The Word of the LORD Grows

In this blog I write mostly about the work we do. If you'd like to get some insights about our daily life here in Tanzania, see Paula's journal entry for February HERE.

The book of the Bible known as the "Acts of the Apostles" is actually about the acts of the Holy Spirit, through the power of the Word of God. Beginning with the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost and continuing with the growth of the early church, key points are marked by the same idea: "The Word of God spread..." Acts 6:7; "The Word of God grew and multiplied..." Acts 12:24; "The Word of God grew mightily and prevailed..." Acts 19:20. 

We see the same gifts of the Spirit, working through God's Word, in our U.S. and overseas congregations and missions. Here in Tanzania, we have been blessed with sudden growth at Wittenberg seminary, with the expectation that God's Word will be multiplied through the men who are training for the ministry. At our November 2025 graduation there were 6 men enrolled, and now at the beginning of the 2026 term we are instructing 15 students! There are, of course, accompanying growing pains with the need for additional textbooks, meals, dormitory rooms, beds, classroom furnishings, and washrooms. These needs are being met with generous support from the CLC MDF and Kinship sponsorship. 

The new seminary school year began with retired Pastor P.D. Nolting serving as guest professor during my absence due to travel in Kenya (see the previous blog post HERE). Upon my return, the annual TCLC Pastoral Conference was held here in Arusha. About 40 men attended, and we heard presentations by Pastor Nolting, seminary teachers Robert Loskira and Thobias Mbise, and TCLC President Jeremia Issangya. As always, the conference was a great benefit for everyone involved.

Since that time our students have settled into their schedule of classes, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 1:30 pm, with plenty of homework to fill the afternoon and evening hours. We continue to pray that here, as well as wherever the true Gospel of the crucified and Christ is preached, the Word of the Lord will grow and multiply by God's grace!

[Click to enlarge]

TCLC Pastoral Conference attendees, January of 2026

Pastor Paul Nolting, presenting to the conference

Conference Communion worship service

Student body and faculty of Wittenberg Seminary, February 2026

A brief video, introducing most of our students
(with Pastor Nolting) is HERE.

Wittenberg opening devotions

With so many students, the main classroom is now in the church sanctuary (Thobias Mbise teaching)

One additional, special student is Christof Tillmann, a native of Germany whom I met at a local restaurant. He recently returned to the Christian faith and is eager for the Gospel and his studies here.

Occasionally I take the students on an outing. On February 20 we walked about 1.5 miles from the seminary to see Mangalia Falls

I invite your prayers as I prepare to visit our brothers and sisters in the CCRU - Confessional Church of the Reformation in Uganda. God willing I'll be flying to Kampala for a week including pastoral conference and congregational visits there. "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you." 2 Thessalonians 3:1

FOR MORE CLC Foreign Missions News,

See Missionary Todd Ohlmann's blog HERE

First the Blade, Then the Ear, Then the Full Grain

Since Paula and I were with family in the U.S. during December and part of January, her regular, daily-life journal will continue next month.

“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear." Mark 4:26-28

The CLC has been planting Gospel seeds in East Africa for many years, and like the farmer who "sleeps and rises night and day," we have been relying on the LORD to bring about growth and fruit. I was privileged to see many of these fruits on my just-completed visitation to our sister churches of the Kenyan Church of the Lutheran Confession (KCLC), January 9-20, 2026.

The first main stop was in Kisii, where I met with Pastors Fred and Enosh concerning their churches in nearby Etago, as well as St. David's Academy, a Kinship-sponsored K-6 school. On Sunday morning I visited Our Savior's Lutheran Fellowship Church in Kisii. The congregation and Pastor Peter Ombogo became KCLC members last May. That evening the church met again to view the "Jesus Film" in the Swahili language. (click images to enlarge):

Worship at Our Savior's Fellowship, Kisii

Me, Pastors Fred and Enosh, and seminary student Eubank

Pastor Peter Ombogo (light blue suit) and members of Our Savior's

The men from the Kisii area and I traveled together to Moi's Bridge, about 150 miles north, for the annual conference of the KCLC. 22 participants met at Emmaus School, on the same site as Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Over 3 days we heard presentations by myself and Pastor Calvin Luvisha of St. Peter's, Kitale. We also adopted a revised constitution, and were blessed with a Communion worship service. We received 2 graduates of Wittenberg Seminary in Arusha, Tanzania into the KCLC clergy roster. They are Pastor Amos Otieno, who serves Holy Cross, Moi's Bridge, and Pastor Jasper Musacali, who serves St. Paul's Lutheran in Milimani (near Moi's Bridge). St. Paul's was also received as a member congregation. I am so thankful to the LORD to see these fruits of the Gospel seeds we have been planting! 

Roadside lunch on the shuttle ride - roast corn!

Annual Conference of the KCLC, in an Emmaus School classroom

Pastor Calvin Luvisha presented on the meaning a value of Lutheran liturgy. This is his list of essential elements in a worship service (he also agreed that singing hymns was important)

Participants at the KCLC Annual Conference, 2026

Pastors of the KCLC

I spent the day after the conference at Emmaus School, where the students viewed the "Jesus Film." I also met with the school headmistress, KCLC member Mary Sagala, and the two pastors who serve Holy Cross, Henry Nyanumba and Amos Otieno. We discussed enhancing catechetical instruction at the school. 

Some of the children of Emmaus School, Moi's Bridge

The children were blessed with the viewing of the Jesus Film

On Saturday St. Paul's Lutheran in Milimani gathered for worship. I was privileged to preach, as well as to administer Holy Baptism to 10 children and 1 adult. That evening the church gathered once again for the "Jesus Film." 

It was my privilege to baptize 10 children and 1 adult at the service in Milimani

Me, seminary student Dennis, and seminary graduates Amos and Jasper

The Ladies' Society of St. Paul's, Milimani

Sunday I traveled north about 30 miles to Kitale to worship with the members of St. Peter's and their pastor, Calvin Luvisha. Also present were 4 pastors and other visitors from churches who are interested in affiliating with the KCLC. After the service we met with the visitors and answered their questions. I was then invited to Pastor Calvin's home for supper.

Worship service at St. Peter's, Kitale (many more arrived late)

One of the founding matriarchs of St. Peters, Kitale

Members of St. Peter's Lutheran, Kitale

Meeting with pastors and visitors from churches interested in affiliating with the KCLC

During my absence from Wittenberg Seminary, Pastor Paul D. Nolting taught in my place, and will remain for the upcoming TCLC Conference, January 26-28. Thanks, Pastor Nolting!

Pastor P.D. Nolting, teaching at Wittenberg Seminary, Arusha Tanzania

The journey back to to Tanzania by bus was long and satisfying. I was very happy to spend valuable time in fellowship with our Kenyan brothers and sisters. There are 3 young Kenyan men who are now enrolled at Wittenberg Seminary, along with 9 from Tanzania, for a total of 12 students - up from 6 last year! Truly we wait night and day for God to make his harvest grow, in the same way that the Apostle Paul did: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." 1 Corinthians 3:6 

FOR MORE CLC Foreign Missions News,

See Missionary Todd Ohlmann's blog HERE

Preaching the Gospel BOLDLY!

In this blog I write mostly about the work we do. If you'd like to get some insights about our daily life here in Tanzania, see Paula's journal entry for November HERE.

Pastor Robert Loskira preaching the Gospel BOLDLY at the 2025

Wittenberg Lutheran Seminary graduation service

"They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31)

Jesus' disciples underwent an amazing change following the day of Pentecost. Prior to being blessed with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they were lacking in faith, and they bickered with each other about who would be the greatest. At the arrest of Jesus they ran for their lives, and Peter denied that he knew Jesus at all. But after Pentecost they proclaimed the crucified and risen Lord Jesus boldly, regardless of the fierce opposition which they faced. What a difference the Spirit makes!

It is this same spirit of bold proclamation of the Gospel that we seek to inspire in our graduates of Wittenberg Lutheran Seminary in Arusha. On November 30, 2025 we held our graduation service at Ambureni Parish, with 1 graduate from our 3-year seminary and 3 graduates from our 1-year Evangelism program. 

Faculty and graduates of Wittenberg Lutheran Seminary, 2025

Our 2025 seminary graduate is Amos Otiendo of Moi's Bridge, Kenya. He received several years of training at our CLC-sponsored seminary in Etago, Kenya (which has since closed). He is 60 years old and the father of four. At great personal sacrifice he has completed his education here, while his family remained in Kenya. He will serve as the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran in Moi's Bridge.

Left to right: Zakaria Dastani from Tanga, Tanzania; Amos Otiendo from Moi's Bridge, Kenya; Lazaro Joseph from Ruvu, Tanzania; and Emmanuel Chaliss from Tanga, Tanzania. The graduates of our Evangelism program (in the matching suits) intend to enroll in the 3-year seminary program in January. 

Pastor Robert Loskira preached the graduation sermon on Matthew 16:24-27, with the theme of "Giving Ourselves to Jesus, Who Gave All for Us." After the service and award of diplomas, church members and visitors gathered for a celebration meal, including the traditional whole roast goat.

We thank our gracious LORD for the opportunity to train these men for service in God's kingdom, and we are looking forward to enrolling a number of new men in the Evangelism program in the coming year. May they go forward with the true Word of God, speaking boldly of Jesus, the only Lord and Savior!

More photos and video are available HERE.

Other photos from recent events (click to enlarge)

Adult baptism by Pastor Robert Loskira, at the Maasai village of Mbuyuni

Weekend visit to Mwika congregation, near Mt. Kilimanjaro

Worship services at Mwika

Members of St. Peter's Lutheran, Kitale Kenya - Pastor Calvin Luvisha

Children of Hope Centre Children's Home - Iganga, Uganda

Opening devotion at Wittenberg Seminary

Please keep the following key dates in prayer for God's blessing!

• December 2 - Missionary and Paula Naumann depart for the U.S.
• January 8 - Missionary Naumann returns to Tanzania, departs next day for Uganda
• January 9 - Pastor Paul Nolting arrives in Tanzania
• January 12-14 - CCRU pastoral conference in Uganda
• January 13 - Seminary classes resume, with Pastor Paul Nolting at Wittenberg, Arusha
• January 19-21 - KCLC pastoral conference in Kenya
• January 22 - Paula Naumann arrives from the U.S. in Tanzania
• January 24 - Missionary Naumann returns to Tanzania from Kenya
• January 26-28 - TCLC pastoral conference in Arusha
• January 29 - Pastor Paul Nolting returns to the U.S.

FOR MORE CLC Foreign Missions News,

See Missionary Todd Ohlmann's blog HERE

Update - Safe in God's Care

Hello All - You may have heard about unrest and violent protests in Tanzania late last week. These were reactions to the elections that were held on Wednesday, October 29. A news summary is HERE.

Thankfully, I am not aware of any injury or loss of property among our TCLC churches. Paula and I had to hunker down in the safety of our home for a few days, and today (Tuesday) businesses and schools are reopening. Thank you for your prayers for the people of Tanzania. Please also remember our brothers and sisters who continue to suffer from repression in Myanmar, as well as the victims of the major typhoon that has inflicted much hardship in India, including among our churches there.

I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-3

The latest news from Missionary Ohlmann's travel to Nepal, and being denied entry into India, is HERE.

Mt. Meru this morning, with the jacarandas in bloom