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Sierra Leone

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone

Who is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone and what are its ministries?

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone (ELCSL), a member of the Lutheran World Federation, has a membership of roughly 3200 people. Geographically, the church is divided into four jurisdictions: the Western Area (Freetown) and three Provinces: Southern, Eastern, and Northern. This relatively young church is dynamic and enterprising.

The ELCSL offers a presence encouraging peace and reconciliation during times of conflict and times of healing after conflict. It is beginning to develop programs addressing the practical needs of the communities in which it serves. For example, the ELCSL works with farmers to increase their agricultural production beyond subsistence farming.

The ELCSL is also developing an education program and has established on elementary school in a place where there are active congregations.

How do the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone and the ELCA accompany one another in ministry?

Through the churchwide ELCA Global Mission unit, the ELCA relates to and is in bilateral relationship with over 80 companion churches and institutions. The ELCA Global Mission unit stewards a church-to-church relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone. This relationship is deepened and extended by the ELCM’s relationship, through the ELCA Companion Synods program, with the ELCA Northern Texas Northern Louisiana Synod.

Churchwide funding through the ELCA Global Mission unit supports key priorities identified by the ELCSL, including strengthening ELCSL leadership and evangelism ministries as well as supporting the church’s ability to effectively administer and manage its programs, finances, and operations.

The ELCA also funds significant work through the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), a global communion of 140 churches (including the ELCA) and 68 million people that is grounded in a common Lutheran faith.  The LWF provides space for Lutherans from around the world to share joys, challenges, and expertise as they seek the healing of the world. ELCA World Hunger funds help support the Department for World Service (DWS), the LWF’s relief and development arm, and the Department for Mission and Development (DMD), which focuses on holistic ministries through which the church participates in God’s mission to all creation.

ELCA World Hunger funds help support the LWF's Department for World Service program in Sierra Leone, which works with:  

• rehabilitation of farming activities to increase food security
• rebuilding infrastructure such as wells and latrines
• distribution of donated non-food items to refugees
• camp management for Liberian refugees
• transportation of returnees, refugees and relief commodities

The context in which the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone serves

Sierra Leone’s 6.144 million people suffered a devastating civil war from 1991 to 2002 that left some 50,000 people dead. Many atrocities were committed by the rebels, whose trademark was to cut off the hands of their victims. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission has helped people begin to overcome the trauma of the war and its widespread atrocities.

Although rich in human and natural resources, especially diamonds, Sierra Leone is ranked as one of the world’s poorest countries and the inequities in income distribution are wide. Soil exhaustion, deforestation over fishing and population pressures are primary environmental concerns. Maintaining peace after ten years of civil strife will enable Sierra Leone to build its economy, infrastructure and quality of life.

In Sierra Leone, English is the official language but is used only among the literate minority. Mende and Temne are prominent languages, and Krio (the language of ex-slaves from Freetown) is understood by 95% of the population. About 60 percent of the population is Muslim, 10 percent are Christian, and 30 percent practice indigenous African religion.