ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and a delegation from the ELCA joined Lutherans from around the globe May 10-16 for the 12th Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) meeting in Windhoek, Namibia. Gathering under the theme “Liberated by God’s Grace,” the assembly brought together nearly 800 participants, including 324 delegates, in the Reformation’s 500th anniversary year. Seven voting delegates from the ELCA, the communion’s only member church from the United States, were present.
The LWF is a global communion of 145 churches representing more than 74 million Christians in 98 countries. The assembly is the highest LWF decision-making body and meets every six to seven years. During this gathering, the assembly spoke out on issues concerning the life and witness of the churches and the world. The assembly also elected as new LWF president Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus, who will serve until the next assembly meeting.
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- Archbishop Musa Panti Filibus (right) of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria was elected president of the Lutheran World Federation during the LWF 12th Assembly May 10-16 in Windhoek, Namibia. He is congratulated by outgoing president Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Photos: LWF/Albin Hillert
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- LWF General Secretary Martin Junge (left) and Bishop Zephania Kameeta, Namibian minister of poverty eradication and social welfare, in procession at Sam Nujoma Stadium, Windhoek, to commemorate of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
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- Christina Jackson-Skelton, executive director of ELCA Mission Advancement, poured water into a font as the words of thanksgiving for baptism were spoken by Bishop Alex Malasusa of Tanzania at Sam Nujoma Stadium. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
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- Robin Steinke, president of Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., introduced the First Reading of Public Statements and Resolutions. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
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- ELCA pastor Lydia Posselt offered a message of hope in her sermon at the assembly’s closing worship session. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
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- Namibian Makalani nuts worked as a source of prayer for participants, including Bill Gafkjen, bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the ELCA, during the assembly’s final morning worship service. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
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- ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton discusses the theme “Human Beings—Not for Sale” at an assembly Bible study. Photo: LWF/Johanan Celine Valeriano
