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Caring for refugees in Germany { 54 images } Created 16 Nov 2015

With more than a million Middle Eastern asylum-seekers, flooding into Europe, a new mission field is growing exponentially for the Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche (SELK), a church body that has been actively receiving refugees and catechizing them for decades.

Photographs by Erik M. Lunsford, managing photojournalist in LCMS Communications.
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  • Exterior photograph of the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany, on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0001.JPG
  • Refugees and LCMS Missionaries pray during Bible study led under the Rev. Markus Fischer (not pictured), pastor of the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany, on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the church in Leipzig. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0002.JPG
  • The Rev. Markus Fischer, pastor of the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany, leads a Bible study for Iranian and other refugees on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the church in Leipzig. Joining the refugees are LCMS Missionary Deaconess Elizabeth Ahlman (seated on couch, second from left), and the Rev. James Krikava, OIM regional director for Eurasia.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0003.JPG
  • Booklets of Luther's Small Catechisms are shared during a Bible study for Irianian and other refugees led by the Rev. Markus Fischer (not pictured), pastor of the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany, on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the church in Leipzig. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0004.JPG
  • An Iranian refugee listens as the Rev. Markus Fischer, pastor of the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany, leads a Bible study for refugees on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the church in Leipzig. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0005.JPG
  • LCMS Missionary Deaconess Elizabeth Ahlman shares a moment with her baby during a Bible study for refugees on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0006.JPG
  • Refugees read through a translated Luther's Small Catechism during Bible study on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0007.JPG
  • The Rev. Markus Fischer, pastor of the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany, leads a Bible study for Iranian and other refugees on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the church in Leipzig. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0008.JPG
  • The Rev. Markus Fischer, pastor of the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany,  leads a Bible study for Iranian and other refugees on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the church in Leipzig. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0009.JPG
  • An Iranian Christian refugee talks with the Rev. Markus Fischer, pastor of the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany, during a Bible study for Iranian and other refugees on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the church in Leipzig. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0010.JPG
  • Christian refugees read from a translated Bible during a Bible study   on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0011.JPG
  • Iranian refugees discuss issues together during a Bible study on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany. Rick Sovitzy (second from left), business manager for Eurasia, listens to the conversation. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0012.JPG
  • Deaconess Pam Nielsen of LCMS Communications presents on behalf of Concordia Publishing House posters to the Rev. Markus Fischer, pastor of the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany, during a Bible Study for refugees on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the church in Leipzig. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0013.JPG
  • Refugees pick out posters from Concordia Publishing House following a Bible study on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0014.JPG
  • Iranian refugees pick out posters from Concordia Publishing House following a Bible study on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, near the Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Trinitatisgemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0015.JPG
  • Refugees file out of a Bible study on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in Leipzig, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0016.JPG
  • (L-R) SELK Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt, the Rev. James Krikava, OIM regional director for Eurasia, the Rev. Thomas Seifert, pastor of Paul-Gerhardt Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Braunschweig, Germany, Roger Drinnon of LCMS Communications, and Deaconess Pamela Nielsen, also of LCMS Communications, talk during a planning meeting at the SELK headquarters on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, in Hannover, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0017.JPG
  • SELK Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt chats with the Rev. James Krikava, OIM regional director for Eurasia, during a planning meeting at the SELK headquarters on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, in Hannover, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0018.JPG
  • Translated Bibles lay on the table next to photographs of refugees helped by the Rev. Thomas Seifert, pastor of Paul-Gerhardt Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Braunschweig, Germany, during a planning meeting at the SELK headquarters on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, in Hannover, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0019.JPG
  • The Rev. Thomas Seifert, pastor of Paul-Gerhardt Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Braunschweig, Germany, discusses his work with refugees during a planning meeting at the SELK headquarters on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, in Hannover, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0020.JPG
  • SELK Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt chats with the Rev. James Krikava, OIM regional director for Eurasia, outside the SELK headquarters following a planning meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, in Hannover, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0021.JPG
  • Exterior photograph on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0022.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens leads Bible study on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0023.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens leads Bible study on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0024.JPG
  • A refugee raises his hand to ask a question to the Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens during Bible study on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0025.JPG
  • A mother holds her child during Bible study on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0026.JPG
  • A man listens to the Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0027.JPG
  • Refugees fill the pews as the Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens prays at the end of his Bible study class on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0028.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens takes a group photograph of his Bible study group on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0029.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens leads a baptism rehearsal for refugees on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  The refugees completed 3-months of intensive instruction before their baptism. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0030.JPG
  • Refugees read through instructions during baptism rehearsal on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  The refugees completed 3-months of intensive instruction before their baptism. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0031.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens leads a baptism rehearsal on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  The refugees completed 3-months of intensive instruction before their baptism. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0032.JPG
  • Refugees read through instructions during baptism rehearsal on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  The refugees completed 3-months of intensive instruction before their baptism. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0033.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens runs through a baptism rehearsal on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  The refugees completed 3-months of intensive instruction before their baptism. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0034.JPG
  • An Afghani man listens as the Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens instructs them during baptism rehearsal on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.   LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0035.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens shares a laugh with an Afghani family during a baptism rehearsal on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  The refugees completed 3-months of intensive instruction before their baptism. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0036.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens hugs a refugee following Bible study on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0037.JPG
  • Asylum seekers clean the carpet next to the altar following Bible study on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0038.JPG
  • A cross frames the Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens as he waits for visitors to arrive for worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0039.JPG
  • Baptism candles with the Christian name of Muslim converts on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0040.JPG
  • Th crucifer leads the procession at the start of worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0041.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens baptizes new Christians after they renounced Islam on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0042.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens baptizes new Christians after they renounced Islam on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0043.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens preaches during worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0044.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens leads worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0045.JPG
  • Boys listen during worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0046.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens consecrates the elements during worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0047.JPG
  • Refugees gather for communion and blessings as the Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens leads worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0048.JPG
  • Refugees gather for communion and blessings as the Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens leads worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0049.JPG
  • The crucifer leads a recessional following worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0050.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens greets a refugee following worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0051.JPG
  • The Rev. Dr. Gottfried Martens greets a young girl following worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0052.JPG
  • Hordes of refugees cram into the fellowship hall for a meal following worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0053.JPG
  • An Iranian refugee displays his Baptismal cross necklace following worship on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at the Dreieinigkeits-Gemeinde, a SELK Lutheran church in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany.  LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford
    111615 eml Germany Refugees 0054.JPG