The Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Cameroon and Central African Republic are 100 years old this year. On July 7-9, 2023, Lutherans from the U.S. and Canada will gather in the Twin Cities to mark the event, and you're invited.
In 1923, several Norwegian-Americans like Adolphus and Marie Gunderson, Anne Olsen and Olette Berntsen landed in Douala, Cameroon. Troubled by the lack of Christian witness across a wide band of African geography called “the Sudan,” they set out to share their faith with those who had not yet heard. After 26 days of walking bush trails and exploring places to begin their work, they settled down in a town called Mboula. Soon dozens, then hundreds, then thousands of African believers joined them, and our Lutheran World Federation companion churches in Cameroon and Central African Republic are the result.
Special guests at the July event include Cameroonian church president Baïguele Jean, Central African church president Ngoe Joseph, and two women’s leaders, Sodea Joëlle Kyria and Francine Grace Yaimann. They will speak about current opportunities and challenges in their home churches as we ponder how they do evangelical outreach so effectively and wonder how we might do better in ours. Other activities include a day of song and seminar at Luther Seminary, Sunday services that include ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton as preacher and more. Rooms are available at the Hilton Garden Inn in Minneapolis, across from Central Lutheran, where some of the events will be housed. Busing will be provided to other venues.