The TELL Network leverages the internet to deliver Bible teaching to students all over the world
In 2018 WELS World Mission’s Multi-Language Publications had a vision to reach the world with the Gospel in a new way. Their vision was to equip people with the truth of God’s word using digital resources in English. Like the Latin America mission field’s Spanish Academia Cristo, TELL would use English to reach people through social media, self-led Bible lessons and live video classrooms.
Three years later, God has blessed that vision. The TELL Network has 1.2 million followers and likes on its main Facebook page. Across the globe there are 7,000 active users doing self-led Bible lessons on the TELL app and website. Currently there is one full-time TELL missionary who meets several times a week with students from Africa, India, and Philippines.
One student, Samuel, is from Guinea, Africa. He is a school teacher with a wife and children. “My greatest desire is to be well-equipped for mission work,” says Samuel, “I won’t miss this opportunity by God’s grace.”
Like thousands of others, Samuel found TELL on Facebook. TELL’s Facebook team posts daily Bible passages and short devotional videos by national pastors called #TELLtalks. The team answers questions online and invites people to start free Bible training on the TELL app or website.
Samuel Kalivogui and his family
Samuel downloaded the TELL app and within seconds began the first self-learning course. He completed three self-learning courses: Spiritual Healing, Truth Brings Peace, and Introduction to the Bible. Each course has nine lessons that include a Bible reading, teaching video, and quiz.
When Samuel completed the self-learning courses (“TELL Tier 1”) he received his first certificate. Then a TELL missionary contacted Samuel. He congratulated him and invited Samuel to join him in the live online classes (“TELL Tier 2”).
Today Samuel is meeting twice a week in a video classroom with a TELL instructor and other students. Students go in-depth learning about the work of Jesus, Old and New Testament history, and Law and Gospel. Each course takes about a month. There are eleven courses in TELL tier 2.
TELL tier 3 are live courses too. They focus on how to share the Gospel in your community: gathering, teaching and discipling. God-willing someday the TELL instructor along with a local missionary will visit Samuel to grow the relationship and support Samuel as he starts a small group.
Samuel recording a Gospel message for a radio broadcast in Guinea
When Samuel began TELL he had been praying for just that: an opportunity to share the Gospel. Since then God opened a door! A friend gave Samuel air-time on the local radio station. Every Sunday evening Samuel takes the Bible lesson he has learned with TELL and reuses them on-air to an audience of up to half-a-million. Many of whom haven’t heard the Gospel.
By God’s grace Samuel has found a place where he receives real Gospel training right from God’s word. “I used to believe in a Gospel that was preaching prosperity and miracles mostly,” Samuel says, “But I discovered this misleads believers. It focuses on earthly things and makes us forget heavenly things. Now I’m mission-minded.”
Daniel Laitinen is Multi-Language Production’s TELL Missionary and lives in Austin, TX
Please pray for those working in fields that are ripe for harvest. Share their story, engage with future news and receive updates. Learn more about our mission fields in Africa and how the Holy Spirit is working faith in people’s hearts at https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa
- Preschool last day of school is Thursday, May 27 - K-8's last day of school is Friday, May 28 - Dismissal is at NOON! No after-school care is available on Friday. The 8th-grade parents are welcome to attend the last day chapel service at 9:30 am. All other parents are welcome to watch our live stream of the service. https://www.youtube.com/user/salemlutheranmn
Great news! The SCLA children’s theatre group is presenting live outdoor performances of Stories Under the Big Top by Lorraine Thompson on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 p.m. both days. You can find out more and purchase tickets at StCroixLutheran.org/BigTop. Live show tickets are sold in pods of up to five tickets. There are 50 pods available on the field for family groups. Most tickets are FREE! There are also priority seating (front row) tickets available for $10 each. To make it even more fun - since the performances are on or near Halloween, kids are encouraged to wear costumes!
The bowling season started last week. The bowlers have practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Below is their game schedule. If it works in your schedule come cheer on our SAINTS! 2019 Salem Lutheran Bowling Schedule Saturday, April 13, 11:30 a.m. @ Concord Lanes, 365 Concord Exchange N, South St. Paul Friday, April 26th, 6:00 p.m. @Bogarts, 14917 Garrett Ave, Apple Valley, Saturday, May 4th, 11:00 a.m. @Stillwater Bowl, Stillwater Saturday, May 11th, 12:00p.m. @ New Hope Lanes, Minneapolis Saturday, May 18th, 11:00a.m.-4:00 p.m. @Southtown Lanes, 7941 Southtown Ctr, This is the tournament! Bloomington