wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Kyrgyz church grows beyond expectations

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	February 2, 2005 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 6

	Growth of Kyrgyz Lutheran Church
	exceeds missionary expectations

	"God has exceeded our small expectations," says LCMS missionary
Sue Pfeil in Kyrgyzstan, who reports that more than 650 men, women, and
children were involved in Lutheran worship services, Sunday schools,
Bible studies, confirmation classes, and cell groups by the end of 2004.

	The missionaries had hoped to see 400 Kyrgyz people involved in
such activities by year's end, she said.

	Since 1998, when Synod missionaries Rev. Bob and Sue Pfeil and
Rev. Tim and Rita Nickel arrived in Kyrgyzstan, their ministries have
grown to include the establishment of 16 congregations and a
pastoral-training program with more than a dozen students.

	One of them, Rev. Yakov Mametov, became the first ordained
pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church of Kyrgyzstan, the three-year-old
national church body, when he was ordained Dec. 12 in Bishkek.

	Rev. Bob Pfeil, who teaches theological-education courses in
Kyrgyzstan, said Mametov was his best student.

	"He loves to study and learn the Word of God. He also loves to
teach," Pfeil said via e-mail. "My hope for him is that he will become
the future trainer of Lutheran pastors in Kyrgyzstan."

	Rev. John Mehl, regional director for Eurasia, LCMS World
Mission, described Mametov as "a very humble man for whom people have
great respect." Mehl, who ordained Mametov, said some people traveled 75
miles to attend the service.

	As a pastor, Mametov leads Sunday worship services and teaches
some theological-education classes. He will be "totally in charge" of
the Bishkek congregation when the Pfeils take a six-month furlough
beginning in May.

	Mehl says he is hopeful that Mametov will be "a living example
of a servant leader, not only for others studying to service the church,
but to the members, as well.

	*****************************

	PLEASE NOTE: The correct link to use for tsunami-aid donations
through the Synod?s online ?Mission and Ministry Giving Catalog
is
catalog.lcms.org <http://catalog.lcms.org>  . The link was not correct
as it was given in LCMSNews release No. 4 (Jan. 31, 2005). In the
catalog, click on ?LCMS World Relief? and then on ?Help Tsunami
Victims
in Asia.?

	***************************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

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