Did you know that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG) is nearly 280 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. Five ordained clergy and several deacons provide spiritual care for the 33 churches organized into 13 parishes. Some congregations are in extremely remote, up-river areas.
Engagement between ELCG and FBS is vibrant and expanding. For the past several years, the synod has sent representatives to the ELCG Annual Convention in May. In 2024 Global Mission Table (GMT) Chair Rev. Carroll was invited to preach and in 2025, she provided one of the convention keynote addresses. In addition, there has long been a strong bond between the women’s groups of the ELCG and the Florida-Bahamas Synod. Pre-covid, women from ELCG traveled to join in WELCA gatherings in Florida, and during the pandemic, women of the FB Synod collaborated with ELCG and other companions to create 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 In 2023 and 2024 there were a number of joint virtual Bible studies and discussions hosted by ELCG, FB Synod and the Lutheran Church in Suriname. In April 2024 there was a two-session, virtual evening retreat entitled “Finding Hope in a Complex World.” Plans are in the works for an in-person retreat with women from ELCG, FB Synod and ELKS (Lutheran Church in Suriname) in summer 2026.
Activities have also centered on ELCG’s efforts to develop further its leadership pool. First, FB Synod and ELCG partnered to enhance ELCG’s technology capacity so that classes might be offered virtually. Next, FB Synod was invited to provide teaching assistance in the newly-revived ELCG Lay Academy. Lay leaders, deacons and pastoral candidates are all currently enrolled in the program which was re-established by the ELCG and supported by Dr. Carolyn Schneider, ELCA Global Mission Personnel who is serving in Guyana. During 2025, Rev. Gabriel Morgan of St. Paul’s in Tampa is teaching Christian Ethics (virtually and once in-person) in the Lay Academy.
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.
