Liberia (West Africa) – Pastor Kwiwalazu is still engaged in doctrinal discussions with a group of independent pastors who have separated from the Methodist Church of Liberia. CLC Board of Missions Chairman Joel Krafft and Missionary Ohlmann are scheduled to visit in November. Pray for God's blessings and provision for the work of spreading the Gospel in Liberia and for the developing opportunities among the independent pastors and in Guinea. Pray for the Lord's blessings on visitation preparations. Ask the Lord to bless the cancer treatments that John Hein is receiving so he can resume his work in Liberia.
India (South Asia) – A joint India Pastoral Conference was held August 20-22 in Chennai, India. Pastors, leaders, and delegates from the CLC-India and the BELC will be in attendance. The CLC also had one Pastor in attendance to represent the CLC. Thank the Lord for this opportunity for Christian fellowship and study of His saving Word. Thank the Lord for His blessings that our CLC representative was able to attend and had no issues with the Hindu nationalist government while he was there.
Bangladesh (South Asia) – Pastor Monotosh reports that the interim government that was established after violent protests and the resignation of the prime minister has restored peace to the nation. There are still protests going on as a new government is established but they have remained peaceful. Prep work continues for the building project. The Board of Missions has approved an MDF grant to assist with the construction of a multipurpose building that will serve the Bangladesh Lutheran Church Mission (BLCM) as a Bible Institute to train faithful church workers, a place for worship, and housing for teachers and students. Thank the Lord for His protection of His children during the recent violence and change in government. Ask the Lord to bless this nation with good government so that they can live in peace and continue to spread the Good News of Jesus. Pray also for the building project and that the Lord would move the hearts of His people to give generously for this important work.
Nigeria (West Africa) – The NCLC has been hoping and planning for the construction of a multipurpose building for the seminary for more than twenty-five years. They recently met their fundraising goal for the project and have received approval of the building plans by the local government. They plan to begin working on the foundation by mid-October and hope to have the project completed by March. The CLC Board of Missions has approved an MDF grant to assist with construction costs. The building will have two large classrooms, a library/computer room, and an office for the faculty. For the past several years, they have been using two small dormitory rooms as classrooms. With an increase in enrollment and in anticipation of an even larger enrolment next year, this building is much needed. Ask the Lord to bless this project and to provide necessary funding through the offerings of NCLC members and MDF offerings of CLC members. Thank the Lord for the privilege of working together in this effort to train faithful workers in His Nigerian harvest of souls!
Tanzania (East Africa) – Classes have resumed at the Wittenberg Lutheran Theological Seminary after a three-week break. Eight students are enrolled. Four students are scheduled to graduate at the end of November. Thank the Lord for safe travels and productive visits. Praise God for the privilege of partnering with the TZCLC in training men to be faithful preachers and teachers of God's saving Word. Ask for God's continued blessing, guidance, and provision for Wittenberg Seminary and the work of the TZCLC.
Nepal (South Asia) – Nepal has been hit by unusually heavy rains that have caused flooding and landslides. Many lives have been lost, and several villages have been destroyed. Damage to the roads makes it dangerous to travel and almost impossible to reach many who are affected, including some HCLCN families living in the foothills of the Himalaya. Missionary Ohlmann is scheduled to visit Nepal in December. While in Nepal, he will have the opportunity to teach the fifteen students who attend the Himalayan Lutheran Bible Institute (HLBI). He will also attend and teach at a regional HCLCN pastoral conference following the week of classes at the HLBI. Ask our Savior to keep the sheep of His HCLCN flock safe during these dangerous days and to grant safe travels for the pastors and leaders who attempt to visit and evangelize in dangerous places. Praise the Lord for the fifteen men who have dedicated their time and lives to training for the Gospel ministry. Ask for the Lord's blessings on the upcoming visit and for all the preparations that need to take place.
Myanmar (South Asia) – It's been over three years since the military overthrew Myanmar's democratically elected government, plunging the nation into a devastating civil war. Countless individuals continue to suffer, including farmers who can't grow crops, leading to food shortages and soaring prices. Many members of the CLCM have been forced to flee their homes, seeking safety for their families. To help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, the CLC Board of Missions has approved Kinship funding for one year. This funding will provide vital humanitarian aid, ensuring access to essentials like food, shelter, and medical care for displaced CLCM members. Please continue to keep our brothers and sisters in Christ in your thoughts and prayers, asking for peace, justice, and relief for all affected by this conflict.
Togo (West Africa) – During Missionary Evensen's absence due to health problems, classes have continued at the Mt. Horeb Lutheran Seminary using the curriculum written by Prof. David Lau and translated by Missionary Evensen. Three students are scheduled to graduate in March. Between now and their graduation/ordination, they will be working to establish preaching stations and congregations to serve once they are finished with their formal training. Pray that our Savior will continue to bless the students as they finish their studies over the next several months. Ask the Lord to guide them as they work to establish new preaching stations where they will proclaim the Good News of sins forgiven in Jesus' saving name!
Kenya (East Africa) – Missionary Naumann was able to visit the pastors and leaders of the Kenya-CLC to discuss the necessary organizational work that will allow the KCLC to more effectively serve the souls of the congregations and to reach out to others with the Good News of Jesus. Pray for the pastors and leaders of the KCLC as they work on church registration issues and continue to serve the Lord.
Uganda (East Africa) – Missionary Naumann spent a few days in Uganda visiting two different groups. One group was accepted into fellowship with the CLC at our June convention. The other group is made of several pastors who withdrew from another Lutheran fellowship and formed a new confessional Lutheran church body. This second group has been in correspondence with Missionary Naumann for the past several months and is beginning the colloquy process. Thank the Lord for granting safe travels for Missionary Naumann and for blessing His Word as it was proclaimed and taught.
The Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Pastor Palangyos has started outreach efforts among the large youth population in Baguio City where he and his family live. There are several colleges and a university in Baguio with Filipino youth coming from several different rural areas to study. His wife Amabel holds a PhD in language and is a professor at the university, which provides an "in" to this Filipino demographic. Outreach also continues in the two rural congregations that Pastor Palangyos serves in the mountains that surround the city. Pray for our Savior's blessings on the outreach efforts of the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP), both in rural and urban areas.
Missionary Peter Evensen (Togo, West Africa) – Missionary Evensen continues to recover from knee surgery in Spokane, WA. Pray that the specialists there will be able to find the cause and a suitable treatment for the swelling in his right knee and foot so that he can return to work in Togo, West Africa.
Missionary Bruce Naumann (Tanzania-East Africa) – Missionary Naumann used the three-week Tanzania seminary break to make visits to Uganda, Kenya, and parts of Tanzania that he has not yet had the opportunity to visit. You can read his report HERE. Paula was able to return to the U.S. to spend time with family while Missionary Naumann was visiting Uganda, Kenya, and TCLC districts. Praise the Lord for all that is being accomplished by Missionary Naumann, and thank our Savior for granting safe travels for both Bruce and Paula.
Missionary Todd Ohlmann – Missionary Ohlmann, along with Board of Missions member Jeff Radichel, recently visited Pastor Olvera and our sister congregation in Juarez, Mexico. During the last few months of 2024 he will visit Pakistan, Liberia, and Nepal and will help out with CLC vacancy preaching as able. Ask the Lord to bless and provide for all the necessary preparations for these trips to take place. Please continue to pray for his wife, Beth, as she cares for her elderly father, who longs for his heavenly home. You can read reports and see pictures here: missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com
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
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