Association of Free Lutheran Congregations

World Missions Director - Rev. Earl Korhonen

3110 E Medicine Lake Blvd Minneapolis, MN 55441-3008

Phone: 763-412-2013 or 763-545-5631 E-mail: worldmis@aflc.org

Departments of World Missions

Ambassador Institute E-mail: ambassador@aflc.org

Journey Missions Department Head - Mr. Jon Nelson

E-mail: jon.nelson@aflc.org

For the latest news and prayer requests please see:

Website: http://http://www.aflcworldmissions.org Find us on Facebook—AFLC World Missions

World Missions Committee Members

Rev. Craig Johnson, Chairman Mr. Scott Erickson, Vice Chairman

Rev. Kent Sperry, Secretary Rev. David Nelson Mr. Paul Handsaker Mr. Kenneth Sletten Mr. Steve Deysher

07/2020 vs1

The goal of this program is to come along side our international missionaries and ministries to distribute solid biblical and theological education to the fields of AFLC World Missions. Ambassador Institute has classes operating in the countries of India and Uganda,. They use an oral technique which emphasizes using the Bible as it is written to

teach the curriculum. The curriculum is complete in six languages and available online.

See website: www.aflcworldmissions.org/ambassador-institute

E-mail: ambassador@aflc.org

Journey Missions Department Head—Mr. Jon Nelson Jon's responsibilities involves leading ministry trips and overseeing the Short Term Assistant program. Jon's wife Heidi is involved with training these teams in addition to traveling with them. The Short Term Assistant program (STA) is a ministry which sends individuals to various AFLC ministries around the world to serve alongside long-term missionaries for a set length of time.

Jon, Heidi, Jeremiah and Anja See Website:

www.aflcjourneymissions.org E-mail: jon.nelson@aflc.org

World Missions Director—Rev. Earl Korhonen Rev. Korhonen began as Director in 2019. Earl and his wife Joan have had a long history of mis-sions’ interest. Joan is the sister to Sonja Dahl a former AFLC missionary. After their marriage they became involved in the Hauge Foreign Mission. Earl has been on the Hauge Foreign Mission Board for 20 years serving . He is also on the AFLC Com-mission on Evangelism Board. Earl has been in the AFLC Pastoral ministry since 1995.

Todd Schierkolk

(In US renewing passports July-Aug 2020)

Apartado Postal 439 Jerez, Zacatecas 99300 Mexico

E-mail: aguadevida5@gmail.com

Jonni Sliver Caixa Postal 641

87300-970 Campo Mourao, PR Brazil

E-mail: sassi.jonni@gmail.com

Steve Kvale (Contact Wycliffe for info-800-992-5433)

1539 County Road 5 Balaton, MN 56115

E-mail: steven_kvale@wycliffe.org TranslateTheWord.org

Andrew Olson (Contact LBT for info 800-532-4253)

C/O Lutheran Bible Translators PO Box 789

Concordia, MO 64020 E-mail: emptypipe@gmail.com

Josh Wagner (Contact LBT for info 800-532-4253)

C/O Lutheran Bible Translators PO Box 789

Concordia, MO 64020 E-mail: Josh-Ruthie.Wagner@LBT.org

facebook.com/groups/wagnerupdates

Miriam Home—Brazil Packages can be sent by U.S. Mail to:

Miriam Home Caixa Postal 641

87300-970 Campo Mourao, PR Brazil

(please note: UPS will not deliver to PO Boxes)

AFLC Missionaries Furlough Mailing Address

3110 E Medicine Lake Blvd Plymouth, MN 55441-3008

Mission Home —Osceola, WI 2344 - 30th Ave

Osceola, WI 54020 Phone: 715-294-1686

Jonathan Abel Caixa Postal 450

87001-970 Maringa, PR Brazil E-mail: tjabel@terra.com.br

Matthew Abel (On Furlough April—Aug 2020)

Caixa Postal 1097 83.601-981 Campo Largo, PR Brazil (No mailing address in Paraguay yet)

E-Mail: mafuabel@gmail.com

Paul Abel (On furlough Aug 2019 - June 2020)

Caixa Postal 1097 83.601-981 Campo Largo, PR Brazil E-Mail: paulabelfamily@gmail.com

Website: paulabelfamily.org

Micah Berger (On furlough in Netherlands)

3110 E Med Lake Bvd Plymouth, MN 55441-3008

E-mail: hacim1@hotmail.com

Nathan Jore PO Box 304

Jinja, Uganda Africa E-mail: nrjore@gmail.com

Website: thejorefamily.wordpress.com

John Lee (On furlough July—November 2020)

Caixa Postal 1097 83.601-981 Campo Largo, PR Brazil

E-mail: jelee89@gmail.com

Brent Raan (On furlough March 2020-Oct 2020)

PO Box 824 Jinja, Uganda Africa

E-mail: brentraan@gmail.com

Michael Rokenbrodt 4170 143rd St

Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 E-mail: rokenbrm@csp.edu

Brazil Goal Received Remaining

ALLIB (AFLC of Brazil)

National Leadership Conference $3,000

Primavera Church Building $15,000

Bateias Parsonage Fund $15,000 $15,369.50 Complete

SETELL

Books for Seminary Library $1,000

Parking Lot $3,000

Security Wall between SETELL-Hwy $10,000

MIRIAM HOME

Follow Them Home $3,000 $500.00 $2,500.00

Emergency Medical Fund $1,000

Office Equipment $700 $700.00 Complete

Industrial Kitchen Vent (required by law) $250 $250.00 Complete

School Supplies and Uniforms $1,000 $166.14 $833.86

ARCA

New Roof $12,000

Driveways/Pavers/entrance & shed $6,000

ONGOING PROJECTS (As received)

ARCA Ministry As Received $3,900.00

ARCA Social Projects As Received $3,950.00

ARCA-Bible Camp Scholarships As Received

Student Scholarships As Received $850

Student Work Fund As Received $100

Mexico Goal Received Remaining

Principios Church Building $60,000 $32,264.62 $27,735.38

Christmas Gift Boxes (100 @$5/box) $ 500

Help Me Hear God’s Voice—Bibles $500

Compassion Projects As Received

India Goal Received Remaining

Repair of roof of Horeb Home/school $5,700

Relief and Food fund $3,000 $1,788.45 $1,211.55

Uganda

Micro Loans (8 zones-$150 each) $1,200

Ambassador Institute Land to raise crops $3,500

World Missions Goal Received Remaining

International FLSem. Scholarship Fund $4,200

FLBC Scholarship Fund AFLC Missionary Kids ($500/Sem/4 Students)

$4,000

See World Missions website for more details www.aflcworldmissions.org/approved-special-projects/

Missionary Support Our missionaries are provided for financially by a program called Per-sonal Support. Each missionary has a group of people committed to pray for them and give to their work on a regular basis. Each month, they faithfully support their missionary partners by sending funds to the World Missions office. People give as God enables them, all sized of amounts are received. The key is that contributors give regularly. With-out consistent gifts, our missionaries could not live on the field and share the Gospel.

Please note: Overfunded World Missions ministries may have excess funds used in ministries where needs exist.

AFLC World Missions supports nine full-time missionary families; one seasonal missionary and have three missionary fami-lies on loan to other mission groups. World Missions also supports national work in Bra-zil, Mexico, Uganda, and Asia.

AFLC World Missions worldmis@aflc.org

aflcworldmissions.org

Pastor Paul and Becky Abel serve AFLC World Missions in Campo Largo, Parana, Brazil. Since 1985, the Paul Abels have established four churches. In 1992 they established the ARCA,, renovating an old farm facility to hose camps and retreats. They still call the ACRA home today. The efforts of Paul and Becky’s ministry has been focused on church planting and the

ARCA. They have worked tirelessly serving the people and churches, mentoring many. The family has been known for their welcoming hearts and lovingly opening their home to various guests over the years. The Abel’s focus on training and building leaders in the local churches.

Pray for the Paul Abel Family

For camps and retreats at the ARCA For faithful commitment of church members and for their emotional and spiritual stability For their children and their families; Joanna (Silvo); Christina (Daniel); Andew (Alexi) and Matthew (Ednay) For Paul as he supervises the missionary work in Curitiba and reaches out to other Free Lutheran Congregations through special weekend courses God’s continued provision for the work in Brazil For safety and health

Birthdays: Paul: (Oct 18) Becky: (Oct 6)

“Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.”

II Corinthians 2:14

Our missionaries working in Africa teach the word of God; developing leaders and ministering to the people.

Self-sufficient Churches - The desire is that the Church in Uganda does not become de-pendent on funds from the United States. Our

Missionaries plan to train the pastors to start churches without outside funding.

Pastoral Training - Ambassador Institute is working to train the pastors who will train other pastors to do the same. Then the cycle repeats, each pastor training other pastors.

The country of India is a land of great spiritual darkness. AFLC mission work in India is a light shining in that dark place. Your gifts shine the light of Jesus through:

Pastoral Training - Ambassador Institute assists the Indian church to train their Pastors.

Churches - The believers find it easy to start congregations, you have helped them build simple buildings for worship.

Additional buildings are still needed.

Compassion Ministries - The area we work in is very poor. Many doors have been opened to share Jesus by helping people with the needs of life through food, medical assistance, the children’s home and flood relief.

With much prayer and consultation with the Brazilian Field Conference, the World Missions Committee decided to step out and fulfill a long time dream of the AFLC. At the 1977 Annual Conference a resolution was passed to have a tri-nation vision for South America. That vision was to have Free Lutheran Congregations in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Therefore, the World Missions Committee resolved to expand our work with the AFLC of Brazil to include Paraguay by sending Matthew and Ednay Abel there to plant congregations.

Our discipleship work in Mexico is divided into two separate entities. The Central Mexican Lutheran Church - In 1979 we began working with this small church body. Today you are training people in Mexico to be leaders in their church and understand how to make disciples through the CMLC.

Churches started by our Missionaries - Our missionaries have planted churches in central Mexico. The missionaries have found great success in training children in kids clubs and then reaching the whole family through the contact with the children.

The purpose of AFLC World Missions is, by the grace of God, to make disciples of all nations through teaching and evangelism. As individuals and congregations give to the World Mission budget they carry out this lofty work in various nations around the world. These funds make it possible to do the work in Brazil, Mexico, India and Uganda. We in the office would like to thank you for funding the work in these countries. Without it none of the following would be possible.

The AFLC has been working in Brazil over fifty years. You have been making disciples through the following: Schools - Our Bible School and Seminary have been teaching people to be disciples and disciple makers. Churches - Numerous churches have been planted where pastors

and members reach out to their friends and neigh-bors.

ARCA and Bible Camps - Many people have been saved and encouraged to walk with the Lord.

Compassion Ministries - The lives of children and young people have been turned around and changed forever as they’ve met Jesus in the Miriam Home.

Pastor Jonathan and Tamba began serving in Brazil with AFLC World Missions in 1992. They both grew up in Brazil, speak Portu-guese, and have the necessary visas to live there. Although the Abels have ministered in a number of ways over the years, they are pres-ently working in the city of Maringa, where Jonathan is pastoring a church plant. Maringa is about an hour drive from our seminary and

Bible School in Campo Mourao, where Jonathan also teaches on a regular basis. The church in Maringa previously met in the Abel’s home, but in recent years the group was able to purchase a piece of property and build a new church on the site. Jonathan and Tamba continue to reach out to the community around the church to draw people to the Lord.

Pray for the

Jonathan Abel Family Wisdom as they expand the work in Maringa Wisdom for them in working with the national people and leadership Health and safety as they work and travel For their children: April (Elijah) Neumann, Thomas and Michelle

Birthdays: Jonathan: (March 11) Tamba:(Jan 11) Michelle :(July 18, 2002)

“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”

II Corinthians 5:14-15

Jonni Sliver began serving with AFLC World Missions in 2010. Jonni has been a longtime member of Emmaus Lutheran Church (AFLC) in Bloomington, MN. She is a graduate of Bethany Fellowship School of Missions and served in many places around the world including previously in Brazil from 1988-2004. Jonni began serving at the Miriam Home and

our Bible School and Seminary in Campo Mourao, Brazil as of April 2011. With a passion for children, she pours her heart into the kids of the Miriam Home, loving them, and caring for their needs. Jonni also travels to the AFLC Brazil churches promoting the Miriam Home and Bible School.

Pray for Jonni Sliver

For the partnerships of the staff and students in Campo Mourao and the effectiveness of their leadership For clear and creative communication and relationships between the AFLC family in Campo Mourao and in the U.S. for mutual support and encouragement For safety and health

Birthday: Jonni: (July 20)

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25

Steve and Glenda Kvale Steve and Glenda are currently with Wycliffe USA in the Information Technology department.

Birthdays: Steve: (June 1) Glenda: (Nov. 30)

Prayer Concerns: That Bible-less people groups hear the Gospel.

Andrew Olson Family

Andrew and Alexis Olson are currently serving as a translation coordinator with Lutheran Bible Translators. (LBT) .

Birthdays: Andrew: (Nov. 28) ; Alexis: (Jan. 22) Mariah: (August 08, 16) Selah: (March 18, 18)

Prayer Concerns: Pray for them as they work on translation projects to bring the gospel to people of Africa.

Josh Wagner Family Josh and Ruthie (Lee) Wagner are cur-rently serving with Lutheran Bible Translators. (LBT) They are serving in Sierra Leone.

Birthdays: Josh: (Dec 24) Ruth: (Aug. 06); Elijah: (June 21, 12) Isaiah (July 9, 14); Josiah (Dec 21, 15); Elizabeth: (Oct 09, 2017)

Prayer Concerns: Pray for them as they work on translation pro-jects to bring the gospel to people of Sierra Leone.

The Short Term Assistant program is intended to provide practical and logistical help to missionaries on the mission field. The STA program is also intended to deepen mis-sion awareness, interest and commitment in the assistant. The program can also be a tool for the assistant to con-firm a call to prepare for foreign missions. The assis-

tance that the STA provides on the field can take many forms, from manual labor to help with missionary’s children. The term Short Term Assistant de-scribes any person who travels to the mission field to work as a volunteer for a

Casey McLoughlin

(2020) E-mail: casojanel7@gmail.com

Jared and Erica Trost Family

(2020)

E-mail: jared.trost@gmail.com

Emily Olson

(2020)

Pastor John and Hannah Lee began serving in Brazil in 2018. John and Hannah had explored other countries and mission opportunities, but through much prayer and seeking the Lord lead them to Brazil. The Lees are spending their first term learning the language and culture. John and Hannah are also working to familiarizing themselves with the Churches and workers in Brazil. They are under the

mentorship of our existing missionaries working in Brazil. John and Hannah are currently living in the Paul Abel home while Abels are on furlough. John and Hannah seek to serve the Lord and the work in Brazil and continue to pray for God’s leading in their future ministry in Brazil.

Pray for the John Lee Family

For wisdom and grace as we settle in to a new culture and help in learning a new language. To be able to build relationships with the people we will be working with. Health and safety. Birthdays: John: (July 23) Hannah: (Feb 19) Bethany: (April 10, 2016) Eliza: (May 18, 2017) Ayda: (Aug 28, 2018) Anastasia: (Oct 2, 2019)

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Matthew and Ednay Abel have been serving in Paraguay since January 2019. They were com-missioned as AFLC missionaries in 2015. Mat-thew recently completed his seminary degree through distance learning and Ednay trained in physical therapy.

Matthew and Ednay have been going through an intensive language training program. They have also been working with youth and a translation

program. They have gone with servant spirits and whole hearted enthusiasm.

The World Missions Committee desired to have a long-term goal for the Abels’ ministry . After much prayer and consultation with the Brazilian Field Confer-ence, the World Missions Committee decided to step out and fulfill a long time dream of the AFLC. At the 1977 Annual Conference a resolution was passed to have a tri-nation vision for South America. That vision was to have Free Luther-an Congregations in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Therefore, the World Mis-sions Committee resolved to expand our work with the AFLC of Brazil to in-clude Paraguay by sending Matthew and Ednay Abel there to plant congrega-tions.

Pray for the Matthew Abel Family For grace as they learn a new lan-guage For their marriage and new baby For vision and wisdom as they look to this new challenge in Para-guay. Guidance and health and safety

Birthdays: Matthew: (Sept 29) Ednay: (Sept 30) Zoey: (July 9, 2018) Ian Mateo: (Jan 8, 2020)

“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.”

Colossians 4: 5-6

Michael Rokenbrodt has accepted a call to be an AFLC Missionary. He was commissioned at the AFLC Annual Conference in June of 2018. Michael will be serving as a seasonal missionary, meaning he will be on the AFLC mission field for only part of each year. From January to May. Michael will be teaching pas-tors and church leaders with our other Ugan-dan missionaries. During the remaining part of the year, he will be employed at Luther Island

Bible Camp and doing deputation. He has worked at this camp annually for 13 years and wishes to continue his involvement in their ministry. Michael is a member of Zion Free Lutheran Church in Wadena, MN. Michael spent six years teaching English and theology full time while continuing camp ministry in the summers. Michael began his work in Uganda as a Short Term Assistant in 2015. He worked alongside Micah Berger in Uganda and with the Ambassador Institute curriculum. It is Michael’s goal to resume what they had been accomplishing together during his time as an STA, except now as an AFLC Missionary. His gifts in writing, speaking, and drama are qualities that will am-plify the efforts of AFLC Missions in Uganda.

Pray for the

Michael Rokenbrodt

For provision of continued prayer and finan-cial support For language learning For safety and health Birthdays: Michael: (August 9)

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I send me!’” Isaiah 6:8

Micah Berger began his ministry in Uganda in 2011 as a Short-Term Missionary under Nathan Jore. Micah was commissioned as a full-time Missionary in 2014 and began serving in Uganda. Micah’s wife Famke is from the Netherlands and has been ministering to the children in Uganda for several years. Famke has an adopted Ugandan daughter, Naomi, who is nine years old.

Micah and Famke live and serve in the Jinja area, reaching out and

ministering to the community around them. Micah’s ministry focuses on

Bible teaching and disciple making through the Ambassador Institute of Uganda. Alongside the Ambassador Institute Leadership team, Micah brings the truth of

God’s World throughout Uganda.

Pray for the Micah Berger Family

For God’s hand of guidance upon the expansion of the Ambassador Institute in Uganda

For provision of continued prayer and financial support For language learning For safety and health Birthdays: Micah: (April 14) Famke: (May 16) Naomi: (Oct. 16, 2010)

“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, Just as it was with you”

II Thessalonians 3:1

Pastor Todd and Barb Schierkolk began serving in Mexico in 1996. They started exciting ministries with kids and families, finding that to be one of the most successful ways to reach people. Alongside their congregation, Todd and Barb minister in the community. They have a special heart for the youth and look to mentor and train them to become active members of the congregation.

The Schierkolks are now empty nesters as their daughters are now living in the U.S.

Pray for the Todd Schierkolk Family

For spiritual growth of youth and their families For God’s wisdom and open doors regarding the purchase and construction of a church building For their children: Rachel (Ben) Davis, Megan (Josh) Hedstrom, and Kirstie For health and safety

Birthdays: Todd: (May 25) Barb: (Feb. 15)

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold...”

Job 19:25-27a

Pastor Brent and Emily Raan and their children (Amaleah, Sarala and Isaiah) are missionaries to Uganda, Africa. Brent and Emily began their work there in September of 2017. They have spent their first years studying the culture, building relationships and reaching out to people in their community. The Rasans were called to Uganda with the vision of planting free and living Lutheran congregations. Brent and

Emily are praying over a strategic location to make that a reality. Brent also continues to work with the Ambassador Institute program in Uganda. The Ambassador Institute program is overseen by a leadership team made up of nationals and classes continue to expand out from the Jinja area. Brent is also working as a trainer with the Ambassador Institute program in India.

Pray for the Brent Raan Family

For guidance and open doors concerning the upcoming stages of their ministry For wisdom in all they do For their children For health and safety

Birthdays: Brent: (March 13) Emily: (June 21) Amaleh: (July 30, 2014) Sarala: (Dec. 20, 2016) Isaiah: (Nov. 12, 2018)

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new ting; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in desert”

Isaiah 43:18-19

Pastor Nate and Rhoda Jore and their children: Elijah, Judah, Hannah, Jeremiah, Julia, and Evie Mae, are missionaries to Uganda. This family began their work there in 2006. They have been able to study the language and culture and build close relationships with the Ugandan people. In addition to ministering to the people, they specifically work with the

training of pastors and leaders of the churches. Nate is involved with the Ambassador Institute team but is looking towards starting Free and Living congregations in the country of Uganda.

Pray for the Nathan Jore Family

Wisdom in training and raising their children For protection against attacks from the evil one For each of their personal, daily walks with the Lord For the relationship with the soccer boys and the Bible study with them. For the church start in the village of Nabukosi Vision for making disciples in the village. For good health and safety

Birthdays: Nate: (Aug 1); Rhoda: (Sept 29) Elijah: (July 9, 2004); Judah: (Nov 26, 2005); Hannah: (April 24, 2008)

Jeremiah: (June 29, 2010); Julia: (April 19, 2012) ; Evie Mae (Sept. 21, 2016)

“In that day you will say: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things: let this be know to all the world’” Isaiah 12:4-5