Praising His Grace: The History of the Wisconsin Synod in Japan, 1957-1982, Book II (1957-1971)

Abstract

This historical account, authored by David R. Clark, David A. Nottling, and William E. Runke, chronicles the development of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod’s (WELS) mission in Japan from 1957 to 1971. Following the resignation of the first missionary, Fred Tiefel, the mission restarted under Richard Seeger and later expanded with missionaries Richard Poetter, Luther Weindorf, and others. The narrative details the challenges of language acquisition, cultural adaptation, and doctrinal fidelity, as well as the founding of the Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church (LECC). It highlights the establishment of preaching stations, the training of national pastors, and the creation of a Japanese seminary. The account also addresses internal controversies, such as the Tokyo Site Question and the education of missionary children. Through personal stories, strategic planning, and God’s providence, the mission grew to include multiple congregations and national workers, spreading the Gospel in a spiritually resistant culture. —Abstract by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)