The Nelson Family Indonesia

I wonder what type of student Jesus was.

Knowing practically nothing of his youth (because first century concepts of biography differed considerably from our 20th and 21st century psychology-dominated concepts of biography), we have to guess at what that education consisted of. Training in the Scriptures leading to his welcoming into the Jewish community at the age of 13 or so. He would have been conversant in at least Aramaic (the common language) as well as Hebrew. How those skills were acquired though we have less information on.

But He had some form of formal as well as informal education.

So it shouldn’t surprise us that Christian schools are a place where education can be shared along with the Gospel. Knowledge and wisdom about living in this world and this life, and knowledge and wisdom about how our lives include but also transcend this current one, stretching into eternity.

I’m blessed in my work to be involved directly with all of our LCMS Christian schools in Asia – Concordia International School Hanoi, and Concordia Middle School. I’m also likely to be involved with Concordia International School Shanghai, if I can obtain a visa for China (in process!). I’m also responsible for interfacing with Concordia International School Hong Kong, but I haven’t had the opportunity to engage with them yet.

The fact that I’m the Area Facilitator for all of our international schools in Asia is no accident. Given my lifetime of work in academia, whether in the back-office or in front of classrooms of students, I have an affinity and appreciation of what schools are capable of, and I understand some of the parameters of working in an academic institution and how those parameters shape the lives of not just the students but the educators and administrators that run them. I’m honored to serve as a liaison and resource for these institutions to the best of my ability.

So it was that I spent a very short time – less than 48 hours – in Chiayi, Taiwan this weekend. The purpose of my visit was to spend time with Andrew & Noel Schaff, career Lutheran educators who have served at Concordia Middle School (CMS) in Chiayi for over 20 years together. They have formally become part of the Office of International Mission, something which doesn’t much change their vocations and work, but offers them a variety of resources and benefits they’ve served without.

We spent time over food and in conversation talking about the work of CMS, which I was previously somewhat familiar with. The LCMS helped found CMS decades ago, and once upon a time we had several teachers positioned there. For a variety of reasons that connection has weakened over time. The Schaffs are the last LCMS people at the school. When I asked them what was the biggest way I could be of service and assistance to them, they didn’t hesitate.

Find more teachers.

It’s a familiar refrain at our international schools. They need men and women willing to come and serve overseas as teachers. Shaping students for the future, and doing so in a way that, to the best of their ability and the extent allowed by local law, shapes them as well for an eternity with Christ. Not an easy task by any means.

CMS needs at least one additional teacher for the upcoming academic year 2025-2026. Possibly two, but definitely one. They’re trying to get the word out any way possible.

It’s particularly important here, because CMS is a Lutheran school by name, identity, and legal documentation. Which means they not only have the opportunity to share the Gospel with their students, they are required by law to do so. It’s literally who they are.

And that one teacher they need? That one teacher has the opportunity to share the Gospel every week with 500-600 junior high students.

How cool is that?!

Not all of our international schools have that kind of freedom to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ directly with their students, as part of their actual curriculum. But CMS does.

Mind you, I am not designed to teach junior high students. I have no problem saying that, and I’m sure my assessment of my vocation would be affirmed very quickly by actual junior high students after just an hour or two with me! But I know other people have that gift, that calling, that desire and passion to teach kids at a very critical and challenging point in their lives.

And some people also have the ability and the desire to do this in another culture. A culture where Christians comprise less than 5% of the overall population. At an educational institution that estimates 10% of students come to faith in Jesus Christ over their years at CMS.

You don’t need to have an education degree (although that couldn’t hurt!). You don’t need to speak Mandarin. There’s a strong English-speaking community both at the school as well as at the LCMS Asia headquarters on the other side of town. All you need is a Bachelor’s degree and a willingness to serve in a unique but vibrant community. There’s even a Costco in town!

What an incredible opportunity!

So if you know someone who might be interested, please let me know. The school offers an array of benefits that, while not likely to make anyone rich, will more than provide for your needs while living overseas – including an annual round trip ticket to the US (or wherever you’re from), paid for by the school.

You would have an audience of literally hundreds of young people, many of whom know nothing about the Bible or Christianity, and your main task would be to teach them the Word of God and introduce them to Jesus.

Please keep it in prayer!