African Descent Outreach

 African Descent

Many Voices, tell the Story, Create the Vision: Build Our Future



NEW! Training & Consultations African Descent Outreach Strategy
The blessing of your presence is requested at a consultation, download PDF

Called to the Whole Church:
A Gathering of ELCA Pastors of African Descent Serving in White Congregations
October 22-24
Lutheran Center, Chicago, IL
“Called To The Whole Church: A Gathering of ELCA Pastors of African Descent who are serving in White Congregations”

Church Planting in an African Descent Context:
Mission Developers Training
October 29-November 1, 2008
Lutheran Theological Center, Atlanta, GA

The purpose of this four-day training session is to achieve the following:

1. Multiply leadership and membership
2. Equip the developers to work effectively in their context
3. Create a supplemental model to enhance the skills of developers that can be     transferred to developing congregations
4. Cultivate young pastors
5. Work with children, youth and young adults in ministry 

Planning for Missional Work in Region 9 (The Southeast Plan)
December 4-5, 2008
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, SC

Within the four state territory of our Southeast synod we will insure that every segment of the population is served and that all people hear the Gospel in socially and culturally relevant ways. The Mission Strategy is an attempt to reach out to people of African Descent.


The Evangelical outreach and Congregational Mission Unit develops plans of action for implementation of the ELCA African Descent Outreach Strategy. In order to provide advice and direction to this effort, and African Descent Outreach Strategy Team, composed of selected lay and rostered leaders, has been established. The work of the team and the Unit is coordinated by the EOCM Unit’s Director for African American/Black Outreach.

The Purpose of the Strategy

The Strategy offers a vision and plan of action that guides efforts to provide leadership and support to synods and congregations as they reach out in witness to the Gospel with

and among African Americans, African Nationals, and African Caribbeans and provides a framework for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the Units programmatic

activites in developing new congregations, and in supporting established congregations and engaging visionary leaders in the African Descent Context.

Congregation Mission and Outreach

The objectives of the Strategy are as follows:

  • Intentional and effective outreach with the Gospel that results in increased participation of African Descent peoples in the Church.
  • Worship and ministries that are rooted in the African Descent historical and cultural experience and informed by our Lutheran heritage.
  • Congregations that are self-reliant and sound with the capability of sustaining all aspects of ministry;
  • Congregations that respond to the needs of their communities and build relationships with other churches and community-based organizations.
  • Congregations that have a vision for the future and take a deliberate approach to ministry and planning.
  • Congregations that maintain a connectedness with the wider church and all its expressions, i.e. synods and the churchwide organization.

The Strategy emphasizes:

  • Visionary Leadership
  • Worship
  • Discipleship
  • Stewardship, and
  • Community Development
  • Education and Faith Formation