Every other month our CLC Board of Missions updates us with recent news from various mission fields.
In April of this year, I had the privilege of joining Missionary Todd Ohlmann on an initial in-person visit with a contact in the Philippines. For a bout a week, we had the opportunity to meet with Pastor Jordan Palangyos and the members of the Lutheran Autonomous Mission in the Philippines (LAMP).
The formation of LAMP dates back to 2008 when Pastor Palangyos resigned from the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP, an LC-MS mission) following his seminary graduation. The reason behind his resignation was due to his concern that the leadership of the LCP appeared to be driven by greed and power, and that they had little interest in spreading the Gospel and teaching God’s Word to the remote areas of the Philippines. Additionally, he noticed an increased tolerance of liberal theology.
Pastor Palangyos first came into contact with the CLC through Pastor Tim Daub’s Facebook page in early 2021. Pastor Daub was encouraged by their correspondence and introduced him to Missionary Ohlmann, who has been taking him through the Online Theological Studies curriculum. Throughout their study, Pastor Palangyos has exhibited a sound comprehension of Biblical doctrine and has expressed his appreciation and agreement with everything he has read and studied concerning the CLC. Therefore, the Board of Missions authorized an initial face-to-face visit.
The primary purpose of an initial visit is to observe the ministry first-hand in a particular area. We spent most of our time teaching God’s Word in the two villages where LAMP has congregations and preaching stations. It was also an opportunity for discussions about expectations and the next steps in the process that we pray will lead to a formal declaration of fellowship. We emphasized that the primary support we provide for our foreign mission fields is through the training of faithful preachers and teachers to proclaim the truth of God’s saving Word.
Pastor Palangyos is the sole ordained pastor of LAMP. There are two laymen who serve as evangelists, and two young men that he is currently training to be evangelists. He serves two congregations and two preaching stations, with approximately seventy adult members and twenty youth members.
The visit confirmed that we have a solid foundation on which to build. The next step is a doctrinal colloquy. Missionary Ohlmann and I will be requesting President Wilke to appoint a representative of the CLC (typically a member of the Board of Doctrine) to work with Missionary Ohlmann on a comprehensive study of the teachings of the CLC and LAMP. If everything goes well over the next few months, a second face-to-face visit will be arranged, during which there will be an oral review of our doctrinal unity.
We pray for Pastor Palangyos, LAMP, and for the Lord’s blessings upon our ongoing discussions and study of God’s Word.
is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Winter Haven, Florida, and a member of the CLC Board of Missions