Central African Republic (CAR)

About 4.4 million people live in the Central African Republic. While the official language is French, it is the national Songo language that unites the population, traditionally divided between the river peoples and savanna peoples. Ethnic groups include the Baya (33%), Banda (27%), Mandjia (13%), and Sara (10%). There are four major religions: Protestant (25%) Roman Catholic (25%) indigenous beliefs (35%) and Muslim (15%).  Animistic practices have a strong influence on Christians.

Without port access, CAR’s land-locked economy is limited, and factional fighting in the government inhibits economic growth. Subsistence farming and logging are the major economic forces and distribution of wealth is extremely unequal. Grants from the international community (especially France) only meet some of the country’s humanitarian needs.  The lack of a potable water supply, desertification, deforestation and poaching of animals (threatening its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges) are the country's largest environmental concerns. Military rebellions and social unrest for three decades have had a profound effect. AIDS is a serious health problem with 13.5% of the adults currently living with HIV/AIDS. An influx of refugees and child trafficking (the Central African Republic is a source and destination country for child trafficking) are also of concern.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (Église évangélique luthérienne de la République centrafricaine, EELRCA), a member of the Lutheran World Federation, has 450 congregations in 7 regions and 27 districts. 71 pastors (12 of them retired) serve the church, along with 44 evangelists (6 of them retired), 205 trained catechists and 246 assistant catechists. Membership is estimated at 50,000, although it may have decreased due to the social unrest, civil conflict, and destabilizing political events in regions where the church is present.

The EELRCA is a member of the Lutheran Communion in Western Africa (LUCWA), the LWF's expression in West Africa,  and the Joint Christian Ministry in West Africa (JCMWA).

The EELRCA's ministries include health, education, Muslim-Christian relations, ministries for youth and women, and an integrated rural development program.

About 4.4 million people live in the Central African Republic. While the official language is French, it is the national Songo language that unites the population, traditionally divided between the river peoples and savanna peoples. Ethnic groups include the Baya (33%), Banda (27%), Mandjia (13%), and Sara (10%). There are four major religions: Protestant (25%) Roman Catholic (25%) indigenous beliefs (35%) and Muslim (15%). Animistic practices have a strong influence on Christians.

Without port access, CAR’s land-locked economy is limited, and factional fighting in the government inhibits economic growth. Subsistence farming and logging are the major economic forces and distribution of wealth is extremely unequal. Grants from the international community (especially France) only meet some of the country’s humanitarian needs.

The lack of a potable water supply, desertification, deforestation and poaching of animals (threatening its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges) are the country's largest environmental concerns. Military rebellions and social unrest for three decades have had a profound effect. AIDS is a serious health problem with 13.5% of the adults currently living with HIV/AIDS. An influx of refugees and child trafficking (the Central African Republic is a source and destination country for child trafficking) are also of concern.