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
Registration for Preschool Next School Year The time is already here to register your child for preschool. A re-enrollment email will come out the week of January 3rd for those currently enrolled. If you are currently enrolled at Salem School or a member at Salem you can register and reserve your spot for the 2022-2023 school year. We will have 3 classes available; 3 year olds, mixed age, and 4 and 5 year olds not yet ready for kindergarten. We reserve the right to place your child in the classroom that best meets your child’s educational needs and our staffing. Registration fees are $100 for the early bird until March 1st, then the fee is $175. Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis. You have the choice of which days you would like your child to come. There’s a minimum attendance of 3 half days up to 5 full days. The cost is $30 for half day, $40 for a full day. Tours will be scheduled individually for those interested. If you have any questions you can cal...
Salem Families, Did you miss the opportunity to order Salem apparel or have something else you wanted to order? The SPTO webstore is now open! The webstore will close on 11/8 @ 11:00pm to arrive in time for the holidays. If your order is a gift and you would not like it sent home with your student, please select “Pick up in Office” for your student’s grade. Access the webstore here: https://design.hedusa.com/salemlutheran/shop/home All proceeds will go to fundraising efforts for a new PA system.
Preschool will have their Christmas Service this Thursday night at 6:00 pm (the preschool students should arrive in their classrooms by 5:45 pm). Please come and enjoy their beautiful Christmas message! We will also have our preschoolers perform this service for the Wednesday, Dec. 12 School Chapel Service at 9:30 am. You are welcome to attend this service instead if you can not attend Thursday evening.
