Head of Lutheran Church to Visit Ghana

The President of the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States of America, Gerald Kieschnick, will pay a two-day official visit to Ghana from March 25 - 28.

Kieschnick's visit is the first by a Lutheran head in Africa and will cover only Ghana. He will be accompanied by five top executives of the Church. They are Rev. Dr. Samuel Nafzger, Executive Director of the Missouri Synod, Rev. Robert M. Roegner, Executive Director of World Mission, Rev. Dr. David Birner, Associate Director, International Mission Team and Rev. Ken. Greinke, Regional Director for Africa.

A statement by the President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana (ELCG) Rev. Dr. Paul Fynn said President Kieschnick would pay a courtesy call on the Head of State, H.E. President J.A. Kufuor and visit the refugee camp at Buduburam. He would also inspect Lutheran educational schools in Accra.

The ELCG which is a member of the Christian Council of Ghana was established in 1958 by missionaries from the Missouri Synod.

It registered with the Ghana Government in 1964 and has many congregations and preaching points in the 10 regions. It has a membership of 26,000.

It has day care, primary and junior secondary schools in Madina, Kanda, Anyaa (suburbs of Accra), Tema and Kumasi. Others are Bawku, Takoradi, Abrafo-Odumasi and Bekauopa near Cape Coast.

The ELCG is also involved in agricultural programmes in the north, including the use of lime to control the soil acidity which improves crop yield.

Other areas which the ELCG operates are sinking of bore holes, running of ambulance service and special ministry for the blind / deaf and refugee work.

The ELCG has a media ministry, which runs series of programmes including Bible Correspondence courses.