WND Companion Synod Relationships
Global Companion - Central African Republic (CAR)
Saying "Maboko na Maboko" in Central African Republic (CAR), literally hand in hand, expresses what accompaniment means, and why we the congregations and people of Western North Dakota are called to be in relationship as a global Companion Synod, walking together with our brothers and sisters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic (ELC-CAR).
The Central African Republic is located in the heart of Africa and is one of the poorest countries in the world. Living in what we would consider bare subsistence and constant struggle, the ELC-CAR Christians show enormous joy in worship and in sharing that love of God with others.
In February 2025, the ELC-CAR celebrated the completion of an elementary school, a peanut oil project, a clean water packaging project. Another cause for celebration was the start to their first high school.
There are some towns that do not have any schooling offered. In other communities, the church may have established a temporary, open-air structure to teach from while awaiting the means to provide a proper learning environment.
WHAT JOY THERE IS at the church providing for an entire community in this way, and an opportunity for the Spirit to be at work.
A church-sponsored high school opens in Central African Republic.
Students interacting outside a new high school in CAR
Missionary Willie Langdji with ELC-CAR bottled peanut oil
Residents of CAR making clean water packs
As you consider 2025 giving, the focus would be to help expand the new high school. We often take libraries and computer labs for granted. These could be life-changing opportunities for the students in CAR. Wouldn’t it be amazing for you to be a part of helping to provide for this future?
In 2023, Bishop Craig - and other attending the ELC-CAR Centennial celebrations - were witnesses to the joy this is shared through Companion Synod Relationships.
The Sweet Deal for CAR is one of the main ways we walk together in the ELC-CAR and support many ministries.
Over the years, the Holy Spirit has worked through us to provide resources that have built schools in the village education project, put roofs on churches, provided scholarships for young women to attend both secondary school and university, supported vocational training at the women’s center, provided theological education for those training to serve as pastors and evangelists, and much more.
ELCA Global Mission within the ELCA relates to and is in bilateral relationship with over 80 companion churches and institutions. ELCA Global Mission stewards a church-to-church relationship with the EELRCA. This relationship is deepened and extended by the EELRCA’s Companion Synod relationships with the Western North Dakota, Eastern North Dakota, and Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synods.
Funds raised in the Companion Synods are added to support committed through the ELCA Global Mission and support key priorities identified by the EELRCA, including strengthening the ELC-CAR's leadership development, capacity building for the development of effective programs and ministries, as well as sustainable development in the areas of water and sanitation, agriculture, health care, and education. Two ELCA mission personnel serve in C.A.R. in the areas of village-based education and women’s ministries.
Domestic Companion - Northeastern Ohio Synod
Our companion synod in the United States is the Northeastern Ohio Synod.
