Celebrants at the 20th Anniversary of Asia Lutheran Seminary
Twenty years ago, on May 29, 2005, Dr. John Lawrenz preached for the opening service of a brand-new seminary: Asia Lutheran Seminary (ALS). His sermon was based on 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, where Paul writes, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” On June 1, 2025, brothers and sisters from the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Thailand, and other places in Asia gathered in Hong Kong to thank God for giving ALS the privilege of serving his people with the gospel for 20 years.
Rev. Daniel Koelpin, former administrator for the WELS Board for World Missions, preached on Philippians 1:3-11. He reminded those gathered that this anniversary is a time to thank God for his blessings, to celebrate partnerships, to stay committed to the task at hand, to pray for more opportunities to serve, and to give glory to God above all else.
A banquet was held after the worship service, which included speeches, performances, and entertainment by guests, faculty, and staff. What will ALS be like in another 20 years? Of course, only God knows the answer to this question. God not only knows all things, but he also guides and directs the events of this world to accomplish his goal and purpose.
We know what this goal is: that his Word would be preached to all the world, that more people would come to faith, and that his kingdom would come. Because we know this, we also know that we will always be able to say, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Submitted by WELS Missionary Tony Bartels
