Welcome to St. Jacob's Lutheran Church

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
The time has finally come when Pastor Kalonji and I must begin packing bags, confirming reservations and making final preparations for our flight to Kinshasa. As usual, there have been several tense moments worrying about travel visas and working with embassies. At this writing, all the paperwork is finally in order. I have received the necessary visa to enter the country, flights have been arranged and I am ready for my visit with our good Christian friends in Congo.
Looking back on all the preparations that have to take place each time we travel to Congo, I am truly amazed at the goodness of God as he blesses Pastor Kalonji and I with the privilege to do his work in such a place. Before meeting Pastor Kalonji in 2014 and hearing his presentation to our Mission District Convocation, I would have never dreamed of traveling to such a place.
I was just a young boy, when in school I first heard of the Congo. We learned about jungles, rain forests and also the regions of the hills and plains. But the thing I was most fascinated with was the Congo River. Since that time as a child, I was intrigued with the thought of seeing the Congo River, but I never dreamed it would actually happen. Many years later, all of that changed; I saw the river I had learned about as a child. I ministered to people whose life and livelihood are closely intertwined with the river. They depend upon it for food and transport of basic supplies.
Now, God has blessed me with another opportunity to see this great river and to reconnect with friends I’ve made throughout my several missionary journeys. I remember the first time I traveled to Congo I was a bit apprehensive. The country is not one that is on the well-traveled path of tourists and commerce. I didn’t speak the language of its people back then, and I still don’t today. Back then I wondered how easily we would be able to find food to eat and water to drink. All these years later, I still struggle with this. Back then, for me, Congo was simply a great unknown in a place called the “Dark Continent.” But these days it’s not so unknown to me. I have friends there, people who are eager for my visits. I have fellow pastors whom I work alongside proclaiming the Gospel and ministering to men, women, and of course the many children we will encounter. From the time we are met at the airport to the first prayer that is said, it becomes quite evident that, even in such a far off place, I am not alone. God is with me…and so are all of you.
In preparing for this trip, many of you have taken part in the ministry we are called to share. You have adopted Bibles to share with people who have none. You have made donations to help us free mothers and their babies from detention in hospitals and clinics. And you have provided funds to feed malnourished children who wake up each morning wondering if they might have a meal that day.
A central part of our ministry in Congo is showing compassion toward caring for children. In this same compassion, our children here at home have embraced those who are far away. Through noisy offerings and their children’s offerings on Sundays, they have raised money to purchase food for kids they will likely never meet. Last year, they made cross necklaces to remind the children of Congo that they indeed have a Savior in Jesus Christ, and they have children in the United States who pray for them. I am pleased with the relationship that has sprung up between our kids and those so far away. One day, in the kingdom of God, there will be a meeting of these children and all of heaven will sing in thanksgiving.
Thank you to everyone who has made contributions to this year’s mission trip. Thanks also to those in neighboring congregations who have offered funding and prayers. But most of all, thanks be to God for his grace that comes through Christ Jesus, and for the opportunity to share the Good News with the people in Congo. Even as I go, I do not go alone. God is with me, and so are you.
Grace and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila