Companion Synods

The ELCA Companion Synod Program forges relationships between the 65 synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and companion churches around the world, fellow members of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

The South Dakota Synod, ELCA, is in companionship with two churches:  The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon and The Lutheran Church, Faith and Hope of Nicaragua.

Cameroon Pastoral Exchange Updates:  Pastor Ralph Egbert and his wife, Barbara, will be in Cameroon as a part of a pastoral exchange.  Hear their stories of ministry and travel on the synod blog.

Download the Companion Synod Bulletin Insert for use in your congregation.

Sponsor an SD Synod Missionary!  We have missionaries in both Nicaragua and Cameroon and you are invited to support their continued ministry.  For more information about missionary sponsorship, download the Hand in Hand Sponsors Guide and fill out the Missionary Sponsorship Covenant (fillable or printable).

Thanks for joining the many congregations, Women of the ELCA units, organizations and individuals who make a world of difference.

During a trip to Cameroon in the Spring of 2012, members of the South Dakota Synod received greetings from Bishop Thomas Nyiwe.

Congregations in Cameroon save their precious pennies to buy cement, one bag at a time.  The people then build their church walls of local stone. This may take five years or more.  Meanwhile, congregations in South Dakota raise money to build a roof on the church.  Besides worship on Sundays, churches are used for daily Bible study, school, clinics, and community gathering places.

More than 40 church roofs have been built with South Dakota funds.  30 more congregations have raised their walls, and are awaiting the gift of a roof.

In our 25th year of our relationship with Cameroon, South Dakota Synod congregations hope to raise enough funds for 25 church roofs for Cameroon companions.

Cost of a roof: $8,000

South Dakota Synod Pastor Exchange Program

Cameroonian Pastor SODIA Timothee is in South Dakota on a three month service trip November through January.

Rev. Ralph Egbert is his host here and will go to Cameroon in the Spring of 2013 to complete this exchange.

Train up a Child

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6

“In Africa, the difference between life and death is an education.” – Bishop David Zellmer

Train up a Child assists children in Cameroon who otherwise could not attend school, especially girls and disabled children.

For $20, a child in South Dakota pays half the cost of a child in Cameroon to attend an EELC Lutheran primary school.  The funds are matched by the parents of the child.

Train up a Pastor

The EELC requests funds for a student to attend seminary. This pastor would receive his education in Cameroon, to serve the church at large in Cameroon.

Cost: $2,000/year for five years.

Scheduling A Trip to Cameroon

“…by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.” Romans 15:32

“Getting to know my brothers and sisters in Christ in Cameroon and Nicaragua has been an uplifting and grace filled experience.” – Cindy Hansen, South Dakota

No special skills are required to walk in companionship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Medical teams include doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. Roofing teams and Companionship teams include anyone who wishes to share in the joy of meeting new friends and sharing God’s love with others.

Companionship teams, Medical teams, and Roofing teams travel to Cameroon. The visit lasts about one month, and the cost for a trip is about $6000.

Does traveling to Cameroon appeal to you as something that you or your congregation may wish to participate in?  Groups or individuals wishing to travel to Cameroon are requested to contact the Synod Office for assistance and direction to help make travel a truly great experience.

Other Missionaries serving in Cameroon or CAR with South Dakota Connections

Rev. Jackie Griffin, from Hill City, serves as advisor to the Women’s group of the Lutheran Church of Central African R. and as a public nurse.

Rev. Elisabeth Johnson, with relatives in Sioux Falls and Watertown, is learning French in Gaoundere and preparing to teach at the Lutheran Seminary at Meiganga, Cameroon.

Photos from Cameroon

(Click picture for more Cameroon photos on our Facebook page.)

The Faith and Hope Lutheran Church of Nicaragua (Iglesia Luterana Fe y Esperanza – ILFE) is a member of the Lutheran World Federation and the Communion of Central American Lutheran Churches (CILCA). ILFE is present in approximately 35 Nicaraguan communities, the majority located in the northern and western parts of the country (Somoto and Chinandega) and served by lay pastors who live in or near these communities. In its holistic model for mission, ILFE focuses on lay leadership development, specialized ministries for children, pre-teens and youth, preventive health care, HIV & AIDS awareness, sustainable agriculture and disaster prevention & response.

Greetings from Nicaragua

Our Missionary in Nicaragua, Mike Busbey

Mike serves in Nicaragua as part of a Companion Synod Program between the South Dakota Synod and ELCA.  He facilitates communications between churches in the United States and the Lutheran Church of “Fe y Esperanza” in Nicaragua. He also provides interpretation and attention to delegations before/during/after their trips and works with Youth Ministries in Managua.

Mike grew up in Maryland, went to school in Florida, serves in Nicaragua, and is  looking forward to seeing where God puts him next. He enjoys talking with people and   learning about who they are personally. His favorite meal in Nicaragua is carne asada with gallo pinto, tajadas, ensalada and chile.

Send him an e-mail at hermandades@iluterana.org or follow him on his blog at http://busbey-in-nicaragua.blogspot.com/.

Mike Busbey serves as the liaison in relations between SD Synod and the Lutheran Church in Nicaragua.

Michael Busbey
Iglesia Luterana
TELCOR Las Peidrecitas
Apratato Postal P-151
Managua, NICARAGUA

Annual Lutheran Youth Camp

There are many youth that belong to the rural communities of Nicaragua, and at 16 years old for males, and 13 for females (on average), they acquire household responsibilities, and a home of their own.  Ever since they were little they have been helping their parents and siblings, a process in which they lose their youth, therefore the church really promotes youth ministry/ accompaniment and holistic formation.  Sexual and reproductive information gives them incentives for furthering their academic formation, according to their economic and geographic possibilities, so they can see another vision for their lives.  Opportunities to share with other young people are few, as are moments to be able to dedicate to encounters with God in an individual or collective manner; also limited are educational opportunities on topics of interest within a space of confidence to share with people of their own age. Since 2004, the Youth Group of the Lutheran Church of Nicaragua “Faith and Hope” has held a weeklong Annual Camp, in the month of January.  This camp includes art, sports, and spiritual activities, as well as training regarding various topics that deal with the realities of being young, such as interfamilial violence, gender, sexuality, HIV and AIDS and global warming, among others.

Pastors’ Retreat and Training Facility

ILFE currently owns a large property on the outskirts of Managua called “the farm.” The buildings contain bunk beds, and have bathrooms with a few showers, sinks, and toilets.  There is an outdoor kitchen, with a fire pit for cooking food over a wood fire and a sink.   It is comparable to a rustic summer camp.  The farm serves its purpose for now, but it has a lot of potential.  ILFE would like to turn it into a retreat center.  Plans include a library, an administration building, a large kitchen/cafeteria, small and large auditoriums/meeting rooms, and several small dormitory buildings.  Delegations would be able to use it for their stays. The ILFE youth group could hold events there.   Once a month, the Nicaraguan pastors that come to Managua for theological training would be able to stay there overnight.  The training sessions for the pastors are currently held in the central church in Managua.  Once constructed, the training sessions would be moved to the retreat center.  Because the church is one small building, they use a whiteboard and spread out within the church.  There is a lot of street noise, and having actual classrooms would be very beneficial.  Meals are prepared for the pastors as well, but the small church kitchen does not provide much space. The project is estimated to be about  $758,293.75, and would be very long-term.  Donations are being requested from several donors and churches in order to raise the necessary funds.

Sponsorship of Nicaraguan Delegations to SD

ILFE and the SD synod would like to make delegation trips more mutual- not only sending South Dakotans down to Nicaragua, but sending Nicaraguans up to South Dakota as well.  Example delegations might be sending Nicaraguan pastors and leaders to SD to give workshops or training sessions.  It could be sending Nicaraguans to the SD Synod Assembly.  It might be sending Nicaraguan leaders to provide enrichment for South Dakota’s new Latino outreach ministries.  The idea is to allow South Dakotans and Nicaraguans to walk together on both sides of the border.

Scheduling A Trip to Nicaragua

“…by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.” - Romans 15:32

“Getting to know my brothers and sisters in Christ in Cameroon and Nicaragua has been an uplifting and grace filled experience.” – Cindy Hansen, South Dakota

No special skills are required to be walk in companionship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Medical teams include doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.  Companionship teams include anyone who wishes to share in the joy of meeting new friends and sharing God’s love with others.

Medical teams and Companionship teams travel to Nicaragua. The visit lasts about 1-2 weeks, and the cost for a trip is about $1300.

Does traveling to Nicaragua appeal to you as something that you or your congregation may wish to participate in?  Groups or individuals wishing to travel to Nicaragua are requested to contact the Synod Office for assistance and direction to help make travel a truly great experience.

Costs

• $600-$900 (the average price of plane ticket from SD to Managua)
• $100 per person, left as a donation to ILFE, used for vehicle repairs, and other expenses of hosting delegations
• $250 per person, pooled together at the beginning of the trip to cover gas, all meals, entrance fees if any, etc.
• $50 sent directly to the SD synod to help fund the missionary in Nicaragua
• Extra spending money for snacks, souvenirs, etc.
• Possible extra costs would be passport purchase/ renewal if yours expires within 6 months of travel, medical costs of visiting a travel clinic to see if immunizations or anti-malarial pills are recommended, etc.)

Photos from Nicaragua

(Click picture for more Nicaragua photos on our Facebook page.)

For information about the South Dakota Synod’s Companion Synods Program

contact Cathy Larson, Companion Synods Coordinator, 605/274-4031 or 605/335-0483.