November 2023 - CLC Missions Prayer List

 

…pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified... 2 Thessalonians 3:1

India (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Prem Kumar, a long-time pastor and leader of the CLC-India, lost his battle with kidney disease and was taken to be the Lord. He leaves behind a wife, two young children, and a large congregation of believers he has faithfully served for many years. Thank the Lord for providing this faithful servant for the work of His Kingdom and the harvest of souls in India. Pray for the Lord's comfort and assurance for his wife, children, family, congregation, and all those in the CLCI who mourn his passing and rejoice in his victory over the grave through faith in Jesus Christ.

Kate Sauers (USA) – Kate is the wife of Board of Missions member Pastor Rob Sauers. She was diagnosed with ALK-positive large-cell lymphoma cancer in late September. She has received two rounds of chemotherapy so far, and doctors report that she has responded well. Thank the Lord for blessing the treatments thus far and ask for His continued blessings on the remainder of the treatments she is scheduled to receive. Continue to Pray for courage, comfort, hope, strength, and trust in our Savior's love and plans for their family.

Liberia (West Africa) – Pastor Joseph's sister recently went to be with the Lord following a battle with liver cancer. With a presidential runoff taking place on November 14th, there is a lot of uncertainty and instability in Liberia right now. Pastor John Hein continues treatments for a rare and very aggressive form of thymic cancer. He will have more scans scheduled for November. Pray for the Lord's comfort as Pastor Joseph and his family mourn the loss of his sister and rejoice in victory over the grave through faith in Jesus. Ask the Lord to direct the affairs of the Liberian elections this month so that peace may prevail and good government may serve His purpose. Pray for the Lord's hand of healing upon our brother, Pastor John Hein, so that the treatments he is receiving will rid his body of cancer. Pray for good results from the scans so Pastor Hein can begin planning for a visit to Liberia in January.

Missionary Evensen (Togo, West Africa) – Missionary Evensen recently had a kidney stone block his only kidney. Pray that he will have no further complications, as necessary surgical treatments may not be readily available. Ask the Lord to provide a quick and complete recovery so he can return to the work he has been called to.

Mexico – Bd of Missions member Jeff Radichel and Missionary Ohlmann recently visited Pastor Olvera, his family, and our brothers and sisters in Christ of the Iglesia Luterana Confessional Mexico. They discussed future plans for Gospel outreach and leadership training for lay leaders in one congregation and three preaching stations in Mexico. Thank the Lord for this opportunity to fellowship together around His Word. Pray for the Lord's blessings and provision as these new plans develop so that many more may be reached with God's saving word.

Missionary Bruce Naumann (Tanzania-East Africa) – Missionary Naumann, along with his wife Paula, are getting more accustomed to their new home in Tanzania. In addition to his teaching responsibilities at the seminary, he has also begun taking a more active role in correspondence and training pastors in Kenya and Uganda. They will be returning to the States for a one-month furlough in December. You can keep updated on things happening in Tanzania at clc-tz.blogspot.com. Ask for the Lord's blessings as Missionary Naumann and Paula continue to adjust to life in Africa. Pray for our Savior's abundant blessings on the work of training pastors, teachers, and leaders in Tanzania.

Missionary Ohlmann – Missionary Ohlmann is currently traveling and working in Asia until the middle of December. He will spend a few days in Tokyo, visiting a congregation once in fellowship with the CLC. From there, he will spend approx. six weeks working with the pastors and leaders of the Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission (BLCM) and the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession of Nepal (HCLCN). While in Bangladesh and Nepal, he will visit several congregations and preaching stations, conduct Pastoral Training Seminars, and be privileged to attend the Himalayan Bible Institute graduation. Pray for all that is necessary for these trips to be planned and take place. Ask the Lord to be with and bless his wife, Beth, her father, and their family 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 saving word is proclaimed and pastors are trained. You can read reports and see pictures from his travels at missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com

Mission Development Fund – CLC president Mike Wilke writes: "When the convention approved the calling of our third foreign missionary, it determined that the funding of that missionary would come fully from the MDF for the first year. The cost of funding that missionary is about $80,000 and has impacted other planned MDF projects. Currently, the balance of the MDF is enough to cover the cost of our third foreign missionary for the rest of this fiscal year and a few other essential projects, but without additional funds, we will not be able to fund other planned projects. We have already put a hold on all other projects, including funding Bibles and other Christian literature, church-building assistance, and many planned outreach projects. Pray that the members of the CLC will remember this work in their prayers and their offerings so that we might continue to carry out the work the LORD has set before us and which we have decided to do as a church body."

Tanzania (East Africa) – Pastor Paulo Kiara, who serves in the Tanga district of the Tanzania-CLC, is recovering from abdominal surgery. A Kinship grant was provided to assist with the cost of the life-saving surgery. Pray for a speedy and complete recovery. On November 19^th, three evangelism students will graduate from the one-year program at the Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary. Two of these students will continue their training in the three-year seminary program. Missionary Naumann and the seminary faculty have several prospects for new enrollments in the next academic year, which begins in January. Praise and thank the Lord for these students and their dedication to preparing for the public ministry. Pray for the students, their families, and the teaching staff at the seminary, asking the Lord to continue to provide all that is necessary for this work to continue.

Myanmar (Southeast Asia) – Our brothers and sisters in Christ of the CLC-Myanmar continue to struggle under the oppressive rule of the military junta. Pastor Kham continues to heal from the injuries he received. His wife, Haui, has been released from jail, and their debt has been paid through the compassionate offerings of God's children. Continue to pray for strength and courage for Haui as she deals with the emotional and physical trauma of her arrest. Pray for the children Pastor Kham and Haui care for as they live in constant fear of military attack and now also the fear of losing those who love and care for them. Continue to Pray for justice and peace for all the people of Myanmar. Pray especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ that our Savior will give 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.

The Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Andrew Schaller (CLC Bd of Doctrine Secretary) continues the colloquy with Pastor Jordan Palangyos and the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP) via email correspondence. 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!

Pakistan – Pastor Tim Daub continues to teach online video Bible lessons to two groups of Christians who are eager to start a Lutheran church in Pakistan. The Board of Missions has authorized Missionary Ohlmann to accompany Pastor Daub on a visit to Pakistan in 2024. With the upcoming elections in Pakistan and due to safety concerns surrounding it, there is some uncertainty about when this trip will occur. Pray that the Lord will continue to bless the teaching and learning of His word. Thank our Savior for this opportunity and the technology to proclaim the truth of His word in such a way.

Bangladesh (Southeast Asia) – Missionary Ohlmann will be in Bangladesh for the first three weeks of November. He will work with Pastor Monotosh to visit several congregations and preaching stations, and they will conduct a five-day pastoral training seminar. Ask our Savior to continue to bless both the preaching and learning of God's word in Bangladesh and to provide all that is necessary for the ministry of the BLCM.

Nepal (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Raju continues to train men to be faithful preachers of God's saving word. The students recently braved flooded rivers and landslides to attend a one-week training seminar at the HCLC-Nepa headquarters. They are preparing for Missionary Ohlmann's visit in late November and for the graduation of several Himalayan Lutheran Bible Institute students. Thank the Lord for keeping all the students safe in their treacherous travels and blessing their lessons in His Word. Pray for the Lord's blessings on the work and preparation for the upcoming missionary visit. Ask the Lord to provide all that is necessary so that His word will be spread among the many idol worshippers of Nepal and that many will be led by the Spirit to repent and trust in their Savior Jesus.

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.

That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Psalm 67:2