Think, Evaluate, Learn, Lead (TELL) program students across Africa gather faithfully online to study God’s Word together. They meet through video calls, discuss Scripture in WhatsApp groups, and grow in their understanding of the gospel and Lutheran doctrine—all without ever being in the same room. That changed in October, when students from across Kenya gathered in Nairobi for two TELL seminars. For the first time, students who had only seen each other on screens were able to greet one another face to face.
Missionary Jake Vilhauer (L) and Missionary Joel Hoff (R)
Over two Saturdays, participants dug deeply into Scripture, studying how Baptism is not merely a symbol but a powerful means of grace through which God forgives sins, creates faith, and brings people into his family. Together, they explored passages such as Titus 3:5–7 and Romans 6:3–4, seeing clearly how Baptism connects believers to Christ’s death and resurrection.
For some students, these truths were not new, but they were renewed—made clearer and more precious through careful study and discussion. For others, it was their first time hearing the biblical teaching on Baptism as a gift from God rather than a work of man. One student expressed it this way: “I now understand that Baptism is something that God has done for me and not something I do for God.”
The seminars also served as an opportunity for students to learn more about the next steps in the TELL program. TELL is designed to help believers grow in the Word and prepare them to share Christ in their own communities. During the sessions in Nairobi, students heard how they could continue in the program by becoming growth group leaders and gather small groups of new learners with the goal of studying God’s Word together and sharing what they have learned through TELL.
Several of the attendees are already meeting regularly with TELL counselors. They are working toward doctrinal agreement and preparing for service as church planters in their communities. These men and women are eager to bring the message of Christ crucified and risen to people who have not yet heard the good news of forgiveness and life through Jesus. One of those students is Noah Nyagara. Noah moved to Nairobi from west Kenya. He works at a salon and is eager to share the gospel with those who live in the slum areas of Nairobi.
We thank God for providing this opportunity for TELL students to meet in person, grow, and prepare for service in his kingdom. We also give thanks to the many WELS pastors and congregations who support the TELL ministry through their prayers, offerings, and teaching. The Lord is using this ministry to equip his people in Africa to share the gospel boldly and bring the light of Christ to their communities. By God’s grace, many more souls will hear the pure gospel and be led to faith in Jesus as their Savior from sin.
We don’t yet know how far each student will go in the TELL program. Some may study online for a time and then take what they’ve learned to strengthen the congregations where they serve. Others may continue through the full program and go on to become church planters, sharing Christ with the new groups they gather.
But one thing we do know is this: because these students share one faith, one baptism, and one Lord (Ephesians 4:5), by God’s grace they will one day meet once again face to face in heaven.
Written by Joel Hoff, TELL missionary to Africa
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