World Missions
New Students
A few of the many new
students stand with Pastor Oliver at the dug-up middle
portion of our campus. As school starts this year, we are
excited about the future of China Lutheran Seminary for
spreading the Word in the Chinese world (of which Ablaze!
"Fan The Flame" offerings are a contributing part).
Missionary Stephen Oliver
Saving Grace supports
Missionary Stephen Oliver who is Professor of New Testament at China
Lutheran Seminary in Taiwan. He teaches New Testament courses to
Chinese students who are preparing to be pastors, counselors,
missionaries, evangelists, teachers, DCEs, pastors wives, or just
those who are interested in growing in their faith and service.
Besides seminary teaching, Pastor Oliver has many opportunities to
preach in churches and spread the Gospel throughout Taiwan. Saving
Grace joyfully provides financial, prayer and personal support to this
important mission in the Chinese world.
2004 Chen Shimu "Teacher Mother"
PHOTO: CHEN SHIMU
Chen Shimu (middle) received her
master's degree from China Lutheran Seminary, June 13, 2004. Pastor Oliver
(her master's thesis advisor) stands with her husband, Pastor Chen (CLS
alumni), and two current CLS students from their church: Zhen-jiang (left)
and Shu-nu (right).
Shimu (lit. "Teacher Mother") is the affectionate Chinese title for the
pastor's wife. In Chinese churches, the pastor's wife has a special position
of respect and influence. A large number of China Lutheran Seminary alumni
and students are pastors'
wives.
Pray for spiritual strength for our pastors' wives.
2004
Pastor Oliver's Smallest Bible Student
PHOTO: EMILY
4 year old Emily is pastor Oliver's
smallest Bible student who reads the Bible and prays with him once a week.
We pray that she will be Jesus' servant to bear much eternal fruit in His
Kingdom.
Emily is my smallest Bible student who at 4 years old reads the English
Bible, thinks about it and asks questions better than I at 7. She also prays
with much spiritual wisdom for me and my students.
Pray that Emily will have Jesus' deep love for people.
1999 Luther's Monastery
PHOTO: ERFURT CONFERENCE
ILC seminaries from around the world
meet in Luther's monastery (Augustinerkloster) to strengthen each other in
Christ Jesus and God's Word for more fruitful work in His eternal Kingdom.
Luther's Erfurt monastery was the site of our ILC seminaries conference.
Thanks for your prayers: it was very edifying and our paper was well
received (let me know if you'd like a copy).
Pray for our seminaries (for much eternal fruit).
1998 Confessional Understanding
PHOTO: SEMINARY COMMUNION
The Lord's Supper is an important part of teaching confessional
self-understanding at seminary. In our pluralistic environment, we confess
the Word of Christ that the precious gifts of His forgiveness and real
presence are given in communion.
I'm going to Germany to present a paper with Rev. Richard Yi at the ILC Seminaries World Conference. Our topic is "Teaching Confessional Self-Understanding in a Pluralistic
Environment."
Pray for our trip (March 30 - April 6).
1997 Mom &
Dad
PHOTO: MOM & DAD
Pastor Oliver's parents (middle)
visit Stone Light Church where Peter & Ruth (front-red shirt) have been
shepherding a growing flock since they graduated from China Lutheran
Seminary in 2001.
My parents just had a wonderful 2 week visit in Taiwan, including much
ministry, fun and good fellowship! What an edifying blessing, having parents
with such a deep love for Jesus and people!
Pray for a great blessing upon their lives!
1996 Mission Teams
PHOTO: YANLAN ON MISSION
CLS student, Yanlan (white vest), reaches out to children in Taiwan. Two
mission teams recently spead God's Word to children, the elderly and
others. They also ministered to and encouraged a Korean missionary family.
2 mission teams recently went out from China Lutheran Seminary to spread
the Gospel and minister in Taiwan. We send teams out inside Taiwan during winter break and outside Taiwan
during summer break.
Pray for our vision and the seed we sow.
