This blog entry is from Missionary Mark Johnston, one of six WELS missionaries currently serving in Malawi.  Due to synod wide budget cuts, his is one of as many as 15 missionary positions being eliminated around the world.

The Administrative Committee for Africa (ACA) is the WELS committee that overlooks the calling and the distribution of support to our African missions.  Last February this committee trusted Beautiful Saviour with a grant and a loan amounting to over $14,000 for the purpose of buying a parsonage for my associate, Pastor Pembeleka.  The house search is almost complete and the voters, God willing, will be deciding on a house in a meeting this Sunday, May 24th.

Recently, the ACA recognized that the leadership of the congregation was strong, and that Pastor Pembeleka has some very special gifts.  Therefore, since the WELS budget is tight, the ACA has recalled me to the United States leaving the full-time caring for souls to our Malawian pastor.  We are confident that Law and Gospel will continue to be preached and the doctrinal position common to the WELS and the Lutheran Church of Central Africa will be taught faithfully.

Even though the Johnston family life is changing, my daily prayer is that your generosity will not change, but even increase for the work of the church on the synodical level.  The loss of any more missionaries would severely hamper our ministry to our brothers and sisters in Malawi.  If we lose one more Malawian missionary, my fear is that many more village congregations will go without any care for precious souls in that place.  Many Lutheran members will be tempted to look to church bodies that will not baptize their children or tell them they need to have some experience of the Spirit before they can know for sure that they are “saved.”  Or even worse, the “Jehovah Witnesses” will tell them to give up their faith and trust in their works.  Or Islam will enslave them with a long list of rules that not even the most “righteous” among them are able to keep.

On the positive side of things, our TV Malawi program remains an important line item in the budget to reach the lost such as the Muslims.  The weekly program efficiently beams into millions of Malawian homes.  If you are minded to donate to this broadcast, you may send an offering to WELS World Missions at 2929 N. Mayfair Rd., Milwaukee, 53222.  There are talented men here who will continue the high standards.  Pastor Pembeleka, Congregational President Martin Ntambo, and our technical expert Merid Mengesha have the skills to do this well.

It truly has been a privilege to serve our Lord in your place here in Malawi for going on five years.  Our family has been enriched in so many ways with our stay.   I thank my God … because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:3-6).

Missionary Mark Johnston