Nigeria

Christ the King Lutheran Church of Nigeria (CKLCN) and All Saints Lutheran Church of Nigeria (ASLCN) are our two sister synods in the southeast states of Nigeria. Descended from the Synodical Conference first Lutheran mission, CKLCN and ASLCN are not regular “missions.” They are sister synods in fellowship with WELS and thus “alternate strategy” missions. The 3,900 communicant members of two Nigerian synods are currently served by over 20 Nigerian pastors and more than 50 lay preachers. By God’s grace and through frequent visits by a WELS missionary, we aim to help the Nigerian church bodies capitalize on their on-going zeal and effort.

Mission update

Missionary Douglas Weiser retired from this work in 2017. Rev. Jeff Heitsch has answered the WELS call to be our missionary to Nigeria. He and his wife Stephanie have moved to Bamenda, Cameroon, to serve the Lutheran Church in northwest Cameroon as a partner with our existing Cameroon missionary, Rev. Dan Kroll. In addition, through electronic communications and field visits to Nigeria, Rev. Heitsch will work with both Christ the King LCN and All Saints LCN. His Nigerian work will include management of pastoral training for the newest generation of national pastors.

Mission statistics

Christ the King
Congregations: 34
Communicant members: 2,200
National pastors: 9
Evangelists: 1
Preaching elders: 30
Pre-seminary students: 9

All Saints
Congregations: 23
Communicant members: 1,700
National pastors: 11
Evangelists: 2
Preaching elders: 25
Pre-seminary students: 12