Into Africa

            One hundred years ago, in April, 1923, four Lutheran missionaries landed in Douala, Cameroon.  All four of them had been living in the USA; two were deaconesses, and two still had their Norwegian passports.  They travelled for 26 days by foot to Mboula, in northern Cameroon, and settled there.  They learned the local language, opened schools, worked in healthcare, and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

            Eventually they were joined by Africans who came to believe in Jesus, rejoiced in being baptized, and became missionaries in the region.  Out of these small beginnings, two Lutheran churches were born – one in Cameroon, and one in the Central African Republic.

            This July, a celebration is being planned that will remember this history and look towards the future of companion synod relationships.  It is being called “The Sudan Mission Centennial,” as this entire region in Africa was known as Sudan at that time.  This celebration will take place in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN from July 7-9, 2023.

            What does this have to do with us, you might ask? – Well, first of all, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon (or EELC) is our companion church here in the MNO Synod.  There continues to be much that we can learn from one another as we seek to be faithful followers of Jesus.

            At the same time, it is hard for many of us to imagine the level of commitment and faith that would have been needed in order to undertake such an amazing journey into a foreign culture and land.  In fact, how many of us can imagine sharing the good news about Jesus here in Canada, where we know the culture, and it is not a foreign land?

            It is ventures like these that would compel us to take time for prayer and worship every day, constantly asking for the guidance and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and ready to follow wherever God leads.  In fact, maybe we all need more of a sense of the new and uncomfortable and challenging things that God has in mind for us!  It is all too easy for us to become comfortable and complacent – leaving any sharing of the faith to other people.

            As for the Centennial celebration in July, anybody who is interested is welcome to attend, along with others from the MNO Synod.  Registration is online at https://sdsynod.org/synod-events/missioncentennial2023/

Those who do not attend are encouraged to hold our partners in the gospel in prayer – particularly our brothers and sisters in Cameroon.

            Meanwhile, the Église Évangélique Luthérienne du Cameroun (EELC) is celebrating the 100th anniversary of their church – 100 years of evangelism! - in October of this year.  There are many causes for thanksgiving, as well as many challenges for ministry.  And is it not the same for us?

            These days, we do not need to travel half way around the world to find people who do not know Jesus.  Most of us can just step out of our front doors.  Thankfully, the Holy Spirit continues to be at work, touching people’s hearts through those who follow Jesus Christ.  Thanks be to God!

            In Christ,

            Pastor Lynne Hutchison

*With material from the ELCA and Deacon Michelle Collins