The National Lutheran Council (NLC) was established on September 6, 1918 as a common agency of participating Lutheran church bodies to administer domestic programs, publicize Lutheran activities and beliefs, and provide overseas emergency relief to areas devastated by World War I. Its Department of Lutheran World Service was established in 1956 under the NLC's newly created Division of Lutheran World Federation Affairs. The Department was responsible for assisting and promoting within the U.S., the Lutheran World Federation-Department of World Service (LWF-DWS) Church Workers Exchange Program.
The Sub-Committee on the Church Workers Exchange Program was created in 1956 to direct and administer these responsibilities. Bernard A. Confer, Secretary of the Department of Lutheran World, served as secretary of the Sub-Committee in 1956-1957. Ruth C. Wick, director of the NLC's International Exchange Program, succeeded him in the position in 1957-1958. In 1959, the Sub-Committee's responsibilities were transferred to the Division's Committee on International Exchange.
From the description of Minutes and Agenda, 1956-1958. (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library). WorldCat record id: 36956766