Concordia Lutheran Mission Society
Partners In Missions
Project 1320 – Rental of Mission Station in Thailand, has now been funded for 2013… thanks be to God, and those partners of CLMS through whom He worked in to make this happen!
Pastor Suchat Chujit (right) and Pastor Suchat Srikakarn (back right) serve in southern Thailand.
The project supports the rental of space for the mission station in Takuapa.
CLMS projects still requiring funding in 2013 can be found here.
The following update and prayer was graciously provided by Rev. Cliff Haberstock.
On September 10, 2013 the active pastors of the Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua met to share a moment of joy together as brothers in Christ. It is the first time they took this initiative of only the pastors getting together in order to strengthen the Church in their unity and progress through the challenges they face.
It was a day of prayer, fellowship, and learning. Pastor Hector Morales began this day of spiritual joy with devotional taken from Esclesiastes 3:1-11 and Pastor Silvio Sanchez led in music. Then they write, “we took on the task of preparing and cooking a hearty soup bone! Truly rich!” Pastor Roman Maximo is an excellent chef with the help of Pastor Marvin Donaire (President of the Synod), Pastor Junior Martinez and Pastor Mardo Calero. Pastors Pedro Quintero, Silvio Sanchez, German Espinoza, Angel Salazar, Luis Turcios, Hector Morales all were there in order to enjoy all these refreshing waters at Campuzano (in Chinandega) and especially their unity as children of God ¨Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace ¨ Ephesians 4:3. Blessings dear brothers in Christ.
Join me in praying for these and all our pastors and deaconesses in Nicaragua:
Gracious heavenly Father, You have called Your Church to witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. We thank you for the people You have called into Your Church in Nicaragua. Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon the pastors and deaconesses in our sister church there, that they may be strengthened in their faith and knowledge of Your Word and boldly proclaim the good news of salvation. In Your grace continue to guide and strengthen them as they seek to serve You faithfully. Bless their land with just government and wise leadership that will enable the people to support their families even as they seek to follow their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Summary: Oleg Shevchenko, who is a pastor of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) and an alumnus of Concordia Seminary (Odessa) and Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada), conducts missionary work among Ukrainian and foreign students studying in the various universities in Odessa.
Description: During this school year we were able again to have weekly Bible studies for students. The purpose of these studies was to strengthen those students who believe and to provide a place where they can bring their unbelieving friends to study the Bible and find out more about Christianity. This year I was able to train a few student leaders, who lead the studies by themselves. We distributed 40 English Bibles among the Iraqi and Hindu students, which opened the opportunity to have a few meetings with the Muslim and Hindu students and talk to them about Christianity and about living with God.
Each month I meet with different students a few times for counseling. Some get tired of their studies, some have difficulties and some are drifting away from God. I have noticed that these personal meetings helped the students to be more open about difficulties in their lives with God, and helped me serve them better by better knowing their needs. I was able to apply the Gospel to their lives in their needs. I know a few students who changed their opinion about God and His Church after the meetings.
There are different language clubs – Russian, English and German, which were started this year. A huge number of students had the opportunity to hear the Gospel at the end of these interesting language lessons. The Russian club for international students was of special importance giving us the opportunity to meet the students and to tell them about Jesus. It is through those lessons that a few Muslims asked a lot of questions about Christianity and one girl from India wanted to live a new life.
Pastor Oleg Shevchenko
CLICK HERE for more information about this CLMS Project
This program is supported by Project 1313, and this feedback is provided by Sergei Bevz.
Similar to previous years, some congregations of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Ukraine (SELCU) had five-day Christian camps for kids 6 – 15 years old. The camps were held in congregations of Nova Kahovka, Krasnoperekopsk, Odessa and the Bogomazy village from June 24 till July 19, 2013. The children were looking forward to the camp, many of them had taken part in it before. The total number of children who 
participated in the camps was 120.
The theme of this year’s camp was Stroika (“Building”). The purpose was to show the kids how we can build our relationship with God, neighbors and ourselves through Jesus Christ. The main idea was presented through a rich program with skits, Bible lessons, songs, crafts etc.
The team of staff consisted of five full time volunteers from different congregations. For all of them, apart from one experienced veteran of the camps, it was the first time they participated in such a project.
Ten days before the first camp they gathered in Odessa to prepare the summer camp program as well as to participate in the annual “Days of Faith” Conference, where they also had a chance to serve kids. And after the last camp was finished, they continued to serve back in their congregations. They visited a youth tent camp at the Black Sea. There they worked with small children. In totally the staff spent more than six weeks ministering to kids for the Lord. It was a very active and blessed time.
There were also difficulties when we were planning this project. Many of those who participated in the camp last year were not able to join us this year and could not share their experience. That is why the team was less experienced and not as numerous as before. It was especially evident when we had a large number of kids. It took a lot of work and learning from our own mistakes. However, with every camp the team became more experienced and united.
Also, the help of all four SELCU congregations was very much appreciated. They took an active part in the camp and provided helpers for it as well. We thank Lutheran Church–Canada for volunteer Joshua from Drumheller, who joined the team in Odessa and participated in the program. Thus, together with the helpers, 17 volunteers participated in the camp.
In spite of all the difficulties, we can see that because of this camp we were able to prepare young people to be volunteers next year. It also helped them to realize they can work with our Sunday schools, lead youth services and have received some wonderful and practical experience, as well as grow in their faith through morning and evening Bible studies. It is wonderful to feel like a useful instrument in God’s hands. Therefore when the project was coming to an end, they were already thinking about helping out next year.
For many people it was the first time they learnt something about the Church and our Lord Jesus Christ. The camps were a blessing for churches, they enriched their work with children, gave opportunity to serve and helped to get new people in their Sunday schools. For the children who already attended our camp, it was a great opportunity to get rooted in the Church (at Sunday school) and to grow in their saving faith.
Sergei Bevz, Vicar, Project Supervisor,
Alumnus of Concordia Theological Seminary (Odessa), 2013
Luba, 17, volunteer from Nikolaev
“This year I was a volunteer for the Christian camps. I was sure I would not get into the team of volunteers because the time of the camp overlapped with my college exams. But nothing is impossible with God! Of course, it took some prayer, but God allowed me to take part in this mission. I learned a lot during this time: how to work with children, how to pray, I learned many spiritual lessons during the morning and evening fellowships, as well as how to work together as a team. I received new experiences and understood my strengths as well as weaknesses, realized my mistakes and how to correct them. In general, I am very happy about my participation and I thank God for all I received. It was my first time on the team, but I hope it won’t be the last.”
Kristina, 21, volunteer from Nikolaev
“It is my 5th time on the team and I know that every year is special, different from other years. Every time I want to be part of the team, in spite of the fact that there are always difficulties, it is not always easy to find compromise, and I don’t always have enough love and patience. But when I think that this work is pleasing to God, I get encouraged and gain new strength to go on and to open my heart to children. I know that it is better to give than to receive — it is a great joy to see the kids happy! God united many people into one team for one purpose, forgiving and teaching us by His grace. This year I learned how to accept people the way they are, not trying to change them, but praying for them.”
CLICK HERE for more information about this CLMS project.
Pastor Douglas Aguilar and three new brothers and sisters added to our number through Holy Baptism in Olanchito, Honduras, August 31, 2013.
The following update and prayer was graciously provided by Rev. Cliff Haberstock.
“Missionary Pastor Douglas Aguilar writes: “We celebrated three baptisms on 31/08/13, where the parents of the children were very happy to read John 3:5-6. God ‘s blessing to all.”
By God’s grace the mission in Olanchito, Honduras is being intensified. There is a group of 25 people meeting in homes in different areas of that city; there is a children’s feeding program sponsored by LWMLC. God has opened two new mission fronts in that country – Tegucigalpa (capital) and La Paz. Two missionaries and one deaconess will be commissioned and called by LCC and our partner church in Nicaragua “Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua” to these places in January 2014. This is a special blessing, which will add to CLMS’ supported mission project in Olanchito. (See project 1312)
Please pray for Pastor Douglas Aguilar and his evangelistic work in Honduras.
Gracious heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus commissioned His apostles and us today to preach the Gospel to all nations. We thank you for blessing the work of Pastor Arguilar and bringing people in Honduras to be baptized and faith in our Lord Jesus. According to your gracious will, continue to open the hearts of the people he reaches and draw them into your kingdom. Provide him with the resources he needs to continue and expand the work in Honduras, and grant him a rich measure of Your Spirit to share the Gospel freely. We pray in the name of our crucified and risen Lord Jesus. Amen.
The following profile and prayer were graciously provided by Rev. Dr. Ralph Mayan.
Cambodian Deaconess Student – Miss Davy Soda
Cambodia is a country with a disastrous history. Under the rule of Pol Pot, the country was decimated by a systematic program of murder and civil dislocation. One third of the population was killed. Since that time, the country has been making a slow return to normalcy. Because of the need to relate to western countries, the government relaxed its restrictions on civil freedoms and foreigners were allowed to bring in the gospel. As a result, a new generation of believers has emerged.
Diaconal student Davy Soda
Many of these Christians came to hear about Lutheran teaching through the translation of the Small Catechism into Khamir. Interested in learning more, a program of theological education was introduced with the support of Lutheran Church-Canada. God has blessed this work. In May, 2010, after 2 1/2 years of study, 16 Lutheran Pastors and 8 deaconesses graduated and began serving their new church, “The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cambodia.”
The training continues. A new class of pastoral and deaconal students has begun training. While you might wish to pray for this new Lutheran Church and their theological education program, I would encourage you to think of one student — Davy Soda.
Miss Davy Soda is a student from Kampot, Cambodia who has taken on a heavy challenge. She is studying to be a doctor, a midwife and a deaconess to serve in her congregation of Kampot Lutheran Church, Kampot, Cambodia.
Gracious Father in heaven, you continue to build your church around the world through the proclamation of the Gospel. We see that today in Cambodia where Your Word is now being heard and received with faith. We ask your blessing upon the Lutheran Church in Cambodia and all those involved in the proclamation of the Gospel. We pray especially for those students preparing to be pastors and deaconesses in this church and in particular for Davy Soda. Bless her with a keen mind and a loving spirit and make her bold in sharing the love of Christ in her various vocations. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Over the coming months, we will be featuring prayers for the mission fields of Lutheran Church-Canada, from those who have first hand experience of the people serving their and the work they are carrying out.
Included is a brief introduction, and a prayer petition suitable for personal devotion or corporate prayer.
The following profile and prayer were graciously provided by Rev. Dr. Ralph Mayan.
Missionary Suchat Chujit
Pastor Chujit, a former public school teacher, became a Christian through the witnessing of his deaconess wife. With her encouragement and the encouragement of other Christians in the church he was led to prepare to become a pastor. It was my privilege to be part of that preparation and then to ordain him into the Office of the Public Ministry.
Pastor Suchat Chujit (left) prays before leading Bible study.
Pastor Chujit now serves the congregation at Khok Kloi (where he and his family reside), but travels throughout the Southern province of Phang-nga, Thailand as a missionary. He visits markets squares to engage people in conversation; he later meets them in their homes and at various mission stations around the province and shares the life-saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ministry in Thailand is difficult because so much of their culture is Buddhist. To be Thai is to be Buddhist; to be Christian is to be — does it mean that you are no longer Thai? Please pray for Pastor Suchat Chujit and his work as an evangelist for Christ!
Gracious Father in heaven, you want everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. We ask you to bless the ministry of Missionary Chujit. Continue to provide him with opportunities to meet people wherever they gather and give him the words to speak that will touch their hearts. Use those words by Your Spirit’s power to work faith – through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, forever. Amen.
More information about how Concordia Lutheran Mission Society supports Pastor Chujit
The 2014 CLMS Annual Meeting and Mission Festival will be held on February 2, 2014 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Details to follow…
Thanks be to God for the support of CLMS donors who have now funded the Pastors with Alternate Training Program project (1322) for 2013.
This project assists the PAT program students with books and teaching resources, seminars, travel and a small stipend. These men have come to Canada from India, Africa, Central America, and Madagascar and want to share their Christian faith with, and serve their cultural communities.
CLMS projects still requiring funding in 2013 can be found here.
