‘Freely you have received, freely give’
Worship service at the LWF Council 2018. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
LWF publishes Annual Report for 2018
(LWI) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has published its 2018 Annual Report. Titled “Freely you have received, freely give,” it records the life and work of the LWF in 2018, giving insight into the commitment to work for holistic mission, theological education, Christian unity, human rights, gender justice, youth inclusion and serving people in need.
It shows how the communion’s long-term development programs and emergency responses in 25 countries across the world address the root causes of suffering and empower vulnerable people and communities to become more resilient. In 2018 the LWF served more than 2.3 million refugees, internally displaced people and host communities, through LWF World Service.
A highlight of the year was the adoption of the LWF Strategy 2019-2024 which “will guide the communion’s global witness from 2019 to 2024,” write LWF President Archbishop Dr Panti Filibus Musa and LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge in the report’s foreword. The strategy “builds on the ongoing journey and witness of the LWF and its member churches, taking up new initiatives to address a changing context.” The goals and objectives for the LWF’ international humanitarian and development work are similarly elaborated in the LWF World Service Global Strategy 2019-2024. Further details on that work are shared in the LWF World Service Annual Report, which is also out this week.
The report features activities on conflict prevention and peacebuilding, theological formation, church-to-church exchange visits and youth engagement for climate justice, among others, to affirm LWF’s goal to empower people and communities to be advocates for their rights and life with dignity.
All of the LWF’s work is “grounded in our faith commitment as we witness to the gospel, coming together as churches in communion, to work for a just peaceful and reconciled world,” write the President and General Secretary in their preface, thanking readers for being a part of the LWF’s journey for justice, peace and reconciliation.
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