Mission: Southern Africa
Luther Theological Seminary - Pretoria, South Africa
The seminary project is by far the biggest
of those we are supporting. The need is so very great. The Church in Southern Africa needs workers. There are too few pastors and other trained workers and too many problems facing the church and the society. There is the AIDs epidemic, poverty, struggles with race relations, and so many other problems. In such a climate the church needs to proclaim a clear message of a loving God who redeems us through His Son’s death and resurrection. And yet, there are not enough men trained.
Without our help to expand and improve the seminary facilities, the changes needed to make the training of more pastors and workers will not be possible. To meet the need for pastors and workers in the church, men from various parts of Southern Africa are coming to be trained at this seminary. Like the men from Uganda, many travel several days just to get to the seminary and will go months and months without seeing their families.These seminarians are willing to sacrifice so they can study to become pastors who can return to their homes and preach the Gospel. They have little means to make this happen, but they are blessed by God with great desire. With our means and their desire great things will happen.
The first phase of the seminary project is underway. The campus of the seminary is very crowded and too little dormitory space is available to help alleviate the overcrowding,
a house next to the seminary property was purchased for about $200,000 dollars. This house has been converted to housing for the students and has allowed the seminary
to increase their student numbers. Because of our commitment through the district convention resolution, the seminary
not only saw the possibilities for their future but were able to act on it and move forward.
Our first priority for Mission: Southern Africa is to pay off this debt.