The Lutheran World Federation

LWF Ninth Assembly, Hong Kong, China, 1997

LWF Ninth Assembly, Hong Kong, China, 1997

LWF Ninth Assembly - Opening Eucharist

On 8 July 1997, one week after British authorities handed Hong Kong back to China, more than 400 delegates from 122 Lutheran churches worldwide gathered for the LWF Ninth Assembly in Hong Kong. The occasion was historic because:

  • it was the first such Lutheran global meeting in Asia

  • it was the last Assembly of the twentieth century

  • the LWF simultaneously celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its 1947 founding.


Hong Kong 1997 - Opening Eucharist

LWF history is marked by its Assemblies. Held every six or seven years, they are the highest decision-making authority of the Federation. Each Assembly elects a President and a 48-member Council to lead the LWF through interim annual meetings. The LWF Ninth Assembly elected Bishop Dr. Christian Krause from Brunswick, Germany as President, and reelected Zimbabwean theologian, Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko as General Secretary.

Bishop Dr. Christian Krause, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brunswick, Germany, delivers a speech in response to his nomination for the LWF presidency

A mandate from the Hong Kong gathering challenged the LWF to implement commitments made in relation to the Assembly theme In Christ - Called to Witness.

Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko, LWF General Secretary

For further information on this Assembly, click on: