As an American church in a global world, the ELCA has a presence in 158 countries. And as our synod is a local expression of that church, we have global partners – such as Lutheran World Federation ministries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America – who strengthen our mission here. Specifically, the synod’s global work includes:
- identifying pastors who may one day serve in our synod. We do this with colleagues in Lutheran church bodies, synods, seminaries, and dioceses around the world. We seek to help in return by supporting educational programs and training for church leaders.
- ministering with immigrants and emigrants connected to local Lutheran parishes, both in Metro New York and overseas. As strangers and newcomers in unfamiliar lands, they need technical and practical support, which global mission provides.
- encouraging the next generation of church leaders, especially college students at Wagner College, Staten Island, New York. Though an interfaith curriculum and a J-term (January/Winter month-long period of study) in Israel, students learn how Lutherans view God’s call to live and serve in a global society. They explore the roots of their Christian faith, the Lutheran theology of grace, and then the call to service in Christ’s name.
The Global Mission Committee promotes global awareness. Representatives from the synod’s Hunger Committee and companion synod committees gather to share updates and mutual support.
Since 1998, the North Western Diocese (NWD) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania has been our companion. Our primary focus there is Christian education. We have supported a primary school, Iluhya Secondary School, Mwangaza Partnership for Education, and HUYAWA (an organization serving those with HIV-AIDS).
Since 2007, we have been companions with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Romania (ELCR). This is a church rich in culture and history, dating back to the time of Martin Luther. With 32,000 members, the church worships in Hungarian, German, Romanian, and Slovak languages.
Nearly 1 billion people around the world live with chronic hunger and poverty. You are engaging in global mission every time you donate to a food pantry, volunteer at a soup kitchen, buy fair trade items, give to ELCA World Hunger, or advocate with our elected officials for policies that will benefit hungry people.
Every 45 seconds a child dies from malaria. But malaria is preventable and treatable! A healthier future is possible — now is the time to act. In July 2012, two MNYS pastors and one churchwide staff member climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to conquer malaria. Click here to learn more, download the brochure here and give securely now.
Recently named the "single greatest reversal in human development" in modern times, the HIV and AIDS crisis has already claimed more than 25 million lives. The ELCA is called to respond faithfully and effectively to this pandemic.