Going the
Distance from
Missouri to India by Edward Naumann
T to B: Martin and Mrs. Wyneken following an elephant rage, circa 1950s; Missionary Lange with Indian vicar, circa 1950s; Rev. Theodore Naether and family, circa 1890s; Teacher Melm and High School Staff, circa 1900; Lutheran hospital staff, circa 1940s. HISTORIC PHOTOS: CONCORDIA HISTORIC INSTITUTE
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lcms.org/LUTHERANSengage
November–December 2012
from its earliest days, the Missouri Synod has been a church of missions. The first missions were to the native “Indians” of North America and to the immigrants of the New World. The first overseas missionaries of the Missouri Synod, however, went much farther away. India was their destination. They and many after them in the first part of the 20th century were sent there to proclaim the Gospel to the Indian people. Thanks be to God, today, as a result of their efforts more than 100,000
souls in India believe in Jesus. The fruits of the missionaries’ labors may now be seen in the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC), an LCMS partner church since 1971. making a difference Earlier this year, I traveled with a group of classmates and professors from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne to visit the IELC. We saw over and over again the visible signs of the long partnership between the LCMS and the IELC in the many churches, schools, hospitals, and institutions of mercy. (Editor’s note: