Eastern North Dakota Synod

Global Ministries

Central African Republic

Our Ministry Partnership | How You Can Help | Education and Speakers | Downloads and Resources

The Central African Republic, a land-locked country in the middle of Africa, is one of the poorest countries on the continent. This country, about the size of the state of Texas, has a per capita income of about $250 per year. Poor government over he years has devastated the economy and lead to the breakdown of the country’s infrastructure,including roads, schools, hospitals, electricity, telephone, and transportation.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central Africa Republic (EELRCA) has about 60,000 members, a Bible school, and seminary. Even thought the majority of the nation's population is Christian, the church struggles to minister to its people by providing educational and medical services that are not provided by the government. The EELRCA is a growing church, in spite of the difficulties.

How the Eastern North Dakota Synod is involved:

This video is part of the Eastern North Dakota Synod "Us" DVD.
Click here for a longer version...

The Village Education Project in the C.A.R. is still front and center. Two of the schools received high awards for student achievement of which they are very proud. The amount needed for the Village Education Project is $40,000.

The Church Roof Project is ongoing and continues to be costly. The corrugated steel comes from the Cameroon and costs $9,000 per roof. Two roofs are in progress; three older roofs were destroyed in a storm; and 28 churches are waiting for roofs.

The library for the Lutheran Youth Center in Bouar needs funds (approximately $2500). The School of Theology at Baboua needs solar power lighting (approximately $10,000). Scholarships for the women’s program are also a high priority.

The ELCA added a new project to their Global Gifts Program: Spring Boxes (external link), a cost-effective ways to increase access to potable water in the Central African Republic (C.A.R.), our companion synod! Congregations interested in giving money towards the Spring Boxes in the CAR may write/send checks to the EaND Synod; individuals may send their contributions directly to the ELCA.

Find the most recent news and needs in the Walking with CAR newsletters...

Emmanuel Health Center in Gallo

The center serves as a core church ministry, coordinating education, prevention and treatment.

Learn more:

How You Can Help

The Eastern ND Synod C.A.R. Taskforce is looking for people from all over the synod who are interested in promoting C.A.R. projects and nurturing our relationship with the C.A.R. church. If you would like to join, please contact the synod office at 701-232-3381.

Donations for any of the EaND Synod's Central African Republic ministries should be send directly to the synod office, labeled with the appropriate ministry designation.

C.A.R. Synod Education

Several people from our synod have visited the C.A.R. and several missionary families are now living in the Fargo area. They are willing to come and speak to your congregation to share first-hand experiences of life in the C.A.R.. To schedule a speaker, please contact the synod office (701-232-3381).

The synod resource center also has videos and other information about the C.A.R., which are available free of charge.

C.A.R. Church Resources

C.A.R. Ministry Brochure (download .pdf file)
C.A.R. Ministry Presentation:
PowerPoint (download .ppt file) (191 MB*) | PDF (download .pdf file) (3.6 MB)
C.A.R. Women's Center Brochure (download .pdf file)
C.A.R. Village Education, Girl's High School and Church Roof Project Fact Sheets (download .pdf file)
Central African Republic ELCA Country Packet (external link)
Videos about the C.A.R. (external link)

* The PowerPoint presentation is a large file. If you are unable to download the file, please contact the Synod Office to request a copy.

Walking with the Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic Newsletters:

Three newsletters are available with updates and giving information for the ministry work being done in the C.A.R.

November 2010:

Learn about other global minstry opportunities through the EaND Synod...

C.A.R. Ministries

News from C.A.R.

More news and updates from the C.A.R....

M&Ms in the C.A.R.

Mission & Ministry for the Central African Republic is a “sweet deal”

At the 2011 Fall Leadership Conference, the EaND Synod will be distributing candy boxes of Mini M&M tubes to each congregation. Congregations will share the sweets with its members. After the M&Ms have been eaten and enjoyed, individuals and families are asked to refill the tube with quarters. Each tube holds $14 worth of quarters.

M&Ms in the CAR We ask you to enthusiastically embrace this project. Please publicize it in worship bulletins and congregational newsletters. What a creative, fun, and sweet way to help our brothers and sisters in Christ in one of the poorest countries in the world.