We will soon present all our members here
In the meantime, you can find answers here to common questions about ELSA and our Sunday school work.
What is ELSA’s main task?
ELSA promotes cooperation between Lutheran Sunday schools across Europe.
How can my church or organisation join the network?
Simply get in touch through the contact form on our website to apply for membership.
How often are conferences held?
ELSA organises a conference every three years in different European countries.
30 years in 2026
ELSA is a network of Sunday school organisations across 14 European countries, many in Eastern Europe.
The association was founded in 1996, following the fall of the Iron Curtain, when exchange of experience became crucial – in some countries, Sunday school work had been banned under communist regimes for up to 70 years.
From the very beginning, Lutheran organisations in the Nordic countries were among the initiators, helping to build a platform for support, inspiration, and mutual learning across borders. Today, members include national Lutheran churches in Ukraine, ELCE in the UK, DFS in Denmark, and many others. Each member brings its own history and context, but all share the same vision: to equip and inspire children’s ministry in their countries.
European cooperation
As part of the international Sunday school movement, DFS and other member organisations are committed to helping and inspiring children’s ministry in places where there is a clear need and a desire for “help to self-help”. ELSA provides this cooperation on a European scale – strengthening local initiatives through shared resources, training, and fellowship.
Join us for the jubilee in Albania
A lot has happened in children’s ministry since 1996, the founding year of the organisation.
As we also mark the 30th anniversary of ELSA, we will ask: What role will ELSA play in this important work for the next 30 years?
More info in the ‘Conference’ section.
