Why We Visit

A pastor who visits people makes people who visit church. That’s why I devoted two nights a week to visit both members and visitors when I lived in the United States. Sometimes I would call ahead, most times I just showed up at the door. I only got a gun pulled on me once – but that’s how he greeted everyone.

I don’t make house calls anymore because I don’t have a congregation. However, every other month I’m on the road. My father asked me, “Is it necessary to visit all these people?” It’s true that we can handle a lot of our work online. But this post will show why we visit in person.

What We Saw

I just returned home after a two week visit to Uganda, where we partner with the Obadiah Lutheran Synod. We are also pursuing relationships with two new groups. One is called the Confessional Lutheran Synod of Uganda (CLSU). Two years ago, conservative pastors broke away from the Lutheran Church of Uganda. They formed their own church body and Seminary, and are seeking partnership with WELS.

Missionary Ben Foxen and I were greatly encouraged by what we saw during our visit. Members of Christ the Vine enthusiastically welcomed us. We worshipped in their newly constructed sanctuary, constructed of mud and wattle and roofing sheets. We witnessed baptisms, confirmations, and the installation of four congregational evangelists. They were greatly honored by our visit.

We also visited Mt. Calvary congregation, whose members worship in a schoolroom. Several CLSU congregations have started schools as a means to reach out to the community. Bishop Benson Barahuka, the leader of the CLSU, joined in the dancing and fun. He asked the members to contribute towards a church building project. A visit like ours shows that every member and congregation are valued and connected to the body of Christ.

School building where members of Mt. Calvary meet on Sundays

Missionary Foxen and I sat down with CLSU leaders for a week to study Lutheran teachings and practice. I had met some of them previously, while leading an online course on the Augsburg Confession. We all agreed that meeting face to face is better. Bishop Benson thanked WELS donors for making our visit possible. He told us, “You care.” He was glad we made a visit – and so are we.

What Needs Work

The other group we are working with in Uganda is the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession Uganda (ECACU). This group also came out of the Lutheran Church of Uganda. Rev. Simon Peter Waako is their leader.

At our opening worship service we sang from The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH), which had been donated by LC-MS congregations in the USA. The tunes we sang did not always match what was printed in the hymnal. Almost all of the long meter (LM) hymns were sung to the tune of, “I Know that My Redeemer Lives.”

The liturgy was conducted in the Runyoro language, although not everyone in attendance spoke that tongue. Throughout our visit, everything we spoke in English had to be translated twice. This slowed us down considerably. Did you know that over 3,000 languages are spoken on the African continent?

Our visit to God Bought congregation was also a challenge. Our van got stuck in the mud and we had to walk the last kilometer to the church site. A small group of Christians gather every Sunday under a tree. The owner of the adjacent property evicted them from their building because he wants to farm crops there.

The next visit was to Kakasato church, which has 50 members. A local man invited ECACU to start a congregation in his barn. They offer Sunday School and Bible class, in addition to worship. We also made a visit to Kabatindule, which means “felling a tree.” The congregation meets under a lean-to on the property of one of the members. They do not have any Bibles, catechisms or hymnals.

Our visit showed us there’s a lot of work to be done with ECACU before we declare fellowship. There’s no way we could know this without coming in person. This is why we visit. And God-willing, we will make another visit soon.

Missionary John Roebke lives in Malawi.

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

A Surprise Visit

WELS Missionaries made a surprise visit to a group of Christians living in rural Cameroon. It is a surprise that the missionaries even made it to their destination.

Missionary Dan Kroll and I visited one of our outreach groups in Cameroon. This was a surprise for them and for us. The WELS had not approved any missionary travels outside of Douala prior to this, due to security concerns.

Surprise Permission

We have been in contact with this group for 5 years. The church we went to see was Holy Trinity congregation. The Lutheran Church of Holy Trinity is in village called Fondonera, in the mountains of Cameroon. We left from Dschang, which is the big city close to Fondonera, early Sunday morning.

This type of ministry was new to me and something that our team has not done in recent years. We had a long day of “beating the bush” and rough traveling outside the city. Our journey started early in the morning. We went down the wrong path at the beginning of the day and got stuck. Some locals passing by helped dig us out and push the truck.

While on the road, we got stuck a few times in the mud, where again locals helped dig us out. This made our trip take nearly 6 hours to arrive at our destination.

Joyful Arrival

Once we finally arrived, we were greeted by the congregation singing a welcoming song. They were so happy to see us. Their surprise was that we came to visit at this time. The roads are at their most challenging state for travel in that region. We were able to speak to the congregation and give words of encouragement. One woman from the congregation stood up and talked to us about the ministry there. She inquired about online training and learning in the future. We have encouraged the leaders of Holy Trinity to enroll in the TELL Network.

We were not able to stay very long because of the threat of rain. If it had rained, it would have been challenging to return to Dschang before nightfall. Even though it was a long and rough day of traveling, we made it there and back safely. We thank God we were able to surprise the members of Holy Trinity and encourage them. With the Lord’s continued blessing, their ministry will continue to grow!

Missionary Jake Vilhauer lives in Zambia.

A New Bishop in Tanzania

The Apostle Paul once wrote to Timothy, “This is a faithful saying: if a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1, NKJV). In other translations, the word “bishop” is rendered “overseer.” Regardless of the term used, the role carries the same weight: to care for Christ’s church, to faithfully teach God’s Word, and to lead with humility—much like a father guiding his family. Paul’s words remind us that this is indeed a noble calling.

A Historic Day in Arusha

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, just outside Arusha, Tanzania, a significant milestone was reached. After 17 years of faithful service, Bishop Baltazari Kaaya of the Africa Mission Evangelism Church (AMEC) consecrated Pastor Judah Pallangyo as the newly elected bishop. Bishop Pallangyo has long been a dedicated servant within AMEC, having served both as a pastor and as Secretary of Theological Training.

AMEC and WELS: A Growing Relationship

In recognition of the growing relationship between Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and AMEC, Missionary Howard Mohlke was invited to attend the consecration. The relationship between AMEC and the WELS began in 2020 through online conversations with Pastor Makundi Davis, leader of the Kilimanjaro District. The following year, WELS Missionary John Hartmann visited Tanzania, marking the beginning of a deeper partnership.

Over the past four years, WELS missionaries and members of the Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR) have met regularly with AMEC leaders, pastors, and elders. These meetings have focused on studying Scripture together and exploring whether a shared confession of faith exists—one that could be publicly affirmed through a declaration of fellowship.

A Pause for Reflection

Originally, it was hoped that a formal declaration of fellowship could be made at the 2025 WELS Synod Convention. However, as is often the case in ministry, plans can shift. Bishop Pallangyo has requested more time to revisit the statements of faith with AMEC’s pastors and elders before moving forward.

While this delay may be disappointing to some, it is also understandable. A new bishop stepping into such a pivotal moment naturally wants to ensure unity and clarity among his church leaders.

Looking Ahead with Hope

Even now as of this writing, further meetings for study among the pastors and elders of AMEC are scheduled, as well as meetings to discuss the future work of the WELS Mission Team with AMEC. We pray for God’s guidance and blessing on these discussions and on the future of AMEC’s relationship with WELS. May this new chapter under Bishop Pallangyo’s leadership be marked by wisdom, faith, and fruitful collaboration.

Missionary Howard Mohlke lives in Zambia and is the One Africa Team Leader