Did you know that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG) is over 270 years old? Brought over by a few Dutch settlers in the 1730’s – the Lutheran Church continues to serve today in a country now dominated by Indian, Chinese, and Muslim influences – and an even stronger Anglican history. There are 6 ordained clergy who have several deacons each, serving under them and providing spiritual care for over 40 churches. Some congregations are in extremely remote, up-river areas.
The first trip to Guyana since November 2019 occurred in March 2023. During this visit, Bishop Suarez and other leaders were able to meet with various congregations and invigorate plans with ELCG’s Executive Committee, presided by Rev. Leroy Nicholson. There has historically been a strong bond between the women’s groups of the ELCG and the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Memebers of the FB Synod have attended conventions in Guyana and we have hosted women from both Guyana and Suriname at WELCA conventions in Florida. There are plans to re-start these exchanges now that travel can resume. There is also a desire to forge a deeper partnership in the area of leadership training and development.
During the pandemic, members of the Guyana Team collaborated with ELCG and other companions in creating an online devotion during the Sixteen Days of Advocacy for Gender Justice. It can be found at the following YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Ax0561UpBn8
Marcee Wilkes (marceestrickland@gmail.com) is the chair of the team that oversees both Guyana and Suriname. Please contact her or Rev. Katie Carroll (revkhc@gmail.com), Global Mission Table Chair, to learn more and get involved.
