Church History
1952
Seeds of the Lutheran Church were planted in Pasaquina, La Union by Rev. Robert Gussick, a missionary from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA) who was based in Guatemala.
November 1, 1961
The first Salvadoran Lutheran pastor, Rev. Ciro Mejía, was ordained in Zacapa, Guatemala & assumed leadership at the Lutheran Church in Pasaquina.
1965
Young leaders were sent to Augsburg Lutheran Seminary in Mexico for training
1969
The Lutheran Church assists Salvadorans expelled from Honduras after the Soccer War
1970
The Salvadoran Lutheran Church obtains legal status
1972
Resurrection Lutheran Church is founded & Rev. Medardo Gómez is called as pastor
1972-1980
Period of growth in work & size of the church, incorporating new pastors
April 1982
Church leaders receive the urgent request for help from civilian women, children & elders in San Vicente, caught in the crossfire between military forces & insurgents. Rev. Medardo opens Faith & Hope refugee center with support from the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
1982–1992
Salvadoran Lutheran Church suffers persecution for its work in promoting peace & justice. Death squads kidnap Rev. Medardo Gómez & Dr. Angel Ibarra, who are later freed due to international pressure.
Nov 21, 1984
Rev. David Fernández, pastor in San Miguel, is assassinated by the military.
August 6, 1986
Rev. Medardo Gómez is consecrated as Bishop by Swedish Lutheran Bishop Oke Kastlund, leading to the construction of a national church focused on social justice & recognized as a member of the Lutheran World Federation.
1988
Definitive withdrawal of Missouri Synod
June 1988
Greater Milwaukee Synod passes a resolution proclaiming the Salvadoran Lutheran Church and GMS as Companion Synods, marking the beginning of this program.
The Salvadoran Lutheran Church currently has four companions from the ELCA:
Metro Washington DC
Sierra Pacific
Southwest California
Greater Milwaukee
16 November 1989
Death squads seek to assassinate Bishop Gómez at Resurrection Church; not finding him they seize a cross as evidence of subversion. Today the Subversive Cross stands at Resurrection as a symbol of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
1986 & 1994
Ordination of women first as diaconal pastors and finally as fully ordained pastors. The first two women ordained are Pastor Abelina Centeno Gómez & Pastor Marina Méndez.
June 1988
Greater Milwaukee Synod passes a resolution proclaiming the Salvadoran Lutheran Church and GMS as Companion Synods, marking the beginning of this program.
1991
Founding of Salvadoran Lutheran University
November 4, 2006
Pastors Francisco & Jesús Carrillo are assassinated at their church
2007
First International Encuentro of Partnerships in San Salvador
2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022: Encuentros 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
August 5, 2019
New Resurrection church dedicated as Salvadoran Lutheran Cathedral
2020-2022
Partnerships develop new connections via technology during Covid pandemic lockdowns
2023-2024
Process of developing the new governance documents and bishop transition plan
January 12, 2025
Bishop Guadalupe Cortéz is installed as Bishop