# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S421
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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MISSIONS 421

Africa

The Synodical Conference has sponsored mission work on the
Dark Continent since 1937, when our first missionaries began pro-
claiming the glorious tidings of God’s grace in Christ Jesus in
Nigeria, West Africa. Nigeria is the largest of the four territories
of British West Africa. According to recent statistical figures
thirty-two million people live in this protectorate. Of these, one
million are classified as Christians, the remaining must be regarded
as “pagans.”

During the past nineteen years we have accomplished great
things for God in Nigeria. He has blessed our work and has
permitted us to proclaim the Word in its truth and purity un-
molested, and “it hath prospered in the thing whereto He sent it.”
More than 27,000 souls now constitute the Lutheran Church in
Nigeria, and the Lord is “adding to the church daily such as
should be saved.”

In order that the Lutheran Church of Nigeria may be supplied
with African pastors, a seminary was established in 1949. Perma-
nent buildings were erected with all the necessary facilities for
the training of young men for the ministry. The present enroll-
ment in the seminary is thirty-two. Twelve young men have thus
far graduated from the seminary and are now ordained ministers
in Nigeria. A native ministry is essential for our future work in
West Africa. As ministerial candidates graduate from our seminary,
we shall be in a position to extend our work into neighboring
provinces and to replace our American workers who cannot return
on account of ill health and other circumstances. During the next
five years, God willing, we should be in a position to expand into
entirely new areas. A beginning has been made in opening up
a large province. The Nigerian Lutheran Church regards this new
field as its mission project and has requested the Missionary Board
to provide a moderate subsidization whenever necessary.

Secondary School

The Synodical Conference in 1948 resolved to establish “a sec-
ondary school in Nigeria as a means for preparing natives for the
seminary and the normal school.” This institution has made great
strides forward and is beginning to provide young men for the
seminary and the normal school.

Normal School

This school was established in 1951. A Normal School is most
essential for the preservation of our Christian day schools. British
rules and regulations require the certification of those men and