In 1989 the Mission90 Program was developed. This plan called for every ELCA congregation to develop a partnership (of some kind) with a ministry somewhere around the world. Bishop Chilstrom said, 'The Companion Synods Program will be the primary way congregations will participate in the 'Partners Around the World' aspect of the Mission90 Program."

In 1990, Bishop Kelley of the Northeastern Ohio Synod and Bishop Serote of the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa became friends at a Lutheran World Federation meeting in Curitiba, Brazil. Consequently, Bishop Serote was very happy about the prospect of a partnership with our Synod. He said the Diocese is 'Looking forward to mutual edification and exchanges," and asked for prayers in days of 'change, reform and transformation.'

In June 1990, the Executive Secretary of the Northern Diocese, Rev. Phaswana, was a guest at our Synod Assembly. The next year Bishop Serote was also a guest at our Northeastern Ohio Synod Assembly and preached a sermon there. He brought letters from parishes in the Northern Diocese. Three congregations in our Synod were matched with three parishes in the Northern Diocese.

In 1993 a selected team of 6 led by Bishop Kelley visited the Northern Diocese to strengthen the relationships. April was chosen because Bishop Serote encouraged a visit before he retired on April 30. The team also had the privilege of participating in the Consecration of newly elected Bishop Molefe.

There was much discussion on how to carry on this partnership. It was mutually agreed that copies of correspondence would be sent to both Bishops, to the Dean of the Circuit, and to the Companion Synod Chairperson here, because the Diocese did not know about the partnerships their parishes had with Good Hope in North Lima and Trinity in Canton.

A pilot project between one of the six circuits there and one of the seven conferences here was also proposed. The Eastern Conference initiated this partnership, since Rev. Robert Brigham from that conference was on the South Africa visit team and was willing to do the coordinating.

A Companion Synod Subcommittee was formed separate from the Global Mission Committee. Each conference was represented with that person being a liaison with their conference and partnerships within their conference.

In 1994 the youth director of the Northern Diocese, Jacob Dikobo, was a guest of the Northeastern Ohio Synod. Matilda Molepe was a guest of the Lutheran Youth Ministries of Ohio during the same period. In addition to visiting in Northeastern Ohio Synod congregations, they attended and presented a workshop at the National Youth Gathering in Atlanta.

The Bishop of the Northern Diocese, Clifford Molefe, and his wife Princess were guests of the NEO Synod in 1995. Bishop Molefe preached and discussed South African issues at the Synod Assembly in June. Both were presenters at an annual ELCA Global Mission Event held at Kent State University in July. Between these two events they were hosted by each of the seven conferences. All of the NEO Synod conferences were paired with South African circuits and 'Covenant Agreements' were signed by the NEO Synod Conference presidents. Both Bishops at Camp Luther signed the Synod Diocese Covenant. Guidelines for the Companion Synod Program at all levels were also discussed and approved by both Bishops.

In January 1996 Rev. Robin McCullough and Joyce Gibeaut from Canton-Massillon Conference visited their partner Mphome Circuit. While there all of the Circuit parishes were matched with congregations in Canton-Massillon Conference.

In September 1996 Rev. Mahlangu came as the first Pastor Exchange Program visitor. He was hosted by Akron Wooster Conference, his Circuit partner. His parish was matched with Grace Lutheran in Wadsworth. October 6 was the first time that the Covenants were signed while both pastors were together. Rev. Mahlangu became the Executive Secretary of the Northern Diocese in July 1997.

In April 1997 Rev. Charles Knerem and Dean Miller of Cleveland West Conference visited their partner Circuit, Devhul/Leboa; and Carol Aufdencampe and Joan Albert in Richland-Ashland Conference visited in that partner Circuit, Polokwane.

In August 1997 Rev. Steven Behr, with his wife Lu, was our first visitor to go to the Northern Diocese under the Pastor Exchange Program. He was requested to teach pulpit communication to pastors and lay people.

In April 1998, Bishop Marcus Miller and his wife Kathy were in the Northern Diocese for two weeks as guests of Bishop Clifford Molefe and his wife, Princess.

In September 1998 Rev. Mathews Shabele and his wife Rebecca came for eight weeks under the Pastor Exchange Program. He had experiences in rural, intercity and multicultural congregations. He presented a Bible Study, and she told about their Women's League in conjunction with Bishop Millers visit to each Conference.

In June 1998, after two years of planning, Rev. Dr. Stanley Sneeringer took ten mission travelers to the Northern Diocese for a Lutheran Leadership Conference. They were joined by leaders from the Northern Diocese and presented workshops in two locations.

In 1999, having served six years as chair of the Companion Synod Subcommittee, Mrs. Ryllis Guist continues as Companion Synod Liaison to the Global Mission Committee and the Congregation Partnership coordinator. The new chair of the subcommittee is the Rev. Dr. Stanley Sneeringer of Faith, Fairlawn.

In 2000, Jacob Mthembu came as a Musician Missionary to our synod for six weeks under the Pastor Exchange Program. He is the music director for the Diocese. He led music for Bishop Miller's visit in each Conference and shared his expertise at a synod wide "Mission Market Place" plus selected congregations. His visit was climaxed with an exciting "Reformation Hymnfest--South African Style" held at Bethany Lutheran Church, Akron.