Pakistan (Asia) – Pastor Tim Daub has been
conducting online training and Bible studies with a group in Faisalabad for the
past few years. A congregation has been established and now meets weekly for
worship. Pastor Daub and Missionary Ohlmann made their first face‑to‑face visit in January, and the visit
went very well. A recommendation to begin the more in‑depth colloquy process was
made to President Wilke, who will now assign a CLC representative to oversee
the colloquy. A second visit is planned for early 2027. Thank the Lord for safe
travel and a positive, productive visit. Ask the Lord for His continued
blessings on the preaching and teaching of His saving Word in this
predominantly Muslim nation.
The Philippines (Southeast Asia) – Mr. Joel
Krafft, CLC Board of Missions chairman, and Missionary Ohlmann visited the
Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP). They conducted a two‑day
seminar and Sunday worship service at one LAMP congregation in Delles and
visited two preaching stations. Follow‑up outreach seminars are planned for
both preaching stations at the end of March and again in April. Pray that the
Lord blesses these outreach efforts so that more people may join us in
repenting of our sins and rejoicing in the forgiveness we have through faith in
Jesus Christ. Thank the Lord for recent growth and ask for His blessings on
these new members. Pray also that the Lord provides everything necessary to
complete the new worship and training facility.
Nepal (South Asia) – Following the Gen‑Z
protests last fall that led to the resignation of the prime minister and
dissolution of the government, peaceful elections were held on March 5. The newly elected government, which ran on a
secular, anti-corruption platform, won an overwhelming majority over the Hindu
nationalist party. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are cautiously optimistic
as they pray and trust in God’s protection and blessings. Due to security
concerns leading up to the elections, the Himalayan Bible Institute (HBI) delayed
the start of classes until April. A new cohort of 15 students is planned. Ask
the Lord to bless the new HBI students and teachers and pray that He provides a
stable and good government that will be a blessing to the citizens of Nepal and
to the Gospel ministry of the HCLCN.
India
(South Asia) – Classes continue at the BELC Bible Institute with
twenty-seven students and the CLCI seminary with fifty-one students. The CLCI
will graduate seventeen seminary students in May or June. Please pray that the
Lord will protect, provide, strengthen, and give hope to His children in India
through the Gospel ministry of the BELC and CLCI.
Liberia (West Africa) – A regular schedule
of Bible training seminars continues for pastors and church leaders across
several regions of Liberia. Missionary Ohlmann visited for two weeks in November. Together
with Pastor Kwiwalazu, he conducted a pastor training seminar in Bopolu with 18
pastors and church leaders. Thank the Lord for the ongoing Biblical training
and outreach and ask for His continued blessings on the work in Liberia.
Nigeria (West Africa) – The NCLC is planning its 50th‑anniversary
celebration in April. CLC President Mike Wilke and his wife Gloria, along with
CLC Board of Missions Chairman Mr. Joel Krafft and Missionary Ohlmann are
scheduled to travel to Nigeria May 20–28 to celebrate with them. During the
visit, the new academic building
will also be dedicated. Ask the Lord to bless the new building, the
travel plans, and the up-coming conference, and thank Him for 50 years of cooperation
in training faithful workers for His Nigerian harvest.
Togo (West Africa) – Pastor Kossi
Blewu, Missionary Evensen, and recent seminary graduates continue outreach
efforts aimed at starting new congregations. Pastor Blewu conducts a weekly
Gospel radio program in Assahoun, a town about 30 minutes from the seminary.
Following the broadcasts, people have been calling to attend services. One
graduate will be called to begin a congregation there.
Myanmar (South Asia) – The civil war continues with no end in sight.
Nearly 90,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Pastor Kham reports that
the military junta continues nightly raids on homes and public spaces to
forcibly conscript young men, and now older men as well. Ransoms are no longer
accepted due to the junta’s urgent need for soldiers. The orphan boys cared for
by Pastor Kham and his wife remain in hiding, as military checkpoints are
widespread, even near schools. Pray for peace, justice, and relief for all
affected by this conflict.
Tanzania (East Africa) — The Tanzania Church of the Lutheran Confession is
seeking renewal of its government registration. Officials have requested a name
change to distinguish it from other Lutheran churches in Tanzania. The chosen
name is Augsburg Evangelical
Church in Tanzania (AECT). Pray for success in this process so
the church may exercise public fellowship without hindrance. Like so many other
places around the world, several congregations are in need of permanent places
of worship. Twelve students are enrolled in the seminary this year. Ask the
Lord to bless their studies as they grow in grace and knowledge of Scripture. Pray
for the Lord’s provision in providing places to worship.
Kenya
(East Africa) – Several pastors and congregations have expressed
interest in fellowship with the Kenya‑CLC. Nearly 300 students at St. David’s,
Etago, and Emmaus in Moi’s Bridge receive Bible and Catechism instruction. Pray
for continued growth, unity, and faithful Gospel proclamation as new
congregations are established.
Uganda
(East Africa) – Missionary
Naumann recently visited pastors and church leaders of the Confessional Church
of the Reformation in Uganda (CCCRU). Ask the Lord to grant the five pastors,
their families, and those they serve good health, daily bread, and zeal for
spreading His true Word.
DR Congo-CCLC (Central Africa) – Seminary students
have completed their vicarages. Final exams, graduation, and ordination are
scheduled for April during a visit by Missionaries Evensen and Ohlmann. Thank
the Lord for faithful teaching over the past several years, and pray for His blessings
on these students as they prepare to serve in the public ministry.
DR Congo-ECLSAFA (Central Africa) – Pastor
Jacques Pondi Lumiangu has scheduled several outreach seminars in early 2026.
The congregation faces challenges securing a rental worship space and fully
supporting their pastor. Pray that God abundantly provides for the needs of
ECLSAFA Congo and blesses their outreach efforts.
CLC
Mission Helper Trip – Nine volunteers and three team
leaders are making plans to travel to Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia to help our
brothers and sisters in Christ spread the Gospel. They will divide into three
teams and conduct child-evangelism and outreach seminars. Pray that all goes
smoothly as airfare is arranged, lessons are prepared, and in-country
preparations begin. Thank the Lord for this opportunity and for those who
volunteer their time and resources for this important work!
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 sends it
.
Missionary
Peter Evensen (Togo, West Africa) – Since the Mt. Horeb
Seminary graduation in early December, Missionary Evensen has been working to edit
and improve the French translations of the Online
Theological Studies curriculum for the next cohort of students. He
will join Missionary Ohlmann on a visit to the DR Congo in late April. Pray for
his continued health as his right knee, which was operated on over a year ago
in the U.S., has started to bother him again, and for the Lord’s continued
blessing on Missionary Evensen’s work to prepare faithful preachers and
teachers of God’s saving word.
Missionary Bruce Naumann (Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda-East Africa) - Missionary Naumann and his wife Paula were able to return to the U.S. in December and were blessed to spend time with family. Missionary Naumann returned to Tanzania in early January and spend a couple of weeks in Kenya and recently visited Uganda. Paula returned in late January. You can see the latest news and photos of their work and daily lives at clc-tz.blogspot.com.
Missionary Todd Ohlmann – Missionary Ohlmann recently visited Pakistan and the Philippines. In April and May he is scheduled to visit Nigeria, DR Congo, and Zambia. He continues weekly Online Theological Studies correspondence courses with men in Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Indonesia, Zambia, the Philippines, Zambia, and Bangladesh. Pray for God's blessing on the necessary arrangements for his upcoming trips, and for his wife, Beth, as she continues to care for her elderly father, who is on hospice care and is longing for his heavenly home. You can read reports and see pictures here: missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment