Day of Celebration for Nepalese

On Sunday, August 25, St. John’s Lutheran Church (Morganford) in St. Louis celebrated the ordination and installation of two new pastors, Ratna Mangar and Nabin Samal. These are the first Nepalese Lutheran pastors in the world.

Pastor Bill Wilson, the new transitional pastor at St. John’s, led a multiethnic service that included worship in English and Nepalese, hymns, spiritual songs, children’s choirs, and diverse musicians. This “All Nations” worship service is a monthly tradition at St. John’s bringing together the historic mother church, the Nepalese mission, and other immigrants and visitors. Pastors Mangar and Samal have been mentored by Pastor Michael Tanney through the Ethnic and Immigrant Institute for Theology (EIIT) at Concordia Seminary. This program allowed them to study theology, prepare for ordination, and support their families while working in the community and planting a mission church.

 
 
Nabin Samal, born in 1986, spent 19 years in a refugee camp. His family’s plea for spiritual guidance was answered when his mother and uncle, suffering from illness and local harassment from a witch doctor, learned of Jesus and the comfort of prayer through a Presbyterian missionary. The entire family converted to Christianity and Nabin was baptized in 1993. Arriving in the US in 2010, Nabin and his family received support from Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA), St. John’s, and Pastor Tanney, benefiting from Christian aid, education, and fellowship.
 
 
Nabin will travel with Pastor Tanney to Nepal in September and October to evangelize and teach emerging Christian communities. Last year, Nabin taught Luther’s Small Catechism to one such group and has been invited back to teach the Augsburg Confession this year. Pastor Tanney delivered the sermon and joined 15 pastors and seminary students in blessing these new pastors. Tanney gave insight for all, especially the Nepali Mission, into the grace-filled work of a pastor. The message resonated with “Angurah Church,” the chosen name of their mission, which means “Grace.” On Saturday, September 14, Angurah Church, funded by a Missouri District grant, will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a cultural festival at St. John’s.”