Sunday, June 26, 2011

2011 Mission Helper Trip to Nepal - Intro

Chad Seybt, Natalie Schreyer, Ryan Augustin, Emily Hulke, Melanie Halstein, Randy Wittorp, Naomi Bernthal, Carl Reim, Becky Sippert, and Pastor Ohlmann will depart from Chicago O’Hare airport on July 5th and will return on July 28th. While in Nepal they will be working with the pastors of the Himalayan Church of the Lutheran Confession of Nepal (HCLCN) as they visit established HCLCN congregations and tribal mountain villages in the mountains west of Kathmandu and near the Tibet border where a Gospel witness has been limited at best. The work of the Mission Helpers is best described as “Child Evangelism” as their primary work will be teaching one-day Bible programs in several village congregations and gatherings. The ten Mission Helpers will be divided into two teams that will each trek to different villages each day where they will teach the children that have been gathered. They will have anywhere from two to four hours to present their lessons. A series of lessons that cover the broad scope of the Bible will be taught. The program is divided into five lessons that will take the children from Creation to Judgment with Christ and our salvation at the heart of all that is taught. In a culture heavily dominated (92%) by a mixture of Buddhism and Hinduism it is important to establish the fact that the Mission Helpers are here to proclaim the truth of the One, true God and what He has done for all through the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior Jesus. The HCLCN pastors in Nepal estimate that the Mission Helpers will have the God given opportunity and privilege of teachings more than1,000 children, many of whom have never learned of their Savior Jesus. Lessons on Creation, the fall into sin, the flood and tower of Babel, the Old Testament Promises of a Savior, and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are designed to teach God’s Law to show the need of a Savior for all people and the Good News that Jesus is the Savior for all sinners. These lessons will stand in stark contrast to the tales of false gods and goddesses, idolatrous worship, reincarnation, and work righteousness that so dominates the nation of Nepal and those who are held sway by the grips of spiritual darkness. Praise God for this opportunity to shine the Light of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Pastor Ohlmann and CLC teacher Chad Seybt (who is also an ILC seminary graduate) will also have the opportunity to conduct pastoral training seminars for the current roster of HCLCN pastors along with pastors and evangelists from Tibet who have been receiving training in the Word from the leaders of the HCLCN.