The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia
Global Mission > Colombia

At its 1994 assembly, the Southeastern Minnesota Synod voted to enter into a companion relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia (Iglesia Evangelica Luterana de Colombia - IELCO). At that time there were 12 organized Lutheran congregations in Colombia. Today the IELCO is made up of 15 congregations and 8 missions. This partnership has made the purchase of a house and farm for the Lutheran School of Theology and a retreat center possible. The School of Theology opened in February of 2000. Learn more about Colombia here!

Contact , chair of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Global Mission/Companion Synods Committee, with your questions about our Companion Synod Relationship with Colombia.

Volunteer Opportunity
In the fall of 2008 the Southeastern Minnesota Synod sent the first volunteer teacher to the Lutheran school in Sogomosa, Colombia. If you are interested in participating in this program, click here to read more or download the application

Colombia Resources

• Advocacy
  • "Charlas Colombianas" (Colombian Chats): A guide to gathering small groups in your home to talk about action for Colombia (Lutheran World Relief)
  • Colombia Education Packet: A four-part guide for groups (Lutheran World Relief)
  • "Lord, Make Us Instruments of Your Peace..." by Pastor Natanael Lizarazo
  • Talking Colombia: organizing a teach-in style educational forum on Colombia's crisis (Lutheran World Relief)
  • Sal y Luz - project organized by Lutheran World Relief which partners six communities of faith in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota with Colombia's courageous Peace Sanctuary Churches to provide places of refuge and hope in a country ravaged by five decades of violence
• Financial Support
  • Colombian Scholarship Fund (LIZWAN)
    (These updates are in pdf format - you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to read these documents. Get it free at www.adobe.com)
    (Back issues available - request by )
    • 2009 Annual Report
    • October-November 2009
    • September 2009
• Congregation Resources
  • Companion Synod Covenant with the IELCO
  • Global Mission Sunday Helps (resources for conducting services and incorporating Colombian and Tanzanian resources) (pdf format - you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to read this document. Get it free at www.adobe.com) 
  • Prayer Petitions
  • Start a partner congregation relationship
• Publications
  • Welcome to Colombia!
    Read about the 2007 synod delegation to Colombia (and a brief article on the Sal y Luz program)
  • Colombia Blog 2007
    Read Katie Livingood's blog from two weeks in Colombia - starting off with the synod delegation, and then spending 11 days in a congregation.
  • Youth in the U.S. Inspire Ministry in Colombia
    Read about a young adult worship band in Colombia that received some encouragement and inspiration at the 2006 ELCA National Youth Gathering in San Antonio.
  • Lessons Learned in Colombia
    In October 2006 a synod delegation traveled to Colombia. Read about it in the December River Crossings article and view the photos.
  • Global Mission brochure - Southeastern Minnesota Synod (2004)
  • Updates from the Colombian Scholarship Fund (pdf format - you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to read these documents. Get it free at www.adobe.com) 
  • Bishop Usgaard's letter about his trip to Colombia, River Crossings March 2003 (pdf format - you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to read this document. Get it free at www.adobe.com)