{"id":171,"date":"2023-06-26T11:23:13","date_gmt":"2023-06-26T16:23:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/?page_id=171"},"modified":"2025-10-17T15:05:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T20:05:30","slug":"film-archive","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/lwf-refugee-service\/film-archive\/","title":{"rendered":"Film Archive"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Film Archive<\/em><\/h1>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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The Role of Film for Service to Refugees<\/h1>\n

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\u2014including the Lutheran World Federation, the National Lutheran Council, Lutheran World Action, and the Hilfswerk of the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD<\/a><\/span>) \u2014collaborated 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.<\/p>\n

Special thanks to the ELCA Archives for assistance in assembling this collection.
Film descriptions by Amanda Randall and Sabrina Heiny.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

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Mission of Mercy (1947)<\/h2>\n

Produced by Lutheran World Action. In the announcement for the screening at Concordia College, the college newspaper <\/span>The Concordian <\/span><\/i>(May 2, 1947, p.2) notes, \u201cThis 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.\u201d The film is presented by Dr. Ralph Long (NLC) and highlights the works of Drs. Daniel Nelson and Sylvester Michelfelder (LWF).<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

This film highlights each Lutheran\u2019s 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, \u201cThank God! The church always helps!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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First Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, Lund, Sweden (1947)<\/h2>\n

With “The Lutheran Church in the World Today” as its theme, the First Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation<\/a> <\/span>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. <\/span>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. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Answer for Anne – The Story of Displaced Persons \u00a0(1949)<\/h2>\n

Produced by Lutheran World Action and the National Lutheran Council and housed now in the ELCA Vimeo Collection<\/a><\/span> (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\u2019s example and care for their neighbor. <\/span>Answer for Anne <\/span><\/i>is a message to American Lutherans, telling them that as Christians, they have a duty to open their doors to \u201cpeople with hearts and souls and willing hands to work.\u201d The film is understood to depict the early work of what would become the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS), now World Refuge<\/a>. Starring Lenka Peterson, Will Geer, and Harvey Stevens. 40 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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March of Faith (1948)<\/h2>\n

Produced by Lutheran World Action. Available on the ELCA Archives<\/span><\/a> YouTube channel, this film depicts three pressing problems\u2013<\/span>orphaned missions, displaced persons, and the rehabilitation of the church\u2013and reports how the Lutheran World Federation has used donations to address these issues. <\/span>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\u2019 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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