LST's Graduating Class
It's been a momentous summer at the newly accredited Lutheran School of Theology.
At the end of August, the LST celebrated the graduation of eight students.
Six students in the three year Diploma in Theology (DTh) program completed all of their coursework! The last class in their program was Koine New Testament Greek. It was an arduous task, but with persistent effort, every student passed!
In addition, two students from the one year Certificate of Evangelism (CET) program also graduated.
If you're interested in what the students are studying, here is the course curriculum for each program:
What is more exciting is that this 2025 graduating class of the LST will now be ordained by their local bishops and will serve in their home countries of Burundi, Uganda, Kenya. Two of the South Sudanese graduates will be serving in Kenya’s Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps that house 400,000 refugees from many different African countries.
And blessing upon blessing, one graduate has already been accepted to continue his studies for a master’s degree through Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, Canada. As the Lord wills and after the completion of his studies, he will be able to teach other African students at the Lutheran School of Theology and form the next generation of men to be teachers of the faith.
We praise the Triune God for your prayers and gracious support. It is a great joy to see years of labor bear so much fruit for the Kingdom and for the Gospel on the continent of Africa. We are humbled, and reminded, that it is the Lord's Church and that He will build it. The gates of hell may rage against her, but the Lord guides, provides, and protects His shepherds and the flock. (Matthew 16)
We commend these men into the Lord's hands and intercede for them in their pastoral vocations. They will need all of the gifts that only the Triune God can give. We pray that they will fight the good fight, remain steadfast, and make the good confession of Christ Jesus before God and men.
If you would like to receive email updates from Lutherans In Africa you can sign up for their newsletter here.
At the end of August, the LST celebrated the graduation of eight students.
Six students in the three year Diploma in Theology (DTh) program completed all of their coursework! The last class in their program was Koine New Testament Greek. It was an arduous task, but with persistent effort, every student passed!
In addition, two students from the one year Certificate of Evangelism (CET) program also graduated.
If you're interested in what the students are studying, here is the course curriculum for each program:
- Three Year: Diploma in Theology (DTh)
- One Year: Certificate of Evangelism (CET)
What is more exciting is that this 2025 graduating class of the LST will now be ordained by their local bishops and will serve in their home countries of Burundi, Uganda, Kenya. Two of the South Sudanese graduates will be serving in Kenya’s Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps that house 400,000 refugees from many different African countries.
And blessing upon blessing, one graduate has already been accepted to continue his studies for a master’s degree through Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, Canada. As the Lord wills and after the completion of his studies, he will be able to teach other African students at the Lutheran School of Theology and form the next generation of men to be teachers of the faith.
We praise the Triune God for your prayers and gracious support. It is a great joy to see years of labor bear so much fruit for the Kingdom and for the Gospel on the continent of Africa. We are humbled, and reminded, that it is the Lord's Church and that He will build it. The gates of hell may rage against her, but the Lord guides, provides, and protects His shepherds and the flock. (Matthew 16)
We commend these men into the Lord's hands and intercede for them in their pastoral vocations. They will need all of the gifts that only the Triune God can give. We pray that they will fight the good fight, remain steadfast, and make the good confession of Christ Jesus before God and men.
If you would like to receive email updates from Lutherans In Africa you can sign up for their newsletter here.
Back to the LST for the Fall Semester
In September the new school year began.
We thank God that twelve new students (ten men and two women) started their one year Certificate of Evangelism Training program (CET). With the Lord's help, and after the completion of their coursework, the ten men will then be able to start the DTh program that leads to ordination.
Though the LST does not currently have a deaconess program, two of the women are working on their CET diplomas in order to attain practical skills and general Biblical and theological education.
After spending most of the Spring at the Lutheran School of Theology, I'll return to help with the Fall semester. While there, I'll teach three classes:
I have found that the students are eager to learn and the classes are a joy and blessing to teach. While in Africa, I might even be able to attend some of the ordinations of the LST graduates.
We praise the Triune God that we have been able to be partner with Lutherans In Africa so that we might be able to form African Lutherans to be teachers of the faith.
We thank God that twelve new students (ten men and two women) started their one year Certificate of Evangelism Training program (CET). With the Lord's help, and after the completion of their coursework, the ten men will then be able to start the DTh program that leads to ordination.
Though the LST does not currently have a deaconess program, two of the women are working on their CET diplomas in order to attain practical skills and general Biblical and theological education.
After spending most of the Spring at the Lutheran School of Theology, I'll return to help with the Fall semester. While there, I'll teach three classes:
- Intro to Lutheran Worship
- Intro to the Small Catechism
- Personal Devotional Life
I have found that the students are eager to learn and the classes are a joy and blessing to teach. While in Africa, I might even be able to attend some of the ordinations of the LST graduates.
We praise the Triune God that we have been able to be partner with Lutherans In Africa so that we might be able to form African Lutherans to be teachers of the faith.
Book I of The Receptive Life
In between the travel to Africa, I’ve been working on a lifelong project called The Receptive Life. It's a book for all of us who struggle with a spiritually unquiet heart.
As St. Augustine said,
As St. Augustine said,
Lord God, You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless (unquiet) until they find their rest in You.
My hope is to remind us all that the soul’s sacred rest is found (and received) only in the person, work, and gifts of Jesus Christ.
I initially thought it would be a one book project, but as the process goes, a one book project turned into three. I like to describe it as one destination with three different journeys.
Book I (the Field Guide) is basically done. And Books II and III are in process.
You can access a working draft of Book I: The Field Guide and learn more about the project at The Receptive Life website (here).
We praise God from whom all blessings flow. Thank you for your prayers and gracious support. We commend all of the work into the Lord's hands.
Come what may, we do belong to Jesus.
Paul
To learn more about our work in Africa, sign up for email updates, access all of our teaching resources, and financially support the Missionary at Large position through East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit, you can go to the all links and resources page (here).
I initially thought it would be a one book project, but as the process goes, a one book project turned into three. I like to describe it as one destination with three different journeys.
- Book I is a Field Guide for The Receptive Life (the direct route)
- Book II will be Meditations and Reflections (a guided tour)
- And Book III will be a Spiritual Travelogue (a scenic excursion)
Book I (the Field Guide) is basically done. And Books II and III are in process.
You can access a working draft of Book I: The Field Guide and learn more about the project at The Receptive Life website (here).
We praise God from whom all blessings flow. Thank you for your prayers and gracious support. We commend all of the work into the Lord's hands.
Come what may, we do belong to Jesus.
Paul
To learn more about our work in Africa, sign up for email updates, access all of our teaching resources, and financially support the Missionary at Large position through East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit, you can go to the all links and resources page (here).