During semester breaks at the seminary, we are able to focus on other areas of ministry. Meanwhile, the seminary students are excited to go back to their home regions, visit family, enjoy home cooked meals and participate in ministry within their local communities. While they are home, we often get invitations to visit and share in various aspects of ministry. We are thankful for opportunities to visit the students outside of a normal school day, meet families, share time together and participate in the evangelism work that they are dedicated to in their villages.

Most recently, we visited students who serve at a newer Lutheran church and school. Many of the neighborhood children attend the school, which creates a need for evangelism so families can learn more about the local Lutheran church. The seminary students had already been doing evangelism in the local community, but created a special program that invited the families to the church after an intentional time of going door-to-door to share with all the neighbors.

There is always great joy walking in the local communities sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. It brings great encouragement to both the church and the neighborhood. Those visited are intentionally noticed and recognized, which leads to strengthened relationships. The time together with the various families allows them to share their joys and challenges and provides opportunities for the church to listen and point them to Christ.

These moments enable the seminarians to share more about the church as people seek to better understand the teachings of the Lutheran denomination. Please praise God with us for the continued work of the LCU and their seminary students, who are passionate about sharing the Gospel with their neighbors. We pray the Holy Spirit continues to water the seeds of faith that are planted.

Life and Mission Update

Mark has been working with the Lutheran Church of Uganda (LCU) to work on the Lutheran Theological College Uganda (LTCU) chapel. The grant for this project is through the LCMS along with Mission Central. It provides the roofing and upgrades the building to a useable level. We, along with the LCU, are very grateful for the generosity of the supporters who have made this possible.

The chapel at the seminary is not just a building project. With this grant, it allows the LCU to have another avenue for outreach to the community, as the chapel serves as Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Magamaga. The chapel is also used for ministerial aspects including LCU youth gatherings, daily worship services at the seminary, and other opportunities to gather together. We praise God for His provision and ability to move forward with the seminary chapel! Thank you to all those who partnered together in ministry in this way.

LCU Ordinations

We are always thankful when we get to celebrate alongside the LCU as they teach, train and ordain more pastors for ministry. This past month we traveled to southwestern Uganda as the LCU ordained four men. We praise God that the Holy Spirit called these men into public ministry, and for the church to send them out to preach and teach His Word. We are thankful there are now thirty pastors to do this work within the Lutheran Church of Uganda! Please continue to pray for the LCU leadership and its pastors as they share the love of Christ and proclaim His Word throughout Uganda.

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.