Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen

Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen (6 February 1834 – 23 May 1918) was a German Lutheran missionary to Batak lands, North Sumatra. He also translated the New Testament into the native Batak language and the first Ephorus (bishop) of Batak Christian Protestant Church. He is commemorated as a missionary on 7 November in the Calendar of Saints of the Lutheran Church with John Christian Frederick Heyer and Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg.

Early life Nommensen was born in the Nordstrand peninsula in the Duchy of Schleswig in 1834, when the area was ruled by the king of Denmark but distinct from Denmark proper due to the link between the Duchy of Schleswig and the Duchy of Holstein, which was part of the German Confederation. As a boy of seven years, he tended geese. At the age of eight years he tended sheep. At the age of nine years he was apprentice to a roofers. After that he started to work at farm since he was ten years old.

In 1846, when he was twelve years old, a horse cart rolled over his legs, crushing them. The initial prognosis was that he would be unlikely to walk again. But after praying for recovery, some four years later, he was able to walk again.

An interest in Christian missionary work led to Nommensen's enrolment at the Rhenish Missionary Society seminary at Wuppertal-Barmen in 1857.

Ministry in Sumatra

He was sent as a missionary to Sumatra in 1862. In 1878 he completed the first translation of the New Testament into the Batak language;

His first marriage with Margarethe Caroline Gutbrod was from 1866 until her death in 1887. From this marriage they had six children: Benoni Nommensen – Died in infancy at approximately 7 days old. Anna Nommensen – Died in early childhood at approximately 1 year old. Christian Nommensen (born in 1868) – later became a planter and was tragically murdered in Sumatra in 1901. Ludwig Nommensen (born in 1870) – later migrated as a merchant to Brazil. Lucia Nommensen – Married a fellow missionary. Jonathan Nommensen (born on 27 November 1873) – followed his father's footsteps to become an evangelical missionary in Sumatra, serving in Laguboti and Sigumpar until his death on 30 January 1950.

His second marriage with Anna Magdalene Christine Harder was from 1892 until her death in 1909. From this marriage they had three children: Marcus Nathaniel Nommensen (born on 3 October 1893) – He served as a soldier in Germany and died during World War I in 1916. Margaret Nommensen (born on 30 May 1896) – She became a teacher in Germany and died in 1946. Anna Nommensen. that was dedicated on 27 December 1932 and later destroyed by Japanese soldiers in 1942 during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies During and post his missionary service, Nommensen was awarded and given honoraria as follows: Knight (Ridder) of the Order of Orange-Nassau: Awarded in 1893 in recognition of his extensive societal, educational, and religious contributions in the Dutch East Indies (Sumatra).

Honorary Doctorate (doctorate of theology): Conferred by the University of Bonn in 1904 for his theological and translation work (including translating the New Testament into the Toba Batak language).

Bishop Stephen Neill (1900–1984), in his History of Christian Missions, described Nommensen as "one of the most powerful missionaries of whom we have record anywhere" (page 348).

Another source wrote, "Nommensen may have been one of the most successful missionaries ever to preach the gospel" (Ambassadors for Christ, ed. by J. Woodbridge, page 146).

Works and editions Luther's Small Catechism (Tigor ni poda) – Translated into the Toba Batak language in 1874. published by Roeloffzen & Hubner in 1894.

Tobasch Spelboekje – A Toba Batak spelling and primer booklet published in multiple editions (1877 and 1885).

The New Testament (Padan Na Imbaru) – Translated from original Greek into the Toba Batak language, completed in 1878.

Bible Stories (Djamita sian Hata ni Debata) – Published in Toba Batak language in 1882.

Berichte an seine Freunde (Reports to His Friends) – A three-part series of booklets published in 1882, 1883, and 1886 detailing his missionary journey and experiences.

Short Articles and Journals – Around forty shorter written accounts and reports contributed directly to European missionary journals.