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ELCA Companion Synods Program

Celebrating the Global Body of Christ

 
Art by Christian Artist He Qi of China.
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Within the global Lutheran family, the ELCA has bilateral “companion church” relationships with many national Lutheran church bodies. These global relationships are deepened by the ELCA Companion Synods Program, which connects 65 ELCA synods in over 120 international companion relationships. 

Through these companion relationships, members of ELCA synods live out the accompaniment model of global mission and experience the rich gifts and witness of Lutheran churches in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, or the Middle East.    The Companion Synod program is a concrete expression of the communion fellowship among the 140 member churches of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). and an exciting way ELCA members can engage in global mission!

Find your synod's companion

Click here for the map of regions and synods of the ELCA, 
click on your region and then synod.
You will find your companion listed under your synod. 

Click here to download a list of companions by region and synod  

Click here to download a list by continent and country. 

Read the new Protocol Agreement for Companion Synod Relationships between the Conference of Bishops and the Global Mission unit. Click here to download a pdf copy.

For more information about your companion synod relationship, contact your synod office.  For more information about companion synods in specific regions, contact the companionship person in your region:

  • Barbara Berry-Bailey               for companions in Africa
  • Mary Campbell                          for companions in Latin America
  • Gary Hansen                              for companions in Asia and the Pacific
  • Julie Rowe                                 for companions in Europe and the Middle East


For information about other relationships and networks with Global Mission, contact:


Companion Synods Handbook offers assistanceCompanion Synods Handbook

The Companion Synods Handbook is a valuable resource for ideas about beginning and strengthening companion synod relationships, visiting and hosting your companions and learning and exploring the complex issues involved in cross-cultural relationships and mission. Download it here:

English

Español

When companions engage one another in authentic relationships, everyone's lives are changed."

- Peggy Contos Hahn
Assistant to the Bishop for Global Mission, TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod

For a hard copy in either Spanish or English, please contact Mia Cortez at the ELCA Global Mission Unit, (800) 638-3522, extension 2642 or email globalmissioninfo@elca.org.