March 2023 - CLC World Missions Prayer List

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 12^th, and will fly to Tanzania on March 25^th. 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 15^th. 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.