Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1958, Page 89

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Lutheran Synodical Conference, 1958 89

As you can see from this place of writing, and as you un-
doubtedly gleaned from the Executive Committee minutes, I am
now in Ogoja Province as the second Lutheran missionary to this
very backward, heathen area. The work here is certainly a tre-
mendous challenge, and we are grateful to see the doors opening
and hear the Macedonian calls from all parts of Ogoja Division.
With the Church of Scotland handing over their five schools to
us in a Division where the Catholics have otherwise a monopoly
on education (and where it was impossible for us to open our
own schools), and with the District Council handing over the
management of their newly-built Teachers Training College to
us, we can readily see the hand of God working in wondrous
ways to bring the true Gospel to this Province living in a spir-
itual darkness comparable only to Calabar Province of 40 years
ago. And as we hear these requests from various parts of this
Division, I hope you will supply us with the money and man-
power to continue to spread the Gospel to these poor, forsaken
people.

An oral report will be given to the convention on Ogoja by
Superintendent Schweppe.

Conclusion

As we study our fields, both at home and abroad, we become
conscious of the fact that great opportunities are offered us for the
spreading of the glorious Gospel. Let us “put on our strength”
as a Church in proclaiming the news of Christ and His salvation
to peoples everywhere and go out into the world and bring men,
women, and children to the foot of the Cross where they may find
rest and peace for their weary souls. May we continue to carry out
the great commission of our Lord to bring the eternal verities to
a world which is groping in spiritual darkness, while it is day,
and not rest “Till each remotest nation has learned Messiah’s name.”

Respectfully submitted,

Tre MisstonaRY BoarpD OF THE
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNODICAL
CONFERENCE

per Kart Kurt
Executive Secretary

SPECIAL REPORT ON WEST AFRICA BY OUR
SUPERINTENDENT

The following is a report by the Superintendent of our Nigerian
Mission, Doctor William Schweppe, on the work of the Lutheran
Church in Nigeria and in West Africa in general:

“Work in our original area is still mainly rural. While the work
has been progressing normally in Calabar Province, we are begin-
ning to feel more and more the drift of especially younger men, who
are not able to get employment in their home areas, to the coastal
towns and larger cities. We are doing what we can to keep in touch
with these people and to have churches in Calabar Proper and also
in Enugu. Also we are now in the process of organizing a new
church in Port Harcourt, which is increasing in population more
rapidly than any other city of the Eastern Region. Because of the
discovery of oil in the Eastern Region, Port Harcourt has taken
on special significance as the headquarters of Shell Oil Company