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
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 missing for many months. The military has decreed that no public
gatherings can take place, keeping 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, courage, and boldness
during these difficult times.
Kenya
-- Ted Quade, who is called by the CLC Bd of
Missions to serve as the Christian School Instructor Supervisor, and Missionary
Ohlmann are scheduled to visit the two schools in Kenya that are supported through
offerings to Kinship. Pray for safe
and uneventful travels and the Lord’s blessings on their work with the
teachers, staff, and students of Etago and Moi’s Bridge schools.
India – Persecution continues to increase in many places throughout India. Karnataka State, home to several CLC affiliated congregations, recently passed an "anti-conversion" law. Enemies of Christ often abuse these laws by filing false complaints to persecute Christians and new believers. Pray for continued protection against persecution and for boldness and confidence to spread the Gospel amid these dangers.
Tanzania
– In November, five students of the
Tanzania-CLC seminary recently graduated and were ordained as TZ-CLC pastors. A new cohort of ten students have enrolled and
are scheduled to begin classes at the end of January. They will begin their first year of the four-year
training program. Pastor Michael Gondwe
has been called to serve full-time as the Academic Dean and one of four
instructors at the seminary. Pastor
Kimimele has been called to take his place as the Tanga District Pastor. Ask for the Lord’s blessings on these
new students and those called to teach and train them. Pray that the Lord will provide the
necessary gifts and wisdom and all that is necessary for Pastors Gondwe and
Kimimele as they take up their new duties.
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 in late January. Pray that the Lord would continue to
bless the construction work so that classes can begin soon.
2022
Mission Helper Trip – The CLC Mission
Helper Trips in 2020 and 2021 were canceled due to the pandemic. Plans are currently underway for a trip to East
Africa (Tanzania and Zambia) in July of 2022. Nine individuals have volunteered to
participate. 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 that plans will go
smoothly.
Uganda – Pastor Daniel Mugeni has studied with CLC
missionaries and attended 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. Pray that the Lord
would bless this process of establishing God-pleasing fellowship.
Nepal
– Progress on the building project
has been delayed due to Covid restrictions and Hindu holidays. They are nearing completion and have begun moving
into the building. The building will be
dedicated, and seminary classes will begin in March. 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, 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 give him the necessary strength and courage to
persevere under persecution.
Zambia,
D.R. Congo, Liberia, Nigeria, 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 – continues to translate
Online Theological Studies lessons and courses into French for use in Togo and
other French-speaking nations in Africa and elsewhere. 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.
Missionary
Ohlmann – recently returned from a one-month
visit to Tanzania in mid-December. He has
plans to travel to Kenya, Nepal, and Bangladesh in the early months of 2022. Ask the Lord to bless the trip
preparations and to clear any obstacles that may stand in the way of his
travels and work.
The
Philippines – Missionary Ohlmann has
been corresponding with an independent Lutheran pastor in the Philippines for
the past several months. He led this
pastor through a series of Online Theological Studies based on the CLC
Statement of Faith and Purpose. Correspondence has been going very well. A visitation is tentatively planned for some
time in the spring of 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
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