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
Please make sure your lunch account is funded prior to your child ordering for the week. To add money to your account, checks made out to Salem Food Service or cash (in an envelope with your family name, please) should be dropped off in the school office. TADS withdrawals are available for those that are on auto withdrawal and would like to use this to fund your lunch account. Please contact the school office for more information. August/September Lunch MenuALSO!Lunch help is needed for the school year. Please consider helping in our lunchroom with food prep and other tasks needed for serving our students. A paid position is needed or volunteer help is always welcome.For more information please email Lynn Wall (lunch@salemlutheran.org). Thank you!
Here is the 2020-2021 Information Packet for the new school year. Completed forms can be dropped off at any time during the summer months or brought with you at the Meet and Greet Dates on August 24 and August 25. Please contact the school office if you have any questions.
Hello Salem Family,A few reminders for the first day/week of school.When dropping off and picking up your children, the entrance to our parking lot is from Panama Ave. Please do not use this entrance as an exit, even from the small parking lot located directly after entering. Please continue to follow the curve to leave and exit onto 62nd St. This will keep everyone safe.There will be no bussing the first week of school. Bussing will begin on September 8th as long as the District Schools are staying with the hybrid model.Before and After care students can be dropped off and picked up by the cafeteria doors on the south side of the building. The main doors will be locked until 8:30 every morning and will also lock at 4pm in the afternoon.For all K-8 students, please send them with a water bottle to school. The water fountains will be closed as to mitigate the spread of the virus. Please also have your children bring their water bottles home to sanitize them daily.Please also have a fe…
