History

On a Sunday morning in February 2014, Pr. Alvien De Guzman, his wife, son, and his mom gathered in their home for a family devotion. Later, it became a regular gathering and they were soon joined by Pr. Alvien's other siblings. On a few occasions, some of their neighbors would also join them. Thus began an independent fellowship of confessional Lutheran believers in the Philippines. They chose the name "Law & Gospel Evangelical Lutheran Church". "Law and gospel" are the two main doctrines of the Holy Scriptures. Both must be proclaimed or a sermon or a teaching is not balanced nor complete; worst, it is dangerous and disastrous.  Choosing this name is a testimony to their conviction that all their preaching and teaching both within and outside the congregation will be a proclamation of the whole counsel of God, that is, law and gospel.

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Through Pr Alvien's constant email conversation with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) in the US, a series of meetings were held between him and the WELS representatives. In February 2015, a Colloquy and Ministry Planning meeting was held in Quezon City, Philippines. WELS representatives came and met with Pr. Alvien for 3 days. Two of those three days were spent for colloquy or theological discussion. The purpose of the colloquy was to determine whether Pr. Alvien's theological views were in harmony with the WELS'.

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A month after this meeting, Pr. Alvien was informed by the Chairman of the WELS Asia Pacific Committee that they have found his views to be in complete harmony with the WELS'. Though there is yet no official declaration of fellowship between the WELS and Law & Gospel congregation, it is suffice to say at this stage that the Law & Gospel congregation is doctrinally affiliated with the WELS.

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