Nigeria Visit - NOV/DEC 2025

I am currently sitting in Missionary Peter Evensen's apartment after traveling from Nigeria to Togo yesterday (12/5) afternoon. It's only 285 km (177 miles) from Lagos to Lome, but it took 2 short flights to get here.  It was like taking a big bus in the sky. We took off from Lagos, flew for about 30 minutes, and landed in Cotonou, Benin. A few passengers got off, a few more got on, and we then flew for about 35 minutes to Lome, where some passengers and I got off. I'm not sure where the plane was going from there. Missionary Evensen and Pastor Kossi were at the airport to meet me. It was good to see them both!

The visit to Nigeria was brief but filled with many activities. Pastor Mike Essien has served as the president of the Nigeria-CLC for the past five years. It is a real privilege to work closely with Pastor Mike. The Lord has truly blessed his leadership. After the death of the founding president, Pastor E.E. Essien, about 20 years ago, and the sudden, unexpected passing of Pastor Patrick Udo a few years later, the NCLC faced significant challenges. However, the Lord has blessed NCLC with a renewed focus on Gospel outreach and pastoral training. With MDF grants from the CLC, they have been carrying out Gospel outreach in Bayelsa State and are also working to reopen some congregations that closed. They plan to assign an NCLC pastor to the capital city of Yenagoa, Bayelsa, to conduct outreach and provide theological training for the six independent Lutheran pastors serving in this waterlogged river delta region of Nigeria. Additionally, the seminary faculty has been regularly conducting NCLC pastoral training seminars for all NCLC pastors to encourage one another in ministry and to continue to grow in their understanding of God's Word. The NCLC has also been working to reaffirm its status, especially in the Akwa Ibom State area, as a confessional Lutheran church grounded in the faithful preaching and teachings of all the truths of God's saving word. These efforts are part of the NCLC's recent renewed efforts, including the construction of a multi-purpose academic and NCLC headquarters on the seminary campus. They are also working on a major expansion of the main church building in Efa. Exciting developments are happening among our brothers and sisters in Christ in the NCLC.

Planning is also underway for an NCLC 50th anniversary celebration in 2026. The event will take place during their annual convention in April. They have invited CLC President Mike Wilke, CLC Board of Missions Chairman Mr. Joel Krafft, and I to attend. This will also coincide with the completion and dedication of the Academic and NCLC HQ building. 

My visit to Nigeria lasted only 8 days, but I left feeling excited about the renewed zeal and exciting plans that the Lord is blessing among our brothers and sisters in Christ of the NCLC. I am eagerly looking forward to returning for the festivities in April!

Here are a few videos and pictures from the visit. You can see more HERE

Essien Brothers LtoR - Alfred, Mike, Martin, and Charles

Main NCLC Church Building In Efa

NCLC Pastors after the 2-day Pastor Conference

NCLC Pastor Conference in the newly completed seminary classroom

NCLC Academic and HQ Building Project

NCLC Immanuel Lutheran Seminary Faculty

NCLC Seminary Students

NCLC Youth Choir