Tag Archive for: CELC

An investment in mission work

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Dear Friend,

Imagine faithful Lutheran church leaders from 34 church bodies around the world gathering in the name of our Savior for worship, study, encouragement, and fellowship—this time on African soil for the very first time.

The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) will meet May 29–June 1, 2026, hosted by the Lutheran Church of Central Africa—Zambia, one of its founding members. This promises to be a remarkable milestone for our worldwide fellowship.

This is the only CELC worldwide gathering planned for the next three years. It is a unique opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow believers across the globe, singing the same hymns, praying the same prayers, and studying the same Word of God. These gatherings are spiritually moving and deeply encouraging, especially for leaders who often feel alone in their ministry. If they cannot attend, they miss a vital chance to strengthen bonds that build unity and advance gospel outreach.

One delegate to a past CELC convention shared, “When I met brothers and sisters from around the world who share the same confession, I was overcome with joy. Back home, I feel alone defending the faith, but at the CELC, I remembered we are many, united in Christ.” That kind of encouragement is priceless for leaders serving in challenging mission fields.

The 2026 international CELC convention will give delegates a chance to worship with a Zambian congregation, visit a seminary training future pastors, and even see a bit of God’s amazing African creation. Most importantly, they will return home better equipped and encouraged to share the gospel boldly, train others, and strengthen their congregations.

At the last triennial gathering in South Korea, the CELC Travel Fund provided over $45,000 in grants to 32 delegates from 17 countries. Thanks to this help, leaders came from Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia to stand together in faith. Even a few who were denied visas received help with their application costs. That kind of faithful stewardship means gifts to this fund truly open doors for brothers and sisters worldwide.

As the CELC meets for the first time on the African continent, please consider making a gift to the CELC Travel Fund to help gather God’s people from every corner of the earth to celebrate his grace in Jesus, study his Word, and build each other up. This is far more than a meeting; it is a mission investment, multiplying the reach of the gospel as these leaders return home with renewed strength to carry Christ’s saving message to their communities.

May God bless your partnership in this worldwide mission. Together, we can live out Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together . . . but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (NIV84).

Serving Christ,
Rev. James Danell
Chairman, Commission on Inter-Church Relations

P.S. Your gift will help faithful Lutheran leaders gather in Zambia in 2026—and then carry Christ’s saving message back to their communities with renewed strength.

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Prayer: Lord Jesus, we praise you for spreading your kingdom of grace throughout the nations of the earth so that we enjoy fellowship with 34 different church bodies. Bless this joint ministry, that we would encourage one another to persevere in sharing the gospel where we live. We ask you, Lord, to guide the preparations for the 2026 CELC convention so that all who want to attend can participate and grow in their ministry. Also bless the delegates’ worship, Bible study, and social time in the beautiful nation of Zambia. Amen.

United in Christ, sharing the gospel

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Nearly six out of every ten people in the world’s 8.2 billion population live in Asia and Oceania. Yet only 8 percent in this vast region know Christ as their Savior, leaving more than 4.5 billion souls in spiritual darkness. Jesus’ words ring true: “I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35).

“That All May Hear and Believe” was the theme of the Asia-Oceania Convention of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC), held June 9-13, 2025, in Bali, Indonesia. The CELC is a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran church bodies committed to the teachings of the Bible as expressed in the Lutheran Confessions. Since its start in 1993 with 13 churches, the CELC has grown by God’s grace to 34 member church bodies today.

Geraja Lutheran Indonesia hosted the gathering, welcoming participants from 14 countries representing 17 groups that included current and prospective CELC member church bodies. They were joined by WELS mission workers and several WELS and Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) administrative representatives, bringing the total attendance to 72.

WELS has 17 missionaries serving in 18 countries throughout Asia and Oceania, with team members based in Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Australia. Our partners in some countries cannot be named publicly for security reasons. That reality makes gatherings like this convention especially precious as a rare and safe opportunity for church leaders to worship, pray, study God’s Word, and encourage one another in person.

During the convention, WELS Missionary Joel Nitz asked our international partners what blessings they experienced through their time together. Three key overlapping themes stood out:

Encouragement in Christ

Meeting others who share their faith brought participants much-needed encouragement. Many work in places where there are very few Christians, and being together reminded them they are not alone in the work God has given them. Time spent in God’s Word, praying, and talking openly about the joys and struggles of gospel ministry gave them renewed strength.

  • “I experienced great encouragement. We are so small. Here I see our unity in the Word on a larger scale.”
  • “In [our country] we have so few believers; [there is] no fellowship like this.”
  • “It was comforting to see we have the same struggles, big and small, but also to see how God provides for our ministries.”

Building connections

Many valued meeting others who serve in gospel ministry across the region. They traded contact information, hoping to support each other in prayer and stay in touch. Some talked about studying the Word together or sharing resources to help one another as they continue serving in their own countries.

  • “It was a good opportunity for networking for our ministries in Asia.”
  • “The conference helped me see the need for patient endurance. I would like to keep meeting and following up on ideas.”
  • “We hope the connections from this conference will continue.”

Sharing ministry practices

Participants gained practical ideas by listening to those who face similar challenges. They enjoyed hearing how others in different countries teach the Word, plan worship, and reach out to their neighbors. These conversations gave them new ideas and fresh motivation for their work. Many hope to keep learning together through online classes, follow-up chats, and by sharing helpful materials.

  • “I learned about planning, studying the Word, and the hardships others face.”
  • “Each country has something to offer. I learned how I can help others and they can help me.”
  • “Hearing how others handle challenges encouraged me to keep serving and look for solutions.”

These days in Bali were a compelling reminder that God’s workers are not alone in the harvest. United in Christ, our mission partners returned home encouraged and equipped to continue sharing the good news of Jesus. We pray that God will bless their ongoing work so that all may hear and believe.

Written by Prof. Lawrence Olson, Administrative Committee member for the Asia-Oceania Team




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