The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) marked the centenary of its missionary work in the Kavango regions. Established in 1926, the church has played a significant role in the area.
A German missionary, Otto Emil Narchi, established the first church at Nkurenkuru.
During his evangelism, Narchi met different men from the area who were working in different towns and promised to bring the gospel to them.
Bishop Emeritus of ELCIN Nkurenkuru Johannes Sindano shared that "the missionaries also learned about Christianity from others, and they decided to come to Africa, where they speak a different language and preach to people of a different complexion. It took them a year to learn Otjiherero, which is closer to Oshidonga. After 56 years in Namibia, the missionaries finally reached the Kavango Region on 30 April 1926, which we are celebrating as the 100th anniversary today."
The missionaries were received by Hompa Kanuni of the Ukwangali Traditional Authority. During the celebration, Narchi baptised 21 people in the Kavango Region.
Sindano further explained that, "In 1926, Narchi successfully travelled with 10 Oshiwambo-speaking men to Nkurenkuru. At Omandongo, the missionaries took 30 years to baptise the first 6 men because the Ndonga people doubted their mission and needed time to observe them. In the Kavango region, it took them a day, as they had already met some of the men from the region in the city."
The Nkurenkuru ELCIN parish was built in 1928.
Hompa Eugene Siwombe of the Ukwangali Traditional Authority called upon the church members to demonstrate goodwill in all their interactions.
"Everyone who leads or is part of the ELCIN church should set a good example in their communities and homes; if you do not promote peace and instead spread gossip and other negative behaviours, then the goals of those to whom we granted land will not be achieved."
Hompa Siwombe called on the church to acquire land from the traditional authority for agricultural purposes, for the church to generate income and set up feeding programmes.
He further urged the literate members to document the history of the ELCIN church in the regions.