Rev Fatima leads the leadership training department for women’s and youth’s department as mandated by the church constitution. The purpose is to nurture all these groups for their good and to allow children and youth to participate fully in the life of the church and grow into responsible adults. Like in many other African countries, more than half of the Gambian population is under the age of eighteen. We have a great youth organization, including men and women, girls and boys in leadership.

 

Our church is also active in upholding the lives, work, and ministry of women. The ELCTG recognizes equal opportunities for both men and women at all levels in promoting the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If women are not available at present for the work of the Lord in any position of trust, every effort is made for them to be trained to serve in that capacity.

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They are to be included in both diaconal and ordained ministries and can serve as bishop, secretary, and treasurer at all levels. The leadership of our church involves the participation of both men and women at all levels for collective decision making. This makes our church vibrant and dynamic.

 

Lutheran women in the communities we serve suffer for their children by working for other people on cashew farms. They collect fallen cashew fruits with nuts attached, to sell or make wine to support their children’s education. This is not a very good situation. Women are often abused by the men who have bought and drunken by the cashew wine. The ELCTG plans to establish community women’s skill centers to teach vocational skills in income-generating ventures for self-employment and support for children. Finding the resources to implement this program is a constant prayer of the national church.