Tanzania – Students of
the Tanzania-CLC seminary are preparing for their final exams and are scheduled
to graduate and be ordained as TZ-CLC pastors in November. Missionary Ohlmann is making preparations to
be there in time to assist with final exams and to participate in the graduation
and ordination service. While in
Tanzania, Missionary Ohlmann will also travel extensively through the four
districts of the TZ-CLC to conduct pastoral training seminars and will visit new
preaching stations in Dodoma, Mwanza, and in Maasai regions. Thank the Lord for His protection of
these students, teachers, and staff through the challenges of the past year,
and ask for the Lord’s continued blessings as they finish their formal
studies for the Gospel ministry. Pray
that Covid issues won’t interfere with the graduation/ordination service,
seminars, and visitations that are planned.
Nigeria – A Graduation
and ordination service is being planned at the Nigeria-CLC seminary for two
graduates. Outreach among several
independent pastors and the congregations they serve continues in Bayelsa State.
Pray for God’s blessing for these
two new graduates and the outreach efforts in Bayelsa State.
Myanmar – Life continues
to be difficult for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar as the military junta
continues to rule with severe brutality. Many protestors have been imprisoned,
killed, or have been missing for many months. The military has decreed that no public
gatherings can take place, and this has kept many Christians from gathering for
worship and prayer. Most government offices
and services remain closed along with banks and financial institutions. Food
and daily necessities are scarce, and prices have inflated. Pray for justice and peace for all the
people of Myanmar. Pray especially
for our brothers and sisters in Christ that the Lord will grant them strength
and courage and boldness during these difficult times.
Liberia – Pastor Joseph
is getting ready for Pastor John Hein to visit in November. They are planning seminars in four different
locations while Pastor Hein is in Liberia. They will also conduct a final colloquy with
pastors and evangelists who have been studying with Pastor Hein and Pastor
Kwiwalazu for the past couple of years. Pray
for safe and uneventful travels for Pastor Hein to and from Liberia and while he
and the others travel to remote areas of Liberia. Ask the Lord to give them strength to
carry out the work and for blessings to open the hearts of those who will
attend that they may hear, believe, and confess the truths of God’s saving
word.
Togo – Construction on
a classroom and small dormitory continues on the land north of Lomé. The long-term plan for this property is to
serve as the church headquarters and Bible institute. They would like to finish the first phase of
construction so that classes can begin with students in the area who have
already committed. The government of Togo
has continued to enforce travel and meeting restrictions due to Covid.
Missionary Evensen continues to work on translating Online Theological Studies
lessons and courses into French for use in Togo and other French-speaking
nations in Africa and elsewhere. Pray
that the Lord would continue to bless the construction work so that classes can
begin soon. Pray that Covid restrictions
will be lifted or reduced so that classes can resume with the current students.
And ask for the Lord’s continued
blessings on the translation work so that many more can benefit from
learning the truths of God’s saving word in their language and that many more
will be well prepared to serve in the Gospel ministry.
2022 Mission Helper Trip – The CLC Mission Helper Trip that was canceled in 2021 is tentatively
scheduled for East Africa in July of 2022. Our brothers and sisters in Christ in East
Africa are eager for the Mission Helper Teams to come again to assist them in
the work of proclaiming God’s saving word. Pray that our Savior will clear any
obstacles that may stand in the way of this trip and lead many young CLC
members to apply.
Uganda – Pastor
Daniel Mugeni has been studying with CLC missionaries and attending pastoral
conferences in Kenya for many years. Missionary
Mike Gurath and Board of Doctrine member Pastor Andrew Schaller are conducting the
formal process of reviewing Pastor Mugeni’s doctrinal positions for a possible
recommendation for a declaration of fellowship. Pastor Mugeni serves a congregation in Uganda
and also cares for several orphan children. Pray that the Lord would bless this
process of establishing God-pleasing fellowship. Pray for the children that Pastor
Mugeni cares for and that He would be able to continue to provide for all their
needs.
Nepal – Progress on
the building project has been delayed due to Covid restrictions and Hindu
holidays. They are nearing completion and are eager to move in and begin Bible
Institute classes in January of 2022. With
a lifting of Covid restrictions, the HCLCN is planning to start more preaching
stations and continue construction and repairs on church buildings in the
coming months. Thank the Lord for
His continued blessings on the building project and ask Him to grant patience
to Raju and his family and the students as they wait for completion. Ask the Lord to bless the teaching of
His Word in this building that many more faithful preachers and teachers will
be trained to proclaim the saving truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray also for those who will be reached
with the Gospel during the evangelism trips that are planned, that many will
hear, repent, believe in Jesus, and rejoice with us in God’s grace and mercy!
Bangladesh –Pastor Monotosh
asks that we continue to pray for several individuals who have recently converted
to Christianity from Hinduism. These individuals
have been physically assaulted, persecuted, and falsely accused of crimes. One
man (an evangelist/elder) and his wife were assaulted. The evangelist/elder is still hospitalized
with a fractured skull and brain damage. Ask the Lord to protect and defend His
new disciple and to give him the necessary strength and courage to persevere
under persecution.
India, Kenya, Zambia, D.R. Congo, and Mexico – please continue to pray for all of our
brothers and sisters in Christ around the world who are struggling to stay
healthy, provide for their families and the ministry as they proclaim the
Gospel…trusting the promise of our Savior that His Word will not return to Him
void but will accomplish that for which He sent it.
Missionary Evensen –
has returned safely to his home and work in Togo where he is busy assisting Pastor
Kossi in the training of pastors at the Mt. Horeb Lutheran Bible Institute. Pray for the Lord’s continued blessings
on His service to the Lord and His kingdom work in Togo.
Missionary Ohlmann –
has been sidelined for quite some time due to the pandemic and issues with his
passport. He now has his passport and is
planning a long-awaited visit to Tanzania in the coming weeks. Ask
the Lord to bless the trip preparations and to clear any obstacles that may
stand in the way of this work.
The Philippines –
Missionary Ohlmann has been corresponding for the past several months with an
independent Lutheran pastor in the Philippines. He has been leading this pastor through a
series of Online Theological Studies based on the CLC Statement of Faith and
Purpose. Correspondence has been going
very well. This area of the world was
recently hit by a powerful typhoon. Pastor Jordan is asking for our prayers for
those who have suffered a loss. He is
also asking for our prayers for efforts to train evangelists and establish
preaching stations. A visitation is being tentatively planned for some time in
early 2022. Pray that the Lord
would continue to bless this correspondence, that it will lead to a God-pleasing
unity of faith and teaching. Ask the
Lord to provide opportunities and all that is necessary for Pastor Jordan
to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!
New and Ongoing Opportunities – The Lord continues to provide opportunities to proclaim the truths
of His saving Word in a variety of ways in different areas of the world. Thank the Lord for the privilege of
teaching the truths of His saving Word to others! Pray for these individuals, and all
those around the world that we are working with, as they seek to grow in their
understanding of God’s Word to be better equipped to spread the Good News of
our Savior Jesus Christ!
God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause
His face to shine upon us,
That Your way may be known on earth, Your
salvation among all nations. Psalm 67:1–2