Global Missions in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod:

ELCA Video
Features the Lutheran Church in Chile

The Winter 2003 issue of Mosaic Television, a quarterly video production of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), focuses on the work of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church in Chile, as seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy.

"Chile is one of the most fascinating places on earth," said Timothy Frakes, associate director for interpretation and Mosaic producer, ELCA Department for Communication. "It is also a land where Lutherans are making a difference. It is a place where the gospel is alive."

The Mosaic Winter issue, now available, documents the travels of Charlie Wellert, 14, a Chilean-born member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Missoula, Mont. In the 30-minute video, viewers watch as Wellert learns about his faith and the land of his birth through its geography, people and culture. Wellert also learns about his church and work it is doing with Lutherans in Chile.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (IELCH) is of special interest to members of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, as the IELCH is one of the IK Synod's two companion synod's, the other being the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan - HKBP Church on the Indonesian Island of Sumatra.

Pr. Bill Gafkjen, Director of Global Mission for the IK Synod, previewed the video with his wife Janet and children Nathan, age nine, and Kira, age six. "The video held all of our attention from start to finish and stimulated some interesting conversation about the differences and similarities between Chilean culture and the North American culture of which we are a part," he noted.

"It was a delightful way to show my family what worship and congregation life are like for the members of our companion synod in Chile. I'd recommend the video for first-graders through older adults."

Gafkjen also noted that the video is timely resource for our congregations, who are being encouraged to life up our companion synod relationships throughout the season of Epiphany. "Sharing the Light of Christ in the World" is our Global Mission theme for this emphasis," explained Gafkjen. A variety of resources were mailed to each congregation in the December IK Synod Resource Packet.

Mosaic is produced and distributed by the ELCA Department for Communication, and is available in VHS and DVD formats. It is intended for educational use in a variety of congregational settings including Sunday school classes, adult forums, youth groups, women's and men's groups, new member classes, church council meetings, committee meetings and other organizational meetings.

Single issues of Mosaic are $19.95 each, or $50 for a one-year subscription of four issues. To purchase contact 1-800-638-3522, mosaic@elca.org, or www.elca.org/mosaic.