LUTHERAN LAY ACADEMY The Lutheran Lay Academy is a concept that has long been circulating in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana in different forms. It captures and expresses a vision to equip the lay people for their involvement in the life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana . The laity is essential for the church to carry out its mission. To do so effectively they must be equipped with the skills and tools. This is the goal of the Lutheran Lay Academy The Lutheran Lay Academy was launched in August of 2005. There are forty candidates on roll in the two branches in Georgetown and New Amsterdam . The courses taught are:-
• Theology
• Biblical Studies
• Church History
• Homilectics
• Worship and Liturgy
The pastors of the church lecture on these subjects. The Lutheran Lay Academy in its present form was conceptualized by the President Roy Thakurdyal. The vision for the institution is that it can be merged with similar existing institutions of other churches to eventually form a Seminary in Guyana to train pastors locally. This is a long term plan. It is conceptualised that the Seminary can become the Theological faculty of the University of Guyana .
The Lutheran World Federation, Florida-Bahamas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – Division For Global Mission have all contributed in various and significant ways to the establishment of the Lutheran Lay Academy. The L.W.F provided funds to renovate the building in New Amsterdam to house the Berbice branch of the Academy. The Florida-Bahamas Synod supplied books for the library. And the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – Division For Global Mission through Rev. Raquel Rodriguez provided books and tapes on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . “Select Programme” to be used as part of the curricula of the Lutheran Lay Academy .
The L.L.A should be nurtured into full and long life as it holds out much promise for the future of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana . Support of this institution is vital for its success. Therefore the whole church should stand behind it to ensure its success.
LUTHERAN CAMP AND RETREAT CENTRE
Camping and retreats are important aspects of the life of any church. Through these activities people are renewed and re-invigorated in their faith, commitment and zeal for the church's mission. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana has both these activities taking place in it. The Lutheran Camp and Retreat Centre at Skeldon is therefore a vital facility in the church.
The Camp and Retreat Centre was defunct for two decades. All the buildings were dilapidated. For all intents and purpose the centre was considered beyond restoration. However with vision and determination from the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana especially President Thakurdyal and much financial, material and labour input from overseas partners, Florida-Bahamas Synod, Fellowship Lutheran Church and locally as well, the Centre was restored. It now holds a place of pride in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana and wider community at Skeldon.
Since its restoration the Camp and Retreat Centre is used by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana and many other churches. It is almost fully booked for 2006. This means that the centre can be self-supporting. It also means that the vision to have it restored is vindicated.
  
  
TELEVISION. EVANGELISM MINISTRY –“THE WORD FOR THE WORLD”
For several years the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana members lamented the obscurity of the church in the country. In spite of being the oldest church in Guyana the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana is little known. The Television Evangelism ministry's main aim is found in its introduction; “To call people to and nurture faith in Jesus Christ. And to equip people for Christian Witness and Faithful Discipleship.” Since its introduction, the Television ministry has given some more visibility to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana . This programme is broadcasted every Sunday at 5.00 p.m. on the N.C.N channel.
The programmes financing received a big boost from the gift the church received from the Guyanese Lutheran in Canada . The gift came from the offering from a service the Guyanese in Canada held to celebrate the churches 261 st Anniversary 2004. Also funding comes from the local parishes and parishioners. The programme is name “THE WORD FOR THE WORLD”.
AUXILLIARIES
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana has three auxiliaries which caters to ministry among youth, women and men. The women's and youth ministry have long been established in the church. These are vibrant auxillaries. They have several activities every year including camps, retreats, services and fun days. The most recent auxiliary is the ministry among men's group at Transfiguration parish. It then spread throughout the church. Eventually the men formed a national Evangelical Lutheran Church Men organization in 2004. This organization has undertaken to raise funds to sustain the church's television ministry. They also undertake projects to assist parishes with infrastructural needs.
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