The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon (EELC) (French: L’Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne au Cameroun) is a Lutheran denomination in Cameroon. The EELC was registered as a religious body in Cameroon in 1965[1] and currently has approximately 253,000 members[2] in 1,300 congregations[3] nationwide.
The current bishop of the EELC is the Rev Dr Ruben Ngozo.[4]
In 1925, both the Sudan Mission and the NMS cooperated in their mission and a hospital was established in Ngaoundéré while a seminary was established in Meiganga.[5]
With a framework of collaboration firmly established, discussions were initiated in 1950 for the establishment of a national church in Cameroon.[1] In 1960, an agreement was reached and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon and the Central African RepublicFrench: Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne du Cameroun et de la République Centrafricaine) was established. In 1965, the Church was registered as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon[1] and in 1973, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic formally separated as an independent national church.[6]
Structure
The EELC comprises congregations, districts, parishes and 10 episcopal regions. The overall coordination of the EELC is conducted by the Executive Board (French: Le bureau exécutif) convened by the Bishop. The Executive Board comprises the Bishop, the Assistant Bishop, the Secretary General, the Financial Controller, and the Coordinators of the three National Departments; Evangelisation and Mission, Christian Education, Communications, and Diaconal Services.[7]
The highest decision making body is the General Synod of the EELC, composed of delegates from the various congregations. The General Synod elects a Synodal Council which is led by a lay President.[7]
Presidents of the EELC
1960-1963
Rev Andersen
1963-1977
Rev Paul Darman
1967-1977
Rev Joseph Medoukan
1977-1985
Rev Paul Darman
1985-1997
Rev Songsare Amtse Pierre
1997-2000
Rev Philemon Barya
2000–September 2009
Rev Dr Thomas Nyiwe
Bishops of the EELC
2009 - 2013
Rev Dr Thomas Nyiwe
2013 -
Rev Dr Ruben Ngozo
Medical work
The HIV/AIDS unit run by the EELC
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cameroon has been active through much of the twentieth century and has been responsible for collaborating with other institutions to pursue development in Cameroon. One such program in which the church is involved is the Protestant Hospital of Ngaoundéré that was set up in the 1950s. The Health Department of the EELC, (French: Oeuvre de Santé de l’Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne au Cameroun) or OSEELC, is a large and vibrant ministry operating three large hospitals and fifteen health centres.[8]
The ELCC trains pastors, catechists and evangelists in Meiganga's Lutheran Theology Institute. Bible school are found in Tchollire, Garoua-Boulaï, Meng and Poli.
Affiliations
The EELC participates actively in ecumenical work through its affiliation with:
^ abc"Historique de l'E.E.L.C". Site d'information de l'E.E.L.C (in French). L’Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne au Cameroun. 12 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
^"Histoire de l'EELC". EELC Facebook Page (in French). L’Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne au Cameroun. 5 May 2011. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
^ abc"About Cameroon". Countries. Global Health Ministries. Archived from the original on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
^"Date Historique". L’Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne au Cameroun (in French). Site d'information de l'E.E.L.C. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
^ ab"Organisation de l'E.E.L.C". Site d'information de l'E.E.L.C (in French). L’Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne au Cameroun. Archived from the original on 3 May 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
^"Hôpital Protestant de Ngaoundéré". Oeuvre de Santé de l’Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne au Cameroun (in French). l’Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne au Cameroun. Archived from the original on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
