What does the confessional Lutheran church look like in South Africa? We were honored to meet and share stories of global Lutheran church leaders at the International Church Relations Conference (ICRC), held during the LCMS Synod Convention. In this conversation, the Rev. Helmut Paul (Bishop, Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa) joins Sarah Gulseth (co-host of The Coffee Hour) and the Rev. Roy Askins (executive editor of the Lutheran Witness, LCMS Communications) to talk about where he lives and works, the history of the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa, challenges this church body has faced as they seek to be faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, how the church fits into the broader culture of South Africa, how they are able to serve their neighbors with the love of Christ, and the joy he’s found among fellowship with fellow Lutherans.
Find the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa at felsisa.org.za/en.
To learn more about Global Lutheranism:
Read more about the 2026 International Church Relations Conference at reporter.lcms.org/2026/global-lutheran-leaders-challenges-abound-contentment-rules.
Learn more about partner churches around the globe at lcms.org/how-we-serve/international/partner-church-bodies.
Find the International Lutheran Council at ilc-online.org/members.
For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org.
