# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S284
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

358 . MISSIONS

sa

Deaf, for its extensive program of Gospel work among the
in the United States and parts of Canada, undertaken and con,
tinued with the help of God; and be it further " 3
Resolved, That ‘this Conference respectfully urge and en
courage our Synod to continue in this blessed work, and 1
in the matter of assisting the Deaf by the erection and p
of suitable houses of worship in larger centers of adult Deaf
population; and be. it further
Resolved, That this Conference go on record in favor of en.
couraging our Lutheran Deaf to aid one another, individually and
by congregational action, by giving and lending financial su
to one another, as the Lord enables them, in promoting Present
and future building projects.
Doce Dear LUTHERAN ConFerence
Francis G. Gyte, Secretary
Watter H. Maacx, Chairman

For Report of Missions for the Blind see Section X, [1015]

[412] °
Report of the Board of Foreign Missions

The three years since the last convention of Synod were
momentous years for our Synod’s foreign mission enterprise. This
short span of time saw our India Mission grow by 13.6 per cent
until it numbered 22,474 souls at the close of 1949. The mission
which had been begun in the Philippines in 1946 has come to be
firmly established and has expanded into new areas. Japan and
New Guinea have begun to hear the Gospel from the mouths of
our emissaries. The first two couples have started on a new effort
for mission work among Mohammedans. This period also witnessed
a serious upset in China, where the political situation brought
about the evacuation of most of our foreign personnel, although
it also saw the beginning of new work on the part of our Synod
in Hongkong. ‘What a marvelous story of God’s grace, of divine
guidance, of Providence opening doors, of heavenly mercy using
poor human clay to plant the seed of the Word in new fields, and
of building the walls of Zion in areas already within the sphere
of our Synod’s mission activity! Indeed, what hath God wrought!
Despite our ineptness, sluggishness, smallness of faith, God has
moved the Gospel work forward at a tremendous pace. May God
forgive us’ our failures, weaknesses, mistakes. May He fill us with
sreater zeal and courage and grant us a true spirit of sacrifice to
use these last darkening days for the spreading of His Word.

' Here is the thrilling story in more detail:

MISSIONS, 359

agen: in India continued without fanfare, without éclat, but
deri'the evident blessings of God. Existing congregations and
schedls:were strengthened. New work: was undertaken. For the
first, time-we can report resident missionaries in Colombo (Ceylon) ,
;Bangalore, Madura, and the Wynaad area of the Malabar
Coaxt:ii?Rapid strides have been taken toward the creation of an
indigenous Church. Missionary George Schroeder has been named
Stewardship Secretary to encourage the congregations to take. a
largerspart in self-government, in self-propagation, and in self-
support! October 22, 1949, was a red-letter day for the congrega-
tions: in.the Ambur District (our oldest field) as on that day
representatives of sixteen congregations signed the constitution of
the Evangelical Lutheran India Church. Until this group is able
to take over the full maintenance of work in its midst, its affairs
will he administered by a joint executive council made up of mis-

opening of the Nagercoil Seminary was observed. Through the
years 124 had finished the advanced catechist training and 54 the
full pastors’ seminary course. This has helped build the India
Church by supplying the 35 national pastors who, beside many
other workers, are today serving the Church. While various school

ary staff. These men and their wives have been sent out: Harold
Heinlein, Wilbur May, James Mayer, KE. H. Meinzen, Luther

Meinzen, Lawrence Meinzen, Harry Smith, Robert Trautmann, and

H. M. Zorn. Many of them are already at work after language
study. Two young women have also joined the forces, Betty Rose

A good beginning had just been made toward rehabilitation
after about a decade of disastrous warfare. The number of our
foreign missionaries, which had shrunk to four during the war,