It was an opportunity that took Prof. Keith Wessel by surprise. Sitting in his office at Martin Luther College (MLC), WELS' college of ministry in New Ulm, Minn., he received an unexpected email from Prof. Ken Cherney at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., calling him to serve for one semester at Asia Lutheran Seminary (ALS) in Hong Kong. Wessel accepted—leading him on a journey that would change his worldview.

"I think the things that were appealing were the opportunity to learn about a completely different culture than Southern Minnesota's culture," says Wessel. "Also, I think the fact that I was the first one asked from Martin Luther College was, I think, a benefit for our school."

Wessel, who teaches Latin and Greek at MLC, was one of about a dozen visiting WELS professors who have taught at ALS over the last four years. He spent the spring semester of 2009 teaching the gospel of Matthew and intertestamental history at ALS. In the process, he got that opportunity to learn about a completely different culture he was hoping for.

Lesson one was learning how to teach through an interpreter. Wessel does not speak either Mandarin or Cantonese. "I had actually no way of knowing whether my translator was accurately catching not only what I was saying, but the nuances of what I was trying to say when it comes to some of these theological points," he says. He learned the trick is speaking in short, direct sentences.

Lesson two was about the importance of building relationships. Wessel says he found out quickly that with Chinese students in particular, visiting professors must establish rapport and trust before any real learning can take place. But once that happens, the door is open. "The students in my course were rather open about their life and the struggles they have," Wessel says, "especially in their extended families where they daily encounter people who not only don't know about Christianity, but know about it and are actively resistant to it."

Can a professor have an impact in a few short months? Wessel says yes. "St. Paul sets the tone for all of us who serve in the ministry, not that we are confident in and of ourselves, but that this comes from God." Wessel points to Paul’s missionary journeys, and how even his limited stays in cities paid eternal dividends. "We look at the tremendous power of the Word and what that accomplished in that type of environment. And I think the same thing is true in Hong Kong."

Wessel taught about ten students in each class during his months at ALS. What impressed him the most was their dedication and eagerness to learn. Many worked full-time jobs during the day before spending three hours in an evening class with him. "They come, not complaining about these long class hours. They really view it as an opportunity to refresh their souls by studying the Word of God."

Now that he has returned to his teaching duties at MLC, Wessel looks back at his time in Hong Kong. "I am still impressed on a daily basis by just the sheer number of people that are in that part of the world. That can’t help but leave an impression on you. And to help young men and women at Martin Luther College see that and see the opportunities that the Lord is placing before us in our world. That's what I'm hoping I brought back from this experience back into the classroom."

Learn more about Asia Lutheran Seminary in December's WELS Connection.