Christa Held started working at the LWF in 1960. Photo: LWF Archives
Pillar in the LWF for Over 30 Years, Christa Held Dies
(LWI) – Christa Held, a former associate director of the Department for Mission and Development (DMD) who died during the night of 21-22 October, was a pillar in the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) for more than 30 years.
Held started working with the LWF in January 1960 as a shorthand typist in the Department of World Service (DWS) and her interest and commitment to the work of the LWF and the life of member churches were instrumental in developing her career.
Ten years later, in January 1970, Held became Executive Secretary in Community Development Service (CDS) within the DWS. In July 1980 she became Director of CDS, and after the restructuring of the LWF at the beginning of 1990 was appointed Associated Director of the newly created DMD.
Always passionate about the vision and mission of the LWF, her interest in people regardless of position or hierarchies earned her the respect and affection of both member churches and colleagues.
Held is also remembered at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva and by the churches and the people in El Salvador, for being the initiator of the Chain of Hope Maria Cristina Gomez in 1989.
In response to the brutal assassination of a Christian teacher and human rights activist, ten teams of women from different parts of the world visited the war-torn country with the goal of witnessing the reality and calling for actions of solidarity and peace with justice for the Salvadoran people.
In a condolence letter, LWF General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge said that the LWF treasured “her influence and her working style, which always called for excellence and responsibility, and looked for creative responses to the needs of those who suffered.”
The LWF gives thanks for her dedicated life and prays that when she meets God face to face, she will hear the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’
