Tapulumutsidwa.

I know, I know, it’s a mouthful. But even more-so, it’s meaningful. This one 14 letter ChiChewa word translates into one, four-word English sentence: “We have been saved!” It’s actually the name of a congregation in the southern region of Malawi.  Great name for a church, don’t you think?

Gilbert Mwangomba does.  He’s the LCCA pastor who serves it.   He has the privilege of making the awesome announcement again and again to the people, “Tapulumutsidwa! We have been saved from sin and guilt! We have been saved from eternal death and the grave! We have been saved from the devil and damnation!” But that’s only the half of it! Not only are we saved from the bad, we are also saved for the good.  Saved for serving God and one another!

Pastor Mwangomba has been doing that at Tapulumutsidwa where he was called and ordained in 2014. Despite the “oneness” that pastor and congregation have in Jesus Christ, Mwangomba admits, “It’s been an adjustment.”  Gilbert, his wife Monica and his five children, are “strangers in a foreign land.”

They are Malawian but they not from the same tribe as most of the people in the congregation.  The majority of the people at Tapulumutsidwa are Lomwe and Chewa.  The Mwangombas are Ngonde from the northern region of Malawi.  That means different background, different language, different ways.

Though he loves his heritage, Mwangomba acknowledges that some of the cultural practices are not in line with God’s Word.  Polygamy is rampant.  Imagine, some Ngonde men, Mwangomba shared, have up to 36 wives!  Like a thorn in flesh, polygamy is embedded stubbornly deep.  It would take a miracle to extract it! But for some, it has.  Mwangomba knows some men who have repented of their polygamy and settled down with just one wife.  Oh, the power of the gospel! Saved from sin. Saved for serving the Lord!

Tapulumutsidwa!

Tapulumutsidwa is much more than just a name.  It’s a fabulous truth to live  by, even when we are in a den full of problems.  Recall Daniel, that Old Testament man who was targeted by his colleagues then tossed to the lions.  In a way, Daniel, too, had Tapulumutsidwa written all over his life.  Saved from the big cats and saved to serve the King. By the way, Daniel’s story is one of Pastor Mwangomba’s favorites.  “I am inspired how Daniel stands up for the truth,” remarks Mwangomba.

That’s exactly what Martin Luther did!  Pastor Mwangomba compares Daniel to the great Reformer, Martin Luther: “They both stood strong on the Word of God.”  Mwangomba is excited for the celebration of the 500^th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.  So moved by the stories of Daniel and Luther, Pastor Mwangomba has chosen to prepare a Bible Study that he plans to give in late October at the church’s Reformation gathering.  Not surprising at all, he’s entitled his presentation appropriately, “Standing Strong on God’s Word.”

Daniel and Luther stood before kings and yet stood for the truth, a truth that now stands for eternity.  Just a hunch, but I think I know two people whom Pastor Mwangomba will seek out once he himself gets to heaven. Who knows, maybe they will greet each other with one word:

Tapulumutsidwa!

Missionary John Holtz, Malawi

Please pray for those working in fields that are ripe for harvest. Share their story, engage with future news and receive updates. Go to this link to learn more about our mission fields in Africa and how the Holy Spirit is working faith in people’s hearts  https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa

​Even as God once used Aaron to assist Moses, so he moved Benford Kawiliza, a native-born pastor of considerable experience, to mentor Missionary Dan Sargent 28 years ago.  That’s how he eventually learned to speak the Chichewa language, and to understand the African culture. He has let his ministry be guided by three meaningful African proverbs.  The first is:  “Gather stick by stick to make a bundle”   Indeed, that’s how the mission field has grown – one congregation at a time until now the numbers astound: 113 congregations … 33 pastors … and since 2012, every rural congregation served by its own native-born pastor!

“If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together”  That’s the second proverb and it was also applied. It took some time, but encouraged by his mentor, Missionary Sargent patiently taught the men how to lead the congregations and the women how to teach the children.  After still more time, The WELS built a training center to further develop the abilities of promising young men from the area. 

And after still more time, the most promising of those were enrolled in the Bible Institute for three more years of training; and then, the most promising of those were recommended to the Pastoral Seminary for three more years of study, and one of ‘on-the-job’ training. And now, after all that time and teaching, God, in keeping with His promise, is giving African pastors as gifts to His African church.

The third and final proverb can also be applied to the ‘maturing of a mission church’ if you understand that African mothers use slings to carry newly born babies about on their back where the baby can feel secure and be lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the mother’s walking or working.  That beautiful picture helps to explain the proverb: “The child on the mother’s back does not know the journey is long”.  And so it is with an infant church … so long as it is being carried, it can rest and even sleep!  But eventually, as it grows, it must be awakened and made to realize its responsibilities.  

As it grew, the Lutheran Church of Central Africa was helped to see and assume an ever-greater share of its responsibilities.  Already in 1980, its members resolved, under God, to gradually increase their offerings so that within twenty (20) more years the salaries of all their native-born pastors would be fully funded by the congregations.  And when that goal had been achieved, God moved them to assume 20% of the cost of their parsonages as well!

Today, only four (4) WELS missionaries are needed to help supervise that entire field.   It’s humbling to think that for the last seventy (70) years, the Lord has allowed us to take part in and rejoice over the growth of His Church in Zambia.  But it’s also exciting to know that mission planting continues … in Ethiopia, Sudan, Liberia, Tanganyika, and Kenya, because it takes time for the seed to grow and for the crop to mature. 

So with those African proverbs in mind, let’s continue to support with our fervent prayers and generous offerings ‘the sowing of the seed and the maturing of the crop’ because the question – ‘How much time is left?’ –  can only be answered by our returning Savior who said: “Behold, I am coming soon!” (Rev. 22:12)

Rev. Dan Westendorf served as the chairman of the Administrative Committee for African Missions

Please pray for those working in fields that are ripe for harvest. Share their story, engage with future news and receive updates. Go to this link to learn more about our mission fields in Africa and how the Holy Spirit is working faith in people’s hearts  https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa 

The young people of our two sister synods in Nigeria are key components of the lifeblood of the Church. They put their energy, fervent faith, and idealism to work for their faith. As everywhere, young people of our Lutheran synods are the future of their churches. But in Nigeria, the youth play critical roles right now.

To clarify, “youth” means everyone from about 14 to 35 years of age. A new communicant member remains in the youth wing until he or she desires more mature participation. Unfortunately, young women frequently leave their faith to join their husband’s church automatically when they marry. Conversely, young women becomes Lutheran by marriage. This is one of those areas where culture and faith are at odds.

The Youth Fellowships of both Christ the King Lutheran Church of Nigeria (LCN) and All Saints LCN are highly organized. The youth leaders in each synod meet monthly. The members meet on an area level every month too. Youth representatives are included on various synod committees.

At least once a year the Youth Fellowships have synod-wide rallies. On a chosen weekend 100 to 300 youth gather in a village or city chosen by synod leaders. They start arriving on Friday. They spill out of cars or hired vans in amazing numbers. The host congregation connects participants to member and non-member neighbor homes for beds or even floor sleeping space. All weekend there are lectures, Bible studies, worship, praise dances, Bible and choir competitions, health and personal development lessons, and a general celebration of their Savior and one another.

On Saturday afternoon they fan out through the streets drumming, singing, and inviting everyone to the big finale on Sunday. When I asked why strangers come to a Youth Sunday gathering, they answered, “Because our church tells them that they are saved by the grace of God alone without any works.”  In a culture plagued by demanding false prophets spouting false promises, this is refreshing news. In fact, the Youth Fellowships do nearly all of the organized preevangelism outreach for both our Nigeria synods. They fervently believe that this is their purpose.

In congregations the youth are key players on a weekly basis. Young instrumentalists and the Youth Choirs provide the musical backbone for worship services, Sundays and during the week. Service begins when the youth and women’ choirs sing in procession.  Instruments support the hymns. Youth sing anthems and lead the congregation in praise songs. Youth Choirs sing for member funerals in their parish or district.

At the close of one annual youth rally, I observed a key truth. When the Youth handed out awards to honor their past leaders, I noted that those past youth leaders are now lay leaders in our synods, parishes, districts, and synods.

All Saints LCN and Christ the King LCN Youth Fellowships – what blessings for their synods and the Kingdom of Christ!

Missionary Em. Doug Weiser, Nigeria

Please pray for those working in fields that are ripe for harvest. Share their story, engage with future news and receive updates. Go to this link to learn more about our mission fields in Africa and how the Holy Spirit is working faith in people’s hearts  https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa