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In Europe
The Reformation movement spread quickly through many European countries, especially through the books of Luther. The growth of the Lutheran Church after the Reformation time was significant. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, most of the Scandinavians countries became Lutherans and many Lutheran Churches were founded.
Germany - Alemanha - SELBSTÄNDIGE EVANGELISCH - LUTHERISCHE KIRCHE
England - Inglaterra - EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF ENGLAND - ELCE
France - França - ÉGLISE EVANGELIQUE LUTHERIENNE, SYNODE DE FRANCE
Denmark - Dinamarca - DEN EVANGELISKLUTHERSKE FRIKIRKE
The name “Lutheran” is an expression in honor that Luther did not want. He expressed it to his followers: “You do not call yourselves Lutherans, but Christians… This doctrine is not mine; I wasn’t crucified on behalf of anyone… Why should I, a poor mortal, give my insignificant name to the children of God?” Luther always put the name of Christ above his and above all the Christians. Because of the its zeal and seriousness regarding to the name and Word of Christ, the Lutheran Church started to cross the oceans in order to spread the Gospel outside Europe.
In America
By the half of the 19th century (around 1840), a group of Lutheran German immigrants, from Saxony, went to North America. They were soon concerned to found a church in the new land. So, in 1847, was organized the IGREJA LUTERANA - SÍNODO DE MISSOURI, in Missouri, USA – where the Lutheran immigrants settled. The leader of this group was Carl Walther. With a strong, active and productive leadership regarding to pastoral, educational and literary work, Walther printed to the church an authentic Evangelical Lutheranism, completely free from the European Rationalism, and propagated the biblical message of salvation through faith in Christ. This church grew fast and soon it started missionary activities in other countries: Canada, Mexico, India, Korea, Japan, Nigeria, Brazil, etc.
In Brazil
The Missouri Synod sent to Brazil, in 1900, the Revd. Broders to investigate the missionary perspectives. He started the work in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, where, in 1904, was founded the IGREJA EVANGÉLICA LUTERANA DO BRASIL (IELB). The IELB developed and expanded its activities to all Brazilian states. Besides of that, the IELB started a missionary work in Paraguay and Portugal.
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