INTERNATIONAL MISSION WORK
West and Central Africa Partnership
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Construction was completed on the two main CLET-Guinea seminary buildings. This is the first year of classes with the students using the newly constructed buildings and campus grounds.
Click the links below to access the 2025 Pentecost Offering Bulletin Insert, Announcements and Collect!
Supporting Theological Education in Guinea and West Africa!
For 28 years, LCMS Kansas District congregations have supported the growth of God’s kingdom in Guinea and West Africa. Through the 2024 Pentecost Offering and designated funds, $50,000 was sent by the Kansas District in support of the West Africa partnership!
Construction was completed on the two main seminary buildings in Guinea! Six students are currently enrolled in the pastoral program for the 2024-2025 academic year at the Centre Luthérien d’Études Théologiques (CLET) Guinea seminary, within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Guinea-Conakry. This is the first year of classes with the students using the newly constructed seminary buildings and campus grounds. Praise God for His provisions!
Other West Africa updates include reports of The Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone celebrating new graduates who are equipped to go and preach, teach, and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; a growing number of seminarians and deaconess trainees currently being trained at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Ghana; seminary students at the Jonathan Ekong Memorial Lutheran Seminary in Nigeria manage a fish farm for their own meals, to increase support from the LCMS, and a faith testimony shared by one of the seminary students at CLET-Togo in Dapaong.
An abundance of mission work is taking place in Guinea and West Africa, and there is still much to be done! Please consider participating in this year’s Pentecost Offering, and supporting the great work being accomplished. The offering will be used to continue supporting operational costs of the Guinea seminary, as well as the provision of Lutheran education and resources to the people of Guinea and West Africa.
The 2025 Pentecost Offering Bulletin Insert is available on this page, along with editable Pentecost Offering Announcements and Collect.
Please continue to pray for God to provide strength and guidance for the Guinea and West Africa students, pastors, families and church planters, and may He abundantly bless their efforts.
Here is how you can give to the 2025 Pentecost Offering:
1. Give during your church’s offering on Pentecost Sunday, June 8.
2. Donate online by clicking the red “Donate” button (top or bottom of the page), which will take you to our secure online donation page. (Choose “Pentecost Offering” from the dropdown fund menu.)
3. Mail a check with “Pentecost Offering” in the memo line to the LCMS Kansas District (1000 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604-1104).
Thank you so much for your support!
A Visit to Guinea
In November 2022, LCMS missionaries Rev. Gary and Stephanie Schulte visited the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guinea (ELCG). During this time, Rev. Schulte introduced 31 pastors and church leaders to “Thru the Bible,” a lesson plan which pastors can use to lead Bible studies for their congregations.
In the classroom/office building across the way, Stephanie Schulte taught Community Health Evangelism (CHE) classes to about 20 women, mostly wives of the pastors. The CHE courses provide health education and awareness, and an opportunity for the women to teach back the lesson. (Photos courtesy of John Wolf, Africa Region Project Manager, and Rev. Gary and Stephanie Schulte)
The Lutheran Center for Theological Studies (CLET) Guinea students at the end of the academic year.
Rev. Gary Schulte teaching “Thru the Bible” courses to the pastors at the Lutheran church in Guéckédou.
Stephanie Schulte with the women from the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) training class.
The women with certificates of training for the CHE course.
Rev. Gary Schulte with the pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guinea (ELCG).
Rev. Gary Schulte and the pastors visiting a school.
Teaching back the lesson in the Community Health Evangelism (CHE) class.
Singing before the CHE classes begin.
Francophone Africa Unpacked
Rev. Gary and Steph Schulte, LCMS missionaries in West and Central Africa, provide an excellent overview of the work in the region in this video, recorded in February 2021. Use it for a Bible study, watch with a small group, or watch on your own. We’ve put together a one-page video guide (with time markers) as a companion resource.
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Joyful Response in Africa, Cultural Highlights, and 125 Years of LCMS Mission Work
“We need shepherds to strengthen these churches. Now is the time.”
Rev. Gary Schulte, Theological Educator
West and Central Africa