The LWF is a global communion of 148 churches in the Lutheran tradition, representing over 77 million Christians in 99 countries.

LWF strives to put faith into action within and beyond the communion, which takes a variety of forms from theological reflection and dialogue with other churches and faiths, to deepening relationships, sharing about faith, serving those in need and advocating for a more just, peaceful and reconciled world. LWF shares a vision, purpose and values. LWF works to strengthen our relationships and build an inclusive, respectful communion.

From LWF’s beginning in 1947, its member churches have mandated World Service as the humanitarian and development arm of the federation. Since World Service has become a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization working in over 25 countries. World Service in its humanitarian-development programs seeks to bring people of all backgrounds together in the common quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world. Just as LWF as a whole, World Service’s work is people-centred and community-based. Based on that a defining feature of World Service has become its local rootedness and global connectivity, linking local community voices with international dialogue, advocacy, and peace work. Focusing on the most vulnerable in order to claim and uphold their rights, World Service engages proactively with local government and community structures.

LWF Department of World Service is committed to longer-term solutions, consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that address root causes of poverty so that all can enjoy their rights and a life with dignity. As a humanitarian-development partner of the UN and a variety of international actors and organizations, World Service became particularly known for timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work, and for field presence in hard-to-reach areas.

Today, LWF has an ever expending reach from the grass roots to the top levels, and wields impact that can reach far and cause real improvements in people’s lives. The partnership with the End Violence movements is seen as one further addition to employ LWF’s reach to help ending violence against children by 2030 through the Lutheran Churches and the LWF Department of World Service.