New Bishop and Moderator will be consecrated in November
The new two leaders of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), those who elected on the 24th Ordinary General Synod at Ongwediva on the 17th August 2021, will consecrated in the same venue on the 14 November 2021.
The synod successfully elected Rev Dr Martin Ngodji a sixty one years old (61), a Bishop-elect of the Eastern Diocese. Dr Ngodji is a former lecturer and Principal of Paulinum, and currently is a chief Executive of Ndonga and Kwanyama Bible Translations. He will replaces Dr S VV Nambala a presiding Bishop who retires.
The Synod failed to attain a required 2/3 majority of votes to elect a bishop for the Western Diocese. However the synod at the ½+1 voted, elected Rev Dr Gideon Niitenge a fifty five (55) years old, as a Moderate –elected of the western Diocese. He is currently Western Diocese Executive Secretary and will replace Bishop Dr Veikko Munyika who retires.
The Synod also elected six (6) members of the Church Councils, replacing the previous Church Council. They are as follows with their deputies:
Rev Dr Johannes Haufiku, deputized by Rev Wilhem Amakali
Rev Martha Shihomeka, deputized by Rev Likius Namutewa
Mr Simeon Amunghete, deputized by Mrs Helena Nakanyala
Mr Mika Kapweya, deputized by Mr Mateus Ntinda
Rev Justina Shilongo, deputized by Rev Gerson Neliwa
These Church Council are taking over the leadership from the 24th Ordinary General Synod to the next Ordinary General Synod which will take place later in two or four years.
By Thomas Uushona
Information Coordinator & Editor