WELS Missions » seminary

Continuing Education in Africa

missions — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:42:01 +0000

A number of years ago, by invitation of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary began a program of sending a professor to Africa each summer to teach during the LCCA’s continuing education week. The venue for the CE sessions alternates each year between the Seminary campus in Lusaka, Zambia, and the campus of the Lutheran Bible Institute in Lilongwe, Malawi.

This year the classes are being conducted at the LBI. Almost 50 Zambian and Malawian pastors, together with about a half-dozen missionaries, have come together for a week of learning, discussion, and fellowship.

When Paul Nitz, field coordinator of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa—Malawi Synod, heard that I was coming to Africa with the Humanitarian Aid Committee, he asked if I could stay on an extra week to teach. That is what I am doing right now. I’ve just finished the second day of a week of teaching.

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Thailand Handicrafts - Thai Village, Inc.

Katie Lehman — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 02:03:23 +0000

Thailand Handicrafts—Thai Village, Inc., working alongside the WELS Thailand Mission, produces a wide variety of handmade crafts. Proceeds from these not-for-profit craft sales benefit the students of the “It Is Finished Bible Institute and Seminary” in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Crafts are available in the U.S, as well as speakers sharing about the Thailand Mission. For more information please contact Nancy Huwe at groovyhuwe@hotmail.com, (608) 764-8198, or check our website, www.geocities.com/handicraftsthailand

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Ordination of New Pastors

dweiser — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:42:32 +0000

They turned around to face the assembly in full celebration mode. Seven new pastors of All Saints Lutheran Church of Nigeria, resplendent in their new white gowns, purple stoles and starch-white clergy collars, managed broad smiles. A rousing cheer of joy rose from two hundred church members packed inside the Ishibori church, joined by another 200 outside under sun-drenched canopies. The All Saints Lutheran clergy roster had just jumped from two pastors serving 5000 people to nine pastors. It was a milestone, this first ordination conducted entirely by All Saints LCN on 20 April, 2008.

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What’s the Connection?

bwordell — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:05:47 +0000

Please take a close look at this picture. You can see and identify three parts: a seminary, a 1967 graduate of that same seminary, and a picture of 6 young Japanese Christians.

Why were these three pictures put together into one slide, and why was that slide shown to the members of the LECC on April 29, 2008? What is the connection between the three parts of this picture?

I will give you the answer and then I will ask you a question.

Answer: Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary helped prepare Pastor Kermit Habben for ministry so that he could come to Japan and preach the gospel. The Lord who always blesses the preaching and teaching of his Word used the faithful efforts of Pastor Habben and other missionaries to lead people to faith in Jesus. In 2008, just after Easter, six of the young people of the LECC (Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church in Japan) traveled to America. One of the places they visited was Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. They were excited to find a picture of a young Pastor Habben hanging on a wall in one of the classrooms.

Question: How can we thank the Lord for the blessings He has given us and for the eternal results He is accomplishing through us?

Safe at Home, but Hearts in Nigeria

dweiser — Fri, 02 May 2008 23:50:16 +0000

The LWMS visiting team has come home to the USA. Michelle Markgraf, Carol Egelseer, Sarah Malchow and Pastor Weiser arrived home on 26 April. Ima Udofia landed two days later, along with her husband Ikpe and son Anieti. They made a family trip of it, by flying along with Ima. And yes, it was great to get home again to the embrace of family and WELS friends.

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In Africa at Last

dweiser — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:23:01 +0000

He was more than a little excited. His dream had been to serve as missionary in Africa. The Lord seemed to point him that way three times before in the last 20 years. Each time, the Lord led him to the answer “not yet.”

Meanwhile, a brother pastor was spearheading WELS assistance to Christ the King Lutheran Seminary in Nigeria. The team of volunteer WELS pastors was lacking a man to teach in the last WELS session at the Nigerian seminary. The WELS Liaison then remembered a brother pastor. “Paul Lemke, will you go to Nigeria to teach a session at the seminary?” “Let me check with my church and family. But for me the answer is absolutely, yes.” On 4 January 2008 Pastor Paul Lemke landed in Africa at last. He worked hard, teaching his course plus a make-up course.

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LWMS Women’s Visit to Nigeria Continues

dweiser — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:44:08 +0000

Our LWMS visitors decided they like the bush churches. Like yesterday in Yala area SW of Ogoja. Rural village, small church, short walls, tin roof not far overhead, over 200 eager women plus a few men and lots of children crowded into every space. About 100 degrees indoors.

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Where There Are Children, There’s Carol

dweiser — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:21:29 +0000

She seeks them out. She draws them out. Nigerian kids of all ages love to flock to Carol Egelseer on the LWMS April visit. This morning we worshiped at Christ the King Lutheran in Calabar. This congregation has children in the worship service instead of closeted away for Sunday School. You could hear their voices piping up loud “Halleluias” at all the appropriate times. Carol had pretty much made eye contact with every child in that church by service end.

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LWMS Women Visit Nigeria

dweiser — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:10:20 +0000

Greetings from Calabar, Nigeria! Carol, Ima, Michelle, and Sarah are half way through their women’s conferences. Three so far, ending in Calabar today. 220 and 160 at the first two, and about 40 today.

What fellowship, what love sister to sister! Our four presenters are just great! What they are learning from the Lutheran women of Nigeria is eye-opening and life-changing.
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Off to Nigeria

dweiser — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:28:54 +0000

Tomorrow we fly. Michelle Markgraf, Sarah Malchow, Carol Egelseer and Pastor Doug Weiser will head to New York City tomorrow. After an overnight stay, they will join Ima Udofia on Thursday afternoon, en route to Lagos, Nigeria. Ima’s husband Ikpe Udofia will also fly over with us for a visit to his homeland. Our travel goal is to reach Christ the King Lutheran Seminary by late Friday afternoon local time, to be ready for the big graduation service on Saturday the 5th of April.

As we start this journey of faith, our thanks to God above all. Thanks also to the families who are sharing their loved ones for this time in Nigeria. We are highly grateful to the Antioch Foundation for its support and to Jeff Wehrenberg and North American Airways for the flights.

Pray for us please. Pray first for our safety and health, and then also for the Lord’s blessings on our women-to-women outreach.