Monday, March 7, 2022

March 2022 - CLC World Missions Prayer List

 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

Nepal
– The building project of the HCLCN is almost complete.  Raju and his family have recently moved from Kathmandu to the Chitwan district, where the new HCLCN seminary and headquarters building is located.  The building will be dedicated, and seminary classes will begin in late March when Missionary Ohlmann is scheduled to visit.  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 as final preparations are made for the dedication and the beginning of classes.  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 Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pray also for those who will be reached with the Gospel during the upcoming evangelism trips, that many will hear, repent, believe in Jesus, and rejoice with us in God’s grace and mercy!
Bangladesh –Pastor Monotosh reports that the individuals who were assaulted because of their faith in Jesus have been released from the hospital and are slowly recovering from their injuries.  Pastor Monotosh has been busy in recent weeks with evangelism efforts.  A pastoral training seminar for fourteen pastors and elders of the BLCM and several evangelism seminars are being planned while Missionary Ohlmann will be in Bangladesh.  Give thanks to our Savior for the healing granted to His disciples who have suffered for His name’s sake.  Ask the Lord to continue to bless both the preaching and hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the evangelism efforts scheduled in Bangladesh. 
Myanmar – Life continues to be difficult for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar as the military junta continues to rule with brutality.  Many protestors have been imprisoned, killed, or are missing.  The military continues to make it difficult for Christians to gather 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 increased.  We are thankful that the Lord has provided an opportunity to send funds to Myanmar again so that we may help our brothers and sisters in Christ.  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.
Togo – The classroom and small dormitory construction is almost finished on church land north of Lomé. Classes with a new cohort of students are scheduled to begin on March 21st.  The long-term plan for this property is to serve as the church headquarters and Bible institute.  Missionary Evensen has been busy translating and printing lessons for the new semester.  Pray that the Lord would bless these new buildings, the truth of God’s word that will be taught there, and the students who will study to prepare for the Gospel ministry in Togo. 
Tanzania – Classes with a new cohort of ten students have recently begun at the Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary of the CLC-Tanzania.  These students will spend the first year studying basic theology, Bible History, and English as they prepare for seminary classes next January.  Ask for the Lord’s blessings on these new students and those called to teach and train them. 
Kenya – Ted Quade, who is called by the CLC Bd of Missions to serve as the Christian School Instructor Supervisor, and Missionary Ohlmann recently returned from visiting the two schools in Kenya that are supported through offerings to Kinship.  Plans to strengthen the spiritual training of the teachers and students were discussed and have already begun.  A water well project at the school in Moi’s Bridge and a solar energy system to run the pump and provide lights for some classrooms have been completed. Give thanks to the Lord for His many blessings and ask Him to continue to bless the teachers, students, and the staffs of St. David’s Kinship School and Emmaus Millimani School as they grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
India – One of the district leaders of the BELC has been suffering with some serious medical issues.  He has undergone several tests and is being treated with medicines.  Ask the Lord to bless the medical treatments and grant His servant strength and healing.  Pray for continued protection against persecution in India and for increased boldness and confidence to spread the Gospel amid these dangers.   
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, Zambia, and Kenya) 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 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.
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.  He has also been busy getting coursework, textbooks, and lessons ready for the new cohort of students that will begin seminary classes on March 21st.  Ask for the Lord’s continued blessings on the translation work and course preparation so that many more can benefit from learning the truths of God’s saving word in their language that many more will be well prepared to serve in the Gospel ministry.
Missionary Ohlmann – is currently working with our brothers and sisters in Christ of the Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission (BLCM).  After spending two weeks in Bangladesh, he will fly to Kathmandu, where he will work with the pastors and leaders of the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession of Nepal (HCLCN) to spread the Gospel and train pastors and teachers.  He is scheduled to visit twelve congregations and preaching stations of the BLCM and teach a three-day pastoral training seminar.  While in Nepal, he will be on hand for the dedication of the new HCLCN building and the opening of the Himalayan Lutheran Bible Institute.  He will also have the opportunity to preach and teach at several congregations and preaching stations and present a two-day pastoral training seminar.  Ask the Lord to bless his travels and to clear any obstacles that may stand in the way of his travels and work.  Thank the Lord for this opportunity to assist in the work of proclaiming the Gospel in these nations where less than 5% of the population confess Jesus as Lord and Savior.
The Philippines – Correspondence continues with an independent Lutheran pastor in the Philippines.  This pastor has recently completed the first introductory Online Theological Study based on the CLC Statement of Faith and Purpose.  A first face-to-face visit is tentatively planned for some time in 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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