Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

 

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

New Lutheran Synod in Latin America

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Recently, representatives from congregations in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Haiti, and Venezuela worked together to form a new synod, called Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional (ICWI). 
 
ICWI was founded to help facilitate collaboration throughout Latin America. It provides a destination for new groups that are starting through the Academia Cristo training program. After groups started through the Academia Cristo model have completed approximately two years of study together, they may be able to apply for membership in Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional.
 
One of the main initiatives of this new synod is the development and operation of a seminary. Leaders who have completed 21 live courses with Academia Cristo and meet other criteria may be able to attend the seminary that Iglesia Cristo WELS Internacional is currently developing.  

Videos that describe this new synod can be found here:
Spanish Version – https://youtu.be/CJB6F67JBSs
English Version – https://vimeo.com/644909318
 
The newly installed officers are:
Henry Herrera (Colombia) – President
Tony Quintero (Colombia) – Secretary
Manuel Hierro (Dominican Republic) – Treasurer 
Julio C. Ascarrunz Martínez (Bolivia) – President of the Seminary that is in development
Mike Hartman (WELS) – Academia Cristo Representative (soon to be replaced by Andrew Johnston)

ICWI will not be ready to apply for membership in the CELC in 2023, but they look forward to that in the future, God willing.

Submitted by Missionary Matthew Behmer

 

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The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference is a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran church bodies, committed to the teachings of the Lutheran Church found in the Book of Concord of 1580. Established in 1993 with thirteen churches, the CELC has grown by God’s grace to include thirty-four church bodies today.

Every three years, representatives from CELC churches gather for fellowship and theological study at an international convention. Regional meetings are held in alternate years. These gatherings provide spiritual encouragement for confessional Lutherans who often find themselves quite isolated. Visitors are always welcome at these gatherings

Joint work of the CELC includes the writing of The Eternal Word: A Lutheran Confession for the Twenty-First Century, which testifies to the unity of doctrine enjoyed by CELC churches. The CELC also has a commission to help coordinate and improve theological training in CELC churches.

Speaking about the heart and core of the CELC, former President Gaylin Schmeling wrote:  “The CELC stands ready to give answer to the confident hope of salvation in Christ that is within us. It is a refuge for those seeking confessional homes and a beacon shining the light of the Gospel in a sin-darkened world. Here the central truth of the Reformation, justification by faith alone, continues to be proclaimed. We are declared righteous by nothing we do or accomplish, but alone on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work which is counted as ours through faith in the Savior. He accomplished salvation for all on the cross and announced it to all by His resurrection, declaring the whole world righteous in Christ. This treasure is brought to us personally through the means of grace and is received by faith alone in the Savior which is worked through those very means of grace.”

Recording of the Ninety-Five Theses

Ninety-Five Theses for the 21st Century