Film Archive
In this collection, you will find historical films used to document and promote Lutheran service to refugees, documentary footage of the founding of the Lutheran World Federation, and the personal memories of St. Olaf College and Northfield community member, Dr. Howard Hong, LWF Senior Representative and Director of LWF Service to Refugees in Germany.
The Role of Film for Service to Refugees
Providing sustenance to refugees and facilitating the resettlement of displaced persons to new homes required massive coordination of material and financial resources gathered and distributed by national, supranational, religious and non-religious aid organizations. But where did those resources actually come from? One key source was local churches. In order to mobilize generous giving and convince American Lutherans to sponsor refugee resettlement with official assurances of lodging and work, different Lutheran organizations—including the Lutheran World Federation, the National Lutheran Council, Lutheran World Action, and the Hilfswerk of the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD) —collaborated to create educational, promotional materials to disseminate to congregations across the country. The first four films in this collection were designed to teach congregations about the devastation facing refugees and the reasons and ways to help them.
Special thanks to the ELCA Archives for assistance in assembling this collection.
Film descriptions by Amanda Randall and Sabrina Heiny.
Mission of Mercy (1947)
Produced by Lutheran World Action. In the announcement for the screening at Concordia College, the college newspaper The Concordian (May 2, 1947, p.2) notes, “This movie portrays the suffering in Europe and the urgent need for outside aid there. The challenge this situation presents to all Lutherans is graphically depicted.” The film is presented by Dr. Ralph Long (NLC) and highlights the works of Drs. Daniel Nelson and Sylvester Michelfelder (LWF).
After Dr. Nelson discusses the work of Lutheran missions in China, the film presents the European post-war crisis. LWF reconstruction committees realized that offering spiritual relief wouldn’t be enough; they had to answer material needs, as well. Their plea was answered with generous American donations, which were used to provide supplies and rebuild destroyed churches.
This film highlights each Lutheran’s duty to help others in need. Although the work in Europe was far from complete, the film also notes the meaningful benefits for refugees. Dr. Michelfelder recalls directing one young man to a Lutheran mission for shelter. As he turned away, the young man remarked, “Thank God! The church always helps!”
First Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, Lund, Sweden (1947)
With “The Lutheran Church in the World Today” as its theme, the First Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation marked the official founding of the organization as successor to the Lutheran World Convention (founded 1923). The Assembly in Lund, Sweden, was attended by 400 visitors from twenty-six countries, with churches in the United States, Germany, and the Nordic countries most heavily represented. The entrance of the Lutheran Church of Sweden into the LWF was formalized at the meeting, which was held in the Lund Cathedral, a formerly Catholic edifice that dates back to the 11th century. This short, silent film with Swedish inter-titles shows highlights from the Assembly location, attendees and key moments like the signing of the Lutheran World Federation constitution, the election of Professor Anders Nygren (Sweden) as first LWF President, and confirmation of Dr Sylvester Michelfelder (USA) as first LWF Executive Secretary. The film also introduces a number of bishops and clergymen from countries in most need of material and spiritual support, and acknowledges American financial contributions.
Answer for Anne – The Story of Displaced Persons (1949)
Produced by Lutheran World Action and the National Lutheran Council and housed now in the ELCA Vimeo Collection (from 1990 LIRS reissue), this 1949 film uses a frame narrative to inform viewers about the plight of Displaced Persons (DPs) in postwar Europe and the services provided to them by Lutheran agencies. In the story, an American schoolgirl named Anne has been assigned to write an essay on the topic of Displaced Persons (DPs). Unsure where to start, she goes around her town asking people for their opinions on whether or not the United States should take in refugees. Everyone she speaks to says no, saying DPs will take jobs and housing, and would be a burden on the townspeople. Anne then goes to her pastor, who tells her that the townspeople need to follow Christ’s example and care for their neighbor. Answer for Anne is a message to American Lutherans, telling them that as Christians, they have a duty to open their doors to “people with hearts and souls and willing hands to work.” The film is understood to depict the early work of what would become the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS), now World Refuge. Starring Lenka Peterson, Will Geer, and Harvey Stevens. 40 minutes.
March of Faith (1948)
Produced by Lutheran World Action. Available on the ELCA Archives YouTube channel, this film depicts three pressing problems–orphaned missions, displaced persons, and the rehabilitation of the church–and reports how the Lutheran World Federation has used donations to address these issues. Beginning near minute 14, the film describes the value of material support, such as food or supplies for self-sufficiency (e.g., tools, seeds, repair kits, etc.), as well as various types of spiritual support. Howard Hong, the representative for the American branch of the Lutheran World Federation in Germany and Austria, discusses the refugees’ overwhelming gratitude for American aid. Funds also helped establish a Christian upbringing for displaced youth through schools and youth camps. This film also describes the rebuilding of churches and seminaries, and includes scenes from the 1947 First Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation.
Turn in the Road (1952)
The film depicts a conversation among National Lutheran Council Executive Director Paul Empie, Fredrik Schiotz (St. Olaf Class of 1924 and future LWF President) and incoming LWF Executive Secretary Carl Lund-Quist about the efforts of Lutheran World Action and the Lutheran World Federation after ten years of service. It describes the plight of the hungry and homeless refugees, and details the ten years of progress made through the power of American donations. A brief message from Dr. Sylvester Michelfelder introduces the LWF’s constitution. The film attempts to show to donors the success of the LWF’s material and spiritual relief programs.
Das neue Kapitel / The New Chapter (1954)
“Ein Dokumentarfilm über die Flüchtlinge aus der Sowjetrussischen Besatzungszone Deutschlands.” A English-dubbed film depicting Lutheran relief work among refugees from the country of East Germany (GDR), which was founded from the Soviet Occupied Zone in 1949. This film explains the process of migration from East Germany to West Germany in the early 1950s. East Germans had to be processed through large transit camps before they were allowed into West Germany. The film includes personal stories of the backgrounds and struggles of some of the refugees, including a doctor and a teacher. The German Lutheran Church provided a great deal of spiritual and material support to these refugees. Produced by West German station NDW in cooperation with the Hilfswerk of the Evangelische Kirchen in Deutschland, the Lutheran Church in Germany. Distributed by Lutheran World Action.
Howard Hong Oral History Interview (2007)
The Northfield Historical Society interviewed Dr. Howard Hong, Professor emeritus of Philosophy at St. Olaf College, about his life in Northfield—as a professor and as a community member. The first 12 minutes of the interview are dedicated to the topic of Dr. Hong’s service to German POWs through the YMCA and to refugees in Germany through the Lutheran World Federation and how that work connected directly to the Northfield and the college. Of particular interest is how Dr. Hong facilitated the resettlement of displaced scholars from Baltic countries to take up professorships at Lutheran college in the Midwest. The interview as a whole reveals much about how Dr. Hong’s philosophy and character drove him to service to refugees.