TELL is a digital program, with classes taking place online only.
TELL is connected with national pastors around the globe, as well as some churches in select countries. Please visit this page to view the churches with which TELL is in fellowship.
Occasionally, members of the TELL team will travel to perform in-person workshops. Active TELL students will be invited to these in-person events via WhatsApp.
TELL offers Certificates for each TELL LIVE Course you complete. You will also receive an Academic Record to track your progress through the TELL Program.
TELL is not accredited by the state, but TELL is connected with seminaries around the world. The TELL Program, in its entirety, is the first step toward connection with one of our seminaries. For many of our seminaries, the TELL Program is considered prerequisite coursework. If you complete the TELL Program (about 2 years of study), and have interest in deepening your knowledge of God's Word further, you will be able to apply.
TELL is connected with seminaries in:
- Lusaka, Zambia
- Lilongwe, Malawi
- Hong Kong
TELL is also connected with the Pastoral Studies Institute.
TELL was created to equip Christians worldwide to gather a church. A formal seminary education or degree is not a requirement to begin sharing the gospel and shepherding souls. We encourage all of our brothers & sisters in faith to participate in our Lord's Great Commission - to go and make disciples of all nations.
See the question below: "Will TELL help me start a church?"
The entire TELL Program consists of 21 courses - each about 6 weeks long. This means that the entire TELL Program takes about 2 and 1/2 years to complete.
You may choose to take every class back-to-back, or take a break during busy seasons of life. Learn at your own pace!
The entire TELL Program is always free-of-charge. Please be aware of anyone asking for money on behalf of TELL; TELL will never request money from you.
TELL is a worldwide ministry of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. You can read more about the beliefs of TELL and WELS at www.wels.net/about-wels/what-we-believe/.
For each TELL LIVE Course you complete, you will receive a Certificate of Completion, displaying your full name, country, and the signature of TELL's director, Nate Seiltz.
This is not an accredited degree or diploma, nor should it serve as a reference for employment. This is a way for us to recognize your hard work and faithful study of God's Word.
You will also receive an Academic Record that will display all of your completed TELL Courses, their instructors, and the date you completed them. This can be used to track your progress through the TELL Program.
TELL trains leaders for Christ. TELL will equip you to share God's Word and shepherd souls in your community.
TELL's coursework is as follows:
Self-Study Level: Self-guided study via WhatsApp
- Spiritual Identification
- Truth Brings Peace
- Introduction to the Bible
Discipleship Level: LIVE Courses with TELL Instructors
- The Bible: The Work of the Savior
- The Bible: In the Beginning
- The Bible: The Chosen Nation
- The Bible: The Fallen Nation
- The Bible: The Coming of the Savior
- The Bible: The Christian Church
- Jesus’ Teachings: The Ten Commandments
- Jesus’ Teachings: The True God
- Jesus’ Teachings: Sacraments & Prayer
- Legalism: Enemy of Grace
- Spiritual Identification
- The Word Grows: Living as a Disciple
Multiplication Level: LIVE Courses with TELL Instructors, guidance from a TELL Counselor as you gather and lead a Growth Group
- The Word Grows: Disciple Makes Disciples
- The Word Grows: Multiplying Disciples
- The Word Grows: Multiplying Churches
- The Word Grows: Multiplying Ministers
- Let Us Worship 1: The Biblical Principles of Worship
- Let Us Worship 2: Worship in Practice
- The Epistles
- Devotional Life in the Psalms
TELL trains leaders for Christ. TELL's purpose is to equip you with the tools and knowledge you will need to begin shepherding souls and sharing the gospel with your community. No past experience is necessary to be successful in the TELL Program.
TELL begins with a series of Self-Study videos that serve as brief refresher courses on basic Biblical topics.
Then, you will begin the Discipleship Level and be enrolled in your first TELL LIVE Course: Work of the Savior.
After completing 7 more courses in the Discipleship Level, you will be assigned a TELL Counselor who will meet with you one-on-one. This counselor's job is:
1) To connect with you on a more personal level: to learn about your personal gifts and your current situation
2) To have Biblical discussions on topics like doctrine & fellowship
3) To support you as you commit to gathering a Growth Group: a gathering of friends, family, and community members that regularly study God's Word under your guidance
After completing all 12 courses in Discipleship Level, you will move to Multiplication Level. This 3rd and final level is dedicated to multiplying your Growth Group as God sees fit to bless your efforts.
TELL does not offer physical resources or monetary support. The TELL Team will be praying for your ministry and creating more free-of-charge resources for you to use along your journey.