Missionary at Large Update + Lent 2026

One of the hymns that frames the life of the Christian and the work of a missionary is I Walk in Danger All the Way. The first three stanzas begin this way:

Each stanza reminds us of the spiritual forces of the devil that relentlessly fight against the Gospel, the reality of suffering and the bearing of the cross, and the limited number of our days. In 2025, we walked the way of that hymn. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and many kindnesses during this past year.

The good news of the last three stanzas reminds us that we don’t walk the way of this world alone.

Those promises are true and hold fast every morning. Whether we are serving through East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit or at the Lutheran School of Theology in Kenya, Jesus is for us, and with us, and nothing, not even death, can separate us from His love. (Romans 8)

Africa: As the Lord wills, I will continue to serve at the Lutheran School of Theology in Kenya this year. Upcoming trips will most likely be early this Spring and later in the Fall.

Detroit: While in the United States, I will continue to serve the pastoral vacancy at Peace Lutheran Church in Detroit. They are few but faithful in attending the Divine Service, hearing God’s Word, and receiving the Sacrament.

All those who attend care deeply about the community but we also have all the challenges of an under-resourced city church: an older building, broken water pipes, temperamental boiler, an aging membership whose numbers, health, and energy are having a hard time keeping up.

For the sake of the Gospel in the city of Detroit, we request your prayers.

Starting the week of Ash Wednesday (February 18^th), I am going to offer some devotional resources that will help us “Walk with Jesus All the Way”.

We’ll learn six simple, yet powerful, spiritual disciplines that will help us fight against the unholy trinity (the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh), defend ourselves with the promises of Jesus, and receive all the gifts that only the Triune God can give.

Through the weeks we’ll cover …

If you're in the Metro Detroit area, I would like to invite you to a Lutherans In Africa update and luncheon at East Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Detroit after the 10 am worship service.

Here are the specifics …

We thank God for His provision supplied by you. Your generous support, encouragement, prayers, and many kindnesses have blessed us and the work of the Gospel in 2025. We commend all 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).