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
Just a reminder that we will not have school Thursday, April 18 - Monday, April 22. Here is a schedule of our Holy Week Worship: Maundy Thursday, April 18: 7 p.m. with communion Good Friday, April 19: 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. with communion Easter Sunday Worship - April 21 6:30, 9:00, and 11:00 a.m. (No Saturday worship) Path of Peace Easter Sunday, April 21 at 11:00 a.m.
This Thursday, April 25, at 6:30 pm is Salem's Parent Teacher Organization meeting. Join us in the lunch room as we make plans for teacher appreciation week and hold elections for next year's positions!
Hello! We will be continuing our Sunday Morning Youth Gatherings between services from 9:15-10:15. Please join us and feel free to bring a snack to share. Youth Group is open to anyone 7th grade and older. September Events... Get your walking shoes! Join us for 5 o'clock church on SATURDAY SEPT. 29 , we will then hike across the new Stillwater Bridge! We will learn some interesting facts and also see how a "bridge" can be connected to our faith life. We will finish out the night with some fabulous ice cream treats! We may need a parent volunteer or 2 to transport youth over to the bridge, let us know if you can help. October Events... SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 Hayride and Bonfire at the Manning Property WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31 Reverse Trick or Treating (Benefiting our local food pantry) Watch for future Church Casts with details on these events. Parent volunteers are welcomed (and encouraged) for both of these. Please cont...
