Jen Bagnall
by Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, LHF executive director When the calendar flipped at the turn of the century to the year 2000, there was no Lutheran church in Thailand. But by the grace of God, in October 2024 the Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church (TCLC) celebrated its 20th anniversary, which I…
About 10 months ago, Rev. Joseph’s* life changed in a drastic way — perhaps forever —as he was hauled before a local judge in Haiti on vague charges, then ordered to be held without bond. Next he found himself in one of the worst prisons in Haiti, drastically unlike our…
We give thanks that LHF’s Somali translator, Rev. Mohamed Gurhan, and his family have safely settled in their new home in Europe. Prior to their escape, Rev. Gurhan had established a Lutheran outreach to the people of Somalia, a militantly Muslim country (Somalia and Ethiopia share a border). As LHF…
Chaplain Eddie Mekasha, who immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia 22 years ago, loves books and telling stories. “And my best story is the story of Jesus,” he says with a smile. In 2007, Rev. Mekasha graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and ever since, he has looked…
Imagine all the issues involved in moving a household of ten (pictured above) — and now imagine moving a family that size more than 6,000 miles, across continents, climates and cultures. It would be such a daunting task that many families would say “No thanks.” But the Simojoki family is…
by Mr. Hai Au Dinh, LHF project manager in Vietnam I want to share a touching story which has deeply touched my heart and reaffirmed my faith in the power of spreading God’s love and light in unexpected places. In a region of Vietnam where openly displaying religious materials can…
The people of Burkina Faso – a landlocked West African country roughly the size of Colorado – have not known peace for a very long time. Civil war has wracked their nation for generations, but in recent years, Islamic attacks on Christians have introduced a new level of tension. According…
The Lutheran Church of Nigeria lost a stalwart professor of the faith and the LHF lost one of its premiere translators when Rev. Dr. Nelson Unwene was called to glory on Feb. 24. “May Dr. Unwene rest in the Lord’s peace,” said Rev. Dr. Matthew Heise, executive director of the…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 In Lutheran congregations around the world, pastors have their people’s eyes and ears as they preach on Sunday morning,…
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? Sharing the Good News with someone who isn’t Lutheran – and who maybe doesn’t speak English as a first language – can be intimidating. How can you confidently and accurately answer questions they may have about the Bible…