Rev. David and Joyce Erber,
Serving the Lord in Ghana, West Africa

Bio

Rev. David and Joyce Erber serve as missionaries with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in West Africa, where Pastor Erber serves as area facilitator for English-speaking West Africa. He is responsible for LCMS work and missionaries in the countries of The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Although English is the “national language” of each of these countries, this region of almost 200 million people consists of 657 distinct language groups. Pastor Erber works closely with the national church leaders to sustain and lead approximately 1,000 Lutheran congregations in proclaiming the Gospel to people who do not know Jesus. He also coordinates a master’s degree level of evangelism training for a select group of pastors and church leaders in Nigeria. (This Master of Arts in Christian Outreach degree is offered by the Hoffmann Institute at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn.)

The Erbers have served in Africa since 1986. Before serving as area facilitator, the Erbers lived among the Bokyi people in Northern Cross River State, Nigeria, where Pastor Erber was engaged in church planting and leadership development. While there, David also completed the PhD. in Missiology degree at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. Then Pastor Erber taught at the Lutheran Church of Nigeria seminary in Obot Idim, Nigeria.

Before coming to Africa, David graduated from Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Concordia Theological Seminary. Joyce (Clark) is from Loveland, Colo. and graduated from Valparaiso University. Together, the Erbers studied linguistics in Grand Forks, N.D., and Dallas, Texas. Joyce has also completed a master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages, which gives her opportunities to work with women in a witnessing context and to support the English language needs of our training programs.

The Erbers’ children, Luke, Jonathan and Naomi, were born in Jos, Nigeria, and graduated from high school in Jos. They are currently university students or working in the United States. In 2012, the Erbers moved from Nigeria to Ghana, West Africa.

Prayers

Please pray for the Erbers as they minister to the people of The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Ask the Lord to raise up Christ-centered leaders of Lutheran congregations. Pray that the Lord would protect Pastor Erber as he travels and that the Holy Spirit would continue to sustain and grow the Lutheran church bodies in English-speaking West Africa.

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