INTERNATIONAL MISSION WORK
West and Central Africa Partnership
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Students study at the CLET-Guinea seminary. This is the second year students enrolled in the pastoral program are using the newly constructed seminary facilities and campus grounds.
Click the links below to access the 2026 Pentecost Offering Bulletin Insert, Announcements and Collect!
Supporting Theological Education in Guinea and West Africa!
For 29 years, LCMS Kansas District congregations have supported the growth of God’s kingdom in Guinea and West Africa.
Six students are currently enrolled in the pastoral program for the 2025-2026 academic year at the Centre Luthérien d’Études Théologiques (CLET) Guinea seminary in Guéckédou. This is the second year of classes using the newly constructed seminary buildings and campus grounds.
Other West Africa updates include The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Guinea (ELCG) aiding those affected by a tornado in the Lutheran community of Gbandekamadou, in April 2025. As of March 2026, several of the damaged houses were under construction, including the village church. More than 122 people from the 12 affected families have received assistance. In addition, over 120 patients and 200 prisoners in various locations were visited by the ELCG in the past year. The church body makes monthly visits to prisons and hospitals to share the Gospel, pray, and tend to needs like food, water, or medicine. There are also currently six students at CLET-Dapaong, and three of the students will complete their training in May.
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.
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 2026 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 2026 Pentecost Offering:
1. Give during your church’s offering the weekend of May 24.
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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“We need shepherds to strengthen these churches. Now is the time.”
Rev. Gary Schulte, Theological Educator
West and Central Africa