Freed by God’s love to study- Germany, 1945

“Nearly a generation of European young people have not participated in normal youth activities which would equip them for a place in society. Elementary schooling, vocational training, higher education and church life were disrupted by the war and its aftermath along with their home environments.”

This didn’t happen in an exotic place, but rather in the land of Luther: 1945 Germany.   

Today, 8 May 2015, we celebrate the anniversary of the end of World War II and we can say: “Freed by God’s love, young German Lutherans can study again!”

The Lutheran World Federation strongly supported institutions with building and operating funds and individual students with scholarships and books. Such aid was an investment in the future of Europe and the Church.

In Bavaria, refugee youth were given an opportunity to learn weaving and other trades in the workshops of the “Pfarrkirchen” institution which was started with aid from LWF World Service. At the institute, some hundred and thirty young men and women were able to prepare themselves for a full and fruitful life.

Scholarships were sometimes the only means by which Christian students could continue their education in Germany. The LWF Department of World Service helped over 1465 students to study over a two year period. LWF/DWS reports that “most of World Service aid is used in the Christian teaching program of the East German churches. The rental, purchase, and building of teaching rooms, the training of catechists, student scholarships, and the supplying of books and literature are matters of prime importance.” Summer camps were also sponsored in various European countries.

“Give me more books!”

was the cry of theological students throughout Europe.

LWF Series “Young Reformers in the history of the LWF Communion”

This story was researched and provided by Beatrice Bengtsson, LWF Archives