Volker & JinHyeog Glissmann
The Glissmanns have been in Malawi since 2010. From 2010-2018 with TEEM and now working remotely for the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC) in South Africa while based in Blantyre, Malawi. In 2010, Volker was seconded to work for a Malawian church-based theological education programme called Theological Education by Extension in Malawi or simply TEEM.
Latest mission report
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.
Prayer points
- Pray for wisdom and openness to the Holy Spirit while planning, designing and writing course material for the Malawian and South African context.
- Pray for wisdom for Volker as he balances the work in Malawi and South Africa with being available with advice for other TEE programmes in other parts of the world.
- Pray for JinHyeog as she teaches and that she will be able to continue to inspire the children.
- Pray for good health and daily protection for the Glissmann family; and that in all they do, say and are, their witness will bring glory to God.
Volker and JinHyeog have recorded a short film clip which can be downloaded and used in church services, prayer meetings or events to raise awareness and prayer for what God is doing across the world, as we seek to go deep and wide in global mission involvement.
Latest Report July/August 2026
Finishing
This is our last bulletin from Malawi after 16 years here. We are currently in transition, getting ready to leave Malawi at the beginning of July for a period of home assignment prior to taking up a new chapter of service with the Increase Association and based in Malaysia. One part of getting ready was finishing the different courses I was running in church. But we also knew we were leaving, so we offered extra to build additional capacity.
Last Sunday, we graduated 66 learners from 5 different courses, including a facilitator training course to equip members of the congregation to continue running some of the courses after we leave (for one of the other courses, we are revising the facilitator guide). Some of the graduates (the ones with gowns) have studied with me for at least 56 weeks. There are now several very well-qualified facilitators at the church. All of this is very exciting.
One of the great joys of graduation was that three of the graduates were former trainees from the church who ran one of our courses for a lady's Bible Study. We were able to jointly celebrate and acknowledge the study success of different members of the church. There is great joy in witnessing a facilitator finishing their first course and graduating learners.
One member of a course was posted to South Sudan as a logistics expert. Yet he insisted that we join him online, and he had been a very engaged part of our group. This kind of commitment to growing is so humbling, and that is why I enjoy what I do so much!
Prayer Points
- Join us in praising God for the graduation, the interest in learning about faith and the training of future facilitators.
- Please pray for us as we leave Malawi to say goodbye to many friends after 16 years and prepare for home assignment.
- Please continue to pray for the health and safety of the whole family.
Mission report archive
Download a printable PDF of this and other recent bulletins below.