Story by Lula Tiews, Photographs by Erik M. Lunsford
“I’m trying to learn German, and I miss my family. But I really want to learn about Jesus,” said Amir* from Iran, 19 years old and a candidate in our latest baptismal class at Zion Lutheran Church (SELK), Hamburg. Since they were afraid for his life, earlier this year, his parents (who have to hide the fact that they are Christians) put him on a plane to Europe. Now he’s here in Hamburg, all by himself. Or take Marina*, another baptismal candidate, who fled from Ukraine in 2022 and has been here ever since: “My husband is still back in Ukraine defending our hometown, and I just lost my job teaching illiterate asylum seekers to read. But I cling to Christ.” Or Mohammad*: “I live in a refugee camp. The Muslims around me know I’m a Christian and are always trying to beat me up. Can you help me find an apartment?” Imagine living in a refugee camp in a foreign land, thousands of miles away from home, with hundreds of other people–some of whom are hostile to Christians. Back home, you had a job, friends, and family. But now all these things are gone, and you’re alone.
Life is difficult for the fifteen million refugees who have streamed into Germany since 2015–even more so for those who have converted to Christianity from Islam. LCMS missionaries and their church partners in the SELK, who are on the front lines, bring people traumatized by war and persecution–Jesus Christ, who comforts us in all our affliction, forgives all our sins, and grants us eternal life.
In September 2025, the first Germany FORO brought together 10 attendees from the LCMS South Wisconsin and Michigan districts, the bishops of the Synod’s German and French partner churches, LCMS missionaries and staff, local pastors, and Persian refugees to learn and share about the work God is doing in Germany.
When news broke in 2015 about the arrival of countless refugees seeking shelter across Germany, Pastor Bernhard Schütze of Hamburg remembers being deeply moved. One Sunday after Divine Service, as he listened to a radio report, the Lord placed a clear conviction on his heart—he had to go see for himself. That very day, he visited a refugee shelter and extended an open invitation for all who wished to come and hear God’s Word.
Soon, he discovered that many of the new arrivals from Iran were already familiar with the Gospel. Some had even come to faith in secret, longing for the day they could confess Christ openly and receive Holy Baptism. Seeing this hunger for God’s grace, Pastor Schütze arranged for translators and began offering baptism instruction classes.
What began as a single visit soon grew into a steady stream of new believers. Word spread, and people continued to come—friends, relatives, and strangers alike—each desiring to join Christ’s Church. Since those first days, more than 200 men and women have been baptized in Hamburg alone. Similar work continues in other congregations of the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (SELK), as Pfarrvikar Wenz in Brunswick and Deacon Loehde in Hannover joyfully shared with visiting pastors and laypeople from the South Wisconsin District, who witnessed firsthand this vibrant mission field the Lord has opened.
A FORO is a wonderful event where partners come together to share what God is doing and meet the people touched by His grace. It is truly encouraging to see how new converts treasure the sacraments and witness the transformation, especially among women, who almost cannot believe it when they hear about the love and forgiveness of Jesus in the story of the adulterous woman. “In Christ I can be sure that I will have eternal life,” they say, “in Islam you can never have certainty and peace.”
The group met two young Iranian men who desire to become Lutheran pastors and who are already studying online at Riga Luther Academy. LCMS Missionary Rev. Dr. Christian Tiews leads the Persian ministry outreach in Germany alongside the Lutherische Kirchenmission of the SELK (LKM). He shared about the work happening here: “We hold weekly services in Farsi here in Hamburg and translate important documents into Persian. We have also created a website in three languages: nurezendegi.org, to gather and share resources. Though we cannot go to Iran or Afghanistan, God has opened a door for us to reach them here in Germany.”
Experience – Witness – Partner with a FORO
The group also received reports on ministry in France, English-language expat ministry, mercy work, and spiritual care for Ukrainian refugees, along with outreach to military communities. A special highlight was the visit to Dreieinigkeitsgemeinde (SELK) in Berlin-Steglitz, where Rev. Dr. Martens shepherds a vibrant congregation numbering over 1500 members. The event drew to a close in Lutherstadt Wittenberg with a moving report on the Ukrainian outreach and a meaningful vesper service at St. Mary, the very church that Martin Luther held dear
As Regional Director, Rev. Dr. David Preus puts it: “It was moving for me to reflect on the ironic threads that wove us together last week: the very calamities we pray God to spare us from—war, persecution, and oppression—he uses for our good, as Joseph reminded his brothers long ago (Genesis 50:20).
Eighty years ago, war drew American troops into Germany, paving the way for occupation and, by God’s grace, the planting of three military expat congregations. The missionary efforts begun decades ago have now sparked gospel outreach to similar communities beyond Germany. Another war uprooted millions of Ukrainians, relocating many to Wittenberg, where dozens have been planted in and around God’s saving word and sacraments, and opening doors to show mercy to Ukrainian orphans in Switzerland. At the same time, oppressive regimes in Iran and Afghanistan have driven tens of thousands of Persian refugees into exile, creating untold opportunities to evangelize, baptize, shepherd, and care for them by the thousands. Without a doubt, God is great in Germany!
What comfort to know that God’s kingdom stands and expands by his own gracious plan! The Lord, who sends his workers across the globe to harvest his saints, has called many of them to faith and continues to sustain them in the gospel proclaimed by LCMS missionaries in Germany. We count ourselves richly blessed by the warmth and dedication of our LCMS friends and partners, who traveled across the ocean to attend, and we look forward to next year’s FORO for deeper bonds, cherished moments, and shared mission.
A heartfelt thanks to all missionaries in Germany for your devotion to Christ and his precious gospel! Thanks to the tireless Eurasia projects team, I am nearly overwhelmed with satisfaction. To our LCMS guests from the US—and above all, our FORO partners—much gratitude for your presence, prayers, and support!”
*Name changed for privacy reasons
