Volker & JinHyeog Glissmann

Volker and JinHyeog's mission work

For the last number of years, Volker has been involved in a special form of theological education called Theological Education by Extension (TEE). TEE is an alternative leadership training system, bringing theological, biblical and practical leadership training to people right where they live and worship. Today, TEE programmes are widely used in many countries around the world. They are particularly important in churches who rely heavily on lay people to preach and teach in local prayer houses and congregations. 

TEEM is TEE in the Malawian context, providing self-study course material on basic biblical, doctrinal, practical and ministerial subjects. From 2010 to 2018, Volker was the Director of TEEM (Theological Education by Extension in Malawi) and but was also involved in TEE consultancy in southern Africa and globally.

In the summer of 2018, Volker handed over the leadership of TEEM to his successor as the plan was for him to move to South Africa and join the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC) there. However due to visa issues, the Glissmanns have remained in Malawi, where Volker continues to provide consultancy to TEEM by developing grassroots training courses. However, the main secondment for Volker is to work in conjunction with his South African colleagues in developing, designing and writing a new Bachelor in Theology programme as well as updating some older courses. TEEC is a unique theological college in that the majority of its students would traditionally be unable to access theological training. TEEC offers courses to those unable to attend residential training but who continue to minister in their communities.

JinHyeog works as a full-time music teacher at a primary school in Blantyre.

Volker writes, “The strength of the church depends on well-trained ministers, as well as on fully-equipped church leaders and members. Not everyone can leave their jobs and study full-time. Decentralised training like TEE provides good quality and relevant theological education locally to people enabling them to be better equipped to fully participate in God's mission.”

Volker was born in Germany and JinHyeog in South Korea. They served with Operation Mobilisation in Russia from 1997 to 2000. Out of this experience they developed a strong desire to continue to serve Christ's church. JinHyeog was privileged to serve in their home congregation Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church in Lisburn as Music Director for a few years before the family left for Malawi. Volker and JinHyeog have three children, their oldest daughter studies in England while the boys are at school in Blantyre.

Latest Report November 2026

The Glissmanns are in Malaysia, and Volker was commissioned as the new General Secretary of the Increase Association for church-based training in Asia.

Malaysia

We arrived in Malaysia at the beginning of October. We are currently here on a short-term 90-day visa to explore visa options in person. We have already had a couple of meetings, including with two theological schools, which did not open doors. Most of the time here, we spend preparing for the conference. Now that the conference is over, we started exploring the city a bit more, especially its food.

Increase Conference

From 19-23 October, the Increase Association held its 20th Anniversary Training Conference titled: Celebrating His Story – Embracing His Future in Malaysia. 

Over 180 people from 36 countries came together for the largest and most diverse Increase meeting. The programme was packed with table group morning devotions, training blocks covering diverse topics, including mentoring, group facilitator training, AI, course development, organisational health, self-care and orality. Participants included representatives from the Increase Association and other organisations interested in building up churches across Asia.

Increase developed the training blocks through detailed consultation to identify the most pressing issues. All of the training blocks were planned, organised and conducted by Increase volunteers, called equippers, who volunteer their expertise to Increase. We celebrated God's kindness for sustaining Increase over 20 years.

During the conference, Volker was installed as the new General Secretary for the Increase Association. We were especially delighted that Rev Stephen McCracken, the convener for our church's Global Mission Council, not only joined but also shared a biblical reflection as part of the commissioning. Stephen has been a good friend and supporter since we prepared to serve in Malawi many years ago, so his presence was especially meaningful to us.

No information, no names, no pictures

One feature of Increase's work is that, according to Open Doors, at least 20 of its core members serve in the 60 countries most hostile to Christians. To protect identities and ministries, we will sometimes be unable to share names or pictures.

Prayer Points

• Join us in praising God as we celebrate his faithfulness and increase over the last 20 years, and the success of the conference.
• Please pray for us as we transition into life in Malaysia and explore visa options.
• Please continue to pray for the health and safety of the whole family.