Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala
In June 2005, the Saint Paul Area Synod assembly passed a resolution establishing a companion synod relationship with the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (the Augustinian Lutheran Church of Guatemala or ILAG). The Guatemalan companion synod task force oversees the relationship and has a list of speakers who are available to speak to congregations, adult forums, youth, and other interested groups.
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History
Founded in 1991 by Padre Horacio Castillo, ILAG ministers to people from the margins of Guatemalan society, particularly the indigenous poor. The church has about 2,000 members in 17 congregations. ILAG also operates two elementary schools in Guatemala City. The ILAG pastoral team is represented by several pastors, evangelists, and catechists who typically work with more than one congregation. Amanda Olson de Castillo, a graduate of Luther Seminary, serves as the Saint Paul Area Synod's missionary to the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala.
Companion congregations
A key component of the companion synod relationship is for congregations in the Saint Paul Area Synod to be matched with ILAG congregations. The relationship is grounded in prayer, communication, visits, financial support, education, and participation.
Watch Mission: Guatemala 2013 to see what this relationship can look like (Courtesy of Our Savior's, Circle Pines).
To assist congregations in developing a relationship or to learn more about the work in Guatemala, the task force provides speakers who will meet with congregation councils and other interested groups or lead adult or youth forums. For more information, contact Janet Metcalfe at 651.450.1717 or jkmetcalfe@yahoo.com or the Rev. Paul Erickson at 651.224.4313 or paul.erickson@elca.org.
Resources
Handbook for Leading a Trip to the ILAG (PDF)
2012-2013 Mission Update (PDF)
For updates and photos, like ILAG on Facebook.
Newsletters
Transitions
Pastors Amanda Olson de Castillo and Horacio Castillo, who have been serving as pastors in the ILAG and coordinators of the relationships with ELCA companion synods and congregations, have recently announced their resignation from the ILAG and their plans to move to the United States. Below, you will find the entire text of their resignation letter and the letter of response written by representatives of the two companion synods. We will continue to post updates as they become available.
Amanda and Horacio Castillo's letter of resignation
Companion synod letter of response
Transition Update (PDF) updated March 11, 2013
