To the Ends of the Earth

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

l to r. Vicar Ratna Mangar, Rev. Michael Tanney, Vicar Nabin Samal

April 23rd was a special day for the many Concordia Seminary students who received their placement papers, as they will soon be pastors serving congregations in all parts of the United States. But on this occasion two, the last to be called, were students from Bhutan who lived much of their lives in Nepal. They have made St. Louis their home for the last 15 years and will be the first to be ordained LCMS pastors from Nepal, EVER! 

I am so proud of them as I got to know these two godly men who heard the voice of Jesus Christ and were reborn in the waters of baptism while in Nepal. Having received Christ as their Lord and Savior, they have followed Him ever since. 

Their lives have been anything but tranquil. Having been forced out of their homes and living in refugee camps they were again forced to leave Nepal before being selected for resettlement in America. With the help of CFNA they received support, guidance and assistance as they adapted to their new culture and language. During this time a relationship developed with Pastor Tanney at St. Johns Lutheran Church. 

It was then that Nabin (and later Ratna) took the first step to learn the teachings of the Lutheran Church and be confirmed. With a hunger to learn more, leadership classes began and with the help of CFNA they prepared for admission to Concordia Seminary’s EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology) with no guarantee where they might serve as pastors. It was a huge step of faith! 

The EIIT program consisted for four years of study with a total of 24 classes. During this time they served as vicars to their Nepali congregation at St. Johns, doing so under the tutoring, mentoring and pastoral supervision of Pastor Tanney. 

Call Day was indeed a special day. At the appropriate moment Nabin was called forward with these words. “Nabin Samal - Pastor, St. Johns Lutheran Church, St. Louis Missouri, Missouri District”. Ratna was then called forward in the same manner. 

To be sure the journey has not ended, as plans are for Nabin to go to Nepal - to the end of the earth - this October to teach the Bible, Catechism and the Augsburg Confessions to Christians in and around the refugee camps he came from. We wish him and Ratna our Lord’s blessing as they conclude their studies and begin their ministries.

By: Pastor Michael Tanney
St. Johns Lutheran Church