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