From: "Rev. Robert L. Rahn (by way of Rev. Eric J. Stefanski, )" To: Subject: CLIMB: Seminary Dedicated In Sudan Date: Friday, November 02, 2001 12:54 PM Dear Friends, Here is a release that demonstrates the Spirit working in the hearts and lives of people in Sudan, especially the growing Lutheran contingent coming into the Ev.Lutheran Church In Sudan. We have written a letter to President Bush asking him to give attention to the situation in Sudan and even offering the names of high officials willing to meet to discuss how an end can be brought to the civil strife in southern Sudan. It is quite easy to become complacent about how the Lutheran Heritage Foundation work effects the lives of people. This is especially true in Sudan. It is only the grace of God that has allowed this new Lutheran church body to be planted in the midst of much persecution and upheaval. We continue to pray that the congregations being organized throughout the country remain safe from adversity. Robert Rahn ++++++++++++ Seminary Dedicated in Sudan Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan (ELCS) gathered on February 22nd to dedicate a training center for pastors and leaders. The Concordia Lutheran Institute for the Holy Ministry (CLI), Khartoum, Sudan, functions with a two track program giving lay leaders advantage of some of the theology courses within the seminary track. Nearly 200 people attended the service and Rev. Robert L. Rahn, Executive Director, Lutheran Heritage Foundation, Sterling Heights, MI, was invited to speak for the occasion. The five hour service concluded with the official ribbon cutting and dedication of each room in the CLI facility. The training program actually started in September and currently has 30 students enrolled, 16 in the pastoral track and 14 in the leadership track. The program is conducted under the leadership of the Rev. Andrew Mbugo Elisa, who is the President of the ELCS and her only pastor. Dr. Anssi Simojoki, LHF Vice President-Africa Region, serves as a special consultant and is responsible for faculty recruitment. Visiting professors come from Tanzania, Kenya, Finland, Sweden, Norway, England, and the U.S. The CLI is housed on the second floor of the LHF office complex and consists of two classrooms, a library, offices, and reception area. The complex also serves as the worship center for the first ELCS congregation, a women’s center, youth center, print shop, clinic, and pharmacy. Rev. Rahn based his dedication sermon on Luke 24:44-49 and stated that the Lord Himself outlines the program or curriculum to be followed not only in institutions but also in our personal life. This curriculum stresses the necessity of the cross, the reality of the resurrection, the urgency of the task, and the secret of power. Members of CLI were reminded that the foundation of their program is the Bible, God’s inspired Word. Dr. Anssi Simojoki reminded the students and congregation that they will be surrounded by liberal and Christ-less influences that will have to be countered by a faith resting on God’s Holy Word and defended by the same. He also reported on his privilege to be in Yambio the week before to dedicate a church building for the ELCS. Dr. Simojoki is currently teaching a class on the Augsburg Confession at the CLI while guest professor Rev. Andrew Simcak, Houston, TX, lectures on Church Worship and Liturgy. Mr. Alison Magaya, who serves in the Cabinet as the Minister of Labor, represented the Sudanese government. Mr. Magaya is a member of the ELCS and also serves on the CLI Board of Directors. Mr. Magaya cited the early involvement of the LHF dating back to November, 1993. He praised God for the ministry of Rev. Elisa, who in the past two years has directed an expansion of the church from eight to 21 churches and from 1,000 to 3,500 members. He requested the continued support of the ELCS during these critical growing years. The Rev. Andrew Mbugo Elisa, in his major address, compared the ELCS to a mother who conceives a child and waits patiently for the delivery. He said: “On the day she delivers, she is filled with happiness as the baby is laid in front of her. Her joy is never limited to herself and her husband, but to relatives, friends, neighbors, as well as citizens of the locality. This is the similar experience for ELCS today, as we are filled with joy seeing the students recruited by CLI in our midst. Therefore, we invite all to join with us in our joy. Is our joy complete? Certainly not, because there are always two stages in the process of having a child born. ELCS is right now in the midst of terrible fear, concern, and at times worry as to what will be the future of this child? In order to bring up a good child in our typical African tradition the attention and help of all is required.” “The leadership of the ELCS decided from the very beginning to build a true confessional Lutheran Church in Sudan based on Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura. In order to stick to this confessional position and maintain a typical Lutheran training in the Sudan, the only option was to establish CLI. “Today not many churches stick to the true teaching of the Bible, many have taken ecumenism as a style of existence without discussing theological issues,” Rev. Elisa stated. Andrew also called for a clear plan of education for the church, possibly organizing a college to serve as a feeder for the CLI. He stated that: “the ELCS should be able to manage ourselves, keep a strong confessional stand in a typical orthodox tradition, and to keep the Bible in the highest position.” For additional information about the worldwide translation and publishing mission efforts of the LHF, or to learn how you can help the ELCS, visit www.lhfmissions.org or call 1-800-554-0723. + + + Confessional Lutherans in Missionary Boldness + + + The CLIMB e-letter brings you unedited, uncut reports directly from the mission field, whether in South America, Africa, Europe, inner-city, rural, or collegiate America, or military installations and battle sites around the world. 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