New
CLC Missionary (East Africa) – The 2008
CLC Convention passed a resolution to call a third foreign missionary to serve
in East Africa when financially feasible. Fifteen years later, the Lord has
provided for this need! Pastor Bruce Naumann was led to accept a divine call to
serve as a resident Missionary to Tanzania. His primary responsibility will be
assisting the TZ-CLC as they continue to develop the Wittenberg Lutheran
Theological Seminary. He will be teaching several classes and helping to
develop seminary curriculum that will be used for years to come to train
faithful pastors and leaders. Missionary Naumann was commissioned on Sunday, March
12th, and will fly to Tanzania on March 25th. Once he
arrives in Tanzania, he will have a few weeks to settle in before
second-semester classes begin shortly after the Easter break. Following a
one-month furlough in the U.S. this summer, he will be joined by his wife Paula
when he returns to Tanzania in August for the beginning of the third semester. Thank
the Lord for providing a faithful servant to take up this important work of
training more workers for the harvest fields of East Africa and his faithful
and willing wife! Ask for the Lord's blessings and wisdom as Missionary
Naumann and Paula make final preparations to take up this new calling.
Myanmar
(Southeast Asia) – For the
past two years since the military coup d’é-tat, Myanmar has been struggling
under the harsh rule of the military Junta. This has brought much pain,
suffering, economic hardship, and uncertainty. Our brothers and sisters in
Christ of the CLC-Myanmar (CLCM) in rural Chin State are struggling to provide for
their families. Recent reports indicate that more than two million people have
been displaced since the military coup in February of 2021. The CLC Board of
Missions recently authorized additional Kinship humanitarian funds to assist
the leaders of the CLCM in providing for basic needs to the more than 400
families suffering. 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 and that He will provide for all their needs. Thank the Lord for
moving the hearts of His children to give generously to the needs of others
through their offerings to Kinship.
India
(Southeast Asia) – The Martin Lutheran Bible School (MLBS) of
the BELC in India conducted a graduation service for twenty-seven pastors on
March 15th. These pastors have all successfully completed two years of Biblical training covering Lutheran
Doctrine, Luther's Small Catechism, Bible Interpretation, Preaching Law and
Gospel, Lutheran Worship, and Evangelism. These pastors have now been assigned
to BELC congregations. Their training will now transition from full-time
classroom instruction to monthly pastoral training seminars as they continue to
further their understanding of Scripture. Twenty-five students graduate from
the MLBS every other year. Most of the MLBS students are married with children. Kinship
sponsorship allows these men to continue supporting their families while at the
seminary. Thank the Lord for these new pastors and ask the Lord
to bless their preaching and teaching and their continuing education in God's
word.
Togo (West Africa) – Pastor Kossi Blewu has been suffering
from internal ulcers causing low blood pressure, weakness, and pain. He has recently
been to hospital and has been told to get some much-needed rest along with
medications. Pray for the Lord's blessings on the medical care Pastor
Kossi is receiving, and allow him to get the necessary rest for complete
healing.
Kenya
(East Africa) – The CLC Bd of
Missions (BoM) recently began sending the MDF Grant funds to assist with much-needed
classroom repairs and construction at the Kinship-supported schools in Etago
and Moi's Bridge. Construction has begun and is moving along quickly. Give
thanks to the Lord for the privilege of assisting our brothers and sisters
in Christ in training so many young souls through the two schools. Pray for
the Lord's continued blessings upon 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.
Zambia
(Central Africa) – The leaders of the
Zambia-CLC continue the process of registering the church body. This is an
important and necessary step as they continue to organize Gospel outreach in
three different areas of the country in an orderly way. Having a registered
church body will also allow Pastor Ibrahim, originally from Tanzania, to continue
his work unimpeded. Pray for the Lord's blessing on this registration
work and grant the leaders patient persistence.
Bangladesh
(Southeast Asia) – Pastor
Monotosh reports that the Bangladesh Lutheran Church mission has completed the
purchase of a small piece of land on the outskirts of Gopalganj. This land
purchase was made possible through a CLC Mission Development Fund grant. The
long-term plan is to build a multi-purpose building that will serve as a place
of worship, home, and Bible school. Missionary Ohlmann is planning a visit to
Bangladesh in early May. Thank the Lord for funding this land through
the offerings given to the MDF. Ask the Lord to continue to bless both
the preaching and hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the BLCM. Pray
for the Lord's wisdom and provision as the BLCM continues to make plans to construct
a building.
Tanzania
(East Africa) – First-semester classes
at the Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary in Arusha will conclude on
March 27th. Five students from Tanzania and two from the Kenya-LC are enrolled
in the three-year seminary course. Three additional students have begun the
one-year pre-seminary/evangelism course. The faculty and students are eagerly
awaiting the arrival of Missionary Naumann. Ask for the Lord's blessings
on these students and those called to teach and train them.
The
Philippines (Southeast Asia) –
Pastor Jordan Palangyos has completed the first introductory Online Theological
Study course based on the CLC Statement of Faith and Purpose and continues regular
correspondence with Missionary Ohlmann. Pastor Rob Sauers (Bd of Missions) and
Missionary Ohlmann are scheduled to travel to Manilla in late April for an
initial face-to-face visit with Pastor Palagyos and those he serves. Pray that
the Lord will continue to bless this correspondence and 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!
Visiting
Missionary Upcoming Travels – Missionary
Ohlmann will travel to Tanzania, the Philippines, and Bangladesh over the next
few months. He'll be back in the States for a couple of months to celebrate his
youngest daughter's homeschool high-school graduation and to attend the CLC
Pastoral conference before the Mission Helper Trip to Nepal at the end of June.
Pray for the Lord's wisdom and blessings on the preparation for these
trips and that the Lord will provide safe and uneventful travel and productive
time spent in our Savior's harvest fields. Ask the Lord to be with,
protect, and provide for Missionary Ohlmann's family while he is away. Thank
the Lord for His faithfulness in blessing the truths of His saving Word
taught throughout the world!
Ongoing
Opportunities – 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.
