One week in Faisalabad probably wasn't enough, but it was the time the Lord gave us, and it was enough to come away with an appreciation of God's faithfulness in extending His kingdom through the preaching and teaching of His saving word! Pastor Daub has been working with Pastor Gill for about five years. You'll be able to read the back story of this fledgling congregation in an upcoming issue of The Lutheran Spokesman. In brief, it started with an online contact that didn't work out, but that led to Pastor Gil contacting Pastor Daub, asking to continue studies with him and his extended family. Through weekly online video chats, Pastor Daub led them through Luther's Small Catechism. The group formed a congregation and began weekly worship services a couple of years ago. A visit in late 2024 was planned, but the Lord had other plans, and so we postponed until last week.
Since Pastor Daub has been meeting with this group almost weekly via online video chat, he was familiar with many names and faces. It was a privilege to witness and join in the joy of all these Christians meeting face-to-face for the first time. It was almost like a family reunion, meeting distant cousins for the first time.
We spent the first evening eating some delicious Pakistan foods prepared by Pastor Gil's wife and other family members. She is an amazing cook!!! Tim can tell you all about it since he spent some time in the kitchen with her, picking up some cooking tips.
Much of our time was spent making house visits to the members of the congregation. Many of the members live within a couple of kilometers of the Gil home, so it was easy just to walk from home to home. What we found in each home was Christian brothers and sisters who were hungry for the Word of God and humbly dedicated to their Savior, in a predominantly Muslim nation.
The schedule didn't quite work out as we had anticipated due to some uncertainty with immigration officials and the police, who seemed to be tracking our every move and our coming and going from our hotel. This kept us from the nightly public Bible studies we had planned. But Pastor Daub led a couple of Bible studies and preached at the Sunday morning worship service. Much of the remaining time was spent in discussions with Pastor Gil and another Christian pastor whom the Lord introduced us to.
All in all, the trip was successful as we were able to confirm with our eyes and ears what Pastor Daub has already witnessed through 4+ years of online correspondence and teaching. A recommendation to President Wilke to begin the formal colloquy process has already been sent and received. That means President Wilke will appoint a CLC representative to begin months of correspondence with Pastor Gil, involving a series of questions and answers on doctrinal matters, culminating in another face-to-face visit with Pastor Daub, me, and the CLC representative about a year from now to determine whether doctrinal unity exists.
Here are a few pictures and a video of Pastor Daub teaching with Pastor Gil translating. Enjoy and praise the Lord for His goodness and guidance during this trip and in the coming months of the colloquy process!
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| First evening meal with the Gil family |
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| Enjoying the cool weather with a stroll through a local park |
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| Evening Bible Study |
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| Pot-Luck...Pakastani Style with Chicken Korma and Naan |
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| Evening Bible Study |
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| Pastor Daub and the Gil Family |
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| Pastor Gil and Family |
3 comments:
Job well done Pastors.. seeds have been palnted
Thankful for a successful first visit. May the opportunities to spread God's saving Word continue to be blessed.
How exciting to be able to preach the word in Pakistan. May the Lord continue to bless this mission and the people carrying it out.
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