’s saving word:

1.    Burundi, East Africa

2.    Senegal, West Africa

3.    D. R. Congo, Central Africa

4.    Liberia, West Africa

5.    Bangladesh, South East Asia

6.    Zimbabwe, Africa

7.    Myanmar, South East Asia

8.    Kenya, East Africa

9.    Uganda, East Africa

10.  Congo-Brazzaville, Central Africa