We praise God for the opportunity to be active in our roles at the seminary for one full academic year.

We have been able to walk alongside the Lutheran Church of Uganda (LCU) in our roles at the seminary as an instructor and project manager and witness how God works in the lives of his people here. We thank God for calling these men into ministry and also that through the Holy Spirit they answered the call to serve and study at the seminary. We praise God that we get to be a part of the team that encourages, prays for and supports them through our various roles at the Lutheran Theological College Uganda (LTCU).

The semester ends the first week of June, which means our focus turns to other aspects at the seminary. Since the seminary is only in its second year of operation, the end of term break allows us to provide support to the LCU as they further develop policies and procedures for the seminary. It also provides opportunities to support the pastors and church leaders in other ways, such as visiting seminary students in their home deaneries (districts), interacting with other LCU partners (individual LCMS congregations) and preparing for the new academic year that will begin the last week in July.

Over the break, Mark will continue to work with the seminary administration in financial and project management, and Megan will utilize the first few weeks to grade final exams and papers. Both of us will miss seeing students on a regular basis, but look forward to one class returning and welcoming a new class in July. We also look forward to visiting some of the upcoming Year Three students (current Year Two students) during their vicarage and witnessing them apply the knowledge and insights they have gained at seminary.

As vicarage for Year Two students approaches, we wanted to introduce you to two students preparing for their placements, Mutebi Edson and Waiswa Emmanuel. Edson is originally from southwestern Uganda, but now lives and serves in the Eastern deanery, which is the same region as the seminary. Emmanuel is from Bugiri, also in the Eastern deanery.

As seminary students, they are already serving the Lord in ministry. Each week, they lead worship services and teach Bible studies and Small Catechism classes. Edson has learned Lusoga, which enables him to lead worship in the local language. He also preaches in Luganda (another nearby language that is understood in the region) and also leads an English speaking service. Emmanuel travels nearly seventy kilometers a week sharing the Word of the Lord at various churches and communities. He also utilizes that time to visit those who are sick and hospitalized and reconnect with people who have not been able to attend worship for various reasons.

Their vicarage starts soon, and they are both eager for this next step in ministry. Edson is most excited for opportunities to evangelize to Muslims that are in his community. In the Eastern deanery, there are many Muslims, so this is a chance to share the Word of the Lord so that more people can hear. He is looking forward to building relationships with others and training up the youth and teaching them about Christ in his community. Emmanuel shared his eagerness to evangelize within his area, with a focus on planting a church. Additionally, he is passionate about training evangelists so they can share God’s Word.

We thank God for these men, including their classmates. We pray the Lord continues to guide them all as they serve the Lord with faithfulness and steadfastness.

Mark and Megan Mantey serve the Lord through The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as career missionaries in Uganda. Mark serves as the project manager for the seminary, and Megan is the seminary’s instructor of Christian education and counseling. You can follow their work at www.facebook.com/MissionMindedManteys.