European Regional CELC Conference in Nerchau, Germany, Focuses on the Creation of Man

The European Regional conference of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC) met May 22-25, 2025, hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (ELFK) in Nerchau, Germany. The conference theme was “The creation of man—Wonderful news for the world.” Nerchau is near Grimma, the site of the CELC’s ninth triennial convention in 2017. St. John’s Congregation in Nerchau is currently vacant, but a group of volunteers helped prepare the regional conference.

About 50 guests from several countries attended. Among them were Bishop Horpynchuk of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church and Dmytro Maksymenko, director of the “Gift of Life” International Charitable Foundation in Ukraine. A video message was sent from Russian participants, and Iliyan Itsov of Bulgaria sent written greetings because he could not attend. Dr. Ugis Sildegs of Latvia, who had prepared one of the four papers, was unable to come because of problems with his car. Guests from outside Europe included Prof. Tim Schmeling of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), who served as guest presenter; Rev. Larry Schlomer, WELS World Missions administrator; Rev. Jonathan Schroeder, chairman of the WELS Board for World Missions; and Rev. Tom Heyn of the ELS.

Four papers were presented. Prof. Schmeling gave two lectures, “Man—Created by God” and “Man—Created in the Image of God,” the latter serving as the final lecture. Rev. Nikolla Bishka of Albania and Rev. Luke Wolfgramm, adjunct instructor for Europe at the WELS World Missionary and Pastoral Studies Institute, prepared “Man—Created as Male and Female.” Dr. Sildegs’s paper, “Man—Creation with Body and Soul: Today’s Challenges,” was presented by Rev. Holger Weiß, chairman of the CELC European Region. Participants from several countries met together around a shared theme, reflecting the unity for which Christians pray (John 17:21).

Other sessions addressed mission work. Rev. Schroeder gave a short overview of WELS worldwide mission work, and Rev. Heyn described ELS work, especially in Europe and in other regions. Schlomer introduced Jennifer Wolfgramm, whom WELS called as a mobile ministry partner for women in Europe. He described her responsibilities and offered her assistance for work among women in the European CELC churches.

The conference closed with a worship service that included the Lord’s Supper. The liturgy was conducted in German by the Rev. Michael Herbst, president of the ELFK in Germany, and Rev. Weiß preached on Isaiah 55:6-11 under the theme “Seek the Lord!” After the sermon, Schlomer installed Wolfgramm. A video of the closing service is available on YouTube.

The next European Regional CELC conference is planned to be hosted by the LBK Sweden on June 18-20, 2027. Before that, the next triennial CELC Convention is scheduled for May 29–June 1, 2026, in Zambia.

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