Who we are

Jesus Christ said, "Those who are strong have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.... I came not to call the righteous but sinners" (Mt 9:12-13). Jesus directs these words to all of us, for we have "all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23). All human beings participate in the sin that corrupts and even destroys human life. St. Paul mentions various forms of this participation: fornication, jealousy, strife, anger, envy, drunkenness, selfishness (Gal 5:19-20). 

Yet, "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him might not perish but have eternal life"   (Jn 3:16). Jesus Christ came into the world to proclaim the love   of God and to give it to the world through the sacrifice of his innocent suffering and death. That we might live in the love of God, Christ was raised from the dead. "In this the love of God was made known among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the forgiveness of our sins" (1 Jn 4:9-10).

The Church exists to proclaim in word and deed the love of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, so I also send you" (Jn 20:22). With these words Jesus established his Church and sent it into the world, so that through the ministry of the Church the words and works of Jesus might continue in the world. "If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another" (1 Jn 4:11).

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia (ELCL) is committed to the work of the Lord Jesus and exists to proclaim the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins and of the new life which is in Christ Jesus. The pastors and people of the ELCL invite you to learn more of the Gospel of Christ and of the meaning of his death and resurrection for you and all people. Moreover, following the example of Jesus who healed the sick and had compassion upon the poor and downtrodden, the ELCL seeks through its diaconical service to help the sick, the poor, and those who live without hope.