# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S6 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 6 MISSIONS. EVANGELISM, AND SOCIAL MINISTRY Missionary Don Mueller and family are well established in Vahun for the Mende work. Missionary Robert Roegner and family are the first to begin the Kisi work at Fova. The beginning of such new work is not easy. Villages needed to be surveved, living quarters established. and the language learned. The goal by December 1982: two preaching stations and the beginning of a theological education by extension program (TEE) for leadership training. Kisi language worship services were begun in Foya Tengya. Lenghbamba, and Kuendemba. The BFMS and the missionaries on the field are grateful for the service of LCMS lay people such as Mrs. Merlie Bruning, a retired person who served as business manager until her “second retirement.’ and her successor. Robert Newton and family. Another dedicated lay couple. Mr. and Mrs. George Brandau, was instrumental in erecting the build- ings and facilities for the Vahun station and for providing spiritual leadership to the Mende people during the time of a missionary vacancy on the field. A second missionary for the Kisi work is to be called in 1983. Funding over a 36-month period (January 1982 through December 1984) for two mis- sionaries is made possible by FIR. The construction of the mission residence at Fova was made possible by a designated gift to FIR. and. once again. by the volunteer labors of the Brandaus. Nigeria The Lutheran Church of Nigeria. whose beginnings go back to 1936. is a strong church with a growing zeal for mission expansion to the unreached in their rural and urban areas. In the fall of 1981. the BFMS secretary for Africa Europe Middle East, together with LCN leadership surveved opportunities for expanded or new ministries among the Eleme, Khana. and Izon peoples in Rivers State, where there are 34 languages. of which 28 have literacy materials available. They also surveyed the area of the Bako and Izi people in Cross Rivers State, where there also are a variety of different languages. The LCN began three preaching stations among the Bako. Arecently called missionary, the Rev. Jerry Kassebaum, after completion of linguistic studies in the USA, is expected to arrive in Nigeria in 1983 to supervise the translation of the Scripture into Eleme. Another. the Rev. James Pressnell, will be assigned to Scripture translation into Bako. Again. these two mission opportunities would not be possi- ble without heaven-sent help, the gifts of God's people in the LCMS to Forward in Remembrance. The BFMS approved a sum of $297,139 for a 40-month period of which $35,000 has been designated for a missionary residence for the Bako language translation project. This amount includes support for a second missionary to be recruited for Bako. For the Eleme language translation project, the BFMS approved a sum of $260,412 for a 40-month period, of which $35,000 has been designated here, too, for construction of a missionary residence. Residences in both projects will become the property of the LCN. Also for the Eleme project. the funding includes recruitment of a second missionary. The LCN also carries on a ministry of mercy and spiritual care in the hospitals at Eket and Yahe. Rural health programs are providing new hope to people in need in Ogoja, where John Lautenschlager, M.D., has four dispensaries among three ethnic groups. As we look to the future and see a growing number of trained Nigerian church workers, we again thank the Lord for Forward in Remembrance gifts which help to make possible a dormitory for married students at the seminary at Obot Idim and the chapel and parsonage at Ikom, an urban center in Ogoja District. It is exciting to see how such gifts are related to the convention theme: Him We Proclaim. Sierra Leone In September 1981 the Board for Mi$sion Services resolved to begin new work in an unevangelized area of Sierra Leone. This decision was based on a thorough survey report by the secretary for Africa’ Europe/Middle East. A veteran mission- ary, Rev. David Londenberg, was called in January 1983 to open up work in this country. As of this writing, he has accepted the board’s call. Togo Good news from northern Togo! Missionary Walter DeMoss and family are at work in Lokpano, among the Moba people. During the first five months of 1982, 112 Moba people were baptized. of whom one-third are adults. Plans are expected to extend the work bevond Lokpano. A survey has been begun among other peoples of northern Togo(the Gourma, Tchokossi, and Gangam peoples). Such survey work has to consider whether Christianity is already represented there or not and. among other things, the health needs of the people, the water supply, government permission to begin work, and a welcome by the respective chiefs of these peoples. There are approximately 60,000 Moba people in northern Togo. Another missionary is needed to assist not only with evangelistic work but also with the training of national leaders. Middle East Mr. Moris Jahshan. who is the overseas manager for the Lutheran Hour in the Middle East, has been associated with Missouri Synod work in Lebanon and the Middle East since 1957. The International Lutheran Laymen’s League and the Board for Mission Services have worked together over the years to support Jahshan and his staff of seven, located in the offices of the Middle East Lutheran Ministry. Four of the seven are sponsored by the Board for Mission Services. Even through war and troublesome times. including evacuations, the Lord has protected this team of faithful workers. Their approach to ministry in the Middle East is Christian evangelism and education through mass media to Arabic-speaking people. There are three radio outlets for their programs: Radio Beirut, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, and Trans-World Radio from Monte Carlo. Monaco, which gets excellent re- sponse from North Africa. Materials consist of Bible correspondence courses, cas- settes, hymns, records, literature. “This Is the Life” films in Arabic have been used since 1980. Other Christian films and video programs are also aired. Asia That vast area of our globe which is known as Asia has 56": of the world’s population. of which 2™ are Christians. While there are some closed and closing doors to mission, there are also open doors for mission outreach, particularly in coopera- tion with partner churches related to the LCMS. The BFMS is grateful for gifts to Forward in Remembrance which made possible, forexample, new work in Sri Lanka and expansion in Korea. The possibility of work in Thailand has been under consideration. In alphabetical order. we take a brief look at current LCMS-related work in Asian countries. Hong Kong A sense of urgency over sovereignty grips the people of Hong Kong, forin the year 1997 Britain's lease over most of the Crown Colony expires. Although Hong Kong’s business com- munity and its6 million plus residents are uncertain about the future, the hustle and bustle of every day life goes on. The same is true for the Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod. The Lutheran Church—Hong Kong Synod sees great chal- lenges for the church in this crowded colony where so few people are Christian. The recently elected church administra- tion is planning to encourage greater participation in mission outreach by the congregations of the synod. One of these oppor- tunities is the management of new government-constructed schools which would allow new churches in “‘satellite towns” that are springing upin Junk Bay and New Territories areas of Hong Kong. These towns have as many as 300,000 inhabitants, of whom many are former refugees from mainland China. The Lutheran Church-Hong Kong Synod is in a strategic position to be aware of any open or opening door to the mainland. Meanwhile, immediately surrounded by overwhelming mis- sion opportunities, our partner church in Hong Kong feels the need to emphasize the preparation of more pastors and other types of church workers to meet the spiritual needs of the unreached within such easy reach.