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
Dear Salem Family, Here are some important reminders! 1. Have you signed up for a Meet and Greet session with your child's teacher on August 23 or August 24? If not, please do so today! Click Here for Meet & Greet Sign Up 2. If you have not done so already, please complete your TADS tuition agreement for the coming school y ear. Registration needs to be paid and the agreement set up before the start of the school year. Please contact the school office if you have not received an agreement reminder by email. Thank you!
Welcome to Jubilate Choir, my name is Amy Gosch and I am very excited to be leading this group. We are up and running and have had 2 rehearsals already. 15 students are participating so far and there is still room to join if you like praising your Savior through song. We are scheduled to sing the following dates: September 28th 9:30 AM for Grandparents day October 28th 10:30 AM Worship Service December 5th at the 4pm Advent Service Decemer 19th at the 6pm School Christmas Service March 6th at the 4pm Lenten Service March 30th Fine Arts Festive at St. Croix April 7th at the 10:30 Worship Service. June 2nd at the 10:30 Graduation Worship Service Here is my contact information: cell 651-764-3041 email agosch@salemlutheran.org Any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me, and thanks so much for singing for your Savior!!!!! Ms. Gosch
August Welcome Back Meet & Greet Monday, August 23 - 8am-12pm OR Tuesday, August 24 - 3pm-7pm We have two days set aside for parents to meet one-on-one with their child’s teacher (20-minute time slots). Students can bring their school supplies and see the classroom at the same time that parents and students will meet with the teacher. Please select a date and time from the sign-up below (Preschool families that are familiar with their child’s teacher and classroom do not need to sign up for a time if they don't think it is needed, just bring supplies on the first day of school). Click Here for Meet & Greet Sign Up If you are not able to meet on one of these two days, be sure to let your child's teacher know. An alternate day and time can be set up with them.
