Evangelical Lutheran Church in GuyanaLutheran Courts, New Amsterdam, Berbice,
Guyana, South America
Love the Lord your God with all your
Love the Lord your God with all your
heart, ... soul, and ... mind. —Matthew 22:37
Mission Statement:
Called, Empowered and Sent
Called, Empowered and Sent
to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in God's Mission
Objectives:
.. To proclaim the Gospel through Word and Sacraments; to relate that Gospel to people's needs in every situation; and to extend the Ministry of the Gospel to all the World.
.. To gather into fellowship those who respond in faith to the call of the Gospel, and to nurture them in the faith through that fellowship.
.. To affirm its unity in the true faith and to give outward expression to that unity.
.. To safeguard the pure preaching of the Word of God and the right administration of the Sacraments in all its congregations in conformity with its confession of Faith.
..To participate in ecumenical Christian activities, contributing its witness and work and co-operating with other Churches which confess God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Some History of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana. . .
On 15 October 1743, a meeting was called by Mr. Abbensetts at his plantation about 85 miles up on the Berbice River. These persons confessing the Unaltered Augsburg Confession decided to ask for the “free exercise of the Lutheran religion” apart from the stated recognized Dutch Reformed Church and also to ask for help in getting a pastor from the Netherlands. The date of this meeting is considered the birthday of Ebenezer Lutheran Church which is now in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
The first pastor, Johan Henrik Faerkenius, arrived on 15 October 1752 and died 5 December 1754. He held services at Fort Nassau, Berbice River. Climate and health conditions made it difficult for people from the temperate climates to keep their health. The first four pastors served a total of less than ten years.
The 3rd pastor, Solomon Fridericus Müller, fled during the early part of the Berbice Slave Uprising that began 23 February 1763, on the Canje. That rebellion was led by Cuffy, a house-slave who had come to see the hopelessness of the slave situation. The uprising came to an end by the close of the year, but the bitterness and scars continued for many years. The Lutherans had no success in finding a pastor to serve them from 1779 to 1818. A sign, reflecting the hostilities, was posted in front of the Lutheran church saying: “Slaves and dogs not allowed.” The present-day Lutheran Church in guyana has come a long way from that sentiment and is one of the more inclusive churches in the nation today, reflecting membership from African and mixed, East Indian, Amerindian, Chinese, Portuguese, Northern European—the ethnic groups which have shaped the history of Guyana.
The symbol or logo of the ELCG is that of a swan, cross, and Bible – representing a long-standing tradition in the ELCG. The white swan adorns the front of most of the Lutheran church buildings in Guyana. The tradition arises from the Dutch who brought this symbol to Berbice. Jan Hus, a Czech reformer, was burned at the stake for the ideas in his preaching and his passion for preaching and translating Scripture in the language of the people. On July 6, 1415, when being burned at the stake, he is said to have prophesied: “You may roast this goose, but in a hundred years a swan will arise whose voice you will not still.” He sometimes referred to himself as “this poor goose,” and it is said that his name, “Hus,” means “goose.” Thus, from this “goose” shall rise a “swan.” A hundred years later Martin Luther came preaching many of the teachings that led to the martyrdom of Hus. Historians differ on the exact validity of this account, but the tradition remains in Guyana that the Gospel must be proclaimed so that the people can hear and understand it in the language and culture of the day.
The first pastor, Johan Henrik Faerkenius, arrived on 15 October 1752 and died 5 December 1754. He held services at Fort Nassau, Berbice River. Climate and health conditions made it difficult for people from the temperate climates to keep their health. The first four pastors served a total of less than ten years.
The 3rd pastor, Solomon Fridericus Müller, fled during the early part of the Berbice Slave Uprising that began 23 February 1763, on the Canje. That rebellion was led by Cuffy, a house-slave who had come to see the hopelessness of the slave situation. The uprising came to an end by the close of the year, but the bitterness and scars continued for many years. The Lutherans had no success in finding a pastor to serve them from 1779 to 1818. A sign, reflecting the hostilities, was posted in front of the Lutheran church saying: “Slaves and dogs not allowed.” The present-day Lutheran Church in guyana has come a long way from that sentiment and is one of the more inclusive churches in the nation today, reflecting membership from African and mixed, East Indian, Amerindian, Chinese, Portuguese, Northern European—the ethnic groups which have shaped the history of Guyana.
The symbol or logo of the ELCG is that of a swan, cross, and Bible – representing a long-standing tradition in the ELCG. The white swan adorns the front of most of the Lutheran church buildings in Guyana. The tradition arises from the Dutch who brought this symbol to Berbice. Jan Hus, a Czech reformer, was burned at the stake for the ideas in his preaching and his passion for preaching and translating Scripture in the language of the people. On July 6, 1415, when being burned at the stake, he is said to have prophesied: “You may roast this goose, but in a hundred years a swan will arise whose voice you will not still.” He sometimes referred to himself as “this poor goose,” and it is said that his name, “Hus,” means “goose.” Thus, from this “goose” shall rise a “swan.” A hundred years later Martin Luther came preaching many of the teachings that led to the martyrdom of Hus. Historians differ on the exact validity of this account, but the tradition remains in Guyana that the Gospel must be proclaimed so that the people can hear and understand it in the language and culture of the day. 
PARTNERSHIP Relationship:The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana enjoys several relationships with ecumenical and other partners. These relationships are enriching to the life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana. This, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana is assured is mutual. Some of these relationships have existed for decades while others are relatively new. Through these relationships the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana gets opportunities to share its gifts with the Global Christian Community. Also it is able to experience the communion of saints in a global sense. These relationships allow the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana to escape the stifling effects of parochialism. Global relationships help the church to put into proper perspectives its own struggles, weaknesses strengths and gifts. The following partnerships are still viable today:
- GUYANA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND CARIBBEAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES;
- LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION;
- EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA;
- WARTBURG THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY;
- MINISTRY AMONG GUYANESE, GUYANESE LUTHERAN OUTREACH AND GUYANA MISSION NETWORK;
- EASTERN SYNOD – EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN CANADA. photo taken May 2005
Today's Leaders in the ELCG : http://www.guyanamissionnetwork.com/leaders.htm
The above has the present Pastor & Parish roster for the church.
In Christian LOVE... Pastor Jack & Val
This Site may be of Interest: http://www.guyana-missions.org/
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