“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your day that you would not believe if told” (Habakkuk 1:5). Our first annual Wittenberg Persian Conference, held in the Old Latin School, was a resounding success. The Holy Spirit was in overdrive all weekend, noticeable in visible and audible miracles. He softened hearts hardened for decades, causing tears of release to run down cheeks. He brightened faces with newfound insights on the Trinity, Law and Gospel, the Incarnation, the Holy Spirit, and the Real Presence in lectures given by pastors of the SELK, Finland’s LEAF missionary organization, and the LCMS. Another gift of the Holy Spirit at the conference was Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Vicar Peter Williams (seated on the chancel next to me), who served as lector in our Persian-language Divine Service. A polyglot, Peter read directly from his Farsi Bible. He is currently on vicarage at Kaiserslautern Evangelical Lutheran Church under Rev. Nathaniel Jensen. Vicar Peter speaks French, Spanish, and German and is currently learning Farsi, which comes to him easily thanks to his knowledge of Arabic. Hailing from San Jose, California, he is currently gaining practical experience as he commutes between the English-speaking congregation in Kaiserslautern and the Lutheran congregation in Paris, France. We are grateful that Peter is interested in Persian ministry because we can use all the help we can get—especially as our Iranian Lutherans grieve over the brutal oppression of their fellow citizens back home, yet also brace for a possible civil war that could liberate Iran from the yoke of a wicked regime. The Third Person of the Trinity was very active in Wittenberg, customizing His ministry to each of our 37 delegates. As we look around the nations—and especially consider Iran—the Holy Spirit is doing a ministry that we cannot believe—some of it visible, some of it audible, some of it hidden from human senses.
The Tiews in Germany 