In what could be the beginning of a confessional Lutheran church in Pakistan, a Pakistani husband and wife—WELS' primary contacts in the country—have been confirmed in the Lutheran faith and are now in fellowship with our church body.

The development comes after Rev. Dan Koelpin, WELS administrator for World Missions, and the WELS coordinator for Pakistan met with the couple in London Apr. 8–9. Before the meeting, the husband and wife, both lifelong Christians, had worked through 19 lessons of a Bible instruction class through the Internet messaging system Skype with the coordinator for Pakistan.

For four years, WELS has been carrying out a seed-sowing ministry in Pakistan. Twenty-two thousand Pakistani adults and children are enrolled in the Bible correspondence program that the doctor oversees. WELS Multi-Language Publications assists him with the publication of the needed materials. Pakistan is 97 percent Muslim, and Christians there face violent opposition. For this reason, the names of the husband and wife and the WELS coordinator for Pakistan cannot be published.

"The faith and love our contacts demonstrate in sharing the gospel in their land is indescribable," says the coordinator. "In spite of the obstacles, they are passionate in sharing the message of salvation. God has opened a door for this ministry. There is a great hunger for the gospel in this nation. God is doing what many people thought was impossible."