Madagascar
In 1866 the mission ship “Eliezer” sailed off from Norway to Madagascar, having on board the first Lutheran missionaries, sent by the Norwegian Missionary Society. Within five years the Norwegians were able to establish a strong network of missions and schools, including a seminary in the Fianarantsoa area, undergirded by a considerable amount of Christian literature translated into Malagasy. The Mission of the American Lutheran Church began work in south-west Madagascar in 1888 where the Malagasy catechists had done quite some work in preparing the way among Tanosy people. The seminary at Fianarantsoa gradually became an institution for all Lutherans and prepared the way for the formation of one national Lutheran church.
