wfn.org | LWF President, General Secretary Visit Churches In West Africa

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

February 11, 2005

LWF President, General Secretary Visit Churches In West Africa
05-022-JH*/JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A high-level delegation of the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF) led by the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and LWF president, and the Rev.
Ishmael Noko, LWF general secretary, is visiting Liberia, Nigeria and
Sierra Leone, Feb. 10-17.  The delegation will meet with LWF member
representatives there, ecumenical partners and political leaders.
     The visit, aimed at strengthening the identity of the Lutheran
communion in West Africa, is an opportunity for the LWF president and
general secretary to bear witness to the experiences and challenges of the
region's member churches, according to a news release from LWF.
     On the delegation's first stop, Nigeria, the challenges, difficulties
and new opportunities for the region will be presented during a seminar of
the Lutheran Communion in Western Africa, with a major focus on HIV/AIDS.
The Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria and Lutheran Church of Nigeria
will host a festive worship service attended by representatives of other
denominations and leaders of the LWF member churches in Liberia and Sierra
Leone. The delegation will also meet with local government officials.
     Liberia and Sierra Leone have experienced long periods of internal
strife and violence in the wake of civil war in the 1990s. The LWF
continues active engagement in building peace and overall development
efforts in both countries, the news release said.
     In Liberia the LWF delegation will be hosted by the Lutheran Church
in Liberia and will meet with staff of the LWF Department for World
Service (DWS) program. They will also meet with staff of the Phebe
Hospital, Suakoko, Liberia.
     The hospital, built in 1921 with Lutheran support, was extensively
damaged and looted during recent conflicts. A significant highlight of the
visit will be the reopening of the recently reconstructed hospital, which
Hanson and Noko will attend.
     In Sierra Leone the delegation will meet with officials of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone, representatives of the
Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone, and officials of the HIV/AIDS
National Secretariat.
     Throughout their visit, the president and general secretary will
reaffirm the solidarity of the global Lutheran communion with the people
of Liberia and Sierra Leone who have suffered war, and assure continued
support, the LWF news release said.
     The visit to this region will also be an opportunity for the LWF
leaders to reflect on the 50th anniversary celebrations of the All-Africa
Lutheran Consultation planned for later this year.
     The LWF is a global communion of Lutheran churches.  The LWF has 138
member churches in 77 countries throughout the world, representing nearly
65 million Lutherans.
---
     *Julia Heyde is an intern with the LWF Office for Communication
Services, Geneva.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news