The Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE) began in 1896, when six young bakers from Germany requested a pastor from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, each pledging 20 percent of their income to support him. Their congregations, first in Kentish Town and then also in Tottenham, quickly became bilingual and then fully English-speaking, recognizing the importance of using the local language for the mission of the church.

Beginning in 1954, mission activity began in other parts of Great Britain. They are now spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

Today, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England is a sister/partner church of the LCMS. The church body includes 14 congregations, 1,351 baptized members and 13 active pastors. The church has begun planting ministries on British university campuses by reaching out to the academic communities, through student ministries and by organizing Luther societies.

LCMS World Mission works with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE) in making Christ’s love known in word and deed and expanding Gospel outreach.

Mission project funding will support an effort from the ELCE to begin church planting ministries on the campuses of British universities by reaching out to the academic communities through student ministries and by organizing Luther societies. Through creating a dedicated core group from these ministries and societies, the church then moves out into the community, as a preaching station/congregation, to witness to the wider community. Work has already begun in Cambridge, Oxford and Edinburgh, and the time is opportune to complement these activities with weekly services. Additionally, the ELCE sees doors opening amidst the university communities at Durham (including Newcastle and Sunderland universities), Warwick and Coventry.

Your support allows LCMS World Mission to continue mission outreach in this country. If more funds than necessary are received towards projects in this country, the additional funds will be used to support ministry in the same region. If you would like more specific information about these projects and ministry in this country or region, please contact us at 888-THE-LCMS (888-843-5267) or infocenter@lcms.org.

There are no current mercy projects in this country. For more information on mercy work in the LCMS, contact  us at 888-THE-LCMS (888-843-5267) or infocenter@lcms.org .

National Church:
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of England
225 Poverest Road
Petts Wood
Kent BR5 1RD
ENGLAND
Website: http://www.lutheran.co.uk

Westfield House Theological Training Program
30 Huntingdon Road
Cambridge CB3 0HH
UNITED KINGDOM
Website: http://www.westfieldhouse.org.uk