# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S430
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

430 MISSIONS

of the Free Church have increased by 800,000 francs ($2,300) over
the previous year.

The following subsidies were granted:
1953 __ $16,814 1954 _. $41,131 1955 __ $25,363
Belgium
For purposes of administration the two pastors in Belgium
have been placed under the French Free Church. Both of the
pastors in Belgium, C. Hobus in Brussels and L. Hellings in Ant-

werp, work under great handicaps because of a lack of proper

facilities. Both have many contacts with Lutheran Hour listeners
in widely scattered areas.

Statistics: 2 pastors, 97 souls, 67 communicants.
Subsidy: 1953 __ $8,110 1954 __ $8,500 1955 _.. $8,866

Denmark

For a number of years the two sons of the sainted Rev. Jo-
hannes Moritz Michael, Walter and Paul, shared the responsibility
of shepherding the little flock of the Danish Free Church, consist-
ing of 175 souls. The church celebrated its centennial on Pentecost
Sunday in 1955.

Upon the recommendation of the Houston Convention that
one pastor be called into a larger field of service, Rev. Walter
Michael accepted the call of the congregation in Frankfurt, Ger- .
many. After serving the congregation for less than a year, he met |
with a fatal auto accident. Rev. Paul Michael continues to serve
the six congregations. He is assisted by a retired pastor of the
State Church, who is in doctrinal fellowship with us. The witness
of the two pastors is not in vain, even though the membership of
the congregations remains very small.

Finland .

Before the last convention the Free Church of Finland had
three pastors. Since then, Pastor Vaino I. Salonen and Pastor
Kauko Valve entered the Church Triumphant. This leaves only
Rev. A. A. Uppala (Wegelius). Because of the dwindling number,
the former Board for European Affairs in the summer of 1954
engaged Rev. G. A. Aho, D.D., to spend a year in Finland and
to make a thorough study of what should be done in Finland.
Dr. Aho’s energetic leadership instilled a new sense of stewardship
into the people. As a result there is new life. Upon the urgent
pleading of the Board, Dr. Aho extended his stay for a second year.
He hopes to return in July of this year.

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