“As we join the rest of the world in celebrating this day, we give thanks for the incredible women leaders in the ELCA and throughout our Lutheran companion churches,” said Andrew Steele, director, ELCA Global Church Sponsorship.

Through the ELCA’s International Women Leaders initiative, the ELCA will provide more than 200 women from global companion churches with scholarships and educational opportunities to support their call to ministry and leadership. The initiative is one of 10 priorities of the ELCA’s five-year comprehensive campaign, Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA. Approved by the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the campaign seeks to raise $198 million to help sustain and grow the ministries of this church.

“The initiative provides scholarships to women from our companion churches all around the world, to not only study in their home contexts but also to study at our ELCA seminaries, colleges and universities,” said Steele.

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