A unique assembly of representatives from some Lutheran bodies working in Asia and the Pacific took place at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Old Sta. Mesa St., Manila last November 13-14, 2015. In order to forge cooperation of mission efforts in the region, the Rev. Antonio Reyes, President of the Lutheran Church of the Philippines invited representatives from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria (ELCB), Evangelical Lutheran Church of Northern Germany (ELNG), Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG), and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
A show of willingness to be part of the forum was evident since all the organizations invited sent their representatives, to wit: the Rev. Carl Hanson, Area Facilitator for East Asia, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) ; the Rev. Traugott Farnbacher,
Secretary for PNG, Pacific, East Asia, Centre MissionOneWorld, (ELC Bavaria); Rev. Thomas Paulsteiner, Secretary for East Asia, (ELC Bavaria); Rev. Michael Martin, Director for Ecumenism and Church Life, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria(ELCB); Dr. Katrin Fiedler, Executive Director, Center for Mission and Ecumenism North Church Worldwide- Asia and China, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Northern Germany(ELCNG); Rev. Kinim Siloi, Director for Inter-Church Relation and Ecumenism/Partnership, (ELC Papua New Guinea); Mr. Ulch Tapia, National Secretary, Lutheran Health Service, (ELC Papua New Guinea); Rev. Dr. William Chang, Area Secretary for Asia, Department for Mission and Development,Lutheran World Federation (LWF); and Rev. Steven Lawrence, Regional Officer-Asia, Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
