Latin America and the Caribbean
Prophetic diakonia. Sustainability. Illegitimate debt. Ecological justice. HIV and AIDS. Women and gender justice.
Opportunities for Holistic Mission
Each member church in the Lutheran communion in Latin America and the Caribbean is engaged in holistic mission: preaching the Gospel, serving their communities and advocating for the marginalized.
Given the poverty in the region, LWF member churches continue to nurture their communion relationships to learn together how to enhance these practices.
Challenges of Holistic Mission
Smaller and disadvantaged churches in particular face serious problems developing their holistic mission. There is a growing need for training in disaster preparedness and response. Increasing secularism and a loss of interest in faith among youth, who face education and employment concerns, are increasing challenges.
Communion Relationships
The region’s annual leadership conference offers opportunities for church leaders to connect with one another, strengthen church practices and accompany each other in mission. The promotion of the full participation of women and youth allows the churches better to organize and develop their agendas. The HIV and Aids Network coordinates efforts around this issue in the region.
Minority Church Context
Lutheran churches in most of the countries in the region are minority churches.
LAC and Nicaraguan youth during an artistic project for the environment with LWF. Young people are largely affected by the violence currently happening in Nicaragua. Photo: LWF/ Chelsea Macek
Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil National Youth Congress 2016. Photo: F.Scherer
Intergenerational discussion on the witness of the LWF member churches in Latin America and the Caribbean & North America. Photo:LWF/A. Danielsson
Networks
Women and Gender Justice Network: Women theologians in the region collaborate with the Women in Church and Society (WICAS) network coordinated by the Department for Theology and Public Witness.
HIV and AIDS Network: The region’s HIV and AIDS Network is coordinated by leaders from the member churches.
Get Involved
- Volunteer for diakonia, including disaster response and other ministries.
- Become an intern, working with children, youth, women, or those on the margins of society.
- Support member church projects through visits, building programs, agriculture efforts or youth projects.
- Join networks with churches in other parts of the world to work together on theology or diaconal issues such as HIV and AIDS.
- Take a sabbatical and work as a theologian or scholar in one of the communion’s seminaries or church schools.
Rev. Dr Nestor Paulo Friedrich
