LOPC

Lutheran Overseas Partner Churches

Evangelisch‑Lutherische Kirche in Bayern

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (ELCB) has one of the oldest and most significant partnerships with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. This relationship began in 1886, when German missionary Johann Flierl, sent through the Neuendettelsau Mission (now part of Mission EineWelt), arrived in what was then Kaiser-Wilhelms-Land to begin Lutheran mission work. This marked the start of organized Lutheran outreach in Papua New Guinea. Today, the Bavarian Church continues to support ELCPNG through Mission EineWelt, focusing on theological education, healthcare, women’s ministries, and community development. The partnership remains foundational to ELCPNG’s history and growth.

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Evangelisch-Lutherisches Missionswerk Leipzig

The Leipzig Mission, based in Leipzig in eastern Germany, is a historic mission organization affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony and the Evangelical Church in Central Germany. Established in the 19th century, it began direct support to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea in the 1950s, particularly during the church’s formative and post-war reconstruction period. The mission has contributed significantly to the development of ELCPNG through sending missionaries, supporting theological education at institutions like Ogelbeng Seminary, and engaging in youth, women’s, and leadership ministries. Today, the partnership continues through exchange programs, pastoral support, and joint mission projects.

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Lutheran Church of Australia

The Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) has deep historical and spiritual ties with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. The connection began with Johann Flierl, a German missionary who, in 1882, married Louise Flierl, an Australian born in South Australia. The couple moved to Papua New Guinea in 1886, where Johann laid the foundation for Lutheran mission work. Louise, playing a key role in the early missions, supported the work, especially in educational and social programs. During and after World War II, as German missionaries were interned or deported, Australian Lutherans, including the LCA, took over the mission work in Papua New Guinea. This ensured the continuation and expansion of Lutheran ministry. Today, the LCA remains an important partner to ELCPNG, involved in theological education, pastoral training, and community development projects.

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Evangelisch‑Lutherische Kirche in Norddeutschland

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany, known as Nordkirche, was established on May 27, 2012, through the merger of three regional churches: the North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church (NEK), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mecklenburg, and the Pomeranian Evangelical Church. ELCPNG first partnered with NEK’s predecessor when its missionaries from the Nordelbisches Missionszentrum (NMZ)—founded in 1972 in the Lauenburg region through NEK—began sending personnel to Papua New Guinea beginning in 1959. That early engagement evolved into a longstanding mission relationship. Today, Nordkirche supports ELCPNG in education reform, leadership development, and global mission work through its Centre for Global Ministries and Ecumenical Relations.

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Evangelical Christian Church in Tanah Papua

The Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua (GKI–Tanah Papua) is a major Melanesian Protestant church in Indonesian Papua, with a membership rooted in indigenous communities that share deep cultural and ethnic bonds with those in Papua New Guinea—ties that predate colonial political borders. Despite the separation by the Indonesia–PNG boundary, these communities have remained spiritually connected. In October 2014, ELCPNG and GKI renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), reaffirming their shared mission in areas such as education, health, and youth ministry. Today, the partnership fosters mutual support and solidarity across Melanesian communities, emphasizing church unity and mission collaboration.

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Lutheran Church in Philippines

The Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP) is a long-standing partner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG), with both churches sharing deep regional and theological connections. Beyond their mutual membership in the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), this partnership is also strengthened by their shared relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (ELCB), which has played a key facilitative role in connecting and supporting both churches. Through joint programs, leadership exchange, and mission collaboration, ELCPNG and LCP continue to encourage one another in ministry, evangelism, and community development in the Asia-Pacific region.

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Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has been a strategic partner of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) since the mid-20th century. Before World War II, American and German missionaries cooperated in mission work across New Guinea. However, during World War II, German missionaries were interned or deported, prompting ELCA missionaries to take up the mantle. After the war, ELCA played a key role in rebuilding the church through the Lutheran Mission New Guinea initiative. In 1956, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Guinea (ELCONG) was established, and Rev. Dr. John Kuder, an American ELCA missionary, was elected as the first Head Bishop, serving until 1972. Following Kuder, the first indigenous bishop, Zurewe Zurenuoc, was elected in 1973. Since then, ELCA has remained deeply involved in the life of the church, supporting theological education, leadership training, community development, and synodical partnerships. Today, ELCA’s Global Mission program continues to walk alongside ELCPNG in ministry, youth outreach, educational initiatives, and health services.

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