The Rev. D. Jensen Seyenkulo was elected bishop of the Lutheran Church in Liberia, April 28, on the first ballot at the denomination’s 14th biannual convention.
“This is a great honor for me, and I am humbled by this election,” Seyenkulo said in a May 1 interview. “I have dreamt that I would be able to return home and make a contribution to the Lutheran Church in Liberia, which has done a lot to make me what I am today. I am thrilled and absolutely flattered by the trust of the people, and I think it is by God’s will that I have been called to this position.”

Seyenkulo was born in the village of Kenata in the Kuwaa Chiefdom of Liberia. In 1982, he earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Gbarnga School of Theology in Liberia.   He was awarded scholarships to support his studies in the United States. He received a Master of Theology degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. As a scholarship recipient Seyenkulo earned a doctorate in biblical studies from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Seyenkulo earned a second Master of Theology degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Luther and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago are two Lutheran seminaries.

In 2007, Seyenkulo cofounded the U.S. based Kuwaa Mission, providing safe drinking water, medical and school supplies, and building supplies.

Seyenkulo was pastor for two Lutheran congregations in Chicago, and was an adjunct professor at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He also was a “missionary in residence,” working to create awareness about Liberia among U.S. citizens. Seyenkulo and his wife, Linda, have three teenage children.

The Kuwaa Mission Board of Directors congratulates Jensen and encourages all the supporters of the Kuwaa Mission to uphold him and his family in prayer as they make this transition in their lives.  We have counted it a privilege and honor to have worked alongside Jensen as he led the Mission to send volunteer missionaries to Liberia and construct wells and medical clinics in the Kuwaa Chiefdom.