Brief History

The church was begun by people and pastors from Nigeria who were fleeing from the Biafran civil war. Two pastors met with four families and held services in their homes. This was in 1965. An early leader of the church contacted Missionary Kirby Spevacek in Central Africa to ask for help. The appeal was passed on to the synod in Milwaukee in January of 1970. Representatives were sent to review the potential in the field. E.H. Wendland was sent on a fact-finding mission. He noted in his report that, "Quite obviously help for this church is very much needed, particularly in sound worker training and in material to help do the job. The filed deserves a closer look." Further visitations to the field were made in 1972 by Executive Secretary Edgar Hoenecke, as well as Professor Wendland and Theodore Sauer.

There was a crisis in the church when funds were mismanaged and the church was even closed by the government for a time. However, more visits were made in 1975 and a series of seminars were set up. The situation in the church had improved and a cautious approval for financial help followed. Two expatriate missionaries were to be called. The government did not allow this to take place until 1991.

Early seminars were conducted by R.G. Cox and E.H. Wendland, as well as Mark Krueger and Paul Wendland. Michael Hintz, Duane Tomhave, and John Kurth also conducted seminars. Pastor Norbert Meier was called as the first expatriate missionary. Pastor Delmer Kannenberg followed him. Pastor Carl Henkel and Salimo Hachibamba helped out with seminary training when Pastor Cox had to return to the states for health reasons. A class of 16 pastors was graduated early in 1999. They now provide the main leadership for the church. Pastor Daniel Westendorf served on year here on leave of absence from his congregation in Hartford, Wisconsin. Pastor Keith Haag accepted the call to serve as a missionary for two years beginning in the year 2000. Laura and Aaron Bublitz are serving under the WELS Kingdom Workers. Aaron takes care of financial records and assists in other areas of work.

The headquarters is found at Kumba, in a subdivision called Barombi Kang. This was the former site of the seminary. There is a chapel, two dormitory units, a classroom unit, and a cafeteria. There are three congregations and two preaching stations in the Kumba area. There is another area with about nine congregations and three preaching stations located about 50 miles to the northwest. This is called the Western Bakossi area. We also have a cluster of congregations about 200 miles to the north in what is called the Northwest, Meta and Bafut areas. We have about 12 congregations there and several preaching stations.

Church Body Statistics

Congregations:	26
Preaching Stations:	10
Baptized:	1,125
Communicants:	661
National Pastors:	17
National Evangelists:	35
Missionaries:	1
Layworkers:	2