- Details
- Written by John Wolf, LCMS Africa Region Project Manager John Wolf, LCMS Africa Region Project Manager
- Created: September 14 2018 September 14 2018
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.Ephesians 3:20–21
Recently a church leader from outside Kenya stopped by our field office. He was enroute to help his student get settled at the Matongo seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya. Upon graduation, this student will increase to seven the number of pastors in this young church body. That will be seven pastors serving 91 congregations—and growing! At present, however, resources are not sufficient for this student to complete even his first year of instruction.
Part of my work in walking alongside African churches involves seeking resources for efforts they wouldn’t be able to do themselves. In the case of the growing need to train men to become pastors, I’ve had a chance to write grant requests to ask for help from LCMS groups to support our mission work in Africa. After many hours of coordinating with our other missionaries for details, we learned that some of our requests were granted.
However, we still have many projects that require support for this year. As a way to share about our projects in Africa, over the last two years we have produced a catalog of the many ways that churches in Africa have asked for our help. The formation of our new project catalog has been a team effort by our African missionaries, as folks offered photographs, reviewed texts and provided updates on projects.
This year, we have many new projects, including opportunities to grow shepherd pastors, provide mercy in villages, strengthen relationships in new areas, help build new seminaries and help vulnerable children. Through online efforts—and when missionaries are stateside—we hope to share with churches and individuals how they can be part of the mission projects in Africa. But even with these efforts, God is able to do much more. Learn more at LCMSinAfrica.wordpress.com or missioncentral.us/missions/africa-projects/.
May the Lord provide far more abundantly than we ever imagine!
John Wolf is the Africa Region Project Manager for the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. He and his family, with the support of LCMS churches like Saint John’s, are serving in Kenya. Please keep them in your prayers! We encourage you to follow their family blog, www.hereiamsendmesendme.blogspot.com, which is also where you can sign up to their mailing list and make donations.