Global Mission
Our Companion Synod Coordinators
The Rev. Patti Covington Baker and Larry Baker
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia
Bio pending
Bonnie and Frank Bouknight
Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church
Bonnie and Frank Bouknight, married for forty eight years, have enjoyed traveling to many places but the highlight of those trips is the ten trips to Japan. They are always excited to share their love of Japan and Japanese culture with people in the South Carolina Lutheran Synod. Frank is a life-long Lutheran. Bonnie grew up in the Baptist Church, however she has been a Lutheran since 1974 and has served on church council and has taught Japanese to four year old pre-school students for 18 years. Bonnie’s first experience in Japan was to give a speech at a Shinto wedding.
Frank has been very active in Lutheran Men serving as State President for two years.
Bonnie and Frank have three children, six grandchildren, one son in love, and one daughter in love. Rumiko Bouknight, Japanese daughter in love, is from Saga, Japan where the first Lutheran Church Service was held in Easter Sunday in 1893.
Cathy Milejczak
Southwest Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
Having been born into a military family Cathy developed a love for travel at young age. She has enjoyed living in Europe and in many different states across the east coast if the United States. Cathy is a dental hygienist and holds a PhD in Public Health. Her first international mission experience was to Kenya, Africa in 1994 with the Southern Baptist Convention. This trip instilled in her that she could make a difference in the lives of others. She made a second trip to Kenya and a trip to Romania with the southern Baptist Church. In 2000, she participated in a trip to Northern Tanzania with a group from the South Carolina Synod. Cathy joined the South Carolina Synod’s Global Mission Team in 1995. She was part of the task force to adopt the South Western Diocese of Tanzania as a Companion Synod. Cathy made her first trip to the SWD in 2002 and has made numerous trips over the past 20 years.
Global Mission Updates
What do borders mean to you?
I was confronted with this question over and over again at the beginning of February. Our YAGM México group went to the US-México border towns of Douglas, AZ and Agua Prieta (MX) to explore this question.
Our Tanzanian Companions
The Tanzania Companion Synod’s relationship continues to be a blessing for both South Carolinians and the Uwanji, the largest tribe in the South Western Diocese. Recently the Tanzania Mission Team 2018 enjoyed a visit to the South Western Diocese.
At our church, Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Lexington, we sometimes…
At our church, Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Lexington, we sometimes “play” a game we like to call, “Did Ja Know?” It’s fun to see who knows trivia about Pilgrim’s history.
So, here goes……. “Did Ja Know” that the ELCA SC Synod has three Companion Synods that we are in relationship with? “Did Ja Know” the countries/ Synods that we are in relationship with? They are Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church (Japan), South Western Diocese (Tanzania), and Iglesia Evangelica Luterana de Colombia (Colombia).
Companion Synod Partnership – Tanzania 2017
Companion Synod Partnerships are all about being in relationship with one another. Getting to know one another. Walking together and encouraging one another in our Christian faith.
Mobilizing women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ
As a lighthouse shines in the darkness to guide ship captains away from dangers and toward safety, this year SC WELCA will respond to Jesus’ calling to reflect his light through local and global projects.
Africa Calls!
Rich Wilson asked, “How big is your world? Is it comprised of one nation, one state, one city, or one house?
Companion Synod Video – Full
Companion Synod Video – Colombia
Companion Synod Video – Japan
Companion Synod Video – Tanzania
Mission Partners
Get In Touch
This is Christ’s Church. There is a place for you here.
We are the church that shares a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. Liberated by our faith, we embrace you as a whole person–questions, complexities and all. Join us as we do God’s work in Christ’s name for the life of the world.
Contact Information
ELCA South Carolina Synod
1003 Richland Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Telephone 803-765-0590
Fax 803-252-5558
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Related Organizations
James R. Crumley, Jr., Archives (ELCA Archives)
Lutheran Homes of South Carolina
Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary
NovusWay (Lutheridge+Lutherock+Luther Springs+Lutheranch)
South Carolina Lutheran Church Youth
South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission
