Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Division for Global Mission

See also TALC 16/7/10 Background.

While mission work in Senegal began as outreach to Muslims, by the 1990s a small community of Christians was in existence. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Senegal began as a congregation of American missionaries. Presently, it has a working agreement with the Lutheran Church of Senegal established by the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission. As of 2008, the Lutheran Church of Senegal has a membership of approximately 4,000. It is the hope that one day these two Christian communities will unite.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) mission efforts in Senegal focus on establishing relationships with the people of Senegal. Work is located in two geographical areas: the nation's capital Dakar and Linguere, an inland city. ELCA mission efforts concentrate on health care, evangelism, development, literacy, and agriculture.

In 1988, the first year of the ELCA, its Division for Global Mission (DGM) work related to mission activities in Senegal fell under the responsibility of one of three secretaries for Africa, the Rev. James L. Knutson. In 1989, the Africa program area was further defined and Pastor Knutson was named the Secretary for Africa (French-speaking and Southern Africa). In 1990, mission efforts related to Southern Africa were transferred to another work area and the position previously held by Pastor Knutson became vacant. In 1991, work areas remained essentially the same, but terminology changed. The term "secretary" was replaced with "program director" and the area previously known only as French-speaking Africa now included Madagascar. The Rev. Olin K. Sletto was program director for French-speaking Africa and Madagascar from 1991-2001. The position was vacant in 2002 and in 2003 when a restructuring occurred in DGM, responsibility for Senegal mission work was placed in the West Africa program area. The Rev. Eva Jensen became program director for West Africa in 2003, a position she still holds as of 2008.

http://www.elca.org/countrypackets/senegal/church.html accessed February 20, 2008.