About the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Church in America
With nearly 10,000 congregations across the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and nearly 4 million members, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a community of faith that shares a passion for making positive changes in the world. Our faith is built around a strong belief in God as made known to us in Jesus Christ. Through worship, service, and education, we practice our faith, grow our relationship with God and experience God’s grace in our lives. We also work hard to put our faith into action. In today’s complex world, we strive to make a difference in practical, realistic ways.
The ELCA is organized into 65 synods (64 geographical and one non-geographical) located in nine regions. Each synod (a Greek word meaning “a way together”) is led by a bishop. The geographic area of the Pacifica Synod includes the state of Hawaii and portions of Southern California, including the counties of Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial and part of Los Angeles County. The number of ELCA congregations in the Pacifica Synod is currently 110, comprised of nearly 25,139 baptized members (2019 Synod totals based on congregational reports submitted). These congregations are organized into nine conferences, each consisting of about a dozen churches. Each conference is led by a dean.
