Faces of Faith ā€“ Opiew

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Iā€™m Opiew Okugn Adiew from Gambela, Ethiopia. I was raised in a Christian home. My parents were faithful believers and instilled a love for Christ in me, but by the time I was 30 years old, I began reading Scripture more critically and openly questioning some of the doctrines I was taught. I became dissatisfied with false teachings among my church and many churches in my community. My concerns became large enough that a few friends and I decided to start our own church based solely on Scripture. One of my friends had a little theological education, but we all desired more training. I contacted WELS and was directed to the One Africa Team, which got me connected with TELL. Fast forward to today, and I have become a more confident church leader. When you share the gospel, you need to understand the grace of God. That is what I understand from the TELL program because they understand the Bible well.

I shepherd a congregation, leading worship and Bible study. I share the TELL method of training with other pastors, teachers, and lay workers in the local dialect but continue studying with TELL in English. If you want to become a strong preacher, you need to use the TELL program. . . to think, evaluate, and learn the Scripture, and finally to lead a church to understand the Scripture. You can establish friendships with many pastors around the world!

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Cesar

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Academia Cristo has advanced and changed during the last several years. Technology has changed, curriculum was expanded and revised, new resources for church planters have been introduced. One student who has been with Academia Cristo through it all is Cesar Augusto Narvaez.

When Academia Cristo was just experimenting with live classes, Cesar enrolled. Since 2020, he has completed 16 live courses. He was equipped to gather and lead his own church plant that now meets every week for worship and Bible study. They reach out to their friends, family, and neighbors, and are training members so they can participate in ministry as well. Missionaries from the Latin America mission team regularly make visits to Cesar and his group. On one visit, a missionary asked all the members what prompted them to attend for the first time. Everyone had the same answer, ā€œCesar invited me.ā€

Some aspects of mission work may change over time, but some things remain constant. First, the power of the gospel. Itā€™s the good news of Jesus that leads people like Cesar to share their faith. Itā€™s the message of Godā€™s grace, love, and redemption that keep people coming back. Second, the power of a simple invitation. Today, more people are learning about their Savior and growing in their faith because of a simple invitation from someone they knew.

From Matt Behmer, Latin America missionary

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Alejandro

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WELS has been doing mission work in Puerto Rico for more than half a century, but Academia Cristo efforts in Puerto Rico are only just beginning. Alejandro Hernandez began his Academia Cristo studies in summer 2023 and moved through the program in record time. As he took live courses with Academia Cristo professors, he filled every night of the week with Academia Cristo classes.

These courses, and the work of the Holy Spirit in Alejandroā€™s heart, have brought about a quick succession of events. From January-March 2024, Alejandro finished the entire first level of the Academia Cristo live course work (over 100 hours of time) and completed a one-on-one study of 95 points of doctrine with an Academia Cristo professor, which led him to confess complete doctrinal agreement with what was taught. Now, Alejandro has taken the first steps toward gathering a group of friends and family around the Word of God using provided Lutheran materials.

Only God knows what is next for this work, but when Alejandro was recently visited by missionaries for the first time, in no uncertain terms, he expressed a desire to work toward planting a church in his community. And, if early results are any indicator, Alejandro is not going to waste any time getting started.

From Andrew Johnston, Latin America missionary

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Javier

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Would you change jobs so that you could start a Bible study group? Thatā€™s what Javier Rivas from Buenaventura, Colombia, did. He started studying with Academia Cristo in September 2022. He quickly moved through the Academia Cristo discipleship program. He loved what he was learning and wanted to share it with others. But he worked at a resort about an hour boat ride away. Work would often keep him away from his city for weeks. When he learned more about how he could plant his own church, he decided to look for work in his home city. He knew that being away from home for extended periods of time would limit his potential to plant and lead a group, and being based in his city would give him opportunities to invite, gather, and teach.

Motivated by his love for the gospel, he left his job and looked for a new one in Buenaventura and started gathering a group. First, he shared a course called ā€œThe Four Key Conceptsā€ that covers the topics of sin, grace, faith, and works. Then he taught a course called ā€œLearn from me,ā€ a Bible information course. Today, he continues to gather his friends, family, and neighbors around Godā€™s Word.

Javier has been blessed with employment in his city. However, he has also become a blessing to others as he shares with them the message of salvation through Jesus.

From Matt Behmer, Latin America missionary

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Dora

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As we look around the space that we might rent for weekly services in central London, Dora Correa turns and gives a decisive nod. ā€œDonā€™t worry, pastor,ā€ she says, ā€œSome fresh flowers, some new curtains. This place can be a home for us.ā€

Dora is a living example of the ripple effect of the gospel. Her mother worked in the house of WELS Missionary Larry Schlomer, Sr. in Colombia, and she heard the gospel message from him. She preached the message to her children, and the whole family became Lutherans. Since then, Dora has moved internationally twice, first from Colombia to Spain, and then from Spain to England. Now, she lives in London with her sister, Marta, and various members of their extended family, including her son and grandson. The family connected with Lutherans in London when Missionary Mike Hartman reached out to arrange a visit. Dora and Marta attend as many worship services in London as possible. Although there is a language barrier between them and most other members of the group, Dora says they feel at home among their fellow Lutherans, especially when they take Holy Communion together.

Dora is familiar with settling into new homes. She knows from experience the things that are most important to take with you when you move. Itā€™s not the curtains, books, or trinkets that matterā€”the Word of God and sacraments with fellow Christians are the things that are irreplaceable.

From Ruth Nitz, world missionary wife in London, England

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Joe

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Killing a pig is one reason for feasting in Village 9. It is even more an opportunity to share the gospel. Pastor Joe, one of our local Lutheran pastors in Thailand, recently did exactly that.
When he decided to slaughter his pig, he obviously had to invite everyone in the village to share in the feast. In fact, not sharing the feast would have cut him off from his community.

Much of the community is not Christian. Many of them have no interest in coming to church. Many of them are not interested in hearing the gospel. Yet Pastor Joe used this feast as an opportunity to show hospitality, Christā€™s love, and the light of the gospel to the community around him. He used it to not only show how God has blessed him with a pig to slaughter, but a Savior who was slaughtered for their sins. He used it not only to let them feast on the pig, but to feast on Godā€™s Word. He used it as an opportunity for his community to hear about the greater community connected to our loving God. Please continue to pray for our pastors in Thailand as they continue to leverage community events to share the gospel with their neighbors!

From Mark Zondag, Asia One Team missionary

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Faces of Faith – Sean

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“It was amazing. It was the greatest thing. . . just to know that Jesus still loved me and still cared about me and wanted me to be part of his family again, that meant the world to me.”

Hear more from Sean Oā€™Doherty, member at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Nampa, Idaho, about how the gospel shared with him through a WELS home mission congregation brought him back to his Savior.

Learn more about the WELS 100 Missions in 10 Years initiative at wels100in10.net.

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Faces of Faith – Zag

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“John 3:16 says that God loves me, but I did not see or understand it until I started my training. . . Now it is the most precious and special verse to me. God has revealed to me, ‘my love is here’.”

Meet Zag Yaj, a church leader in the Hmong Fellowship Church in Vietnam who is in the second group of 60 students studying to be a pastor. Hear how this training has been “the most rewarding experience in his life” in this special Faces of Faith video.

Learn more about theological training and mission work with the Hmong in Vietnam at wels.net/vietnamhmongoutreach.

Faces of Faith – Num

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“Before, I worked hard to earn grace, but I now know grace is free. God sent his son to die for us.”

Meet Num Ntxawg Yaj, a Hmong regional church leader in Vietnam who’s benefiting from WELS’ rural training program. He also began his pastoral studies in July 2023 as a member of the third cohort of students. Hear how this training has revealed the truth that sets him free in this special Faces of Faith video.

Learn more about theological training and mission work with the Hmong in Vietnam at wels.net/vietnam.

Faces of Faith – Eunita

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“I want to emulate Jesus’ presence, Jesus’ service to his people.”

Meet Eunita Odongo, a deaconess in WELS’ sister church, the Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ – Kenya. Hear how she’s giving back to her community and spreading the gospel message in this special Faces of Faith video.

Learn more about mission work in Kenya and throughout the continent of Africa at wels.net/africa.

Faces of Faith – Eric

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“Surely, when you find the Lord, life changes.”

Meet Eric Kebeno, baptized member at the Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ – Kenya congregation in Soweto. Hear how the gospel has changed his life in this special Faces of Faith video.

Learn more about mission work in Kenya and throughout the continent of Africa at wels.net/africa.

Faces of Faith – Argentina

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Come along with Latin America Missionary Joel Sutton to meet two Academia Cristo students from Argentina: Fabian Gabriel Mandracchia from Rosario, and Luis Bello from Baradero. Hear how the gospel message is changing their lives, and how they’re working with the Latin America mission team to share what they’re learning with those around them.

Learn more about how the Latin America mission team is using Academia Cristo to share the gospel message and make disciples in Latin America at wels.net/latinamerica.

Faces of Faith ā€“ David and Guili

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Itā€™s an enormous blessing for a congregation to have a PSI student in their midst, but two? Hope in Toronto, Ont., has been blessed with just that. In February 2021, Dr. David Shang was accepted as a Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI) student. He has been advancing quickly through his studies and gaining a large following through his monthly YouTube lectures. He currently has over 3,000 viewers in five countries which has led to approximately 19 baptisms (with 18 more on the way) in three countries.

In January 2023, Guili and Dujie Chi were received into membership at Hope. Guili also wants to reach more of his fellow Chinese with the gospel of Jesus. With some encouragement, Guili became the second PSI student at Hope.

David and Guiliā€™s dream is to create a Chinese church within Hopeā€™s congregation in Toronto. Itā€™s beginning with Davidā€™s online lectures and carrying over to in person bible studies in Guili and Dujieā€™s home every Sunday night where they regularly have 10-15 in attendance. Guili recently shared, ā€œMany Chinese immigrants come to Canada for a better life or better future for their children. It’s a country that God has blessed. People should come to know the true God, to know that only through Christ we can live in peace and preserve the future of our children. Live in his grace, share the gospel, live a godly life, keep the faith, and blessings from generation to generation will come.ā€

From Harland Goetzinger, Pastoral Studies Institute director

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Faces of Faith – Laura

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Northcross in Lakeville, Minn., sent six members to Nong Khai, Thailand, where we visited missionary Tom Chaleunsouk, his wife, Kaysone, and the congregation there. Facilitating a Vacation Bible School at the church was rewarding for all involved! We all worked together to make cross-cultural connections. I knew traveling to Thailand would be an enriching experience for myself, but I was amazed by how many people across the globe were encouraged in their faith by the trip. It was an honor as well as humbling to be sent as an ambassador to this world mission congregation.

One of the most memorable moments was standing barefoot on a Sunday morning, worshiping with Christian brothers and sisters singing a song I knew in a language I didn’t. It was a small glimpse of whatā€™s to come in heaven!

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Angie

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Many may think Christianity can no longer impact the highest levels of academia or the arts. Iā€™m convinced the opposite is true.

Welcome Weekend at Redeemer in Ann Arbor, Mich., is our annual September outreach event for our Campus Ministry program. That weekend in 2021, I met someone new. Angie was born in China, but her family moved to America when she was young. She earned her bachelorā€™s and masterā€™s in piano performance at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. Now sheā€™s earning a doctorate at the University of Michigan. One of her classmates, Allison, who was in the same program had already been attending Redeemer. After church, Angie decided to stay for lunch and then came to Starbucks to help us plan our Campus Ministry activities for the semester. She then started attending our Campus Ministry Bible studies. When she asked about being baptized, we found a spot in central campus, and I listened to Angie share more of her story. That conversation led to starting Bible 101 classesā€”often meeting on Zoom until 10 p.m.ā€”after she finished classes and I put my kids to bed. In April 2022, Angie was baptized and confirmed, and many other campus ministry students shared that special day with us. Now as a member of Redeemer, Angie shares her talent by playing for church. Weā€™re so thankful to hear her beautiful music in worship, but weā€™re even more thankful for what God has done in her life.

From Jacob Haag, campus pastor at the University of Michigan

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Lah

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ā€œIt is our choices that define us.ā€ While this sounds like it came straight out of a movie, people like Lah might say it is true. Lah is an Educational Assistant at Christ-St. Peter Lutheran Grade School in Milwaukee, Wis. She grew up in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, but her family migrated to the United States when she was ten. Lah had the opportunity to attend Christ-St. Peter starting in sixth grade; she was the only one amongst her friends to do so. It was this choice that would not only set Lah apart from her friends, but also greatly change her faith life. Growing up, Lahā€™s entire family had been Baptist. To this day, Lah is one of only two Lutherans in her family. Thanks to her time at Christ-St. Peter, Lah came to have a new perspective on her faith, and she was both confirmed and baptized in 2016. Now, Lah is a member at St. Peter, adding to the number of other worshipers in attendance who immigrated from Thailand. She says that she is constantly thankful for her faith because ā€œthereā€™s temptation every day,ā€ and she would not be where she is without God.

From Rachel Volkman, member at St. Peter in Milwaukee, Wis.

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Salma

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ā€œPastor, thereā€™s just one thing holding me up.ā€ My stomach dropped. It was Salmaā€™s day to be confirmed in worshipā€”was she going to back out?

Salma is an immigrant to Detroit from a country in Latin America. She comes from a family with Islamic roots. She and her sister are the only two converted Christians in their family. So, they began a ministryā€”first to reach their family with the gospel, then to reach people in their community. Before they had left their country, theyā€™d essentially established churches for women. All sorts of women were coming. . . from skeptics interested in the faith to the wives of local governors suffering from the stress of being in such a high position. Since moving to Detroit, she has been reaching out to Spanish-speaking immigrant women with the gospel to teach them about Christ and plug them into the ministry of a local congregation.

And so, the one thing holding her up on that Sunday morning was this: ā€œPastor, can I work within the scope of the churchā€™s mission to reach out to women, teach them about their identity in Christ, and bring them to church?ā€ My emotions flipped from that feeling of rejection to pure joy. ā€œSalma, we can figure that out! So, yes!ā€ May God bless her heart for Christ and those who donā€™t yet know him, and may she bring as many people to church as possible!

From Ryan Kolander, home missionary at Palabra de Vida in Detroit, Mich.

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Faces of Faith – Shawn

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Shawn grew up in South Florida and attended a Baptist church for part of his early life, but never felt like he was good enough to be baptized and be a ā€œrealā€ Christian. As he grew, his life took some twists and turns into darker things. While he would say he never really rejected God, he felt far from him. He eventually moved to Michigan and fell in love with a girl from Ontario. When they got married, he moved to Ontario and they built a family together, but something was still missing.

At the suggestion of a WELS family member from the U.S., Shawn came to visit Cross of Life one Sunday. He appreciated the straightforward preaching right from the text of Godā€™s Word. When I found out he wasnā€™t baptized, we scheduled to have him baptized at the next Sunday service in February 2023. He is currently taking Bible Information Classes to join our church family in Communion!

From Caleb Schultz, home missionary at Cross of Life in Mississauga, Ont.

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Faces of Faith – Dillon

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It was one of my first Sundays as a pastor when Dillon walked into the Community Center. He had a Mariah Carey cap and necklace on, dried mustard in his beard, and fell asleep during the sermon. Members were a little tentative at first. He said he was surprised that he found a church meeting in the Community Center. It was his third service of the day and was excited to worship with us.

I found out from Dillonā€™s mom that he suffered from schizophrenia and hadn’t found a place where he had been welcomed in the community. He told me no one had taken the time to teach him the Bible. So, over the next year we walked through our Bible Information Class together, and Dillon came to every worship service. Members also came to love Dillon. Every time he walked into service, you would hear everyone chime in ā€œGood Morning, Dillon!ā€ Eventually we got through class, and I asked him if he would like to join our Good Shepherd family. He answered, “I thought I already was?ā€

Dillon was baptized and became a member in May 2022. He faithfully attends worship and has invited his mother, stepfather, and grandparents to join. You can find Dillon on Sunday morning helping set up church, enjoying the coffee, or talking with other members.

From Lucas Callies, home missionary at Good Shepherd in North Liberty, Iowa

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Faces of Faith – Allison

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After a painful life event, Allison moved to Houston looking to start over. Throughout the years she tried different churches, but nothing ever really felt right. When discussing church options with her neighbor, she agreed to try out a church called Hope in the Heights. Her first service was July 4, 2021, and she has come ever since. There are many things Allison has come to love about her church, including the music selections, the sermons, and the friendly people. However, the gospel and power of Jesusā€™ grace is superior to all of that. When asked about her faith, Allison shared, ā€œI used to feel that I wasn’t worth anything, but now I know that Jesus wants to remind me of his love daily. Something I used to not feel was possible or even true! My faith is developing each day.”

From Emilee Nemmers, member at Hope in the Heights in Houston, Tex.

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Faces of Faith – Jarrod and Jessica

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Sometimes God plays the ā€œlong game.ā€ I met Jarrod and Jessica Bakker when I was first canvassing in Brandon, S.D. They had recently visited our sister church, Good Shepherd. They were interested in our church plant, but we werenā€™t worshiping yet (we didnā€™t even have a name yet). We lost touch after a few months, but that wasnā€™t the end of the story. Two years later, we had an Amazon package delivered to the wrong house two doors down. They came over to drop it off, and sure enough, it was the Bakkers. They began coming to worship and have since taken classes and become members. God certainly played the long game here, and what a cool thing it was to witness!

From Craig Wilke, home missionary at Sure Foundation in Brandon, S.D.

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Reno, Nevada

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ā€œVicar, weā€™ve been delivering new mover bags for almost three years and never had any response. I want you to come up with another way to get information to people moving into our community.ā€

That was the assignment in week two for our Vicar Nathan Holz (pictured second from left). He did his homework and came up with a recommendation. But before we pulled the trigger, Vicar delivered new mover bags for what we thought was the last time, one of which landed on Claudiaā€™s doorstep.

Claudia (pictured left) had just moved to Reno from a small town in Nevada. But three years prior, she moved to the U.S. with her family from Chile. Claudia was looking for a community, so she decided to check out the church that dropped off a bag of popcorn that said, ā€œJust poppinā€™ in to welcome you.ā€

She wasnā€™t the only one. Keith and Wendy (pictured right) were looking for the same thing. And just like Claudia, they had a new mover bag dropped on their doorstep. Within two consecutive weeks, we had three first-time guests ā€œpopā€ into worship.

Fast forward six months. Having completed our Bible information class, Claudia, Keith, and Wendy were all confirmed and communed together. Now Keith has even delivered new mover bags himself (We decided not to scrap the idea).

From Joel Heckendorf, home missionary at Light of the Valleys in Reno, Nev.

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Faces of Faith – Chanti

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Our path to understanding the immeasurable love of God and the absolute forgiveness through our Savior began shortly after our first son Colton was born. My husband Zach and I had recently moved to the area when I heard about the Mornings with Mommy program at Christ Alone in Keller, Tex. We felt so loved and cared for, we continued signing up along with Power Hour.

The interactions and relationships with the people from Christ Alone made us want to learn more. I was invited for a cup of coffee with a member, who is now a dear friend, and she shared with me about her faith in Jesus as our Savior. After Zach and I attended worship with our boys, another member delivered a care package to our door just to thank us for attending. Shortly thereafter Pastor Seeger came to visit us at our home. Each of our interactions personified the selfless love of Jesus. There were no expectations, no strings attached; just genuine love offered from people who kept pointing us to the cross.

When Pastor Seager taught us about Godā€™s Word in Faith Builders classes, Zach and I felt like we were finally beginning to understand the Bible and what it means to receive the gift of salvation through Jesus. We had no idea the wonderful plan God had for us, but I clearly see his hand in all of it when looking back.

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Fredericksburg, Va.

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ā€œLetā€™s not go back!ā€ Thatā€™s what Will (pictured left) and Sydney decided after their first visit. But the gospel seed was planted, and they did come back. Someone studied Godā€™s Word with them, including what the Bible says about close communion. Will and Sydney not only came back, but they took our Foundations class and joined as members.

Then Will brought his friend, Chris (pictured right). Chris had questions about the Bible and church. Again, someone studied Godā€™s Word with him, including what the Bible says about baptism. And so, months after Will decided ā€œLetā€™s not go back!,ā€ Will was a witness as Chris was baptized.

ā€œIā€™m not going on a second date!ā€ Thatā€™s what Chris decided after his first date with Mischa. But they did go on a second date. There were even dates to Foundations class. Now theyā€™ll be married in their church in fall.

ā€œIā€™d like to come back and learn more.ā€ Thatā€™s what Chrisā€™ roommate Matt said after his first visit. Matt grew up unchurched and had many questions (even more than Chris). And now Will and Sydney, Chris and Mischa, and an entire group are studying Godā€™s Word with Matt.

How did this all happen? The gospel seed is planted and someone ā€œhears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sownā€ (Matthew 13:23).

From Matt Rothe (pictured center), home missionary at The Way in Fredericksburg, Va.

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Sonny and Lucy

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I met Sonny and Lucy at the funeral of their daughter. They were obviously devastated. I asked them if I could come for a visit, and we started on a yearā€™s long study of the Bible while they tried to teach me Mandarin. Lucy grew up in the Christian church in Indonesia, but at age 12 she moved back to China and never went back to church. Her husband Sonny was a stubborn atheist, a professor of philosophy, and member of the communist party in China. But the death of their daughter had shaken them. After eight months of study, Sonny said to me one day with tears in his eyes, ā€œPastor, before I met you I never thought about God. Now all I do is think about God.ā€ I baptized Sonny not long after that in his home, and two months later the Lord took Sonny home to heaven. Lucy joined Living Hope, but later moved to New Jersey to live with her son. Before she left, Lucy convinced her friend Shu Ling, who had recently gone through a terrible divorce and was a Buddhist, to meet with me. Now Shu Ling and I meet once a week to study the Bible. She hasnā€™t been to church yet, but I can see the Spirit at work in her life and her thinking.

From Joshua Sternhagen, home missionary at Living Hope in Commerce City, Colo.

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Faces of Faith – Clarise

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Iā€™m from Bamenda, Cameroon. It was hard not to feel abandoned when my mother passed away when I was very young. I not only lost my mother, but soon found myself caring for my siblings as well. Not only has my family experienced tremendous loss, but now many families in Cameroon are suffering due to the unrest. Yet, I trust that God is working in the background and that I have not been abandoned. The following has kept me going and growing since I was a child: “Every disappointment is a blessing in disguise. . . it might not look like a blessing right away, until the Lord’s work is done and you realize how blessed you were to have been through all those moments you thought he had abandoned you.”

I work for Qatar Airways and on a recent flight from Chicago to Doha, I was reminded of that same truth. During that flight, I met several men who were traveling to Zambia for meetings. At 30,000 feet, I was introduced to the TELL ministry. I read my Bible but don’t always understand what it is saying. Since downloading the TELL app, itā€™s crazy how I have learned so much in just the first course. I have been using TELL since the day I landed back in Doha. It has really helped in my relationship with God, helped organize my Bible studies, and has changed my life a lot. I see so many things differently now. TELL is amazing. I canā€™t wait for the virtual classes!

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Sandra

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Several years ago, Sandra Luz was searching for a way to study the Word of God. Her husband took it upon himself to help her to find a great program. He stumbled upon Academia Cristo online, dug into their resources, and said to his wife, ā€œThis one; this is it.ā€ Sandra quickly began working her way through the self-study lessons on Academia Cristoā€™s mobile app. She was then welcomed into live classes via Zoom led by WELS missionaries. She completed 13 live Zoom courses and officially became a Confessional Lutheran. When asked if she desired to share the gospel message in her community, Sandra responded with, ā€œHow can I not?! People must know.ā€

Now Sandra informally gathers a group of five in her home every Saturday, including the children of these adult students. Guided by a WELS missionary advisor and by her continued courses in Academia Cristo, Sandra is currently leading her group through Bible information classes. Her husband has been regularly attending her gatherings and is now also showing interest in the Confessional Lutheran faith. She prays for a Lutheran church to develop in her border town of Mexico, where there currently is none. She still rejoices in the growth of the members of her group and in those who may soon join her in the Lutheran faith and be able to lead. ā€œLuzā€ means light, and Sandra Luz certainly is a gospel light in her family and in her community.

From Elise Gross, Dean of Womenā€™s Ministry in Ecuador

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Sally

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ā€œWeā€™re sending her to a Christian school. Thatā€™s how weā€™re raising her, and thatā€™s what we want for her life.ā€ It was a big moment in life for Sally. Despite attending elementary school at Peridot-Our Saviorā€™s Lutheran School, some family members wanted Sally to participate in a traditional Apache religious ceremony. Her father was standing firm in opposition to it. He wanted her to be about the Lord and his Word and walk a Christian path throughout life.

These words stuck with Sally, even through the spiritual detours of life. They stayed with her when she moved to the big city and away from God. They supported her when addiction took her husband out of her life. ā€œSeek the Lordā€ was the constant advice given to her during tough times, and had she not been in the Word, sheā€™s convinced she would not have made it through the especially difficult time when she lost her oldest son.

Today Sally is still on the Christian path to heaven. She walks with more experience, more scars, and more thankfulness. Sheā€™s thankful to walk with Malcolm, a Christian husband who has taken over the role of encouraging her to grow in relationship with Jesus. Sheā€™s thankful for a deeper understanding and empathy for the obstacles that people face all around her, and thankful for opportunities to serve the Lord. Her eyes are truly open to see people around her, to pray for those who have gone through what she has, and to pray for everyone to know Jesus and walk the path to heaven.

From Dan Rautenberg, Native American mission field coordinator

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Faces of Faith ā€“ Kanon

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Kanon Haga is a currently a college student and the son of Pastor Haga in Mito, Japan. For the past year, Kanon has been designing and running his own childrenā€™s events and Vacation Bible School programs for Megumi (ā€œGraceā€) Lutheran Church, WELSā€™ sister church. While on break from school, he wondered what he could do to serve the Lord. Around that time, a childhood friend reached out to him to ask if he could come to church. Though his friend didnā€™t identify as a Christian, he mentioned that when he was little, church was always very welcoming and warm for him. That same feeling is what inspired Kanon to start creating childrenā€™s programs. ā€œI wanted to recreate that same feeling for the kids, so they see church as a fun and welcoming place.ā€ After these events, parents often tell Kanon that while they previously felt nervous or scared of church, these events led them to trust Christians and churches. And at these childrenā€™s events, they get to hear the word of God. Kanonā€™s work shows love to the community and gives a positive image of Christianity to the city, while also sharing the message of the Savior with young hearts.

From Peter Janke, Asia One Team missionary

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Faces of Faith – New Zealand

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Over three years ago, Pastor Titus Tse, then president of the South Asian Lutheran Evangelical Mission (SALEM) in Hong Kong, began meeting online with some SALEM members who had immigrated to New Zealand. They also happened to be former students of Asia Lutheran Seminary. Over time, the original members invited their friendsā€”some Christian, some non-Christianā€”to join the group. This group has now decided to start a Cantonese-speaking church in Auckland. They began monthly worship in January 2023 and continue to meet weekly online.

Another mission group started by another SALEM member has sprung up in Queenstown as well. In early 2023, the Auckland group leaders met several local pastors from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other locations to learn how to reach out and form a legal church in New Zealand. Please pray for this exciting work among our Chinese-speaking brothers and sisters who, like the scattered believers in the early church, are carrying the gospel with them wherever they go!

From Matt Doebler, Asia One Team missionary

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