Thursday, June 29, 2023

June 2023 CLC Missions Prayer List

The Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Andrew Schaller (CLC Bd of Doctrine Secretary) has been appointed to represent the CLC in working with Missionary Ohlmann to conduct a colloquy with Pastor Jordan Palangyos of the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP). The colloquy will be conducted through email correspondence. Following a few months of correspondence, Pastor Schaller and Missionary Ohlmann will travel to the Philippines to conduct an in-person review. If all goes well and there is a unity of doctrine between the CLC and the LAMP, a recommendation for a declaration of fellowship will be made to President Wilke. All of this follows more than three years of correspondence and a successful Board of Missions visitation this past April. Pray that the Lord will bless the colloquy and that this 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 continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ!

CLC Mission Helper Trip to Nepal (Southeast Asia) – The 2023 CLC Mission Helpers to Nepal departed for Nepal on Monday, June 26th. They arrived in the early morning hours of Wednesday the 28th. They began their work among the villages and congregations of the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession of Nepal. They will be proclaiming God's saving word to an estimated 1500 children. Some of these children will be members Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession (HCLCN) congregations, but most are not. For many of the children, this will be the first time they have heard a clear and Biblical presentation of the Good News of Jesus Christ as the one who died and rose from the dead for their sins! Please pray that the Lord would give love, compassion, patience, wisdom, and safety to the Mission Helpers and to those they go to serve. Pray also for the pastors and church leaders who have spent much time and effort preparing for this Gospel outreach opportunity. You can follow along at: 2023clcmhtnepal.blogspot.com 

Missionary Bruce Naumann (Tanzania-East Africa) – Missionary Naumann is finishing his first stint in Tanzania and will return to the U.S. for one month in early July. He and his wife Paula will return to Tanzania in early August for the beginning of the next semester at the Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary. You can keep updated on things happening in Tanzania on his blog at: clc-tz.blogspot.com Ask for the Lord's blessings on his travels home, the time he spends with family, and safe travels for him and Paula as they make their way to Tanzania in August.

Missionary Peter Evensen (Togo-West Africa) – Missionary Evensen returned to the U.S. for a one-month furlough. He attended the CLC Pastor Conference in Eau Claire and will spend the next few weeks visiting friends and family. He is scheduled to return to his work in Togo in late July. Thank the Lord for his safe travel to the U.S., and ask for our Savior's blessings on this time of rest. 

Uganda (East Africa) – With the recent declaration of Fellowship with Pastor Daniel Mugeni and the congregation he serves, Kinship, through individual sponsors, has begun to provide support for the orphans and children in need that Pastor Daniel and his wife Ida care for. Thank the Lord for this opportunity to serve Him by serving these orphans and children in need. Pray for the Lord's provision and blessings that these children may continue to be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

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. Continue to 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, comfort, 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 and prayers.

India (Southeast Asia) – Immanuel Lutheran Seminary of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLCI)  graduated seventeen men on June 15th. These graduates have all successfully completed four years of Biblical seminary training. They will be assigned to both newly established and existing CLCI congregations. Seventeen students graduate from the seminary each year; most go on to serve new congregations. Kinship sponsorship allows these men to continue supporting their families while at the seminary. Thank the Lord for these new, faithful, and well-trained pastors, and ask the Lord to bless their preaching and teaching of His saving Word. 

Kenya (East Africa) – The CLC Bd of Missions (BoM) recently sent MDF Grant funds to assist with much-needed classroom repairs and new building construction at the Kinship-supported schools in Etago and Moi's Bridge. Construction is almost complete, and the buildings are already being put to good use. Missionary Bruce Naumann recently had the opportunity to visit these two schools. Pastors Mike Gurath and Del Maas are planning to visit Kenya later this summer. 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. Ask the Lord to bless the trip preparations for Pastors Gurath and Maas.

Missionary Ohlman – is scheduled to preach and present for a couple of stateside Misison Festivals and attend Board of Missions meetings and the South East Pastoral Conference after he returns from the Mission Helper Trip to Nepal. He is scheduled to travel overseas most of October, November, and December with visits to West, Central, and East Africa. There is also a possibility that he will be able to visit Thailand and/or Laos. Pray for all that is necessary for these trips to be planned and take place. Ask for the Lord's blessing on the D.R. Congo visa application and approval process again this year. Ask the Lord to keep his wife Beth and their family safe and provided for while he is away. Pray for the Lord's love, wisdom, patience, and zeal during these visits that His name be glorified as the truth of His word his proclaimed and pastors are trained. You can read his blog at: missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com 

Ongoing Opportunitiesplease 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.