Lutheran Bible Translator’s Newest Missionaries
Rev. Tim and Deaconess Erin Schulte are the newest missionaries at Lutheran Bible Translators (LBT). They have been preparing to deploy on their first assignment to Cameroon, beginning September 2024, where they will serve the Subula* language community. Their journey to this point highlights their faith, deep-rooted connection to Africa, and dedication to sharing the Word of God.
*Acronym used for sensitive area.
Rev. Tim and Deaconess Erin Schulte
Get to Know Tim and Erin Schulte
Rev. Tim Schulte’s journey began in Togo, where he was born to missionary parents. Growing up in West Africa, Tim developed a strong bond with the region, spending 14 years immersed in its culture. After returning to the United States, Tim pursued a B.A. in Political Science at Truman State University. His passion for service led him to the Peace Corps, where he worked in Swaziland. It was during this time that his calling to ministry deepened, eventually leading him to Concordia Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity. Tim was ordained in June 2022 at Salem Lutheran Church in Blackjack, Missouri, marking the beginning of his formal ministry journey.
Deaconess Erin Schulte, a native of Georgia, also felt a strong call to service from an early age. After obtaining her B.A. in History from the University of West Georgia, Erin answered God’s call to ministry by enrolling at Concordia Seminary. There, she pursued a dual degree in Spiritual Care and Social Work, furthering her commitment to helping others. Erin’s studies took her to the University of Cambridge, where she earned a Diploma in Theology for Ministry. As a licensed social worker, she now serves with Lutheran Bible Translators, bringing her unique blend of social work and theological expertise to the mission field.
During an Essentially Translatable podcast interview, Erin shared more about her perspective of ministry and her calling.
“Thinking about God’s Word, the absolute truth that we’re given by our Creator just to make sense of ourselves, the world around us, and just our place in the way that he’s placed us in this world. And just the fact that I just love being in church. I’ve always loved going to church, being in that community with other believers, and realizing that the truth of the gospel, for me, just thinking about everything that was something of which I was most passionate about, something that I wanted to devote my life to and that it would be worth it.”
Bridge in Cameroon in the region where the Schulte’s will be working with the Subula* language community
Later in the same interview, Tim shared a story from a recent trip he and Erin had made to visit the Subula* in Cameroon. After a long day of traveling, they arrived for a late meeting with the language community, exhausted after being on the road and still adjusting to the time difference. Tim shares:
“And we sit down, and all of these people come in, and they just start talking about the work that they’ve been doing and the work that they want to do and how excited they are to continue translating the Bible for the Subula people. And it was just kind of incredible just looking at these people who were just so earnest and so excited about the experience.”
Both Tim and Erin, through their own experiences, training, and now having spent time with the community where they will be living and working, are energized for the work ahead. They join with their Subula* neighbors in anticipation of the hope, life and transformation that follows when people have access to God’s Word.
Preparing for the Field
While in Cameroon, Tim and Erin will work closely with the Subula*, providing support for the local translation team and encouraging community engagement with the translation project. Their ministry is deeply personal, reflecting their belief in the importance of making the Bible accessible to all. The Schulte’s journey has included extensive preparation, including visits to over sixty churches around the U.S. to build the partnerships necessary to support their ministry. This mission is not just about spreading the Word of God; it’s about building lasting relationships and honoring the dedication and work of their partners in the Subula* community.
A local leader facilitating a Subula* language community dialect workshop
One particularly poignant story from their journey highlights the impact of their mission. While reconnecting with a host sister from Tim’s Peace Corps days in Swaziland, the Schultes were deeply moved when she, despite her limited resources, donated to their mission. This act of generosity underscored the profound connections they have built and the global support that fuels their work. As they start this new season of life and ministry in Cameroon, Tim and Erin carry with them the prayers, support, and hopes of many, committed to making a difference in the lives of those they will serve.
To learn more about the Schultes and other Lutheran Bible Translators’ missionaries who are working in the field, click here
