The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon
Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne au Cameroun (EELC)
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon (ELCC), a member of the Lutheran World Federation, is a fast-growing church with 215,000 members in 1,350 congregations. The ELCC is served by 168 pastors, 375 evangelists, and 288 catechists among 27 ethnic groups. Led by a national bishop and ten regional bishops, one for each of the 10 Episcopal regions, the ELCC has its headquarters in Ngaoundere. Besides the LWF, the ELCC is a member of the Eglise evangéliques luthérienne au Cameroun (Church and Evangelical Lutherans of Cameroon), the Lutheran Communion in Western Africa (LUCWA), and the Joint Christian Ministry in West Africa (JCMWA).
The ELCC’s program ministries include seminary education, Bible schools, primary and secondary education, health care, rural development, women’s and youth ministries, Bible translation and literacy, and a communication studio.
Our Missionaries
Willie and Anne Langdji serve as the area representatives for ELCA Global Mission in West Africa.
Willie and Anne Langdji
BP 2209
Messa Yaounde, CAMEROON
West Africa
“We thank our brothers and sisters in South Dakota. We will continue to pray for you every day.” – Catechist of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Abo Boutilla, Cameroon, at the dedication of the new church roof, built as a companionship project in November, 2000.
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.
South Dakota Synod Pastor Exchange Program
Cameroonian Pastor SODIA Timothee, Cameroon and Pastor Ralph Egbert, South Dakota were the first exchange pastors.
Gifts to the program will fund future exchanges.
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
Train up a Child assists children in Cameroon who otherwise could not attend school. Gifts are encouraged from Sunday Schools.
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 in Cameroon.
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.
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.
Download the Cameroon Travel Book
For information about the South Dakota Synod’s Companion Synods Program
Contact the synod office at 605-274-4011. Email companion-synod@sdsynod.org.