Unexpected Discovery

Pastor Jon Bilitz is a member of the WELS Commission in Inter-Church Relations (CICR). He recently returned from a meeting with the leaders of the Confessional Lutheran Synod of Uganda (CLSU).

Have you ever reached into a pocket and discovered money you didn’t remember putting there? The discovery is completely unexpected—and delightful.

First Impressions of CLSU

That is how I felt after a recent trip to Uganda to visit the Confessional Lutheran Synod of Uganda (CLSU). At the end of March, I accompanied One Africa Team missionary Ben Foxen on a visit to Ibanda, located in the western hills of the country. Because it was my first time representing the WELS Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR), I wasn’t sure what to expect. In the end, the experience far exceeded anything I could have imagined.

The purpose of our visit was to explore a potential partnership between WELS and the CLSU. Together, we studied CLSU’s statement of faith and constitution, asking questions for clarification and deeper understanding. These discussions proved both productive and encouraging. The CLSU holds firmly to the Bible, teaching and preaching in accordance with Scripture. We share a strong emphasis on gospel ministry that keeps Jesus at the center. We pray for and look forward to the day when our synods can formally declare fellowship.

The CLSU consists of 40 congregations across Uganda, with approximately 3,200 baptized members. After analyzing the demographics of their congregations, their leadership has developed a clear plan for ministry. With nearly 80% of their members under the age of 18, they are focusing on youth ministry and strengthening catechism instruction. They are also working to expand access to education through their schools and are eager to encourage more young men to pursue seminary training and become pastors. In short, they have ambitious goals, coupled with a deep trust in God’s blessings.

Connected Through Christ

On a personal note, getting to know the members of the CLSU leadership team is something I will carry with me for years to come. Worship on Palm Sunday was a particular highlight. Witnessing the faith and dedication of these Christian men—and forming friendships with them—was a remarkable joy. Though they live on another continent, I now count them among my dear Christian friends. Our time together lasted only a few days, but the memories will last a lifetime.

This trip also gave me valuable insight into the work of our One Africa Team missionaries. Watching Pastor Foxen interact with the CLSU was a joy and an encouragement. God is clearly blessing the efforts of our pastors in Africa as they seek out partnerships with groups like the CLSU. The Holy Spirit is powerfully at work through the Word, bringing souls into God’s kingdom. Uganda is a vivid example of the gospel as “the power of God for the salvation of all who believe” (Romans 1:16).

In the end, perhaps the unexpected joy of this trip should not have been so surprising. God is always at work, advancing his kingdom. I look forward to the day when believers from every nation will gather for an eternity in his presence. That joy will far surpass even the happiest unexpected discovery.

Pastor Jon Bilitz serves as a full-time campus pastor at Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel, located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

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

The Liberia Plan

On February 7-16, 2026, Missionaries Dan Witte and Dan Kroll visited a group of Christians in Buchanan, Liberia. The One Africa Team has been working with a church there called Lamb of God. Three years ago, they left another local group that was teaching false doctrine. They are currently a single congregation due to their unwillingness to compromise on doctrinal matters.

Making Progress One Step at a Time

Lamb of God has been making slow but steady progress for quite some time. We expect more congregations to form in the near future. We have reviewed Luther’s Small Catechism extensively as well as the Lutheran Confessions. We have seen our Liberian brothers make progress in securing property. They are now building a school in a developing area of Buchanan. This is very likely to bring opportunities for outreach to the community. We have also developed some excellent relationships here and have made inroads into the unique culture of Liberia.

Liberia Plan — *Building site of Lamb of God’s new school*

Many groups of Christians approach the WELS with a request to join our fellowship. For 8 years, the One Africa Team has been using a process to evalute these requests. In Libera, under the guidance of Pastor Toye Barnard, we started with what has become known as “The Liberia Plan.” The plan includes a requirement that new groups join the TELL online Bible school. They must also submit monthly reports via the internet, and send weekly sermon notes for evaluation and revision.

This week, we reviewed the Constitution of Lamb of God Lutheran Church. We also did a bit more in-depth review of their “Statements of Faith.” This allowed the congregation to show that they are united with WELS in their understanding of the Holy Scriptures. We discussed at length the ministerial practices of the congregation. We saw that these teachings are not just words, but are effective for building God’s Kingdom here in Liberia.

Partnering with TELL

In an effort to train lay leaders, we spent two days studying the TELL method. This method offers a clear template of questions that fit well with any Scripture narrative. Pastor Barnard has been using the TELL method for many years. TELL is his go-to method for Bible studies and sermons. Three of his members are currently enrolled in the TELL program. Our Liberian brothers can see the TELL program in action. They are able to use it for any outreach and home visits they make in the area. It has been a very busy week in Liberia!

Next week, the OAT Outreach Committee will review Lamb of God’s constitution and statements of faith. The OAT will pass on Lamb of God Lutheran Church’s official documents to the WELS’ Commission on Inter-Church Relations (CICR). Please join us in thanking God for using the Liberia Plan to bring Lamb of God closer in fellowship with the WELS!

Missionary Dan Kroll lives in Malawi.

A Growing French Ministry

French ministry in Africa is growing day by day. The One Africa Team is currently working and in contact with ten different francophone church groups in various countries. One of these churches is the Mission Evangélique Luthérienne au Congo (MELC) from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Travel Challenges

MELC’s church headquarters are located in Lubumbashi, a town close to the border of Zambia. Because of the conflict in DRC, the MELC church leaders travel across the border to meet us in a town in the northern part of Zambia called Ndola. This is a great blessing because we are still able to work on growing our relationship with our Congolese brothers, even though we are currently unable to travel to their country.

CICR Meetings

This past January, we moved another step towards growing closer with MELC. On this trip, we brought Professor Brad Wordell from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary to join us in our meetings with church leaders. Prof. Wordell serves WELS not only as a professor, but he also serves on the Commission of Inter-church Relations (CICR).

Bringing a representative from CICR to evaluate MELC’s church constitution and confession of faith is a vital part of our four-stage process in establishing formal fellowship with our partners in Africa. We were able to discuss in detail these documents, as well as plans for ministry training and our goal of growing together in God’s Word.

Spirit-filled Worship

While we were in Ndola with MELC, we organized a joint worship service. Approximately twenty-five MELC members from Lubumbashi travelled down to Ndola to participate. It was a great opportunity to experience how our brothers and sisters worship, as well as listen to their choirs who sang in both French and Swahili!

We look forward to growing even closer together with our French-speaking brothers, and we pray that God continues to grow their ministry in the DRC. We also continue praying for political peace so that we might one day return to the DRC to visit our new friends at their local churches.

Missionary Jake Vilhauer lives in Lusaka, Zambia