Guyana

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 4 ordained clergy who have several deacons each, serving under them, and providing spiritual care for over 35 churches, some in extremely remote, up-river areas.

Pr. Kit Robison (pastorobison@gmail.com) is the chair of the sub-committee that oversees both Guyana and Suriname

Report on May 2016 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG) Annual Assembly

Chris Klafs, member of St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church, Tarpon Springs, and a member of the FB Synod Global Mission Committee, traveled to Guyana the first week of May to visit with friends and members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana and attend their Annual Assembly.

Chris developed these friendships over 15 years of travelling to Guyana and conducting mission trips there.  Before the development of the Guyana-Surinam Team – a sub-committee of the Global Mission Committee, Chris devoted much of her time, money, and energy to coordinating and leading mission trips to both Guyana and Surinam.  She shared this brief report and some photos of her trip with members of the Global Mission Committee during their last meeting in June.

“I was thankful to be in Guyana from April 26th to May 7th. I was there for the ELCG Convention, May 1-3.  The theme of the 73rd Convention was “Liberated by God’s Grace”. Several Pastors and Deacons spoke on this topic and it was very interesting. Deacon Babsie Pierre was ordained a Pastor for the ELCG.  There were elections this year and President Leroy Nicholson was re-elected for an additional two years.

We were entertained by students from the Guyana Lutheran Music Academy. This is the second year of the music academy.  There will be a third year starting in September for this group to learn how to teach music so they can continue the program with their own teachers.

While I was there I was able to visit many Pastors and Deacons in their parishes from Georgetown to New Amsterdam and on through to Skeldon.”