Friday, May 6, 2022

May 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

Myanmar – Esther, one of the orphan children supported through Kinship, has been suffering from an unknown illness affecting kidney functions. Pray for the doctors treating Esther and that our Lord will restore her health. 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.

Nepal – The Himalayan Bible Institute building was recently dedicated to our Savior and the work of His kingdom in early April. Ten students are set to begin seminary classes in mid-May. Thank the Lord for His many and continued blessings on the building project as final preparations are made for the start of classes. Ask the Lord to bless the teaching of His Word in this building so that many more faithful preachers and teachers will be trained to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Bangladesh –Pastor Monotosh is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Missionary Ohlmann on May 10th. He has a busy schedule of evangelism and pastoral training seminars planned. 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. 

Togo – Construction work on the seminary classroom and teacher housing has progressed to the point where classes could begin. Classes with a new cohort of students began on March 21st using teaching materials written by retired professor David Lau and translated into French by Missionary Evensen. 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. 

India – Leaders of the BELC and CLCI both report many opportunities to proclaim the Gospel even amid the ongoing threats and dangers of persecution. With Covid restrictions being lifted, more and more outreach is being done by our brothers and sisters in Christ to bring the truth of Jesus Christ to the masses trapped in the darkness of idolatry. Pray that the Lord will continue to grant boldness, confidence, love, and wisdom to His faithful servants as they unashamedly preach Christ crucified in this predominantly Hindu nation. Pray also for the teachers and students of CLCI seminary and the BELC Bible Institute that many more men will be equipped to preach and teach God’s saving word.

Liberia – Pastor John Hein, who serves as the part-time missionary to Liberia, continues to work with Pastor Joseph Kwiwalazu of Grace Evangelistic Lutheran Church in Monrovia to reach out with the truth of God’s saving word in several other areas of the country where the Lord has opened doors of opportunity among individuals and groups of independent pastors who desire training in sound Lutheran doctrine. Thank the Lord for these opportunities and ask for His continued blessings on the preaching and teaching of the Good News of Jesus in Liberia.

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. Following this first “pre-seminary” year of classes, each student will be evaluated by the faculty and will either receive an Evangelist certificate and be assigned to a congregation or move on to the three-year seminary program to prepare for ordination and a call into the pastoral ministry. Ask for the Lord’s blessings on these new students and those called to teach and train them. 

Kenya – The CLC Board of Missions recently discussed and approved MDF-grants for improvements at the two schools supported by Kinship in Etago and the Moi’s Bridge area. Kinship funds were also approved and sent to purchase new textbooks required by the government. Give thanks to the Lord for His many blessings and ask Him to continue to bless the teachers, students, and staffs of St. David’s Kinship School and Emmaus Millimani School as they grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

2022 Mission Helper Trip – The following eight volunteers, along with Missionary Ohlmann, will be traveling to Africa from July 11-28. They will have the privilege of working alongside the pastors and leaders of the Zambia-CLC to spread the Gospel. As in years past, they will focus their efforts on child evangelism as they travel to several villages in Southern Zambia to teach an anticipated 1000 children. The 2022 Mission Helpers are Henry Lau, Noah Ohlmann, Candy Ohlmann, Andrea D’Onofrio, Amy Tvedt, Kaylee Koenig, Kari Wales, and Erica Oster.  Pray for the Lord’s blessings as preparations for this trip continue for the volunteers and for Pastor Ibrahim and others they go to work with in Zambia.

Pakistan - Pastor Tim Daub has led a group of individuals in Pakistan through a study of Luther's Small Catechism and is currently leading them through the Online Theological Studies course on the CLC Statement of Faith and Purpose. They have been meeting for class via internet video twice a week for more than a year. The group includes three independent pastors, several elders, and Sunday school teachers from two different congregations in Faisalabad. The group is eager to start a Lutheran church in Pakistan. The Board of Missions recently authorized Missionary Ohlmann to accompany Pastor Daub on a visit to Pakistan when they are ready and Covid travel restrictions are lifted. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless both the teaching and the learning of His saving Word. Thank our Savior for this opportunity and the technology to proclaim the truth of His Word in this way.

D.R. Congo, Nigeria, Uganda, and Mexico – 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 sent it.

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. Missionary Ohlmann and Board of Missions member Jeff Radichel are planning an initial face-to-face visit sometime in the late summer or fall 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 various 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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