LWF Subregions
Sub-regional Expression of Communion
One of the major tasks of churches in Africa is strengthening communion and collaboration among churches across borders established by colonial powers. An office to facilitate the regional expression of communion in Africa was established in 1996 in Nairobi, Kenya, as a program under the Africa area desk. Since 2001, the emphasis has shifted to support three sub-regional expressions of communion in Africa. The sub-regions include LWF member churches as well as other Lutheran churches.
Lutheran Communion in Central and Western Africa (LUCCWA)
The Lutheran Communion in Central and Western Africa includes 12 member churches in nine countries, with nine of the churches being members of the LWF. Administrative support and coordination are provided through an office in Garoua, Cameroon.
Representatives of Lutheran churches in Central and Western Africa gather for general assemblies and seminars with a focus on common concerns and interests in mission, for example, violence, war and mass displacement of people in the region, and poverty. Support is provided in coordination and communication, and preparing translations of key documents from English to French and vice versa.
Lutheran Communion in Central and Eastern Africa (LUCCEA)
The Lutheran Communion in Central and Eastern Africa includes ten churches in eight countries, with nine of the churches being members of the LWF. Administrative support and coordination are provided through an office in Nairobi, Kenya.
Support and encouragement is provided for participation in international and regional forums. During 2005, such forums included the LWF/WICAS consultation on “Stirring the Waters” held in Nairobi, the pastoral visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a fact-finding mission to learn about Lutheran groups in Uganda. Challenges in the sub-region are centered on poverty, HIV and AIDS, social injustices and conflicts in church and society.
Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA )
The Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa includes 18 churches in ten countries, with 12 of the churches being LWF members. Administrative support and coordination are provided through an office in Bonaero Park, South Africa.
The struggle against HIV and AIDS is the priority for cooperative work in this sub-region, which has the highest HIV infection rate in the world. Activities focus on breaking the silence about HIV and AIDS, and building the capacity of churches for ministry. This includes workshops for clinical pastoral education and leadership training, especially for women and youth.
Other initiatives focus on the promotion of peace, justice and reconciliation in church and society, and support for church participation with civil society in efforts to address poverty and development.
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